I'm a 22 Y/O Dude crying at 3 AM
Sat down and played this beautiful game in one sitting tonight, my god was that a rollercoaster of emotions. I felt so much love and respect for Neva, she felt so real and beautiful to me and it was so bittersweet protecting, raising and fighting with her, watching her fall in love and grow up to become a mom. (I know it might be strange but I'm autistic and only really connect with animals, and experience VERY heightened emotions to the point that it can be debilitating, so bear with me lol.)
I was so relieved when I thought we saved the forest and then I saw that DAMN bird falling to the ground and noticed the flowers coming out of it.. I was hoping it was just a lasting effect from the monsters we defeated, AND THEN I CONNECTED THE DOTS AND REALIZED THAT THE BEGINNING OF THE GAME WAS ACTUALLY THE END. I gasped so loud and just sat there in shock with tears streaming down my face for the final cutscene, occasionally whimpering "nooo" and "oh my god.."
It genuinely felt like I had actually lost a loved one, like when I lost my own animal soulmate several years ago. I think I had been subconsciously projecting that relationship onto the protagonists the whole time without realizing it.
Add in the ending credits showing the life of Neva and our character from their first meeting, and I'm an inconsolable MESS.
It was a beautiful and heart wrenching journey but I would gladly choose to experience it for the first time again if I could, it's that wonderful of a story. I can tell it's going to be one of those games that sticks with you for a lifetime even if you only play it once, like Endling: Extinction Is Forever.
Just wanted to share my feelings and love for this wonderful masterpiece of a game. I'm glad it exists, even if it hurts. 💙