Night in the Woods - College dropout drops in to a mystery - Games

Here's a cool fan art: [media]https://twitter.com/PaulMcIcedTea/status/837443658706268165[/media]

[QUOTE=Itszutak;51902715][sp]i don't think the cult was worshipping anything real. They're a metaphor for old conservatives clinging onto their deluded vision of the past at any cost. Every time Mae has a vision it's inconsistent with the world around her and is likely the product of stress or exhaustion. I'll have to play again but i think it only gets specific after she reads the newspaper clippings about it? I don't recall[/sp][/QUOTE] Good lord, I hope the plot isn't metaphorical. I hate it when games pull a [sp]Monster a Go-Go[/sp] and hamhandedly imply that [sp]the real villain is the human spirit[/sp]. It sizzled my patties with Firewatch, it ground my gears with Gone Home, and it'll seriously burn my britches if the possible sequel decides to go with that as an explanation.

[QUOTE=eatdembeanz;51903088]Good lord, I hope the plot isn't metaphorical. I hate it when games pull a [sp]Monster a Go-Go[/sp] and hamhandedly imply that [sp]the real villain is the human spirit[/sp]. It sizzled my patties with Firewatch, it ground my gears with Gone Home, and it'll seriously burn my britches if the possible sequel decides to go with that as an explanation.[/QUOTE] [sp]eh I don't see how having the cult be thought of as a metaphor takes away from the overall experience. Regadless the main point is just that it's ambiguous as to if there is anything supernatural going on, and if they did a sequel I'm sure they'd continue that trend since what's the point of being ambiguous if you're just gonna be blatant in the sequel. I prefer the ambiguity tbh. Gets people talking. [/sp]

I'll just continue interpreting it all literally because that's less disappointing

[QUOTE=salty peanut v2;51903253]I'll just continue interpreting it all literally because that's less disappointing[/QUOTE] Still not as disappointing as you pirating the game BUY IT

Really glad that more of the music is being uploaded to Youtube to tide me over until the OST releases. I loved all of the musical dream sequence but wow the first one was my favorite by far, the violin just kills me [video=youtube;ADCeLqxyGIU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADCeLqxyGIU&t=140s[/video]

[sp]imo if it turns out to be literally true that would be boring. Too many stories already do that, i prefer the idea that the ctulu cult really is just a bunch of deranged conservatives throwing people down pits for no reason. Also it fits thematically with the whole idea of a universe that doesn't care and people who do. The stars aren't gods, but the nitw folks create gods out of them. We see patterns and form meaning behind them even where it doesn't exist. It's a story about nihilism and throwing cthulu into the mix completely detracts from that point[/sp] [editline]2nd March 2017[/editline] Also buy the goddamn game Salt

[QUOTE=Itszutak;51903773][sp]imo if it turns out to be literally true that would be boring. Too many stories already do that, i prefer the idea that the ctulu cult really is just a bunch of deranged conservatives throwing people down pits for no reason. Also it fits thematically with the whole idea of a universe that doesn't care and people who do. The stars aren't gods, but the nitw folks create gods out of them. We see patterns and form meaning behind them even where it doesn't exist. It's a story about nihilism and throwing cthulu into the mix completely detracts from that point[/sp] [editline]2nd March 2017[/editline] Also buy the goddamn game Salt[/QUOTE] I respectfully disagree. [sp]Making it so that the entire plot, the dreams, the creepy occurrences, and the cultist appearing from literally out of nowhere was nothing but Mae being schizophrenic and the cultists being unambiguously wrong doesn't do a lot to make the game more interesting. It just makes it Mystery Of The Druids with more furries. They've gone in far too deep with the mythos to go for the copout "it's a metaphor for Mae's psychopathy and the cultists coincidentally believe in the exact same things because yeah sure" answer. Yes, I agree that games can do well with the "possibly none of it is real" ending; Scratches was amazing for making it ambiguous whether there was an actual presence in the house or if the main character was just losing his mind over a raccoon in the attic, but it had set up its entire story to focus on how the main character was steadily losing his mind for very good reasons. NITW has Mae degenerating over the course of the game largely because of the dreams and the cultists, which are far too direct to properly work as a "all in her mind" thing. At this point, just revealing it to be a bunch of dumbass hillbillies throwing dudes down a hole coupled with the main character having undiagnosed schizophrenia would be disappointing for a lot of people, especially ones who have played a lot of fancy art adventure games and been burned by non-endings.[/sp] Plus, there's the fact that the [sp]"not actually Shub-Niggurath and Her ghost cultists"[/sp] reveal would result in a [I]huge[/I] amount of loose ends like [sp]The Janitor[/sp] and [sp]Mae dreaming of the four musicians before ever hearing about them[/sp] either going unresolved or turning out to be true and making it seem like the game just arbitrarily decided [sp][I]this[/I] one isn't[/sp].

