While societal views of mental health have grown tremendously over the years, those who have not experienced certain feelings might never have first hand experience. It is difficult for some to explain just how they feel, it can be a scary thing to bare your innermost thoughts to someone and have them make sense of it.
Developer Miss Self Destruct has taken the experience of social anxiety and created a beautifully crafted psychological adventure for players to dive into. Rather than try to explain her feelings, she is placing those who are brave enough to in her own shoes.
This game is deeply personal. It’s inspired by my own experiences as an anxious, over-thinking little girl trying to find connection and acceptance. Every frame of animation was hand-painted by me, every line of dialogue written from the heart, and every note of the soundtrack composed to capture what it felt like to experience that.
In this adorably dark psychological adventure, you take on the role of a little girl suffering from social anxiety. She is stuck in a world where those around her look down at her, not understanding nor liking the fact she acts differently than them. This forces her to attempt to conform, and much like the reality of social anxiety, she pays attention to the smallest of details in order to fit in.
Your inventory will consist of one thing: your mind. There are no monsters to defeat with a backpack full of weapons, rather a simple notebook where the little girl has collected social skills. Learn to use these social skills to react “appropriately” in situations with The Others; make eye contact when necessary, compliment someone, smile, and more. Just make sure to use it at the right time, if you don’t, you can be met with harsh criticism and volatile responses.
Any time this happens, your three levels that are measured throughout the game will suffer. Overwhelm, paranoia, and dissociation are the feelings to look out for, ensure they stay low for the sake of this little girl’s mental health. If they reach critial levels, it could be easier for her to listen to the Alter Ego in her mind that whispers falsities to her.
To add to the intensity of this, the protagonist will shift between worlds: her whimsical Inner World, The Nightmare World, and The Real World.
Hell is Other People is available to wishlist now on Steam.