Summary
- Release Year: 2013
- Genres: Adventure, Indie
- Platforms: Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), Web browser
- Developers: Isaac Schankler, Patrick Lindsey, The Quinnspiracy, Zoe Quinn
- Publishers: The Quinnspiracy, Zoe Quinn
Depression Quest: An Interactive Journey Through the Darkness
Depression Quest is an interactive fiction game released in 2013 that simulates the experience of living with depression. The game was created by Zoe Quinn, who was inspired to make it after struggling with depression herself.
The game presents the player with a series of everyday life events, and the player must choose how to respond. The choices the player makes affect the course of the game, and can lead to different endings.
Depression Quest has been praised for its realistic and unflinching portrayal of depression. The game has also been credited with helping to raise awareness of mental illness and reducing the stigma associated with it.
Gameplay
Depression Quest is played from a first-person perspective. The player takes on the role of a character who is struggling with depression. The game presents the player with a series of everyday life events, such as going to work, interacting with family and friends, and trying to maintain a relationship.
The player must choose how to respond to each event. The choices the player makes affect the course of the game, and can lead to different endings.
There are no puzzles to solve or enemies to defeat in Depression Quest. The game is simply about living with depression and trying to survive.
Themes
Depression Quest explores a number of themes related to depression, including:
- The isolation and loneliness that depression can cause
- The difficulty of maintaining relationships when you’re depressed
- The challenges of finding and keeping a job when you’re depressed
- The stigma associated with depression
- The importance of seeking help for depression
Impact
Depression Quest has been praised for its realistic and unflinching portrayal of depression. The game has also been credited with helping to raise awareness of mental illness and reducing the stigma associated with it.
In a 2014 interview with The Guardian, Quinn said that she created Depression Quest “to show people what depression is really like, and to help people who are struggling with it feel less alone.”
Quinn also said that she hopes the game will help to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. “I think there’s a lot of shame and stigma around mental illness, and I hope that Depression Quest can help to break down some of those barriers,” she said.
Depression Quest has been featured in a number of articles and reviews, and has been praised by critics for its realism, its emotional impact, and its potential to help people who are struggling with depression.
Criticism
Depression Quest has also been the subject of some criticism. Some critics have argued that the game is too depressing and that it could be triggering for people who are struggling with depression. Others have criticized the game for its lack of gameplay and its simplistic graphics.
However, despite these criticisms, Depression Quest remains a popular and influential game. The game has been downloaded over 2 million times and has been translated into over 20 languages. Depression Quest has also been used in a number of educational settings to teach people about depression and mental illness.
Conclusion
Depression Quest is a powerful and moving game that can help people who are struggling with depression feel less alone and educate others about the illness. The game’s realistic and unflinching portrayal of depression has been praised by critics and players alike. Despite some criticism, Depression Quest remains a popular and influential game that has helped to raise awareness of mental illness and reduce the stigma associated with it.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