I think that's a good argument. Personally I'd be happy if it went either way but you make some good points.

Yea it's pretty much just difference of opinion which you think works better. I'm partial to the more literal explanation but the games ambiguous with this imo so it doesn't really matter, you can believe whichever side and you'll probably find evidence for it. [QUOTE=eatdembeanz;51903996][sp]NITW has Mae degenerating over the course of the game largely because of the dreams and the cultists, which are far too direct to properly work as a "all in her mind" thing.[/sp][/QUOTE] [sp]it could just be that the dreams are just a result of her declining psyche following the college experience and trying to re-adjust back in her hometown again while also remembering her grandfather and the stories he'd tell her about forest gods and such, rather then the dreams being the cause themselves, and that the stress from all the cult guys was just furthering her decent. There's even stuff that deliberately is put in to make you question shit, like this one article [/sp] [url]http://i.imgur.com/AIjAKXz.png[/url] [sp]which could explain that bit near the ending where she confronts the monster in the water [/sp] [QUOTE]Plus, there's the fact that the [sp]"not actually Shub-Niggurath and Her ghost cultists"[/sp] reveal would result in a [I]huge[/I] amount of loose ends like [sp]The Janitor[/sp] and [sp]Mae dreaming of the four musicians before ever hearing about them[/sp] either going unresolved or turning out to be true and making it seem like the game just arbitrarily decided [sp][I]this[/I] one isn't[/sp].[/QUOTE] [sp]The story of the band members could just be one of the many stories her grandfather told her as a child that she'd sorta forgotten. It was said it's a popular local story and she mentions having trouble keeping stuff together in her head without her journal at one point iirc? so it's not too big a stretch that it was just a resurfacing memory. What's the loose end with the janitor tho? I don't remember much from him except that he knew her name at one point, but that's hardly a big deal given it's a small town.[/sp] there's a lot that isn't directly explained either way so I'm interested to see where they're gonna take this next, assuming they do.

[QUOTE=postal;51904085]Yea it's pretty much just difference of opinion which you think works better. I'm partial to the more literal explanation but the games ambiguous with this imo so it doesn't really matter, you can believe whichever side and you'll probably find evidence for it. [sp]it could just be that the dreams are just a result of her declining psyche following the college experience and trying to re-adjust back in her hometown again while also remembering her grandfather and the stories he'd tell her about forest gods and such, rather then the dreams being the cause themselves, and that the stress from all the cult guys was just furthering her decent. There's even stuff that deliberately is put in to make you question shit, like this one article [/sp] [url]http://i.imgur.com/AIjAKXz.png[/url] [sp]which could explain that bit near the ending where she confronts the monster in the water [/sp] [sp]The story of the band members could just be one of the many stories her grandfather told her as a child that she'd sorta forgotten. It was said it's a popular local story and she mentions having trouble keeping stuff together in her head without her journal at one point iirc? so it's not too big a stretch that it was just a resurfacing memory. What's the loose end with the janitor tho? I don't remember much from him except that he knew her name at one point, but that's hardly a big deal given it's a small town.[/sp] there's a lot that isn't directly explained either way so I'm interested to see where they're gonna take this next, assuming they do.[/QUOTE] [sp]I never actually read that article, I like that a lot. Like it seems really unlikely to me that they'd just say "oh yeah it was hallucination gas" about the plot but its mere existence is evidence that there's a lot more possible questions and answers about everything going on.[/sp]

