by Graham Taylor
I’ve
walked beside Ethan Mars on his quest to save his son. I’ve voyaged the galaxy
aboard the Normandy. I’ve survived biters while traversing the post-apocalyptic
American south. I’m no stranger to making hard choices when it comes to games.
But
Always Sometimes Monsters presented
me with something a little different--a game that let me define my own morality
in a realistic setting. Just how far would I go for someone I loved?
You
are not a hero in Always Sometimes
Monsters.
You
are just an everyday person, down on their luck.
From
the start of your game, you only goal is to make it across the country in 30
days before your former lover gets married. The choices you make in this gloomy
8-bit RPG will shape your experience, and every little situation can quickly
become something big.
There
are four towns you have to make it through in order to reach the wedding in
time. Each town provides different characters and challenges for you, and it is
up to you to find some way to move on.
Gameplay
is very basic, playing more like a visual novel than an actual game.
Needless
to say, it’s slow.
The
majority of the time is spent wandering around town, picking up odd jobs for
money and interacting with NPCs to advance the plot. This can range from spending
time with a little old lady, running drugs, or becoming involved in government
conspiracies. While some of these may seem a bit convoluted and silly, they fit
in with the setting and story just fine simply because the game is set in a
world grounded in reality. Sure, it’s not everyday you hear about rigged
elections; but you do hear about them.
Sometimes
the walking and talking is broken up by some very simple mini-games, but these
are spread few and far between. Either way, Always
Sometimes Monsters is driven by story and consequence.
The
game takes a very serious tone, exploring themes of cause and effect. It’s very
dark, with pockets of light here and there. Depending on how you play and the
choices you make, it can get downright depressing.
Is
this for the greater good?
Does
the end justify the means?
Am
I the monster?
The
actions you take to answer these questions have consequences, and, for better
or for worse, these consequences will come back to haunt you. Always Sometimes Monsters is not fun.
And that’s fine.
It
is simply trying to tell a story, and you tag along to help write it.
The
gameplay and visuals may be lacking (the game was made with RPG Maker after all) but it excels
everywhere else. The story, while somber, is still well written and interesting
enough to keep you engaged, worth seeing through to the end.
Always Sometimes Monsters is not a game I
can recommend to everyone. Its dismal themes, dreary atmosphere, and minimalistic
gameplay simply will not be entertaining for some. But if you enjoy a good
story and don’t mind taking a ride on an emotional rollercoaster, Always Sometimes Monsters is a choice
you will not regret.
Image Sources: VagabondDog
