Depression Quest was an interestingly raw depiction of true, unfiltered depression. While many mental illness-focused media simply demonizes or underexemplifies the direness of depression, this game dove into the topic truthfully, and without filter. The narrative was gripping, and while realistic and simple, I still found myself deeply connecting with the story and actively making choices in hopes of their success. I found myself anxious about whether or not I made the right decision, a playstyle which I believe was intentional, made to mimic the anxieties felt by the protagonist. The atomosphere and sense of helplessness was heightened further by the increasing limitations on options. Despite my best efforts to maintain the protagonists health, sometimes I was still left choosing between less than optimal options. This made the experience all the more believable, and allowed me to envelop myself in the rather mundane plot. I was even getting emotional towards the end, as my hard work in developing stronger relationships began to pay off, watching as the depression scale at the bottom slowly but surely decline from "severe" to "moderate". I felt as though I was personally doing the work to repair my character, rather than him going through the motions himself. I believe this level of interconnectability really creates a memorable playthrough. I found myself worrying along side the protagonist, wondering if he was self-sabotaging, if a cat would be safe in his care, and if his girlfriend really did care for him. I felt almost manipulated by the game into leaning into the protagonists warped way of thinking, as I was suddenly also justifying his solitude just like him. The static imagery, the bright read striked options, and the constant reminders of the protagonists depression level really places the player in his shoes, truly feeling the stagnation and fear that comes from such a mental state. While many games rely on the empathy of the player, Depression Quest places you in the scenario entirely, connecting you directly to the character through your choices. As a result, every mistake, every feeling, every bad day also feels like a reflection of yourself. It forces you to consider how we justify self-sabotage, how we convince ourselves of straying away from those who make us happy. Overall, I believe this games serves as an exceptional representation of the complexities of depression, and brings light to the positive and negative outcomes in a raw and real way.