[sp]This whole debate over whether it's real or in Mae's mind is silly imo. There's enough evidence on both sides that I think, pretty deliberately, the creators left whether it's real or not to be totally ambiguous. The question is not whether those events really happened, the question is what the characters choose to do with the knowledge they have of Mae's mental illness regardless of if it is connected to the visions she's having, and that regardless of if she was crazy or not, that there was an actual cult in the town throwing people down a pit. Spooky Shub-Niggurath at the bottom of the pit or no, it's pretty fucked up. I think there are plenty of loose threads left even if the Lovecraftian elements of the game are "real".[/sp] I also think the chances of a sequel are pretty slim, I feel like the story wrapped up pretty nicely, with the ambiguous bits left there on purpose. And even then, unless they put as much time and thought into the sequel as they did into this, I feel like it'd be a case of Hotline Miami 2 where the original is just so genius that the sequel doesn't really stack up (although I heavily enjoyed HM2). I think if anything, we'll see more games like Lost Constellation/Longest Night or DLC in that vein. But I highly doubt we'll see anything on the scale of NitW2. Maybe I'll be wrong and they'll make a brilliant sequel and surprise the shit out of all of us, but I would be ok without one.

[sp]I think it's pretty clear that the Lovecraftian Dadcult etc. is real within the game's physical universe. Bea alone seems like a person that wouldn't just go along with that, it would upset her too much and she seems pro-facing reality. Rather, I'm pretty sure it's just a clumsy, heavy handed metaphor for the classic Generation X vs Millennials conflict. Gen X wanting to cling onto the old ways at any cost, desperate for jobs and prosperity for those that value 'hard work' (even though all of Mae's pals are working damn hard and are proud of it) while disposing of immigrant or 'lazy people.' While Millennials tend towards a more... humanitarian? way of thinking. At least, more humanitarian than feeding a cosmic horror. Basically Mae definitely has mental shit going on, but she didn't dream Casey's disappearance. She didn't dream watching the Dadcult sacrifice Lurv. She didn't dream that child being kidnapped. And I don't think the pit beast is a dream either.[/sp] In other news, is Bea wearing a dress or a really long shirt? Edit: [sp]Also I'm pretty sure that The Janitor is Little Joe. He's the only other multiple-times-reported supernatural entity in the Microfiche, and I'm pretty sure that Bea says the statue in the Graveyard is him, compare the silhouettes. http://puu.sh/us4Ds/947a8b8105.png http://puu.sh/us4tI/b5fe6a8592.png Add a hat and it's the same dude. [/sp]

Finished my first playthrough at around 7 hours. Two things I want to say: - [sp]I was holding back tears when Bea ran from the party in that town, and Mae ran off to find her. Just "proximity" as a whole.[/sp] - [sp]I was seriously thinking that Mae was going to throw herself into the pit when they were surrounded by the cultists. I don't know why I just had a feeling and I'm really glad I was wrong.[/sp] I plan on replaying this game a few more times because there seems to be a lot I missed.

