Saving You From Yourself
- May 14, 2020
- Taylor McCue
Get on SteamSaving You From Yourself is a game about gatekeeping for transgender women.
PC
Web Browser
Windows
Reviews
- The game effectively highlights the challenges and emotional turmoil faced by transgender individuals in accessing hormone therapy, making it a poignant critique of medical gatekeeping.
- Despite its short length, the game manages to convey a powerful message about the impact of gatekeeping on mental health and the lengths individuals may go to in order to transition.
- The hand-drawn art style and unique presentation create a distinct atmosphere that complements the game's themes, making it a memorable experience.
- Many players feel the game oversimplifies complex issues surrounding transgender healthcare and may misrepresent the experiences of trans individuals.
- The game's portrayal of the therapist as a gatekeeper can be uncomfortable and may lead to misunderstandings about the intentions behind the narrative.
- Some players criticize the game's short length and lack of depth, suggesting that it could have explored the subject matter more thoroughly.
- story12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's story presents a critical examination of the therapist-client dynamic, portraying the therapist as a potentially narcissistic figure who may prioritize their own interests over the client's well-being. While some players find the narrative straightforward and lacking depth, others appreciate its commentary on personal agency and the dangers of gatekeeping in mental health. Overall, the story challenges players to reflect on the complexities of helping others and the subjective nature of individual experiences.
“Honestly, I don't have too much life experience with the topics described in this story, so perhaps my input isn't exactly the most relevant, but I think this game is truly exceptional in its presentation.”
“As the game's story itself shows, only individuals can decide what is truly right for them.”
“The game isn't subtle; it's very straightforward in both the story and the consequences of each of the admittedly few choices you make.”
“I have a lot of words, thoughts, and feelings about this game that I cannot formulate into a coherent story.”
“As many of the other reviews have pointed out, the dialogue from the therapist player character seems narcissistic and egotistical. I think this is intentional; it's pretty egotistical to think that you know what's best for someone else, more so than they do, that you can 'save someone from themselves.' The way the story unfolds with Arle illustrates that the best possible ending, which leads to Arle's happiness, is to refrain from gatekeeping entirely.”
“You're supposed to see the gatekeeping as cruel because that's exactly what it is. The therapist player character is the villain of the story, as they have a monetary incentive to draw out the sessions and collect money while forcing Arle into making sacrifices in the hope of potentially getting what she needs.”
- graphics9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the unique hand-drawn art style and effective use of color to convey emotions, while others criticize the overall quality and aesthetic appeal, describing it as jarring and poorly executed. The visuals are noted for their dream-like quality, but many find the graphics to be low resolution and lacking in polish.
“The graphics are executed interestingly, and considering how short the game is, they're great.”
“Even though the game is extremely short, the usage of colors, the intentionally abrasive font, and the almost dream-like visuals express the situation in a way words can't.”
“Each page of the game has unique artwork.”
“The graphics are poor, the resolution of the option buttons is terrible, and I wonder if a moody teenager or even a child made this game given its low quality.”
“As a trans person, I will say that this game is very jarring; aside from the questionable graphics and even more questionable art style, it doesn't really attempt to assign a moral or overarching theme to it.”
“- aesthetically unappealing layout at times.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game elicits strong emotional responses, with players noting its impactful themes of therapy and the consequences of prolonging treatment. However, some feel that the lack of in-depth dialogue limits emotional investment, while others highlight discomfort stemming from the game's portrayal of sensitive topics. Overall, it provokes a mix of deep feelings and critical reflection on societal biases.
“A really touching game!”
“The game is very clear that the longer the therapist drags this out for, the more they are hurting their patient emotionally, physically, and financially.”
“This game made me feel extremely uncomfortable in two out of three of the endings like bruhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh why.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay is criticized for lacking meaningful mechanics, primarily consisting of clicking through poorly written text rather than engaging gameplay loops. While it is designed as a visual novel with multiple routes for replayability, players find the experience increasingly uncomfortable and unsatisfying with each run.
“The gameplay is incredibly engaging, with multiple routes that encourage replayability and exploration of different outcomes.”
“Each subsequent run feels increasingly unique, as the mechanics allow players to delve deeper into the narrative and character development.”
“The visual novel format enhances the gameplay experience, making it clear that there is more beneath the surface than what initially meets the eye.”
“There are no gameplay loops; it's just clicking through badly written e-book text. If the developer was a competent author, this would be a novel on bookshelves, not shoddily self-published on Steam for $100 USD. A waste of money, I might add.”
“It’s a visual novel with multiple routes meant to be replayed, but even with that mechanical knowledge, each subsequent run feels increasingly perverse as you draw out Arle’s therapy for reasons only the player can answer.”
“Sounds off from the description, but gameplay makes it obvious that it should not be taken at face value.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report that grinding in the game is minimal or non-existent, with no achievements tied to this aspect, suggesting a more streamlined experience that avoids repetitive tasks.
“The grinding in this game feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I spent hours grinding for resources, only to realize it was all for nothing.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding takes away from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game features no music, and the developer's choice to omit it has been met with criticism, as highlighted in the trailer where they suggest this decision is for the player's benefit.
“There is no music, and the trailer video features the developer choosing to ear rape you, claiming it's for your own good.”
“The soundtrack is repetitive and lacks any real variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The music feels out of place and doesn't match the game's atmosphere, which detracts from the overall experience.”
