Reflection of Mine Reviews

This review will include Spoiler free section and Spoiler one, because I want to get more into the story. The synopsis of the story caught my interest and I was excited to get into it. However the further I got into the story, the more I realised that the Game is very stigmatizing for DID and demonise it. I am not, by any mean a specialist in the matter, however even with my limited knowledge, I am able to say, that this depiction is harmful. I will get more into it in spoiler section. Lets start with the spoiler free one. The idea of the game is interesting from the design standpoint. In which you are controlling 2 characters in the same time. If you move left, the other character or in this case an alter also moves left. Your task is, to solve the puzzles and lead the characters to the end of the level. The game on its page mention, that it’s hard and achievement for finishing tutorial is called “Ready to suffer” and this depiction really fits well. ROM is difficult game, that is quite of a challenge. However, two base difficulties offer help, or support that will help you, if you are stuck. It’s not a type of a game made for me. There is a reason why, I don’t play games like “Dark souls” Or ”Cuphead”. The main reason why I wanted to play it, is the idea of game about DID. I was hoping, that I will be able to learn something from it. Unfortunately it wasn’t the case. Let’s start with visuals. The visuals are very unique. They underline the mood of the game well and fit it perfectly. Levels are done with care and are full with details, that help you feel more immersed into the situation of the main Heroine(s). I really enjoyed the drawings from diary of Lily. They express her emotions and state really well and also are helping the graininess of the story. I must applaud the attention to the detail. I like that the game is called “Reflection of mine” and the text in main menu is reflected. I would like to also reflect on audio of the ROM. The music made by “Expecte Amour” is absolutely amazing. It makes the game more intense and enjoyable. It’s something that you can definitely enjoy on its own. The soundtrack is really well done. The audio of the story is fitting and does its job really well. Continuing talking about the story of the game. It depicts DID in harmful and untrue way, which can lead to creating wrong idea in the head of the players, about the condition. It’s really disappointing taking into consideration the fact, that it would be possible to create very similar game, that wouldn’t be hurtful for people, that it “tries” to depict. Now to the spoiler section. I usually try to avoid spoilers in my reviews because, well I obviously want to tell the reader, if the game/VN is worth trying for themselves. In this situation, I feel that it’s needed. [spoiler] This game shows misunderstanding, to what DID is on the basic level. Which is especially upsetting taking into consideration the fact, that the developer on other of their game “Fearmonium” ( https://store.steampowered.com/app/1068360/Fearmonium/?curator_clanid=33034776 ) claims, that they have master degree in psychology. Getting into what is actually wrong. The game says, that there are alters, ([i] "dissociated parts of the mind that the patient experiences as separate from each other.”[/i] ) that are “Evil” which is harmful. That is what wiki of DID subreddit says: [i] “Alters are not evil. The parts often perceived as "evil" or "dangerous" or generally disliked by other parts are typically extremely traumatized and were given a highly manipulated understanding of safety and love.”[/i] This wiki is of course based on proper scientific literature. Another thing is that ROM claims is, that there is one actual alter, that is who the person really is. However, each alter is a part of the whole person. [i] “Simply put, all parts are the real person. The incorrect belief that DID develops from a "core" or "original" [/i] What is even worse is, the ending of the game. In a “good ending”, which you can achieve by finishing every stage perfectly. In it every alter agree on ending themselves, so that the “Real” part can exist by themselves. Which is wrong, not only in one way but two! To question of who is the real alter wiki answers [i] “Simply put, all parts are the real person. The incorrect belief that DID develops from a "core" or "original" personality that is then somehow shattered is not clinically correct based on what we know so far. “[/i] And also that you can’t “kill” your alter: [i] “You cannot kill off a conscious part of the mind. “[/i] The game tries to say, that there should be only one person and the other alters are the enemies, which is the opposite, to what the science says. It suggest that Integration, which is harmony between parts is the best way to help. [i] “Integration refers to harmony among all parts. This harmony results from the development of co-consciousness, co-acceptance, and the focus of the person shifting from the trauma to living better in the present and developing a new future perspective. Integration is not the same thing as fusion.[/i] And further [i] “Integration is a goal of Phase 3 of the Triphasic Trauma Model of Treatment. This goal refers to an integrated understanding of the current day, present, healed self. [..]Integration is a necessary and natural part of recovery, as it involves the lessening of dissociative symptoms such as amnesia and the development of cooperative solutions “[/i] There is also term called “Final fusion”, which is not, what the game depict. Wiki says : [i] “Fusion is the last step of integration, where dissociative barriers have been reduced so much that parts no longer feel separate and will fuse to become one part. Fusion does not happen out of nowhere, as it requires parts to have worked on recovery enough to integrate deeply before moving forward. Final fusion refers to when all parts have fused, leaving one cohesive and integrated personality. “[/i] , but also [i] “Final fusion is the recovery goal of many people with DID, [b] however it is not the only recovery goal which exists.[/b] Achieving a level of integration that serves to reduce the detrimental or problematic symptoms of dissociation such as amnesia, but retaining cooperative parts, is another recovery goal that exists for many people with DID. “[/i] Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/DID/wiki/faq/ [/spoiler] The main reason, why I am not willing to recommend it is the depiction of DID. The game had a potential to describe the condition properly and keep the style, that the developer wanted to create. There is a simple way. If I can think of resolution to it on the spot, then author also could. [spoiler] Instead of fighting alters, make a game of trying to integrate them. Instead of claiming, that one part is “evil”, try to depict the complicated view of alter on what is wrong and what is not, that was caused by trauma” Instead of having group self ending of alters, try to depict attempt of the person to achieve “final fusion” and explain, that it’s not the only resolution. [/spoiler] The music and visuals of the game were outstanding and great, which make me interested in other works of the developer, but it depicts the main part of the story wrong and I can’t accept that. The rating is 35/100 only because of what I mentioned above.