[QUOTE=postal;51904085]Yea it's pretty much just difference of opinion which you think works better. I'm partial to the more literal explanation but the games ambiguous with this imo so it doesn't really matter, you can believe whichever side and you'll probably find evidence for it. [sp]it could just be that the dreams are just a result of her declining psyche following the college experience and trying to re-adjust back in her hometown again while also remembering her grandfather and the stories he'd tell her about forest gods and such, rather then the dreams being the cause themselves, and that the stress from all the cult guys was just furthering her decent. There's even stuff that deliberately is put in to make you question shit, like this one article [/sp] [url]http://i.imgur.com/AIjAKXz.png[/url] [sp]which could explain that bit near the ending where she confronts the monster in the water [/sp] [sp]The story of the band members could just be one of the many stories her grandfather told her as a child that she'd sorta forgotten. It was said it's a popular local story and she mentions having trouble keeping stuff together in her head without her journal at one point iirc? so it's not too big a stretch that it was just a resurfacing memory. What's the loose end with the janitor tho? I don't remember much from him except that he knew her name at one point, but that's hardly a big deal given it's a small town.[/sp] there's a lot that isn't directly explained either way so I'm interested to see where they're gonna take this next, assuming they do.[/QUOTE] [sp]the janitor also appears during harfest the harfest play and knows about maes dreams. he also teleports mae to the hospital or fast fowards time or does something else supernatural (how it appeared to me at least) when he appears at the church after mae falls down the hill in the woods running from the dadcult. he also mentions that he's here to "fix a door" immediately after mae has her dream with the godcat about the goat ripping open a "door in the sky". this is also the same thing he says in the beginning, when mae is at the bus stop. he has somehow changed the vending machine to dispense free drinks, and is also 'fixing' a real, literal door, which is silly, because why would a door like that need fixing? why couldn't he let mae out? etc. I really think the supernatural stuff was/is really happening, but mae's psychosis and ability as an unreliable narrator means that it's called into question for both the other characters and ourselves. i definitely don't think it's a total metaphor for her own mental state, and that kind of feels like a cop-out imo. i definitely feel like the game is missing a second half, and i hope they expand on it! even if it just means more social link time with the cast.[/sp] the writing is just so good... [editline]3rd March 2017[/editline] [QUOTE=VietRooster2;51904800]Finished my first playthrough at around 7 hours. Two things I want to say: - [sp]I was holding back tears when Bea ran from the party in that town, and Mae ran off to find her. Just "proximity" as a whole.[/sp] - [sp]I was seriously thinking that Mae was going to throw herself into the pit when they were surrounded by the cultists. I don't know why I just had a feeling and I'm really glad I was wrong.[/sp] I plan on replaying this game a few more times because there seems to be a lot I missed.[/QUOTE] i had the same feeling. i think its because [sp] mae repeatedly talks about how its 'calling' to her, and also says 'im going to die down here' or something like it [/sp] i personally dont plan on replaying it. something about games like this i feel are best enjoyed with a single playthrough

[QUOTE=Problem;51904643][sp]This whole debate over whether it's real or in Mae's mind is silly imo. There's enough evidence on both sides that I think, pretty deliberately, the creators left whether it's real or not to be totally ambiguous. The question is not whether those events really happened, the question is what the characters choose to do with the knowledge they have of Mae's mental illness regardless of if it is connected to the visions she's having, and that regardless of if she was crazy or not, that there was an actual cult in the town throwing people down a pit. Spooky Shub-Niggurath at the bottom of the pit or no, it's pretty fucked up. I think there are plenty of loose threads left even if the Lovecraftian elements of the game are "real".[/sp] I also think the chances of a sequel are pretty slim, I feel like the story wrapped up pretty nicely, with the ambiguous bits left there on purpose. And even then, unless they put as much time and thought into the sequel as they did into this, I feel like it'd be a case of Hotline Miami 2 where the original is just so genius that the sequel doesn't really stack up (although I heavily enjoyed HM2). I think if anything, we'll see more games like Lost Constellation/Longest Night or DLC in that vein. But I highly doubt we'll see anything on the scale of NitW2. Maybe I'll be wrong and they'll make a brilliant sequel and surprise the shit out of all of us, but I would be ok without one.[/QUOTE] I don't really see how it's silly given how much evidence both sides have to talk about, it's an interesting subject to discuss.

One of the devs mentioned something or someone that explains the relevance of the musicians in Maes dreams in the third act if you follow a certain chain of events. It was in that ama postal linked to. Any idea what exactly he's talking about?

