Gender Dysphoria

"Gender Dysphoria" is a 20-minute, non-linear narrative game simulating negative experiences after coming out as transgender. The game aims to provide cisgender people insight into the transgender experience and validate the pain of those who are transgender. It offers customization for dyslexic font and descriptive audio, with a warning for its heavy emotional content.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 48 reviews

story7 positive mentions

The game provides a deeply personal and relatable experience for those who have experienced gender dysphoria, effectively conveying the emotional struggles faced by transgender individuals.
The voice acting and sound design are praised for enhancing the overall atmosphere, making the experience feel intense and immersive.
Despite its short length, the game is considered a valuable tool for educating others about the challenges faced by transgender people, making it a worthwhile experience for both players and those seeking to understand these issues.

The game is criticized for its lack of meaningful choices, as most decisions lead to the same outcome, diminishing the impact of player agency.
Many players found the audio design, particularly the constant ringing sound, to be distracting and unpleasant, detracting from the overall experience.
The game's short length and abrupt ending left some players feeling unsatisfied, with a desire for a more in-depth exploration of the themes presented.

story
26 mentions
27 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The story is a poignant, albeit brief, exploration of the experiences of a transgender woman, conveyed through a series of non-linear vignettes that highlight various challenges she faces. While the narrative resonates deeply with some players, particularly those familiar with the subject matter, many feel it lacks depth and closure, leaving them wanting more from the author's heartfelt message. The storytelling approach, though impactful, is criticized for its jarring shifts and lack of visual support, which can detract from the overall experience.
- “I could almost feel an ounce of the pain put into the story, and I very much resonated with this.”
- “It's very clear to me the author had a story they wanted to speak from their heart and share their personal experiences, and I appreciate the effort that she has gone through to do so.”
- “Outside of the audio crackle with the phone calls being kind of grating (which I assume was intentional, though I could not tell you why), this is exactly as described: a short and not at all sweet, harrowing little nonlinear story of all the little paper cuts you can experience while trans.”
- “Of course, when choosing to do so in such a direct way, you are going to have a short story - but I finished this game in 14 minutes, and the ending was unsatisfying.”
- “Story frequently shifts locations with little warning, which was jarring; it had no visuals to support this, and the story was not chronological in the slightest.”
- “The story was presented in a very weird way with little sections thrown at you randomly, not in order.”
emotional
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is described as deeply impactful, eliciting a range of feelings such as heartbreak, disappointment, and exhaustion, which vary based on personal life experiences. Reviewers emphasize the game's ability to provoke significant emotional responses, highlighting its artistic merit and the importance of being in a good emotional state before playing.
- “And it's heartbreaking, disappointing, enraging, and exhausting all at the same time—and more.”
- “There are some choices in the stories that are extremely personal, and I can almost guarantee the emotional impact of each choice will be highly dependent on your personal life experiences.”
- “If art is work that can provide personal development and elicit an emotional response from the audience, then I feel this game clearly falls under the category of art.”
gameplay
5 mentions
20 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized as simplistic and linear, primarily involving button presses to advance through a series of conversations, which some find jarring. While the game is short and lacks meaningful branching, it is complemented by excellent sound design and outstanding voice acting, leading to mixed overall impressions.
- “The gameplay is simple yet effective, and its sound design is excellent, along with phenomenal voice acting.”
- “The gameplay is well done.”
- “It's a 20-minute, not-really-branching text game that costs money and doesn't offer anything in terms of gameplay.”
- “The gameplay consists of pressing a button to progress to the next phase of the conversation while jumping between scenarios at a jarring pace.”
- “Gameplay sucks in real life.”
graphics
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The graphics are minimal to the point of being almost non-existent, which some users feel detracts from the storytelling experience, making it jarring and disorienting as the narrative shifts locations without visual cues. This lack of visuals can evoke a psychological horror vibe, but ultimately leaves the story feeling disjointed and confusing.
- “In this particular situation, less is more - and with little to no graphics, if it had been any more gut-wrenching, I would have thought I was playing a psychological horror game.”
- “The story frequently shifts locations with little warning, which was jarring; it had no visuals to support this, and the story was not chronological in the slightest.”
music
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Reviewers express a desire for more ambient music to enhance the emotional impact of gameplay, particularly in tense moments where sudden changes in music could heighten feelings of dread and anxiety. Additionally, the game's soundtrack is appreciated for its connection to the narrative and its support for the community, making the purchase feel meaningful.
- “All this considered, I do feel as if there could have been more ambient noise to truly make the player feel a sense of dread during some of these more lively situations, like the music stopping suddenly or even picking up rapidly to convey the anxiety the character is feeling in that situation.”
- “About $5 (for the game and OST bundle) to feel this kind of deep connection to, and in some small way support, another trans sister?”
- “All this considered, I do feel as if there could have been more ambient noise to truly make the player feel a sense of dread during some of these more lively situations, like the music stopping suddenly or even picking up rapidly to convey the anxiety the character is feeling in that situation.”
- “About $5 (for the game and OST bundle) to feel this kind of deep connection to, and in some small way support, another trans sister?”
atmosphere
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is described as oppressive and heavy, creating a genuinely scary experience despite its short length and limited gameplay. Reviewers appreciate its artistic qualities, suggesting it stands out in the gaming landscape and warrants a sequel.
- “I came into this as a joke, but despite its short length and lack of gameplay, the atmosphere it builds throughout the game is genuinely scary. As a cisgender person, I can't fully speak to its accuracy, but the game felt oppressive and heavy; it felt real. In my short time on Steam and watching other YouTubers, I haven't really seen anything like it, so I truly think it's a piece of art. 8/10, make a sequel.”
- “The atmosphere in this game is hauntingly immersive, drawing you into its world and making you feel every moment. It's a perfect blend of tension and unease that keeps you on edge.”
- “From the moment I started playing, the atmosphere enveloped me. The sound design and visuals work together to create a chilling experience that lingers long after you've put the game down.”
- “I came into this as a joke, but for how short it was and lacking in gameplay, the atmosphere it builds throughout the game was scary. It felt oppressive and heavy, creating a sense of realism that I haven't really seen in my short time on Steam and watching other YouTubers. I truly think it's a piece of art in gaming. 8/10, make a sequel.”
- “The atmosphere was incredibly dull and uninspired, making it hard to stay engaged. It felt like a missed opportunity to create something immersive.”
- “Despite the potential for a gripping experience, the atmosphere fell flat, lacking the tension and depth needed to draw players in.”