They Cannot Hear Me

Rehncohro: They Cannot Hear Me

They Cannot Hear Me is a very short kinetic novel about a lone depressed man wandering about and reflecting on his life. It is more akin to a poem in that it tries to capture the mood of the moment, rather than to spin an elaborate tale around it. It's very aptly what it has been advertised as on the gamepage. It can be completed in 3-5 minutes or less.

The upside of this is that the game feels very honest, without trying to be grander than it is. It does not feel like a work of desperation, and as such it is a different side of depression, one in which one keeps moving on, even without a direction. The creator likely draws from their own experience here, and it shows in a good way.

Haven't we been there all?

The downside is that aside from the emotional value, there are no grand plots or relationships present. No interactions, no memories, even if there are short references to things having been different in the past.

It served more of a reminder of my own past, and how that feels (especially thinking it a permanent state), even if that feels incredibly far away now. Additionally, there are some poetic metaphors which add some niceties to the inner dialogue (such as all of us living under the same sky, yet not living very connected), and the fact the game takes place outside made for a bittersweet juxtaposition of gentle calming music, beautiful scenery and inner unrest. The tracks are well-chosen, the writing is decent with a slight poetic touch, and the only typo I came across was a "went" instead of "want".

All in All

This game is what it says on the tin. It is a short emotional snapshot, and it does so well, even if it is nothing 'groundbreaking new'. I do appreciate the honesty in it, and also no attempt to under- or overplay the experience.

Given that it is so simplistic, incredibly short, and without deeper insights for me, I give it a 3 Star rating, though one might also argue for a higher one.