From what I heard [sp]they were a band back in the 60s or something, the Dulvey Hollow Howlers I think, and they all died one night under mysterious circumstances. Fast-forward to the modern timespace, and you have two damningly similar musicians, a violinist and a saxophonist, who end up playing together thanks to Mae's "meddling".[/sp] [sp]I have a creeping feeling that there are two more out there, and when the four come together, the D.H.H will be whole once more, and they're gonna end up summoning the King in Yellow or something. Who'll probably get a bolt in the eye from Gregg, if Gregg ever replaces his lost crossbow. Because Gregg does seem like the kind of crazy fox who'd shoot a god in the eye.[/sp]

[QUOTE=LSK;51905141]One of the devs mentioned something or someone that explains the relevance of the musicians in Maes dreams in the third act if you follow a certain chain of events. It was in that ama postal linked to. Any idea what exactly he's talking about?[/QUOTE] I never got it during my playthrough but [sp]There's a sidequest at one point where you can meet two musicians in the abandoned theater and they talk about an old tale about a band that went out into the woods to play music to ghosts and died from exposure[/sp]

I don't know about a sequel, but I'd sure love more pieces on the game's lore first. Please give me a supplemental about [sp]eating people and spitting fire[/sp].

On the whole point of if Mae is [sp]schizophrenic or delusional from stress, I find it somewhat unlikely. Her being an unreliable narrator could make sense, it's possible her dreams were unrelated to the cultist mystery and the cultists explanations fit and made sense to her when she finally found them, but I think it's a tad too convenient that her dreams were about cosmic horrors, and especially the goat telling her about the "hole in the universe" which just happened to be in the mine.[/sp] I suppose we'll find out more if there is a sequel. [editline]3rd March 2017[/editline] On an unrelated note, the most satisfying part of the game is [sp]when Gregg shoots the cultist with a crossbow. It's so refreshing to see a character in a horror scene like that with the sense to actually use a weapon.[/sp]

Jesus fuck I wasn't expecting what appeared to be a cute game about cartoon animal people to get so real, [sp]Mae's monologue when she "falls" into the water in the mine[/sp] hit a little too close to home

Just finished the game...holy flying fuck that was SOMETHING!.. I think this is without exaggeration one of the best games and stories i have ever played.. i truly hope the team sticks together and keep making amazing stuff [editline]3rd March 2017[/editline] [QUOTE=Thunderbolt;51908215]Jesus fuck I wasn't expecting what appeared to be a cute game about cartoon animal people to get so real, [sp]Mae's monologue when she "falls" into the water in the mine[/sp] hit a little too close to home[/QUOTE] Agreed!, That last part blew my mind in all therms

I'm really gonna miss this game. The characters really, honestly felt like friends. [sp]I can definitely relate to Mae's talk with Bea on the couch about what caused the softball incident.[/sp] I oughta give it another playthrough sometime, see what I missed.

I haven't played any of this game, I've only seen the trailer, and I'm really interested. One question. Without any details, does this game get real weird? I love me some weird games.

[QUOTE=Mort Stroodle;51911503]I haven't played any of this game, I've only seen the trailer, and I'm really interested. One question. Without any details, does this game get real weird? I love me some weird games.[/QUOTE] It has some weirdness but it stays grounded enough in my opinion.

Weird? I dunno man this shit as real if not for the talking cats and shapes.

Fella from before uploaded his cover of WA with bass tabs/no vocals. [video=youtube;OCygSzQIcEo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCygSzQIcEo[/video] So that's my weekend sorted.

[QUOTE=Mort Stroodle;51911503]I haven't played any of this game, I've only seen the trailer, and I'm really interested. One question. Without any details, does this game get real weird? I love me some weird games.[/QUOTE] It becomes preeeeeety weird towards the end/the further you get/at certain points but it manages to keep it at a good level, so nothing over the top

Seeing avatars of this game all over the place. So either this game is [i]really[/i] good or a significant portion of FP are furries.