I'm going to be honest: I think most 'meta' games are a waste of time. They tend to focus simply on deconstructing common gaming tropes, over and over, in the same ways, to the point where 'meta' becomes just another gaming cliche. The characters know they're in a game, the player can 'rebel' against objectives and break boundaries, the creator of the game speaks directly to you, etc etc. It's done a lot.

Project1 is a meta game that does a lot of similar things, but the main difference is it uses deconstruction to make an actual point about art and meaning in games, instead of just making deconstruction the point in and of itself. Project1 reminded me a bit of The Beginner's Guide, another one of those rare meta games with emotional resonance.

Creator CashmereCat seemed to pour himself into this game. The game itself reflects some of his deep ideas on meaning in game design and story, explored of course in a meta way. The ending of the game is very intense, and CashmereCat bares a very personal part of his soul. It moved me in a way games rarely do.

The only complaint I have is that the game is not longer and more detailed. But as CashmereCat says in his narration, he made this game in only a few hours for an event, so it's an understandable fault. In any case, I look forward to playing more of CashmereCat's games in the future.