That Dragon, Cancer

1. AndrewTabery

   Apr 7, 2017

   10

   The people complaining about the glitches or wonky controls need to look That Dragon, Cancer again. It's not a game that you play. It's a gameThe people complaining about the glitches or wonky controls need to look That Dragon, Cancer again. It's not a game that you play. It's a game that tells a story, almost like a movie. You're just along for the ride. Yes there are some things that could be better, and there are bugs, but the point of this game isn't for it to be played. The point of this game is to tell the story of Joel and his family living through the struggle of cancer, which is something I have gone through. Because of that I was re experiencing that time of my life when my mom had cancer, and that made the message of this game so much clearer. People complain that this game costs $15, but for that price you get this real story that many people can connect with. For 4 times the price you could go buy a Call of Duty game, a game franchise that's story hasn't made me feel for a character since MW3. But that's all those games are. Fictional stories about fictional people. That Dragon, Cancer is a real story about real people. That $15 is paying for you to experience the Green family going through an extremely hard time. It's an emotional game. It's not right to rate it the same way you rate Call of Duty.
   
   And if you can't connect to this game, go watch the videos that Mini Ladd, Markiplier, JackSepticEye, and many other people have made. See how emotional they get. Go watch the video by SoulPancake, who meets Joel. That is the character from the game you played.
   
   I feel for Ryan and Amy as I play or watch this game, and I hope you do as well.… Expand

   • 0 of 1 users found this helpful
2. Sashamorning

   Feb 2, 2016

   10

   Unhesitatingly honest and unabashedly transcendent, this gem is art through gaming, a celebration of life. Transformational and courageous,Unhesitatingly honest and unabashedly transcendent, this gem is art through gaming, a celebration of life. Transformational and courageous, this game needs to be experienced to be understood. Thank you for sharing Joel with us, even if all too briefly.… Expand

   • 1 of 6 users found this helpful
4. drizzoo

   Jan 13, 2016

   10

   In response to the claim that That Dragon, Cancer is not a game. Who cares if That Dragon, Cancer is a "game"? Seriously? It doesn't have toIn response to the claim that That Dragon, Cancer is not a game. Who cares if That Dragon, Cancer is a "game"? Seriously? It doesn't have to fit the narrow definition of "game." It has to be played, that makes it a VIDEOgame. Pretty simple really--you play it, therefore its a vidoegame. I am pretty tired of this discussion of what is and isn't a game.
   
   Anyway, I think TDC is a great example of why, as the medium of videogames has evolved in terms of artistic sensibility, its really weird to grade them on old rubrics like difficulty, replayability, and fun factor. Critics keep doing this in their reviews though even though most people have eschewed the categories themselves.
   
   What you need to know about TDC is that it is incredibly compelling, incredibly heartfelt, and incredibly emotionally challenging in all the right ways. Its not mechanically challenging or even mechanically novel, however, its mechanics poetically illustrate the value of grief, something I have never experienced in a game before. This game wrecked me. It made me feel for the Greens, more than that, it made me determined to love people who grieve. How does one possibly grade that experience on a 10 point scale? You can't really, or at least it feels very weird to experience that and shave off 2 points for a couple glitches and floaty platforming mechanics.
   
   If your rubric keeps you from experiencing the emotional power of a game because of these types of things, your rubric probably needs to be thrown out. Start from scratch. Experience things as a human being before you experience them as a "gamer."… Expand

   • 15 of 31 users found this helpful
5. bjadams

   Jan 13, 2016

   5

   This project had so much potential. It could have been another Papo & Yo. However it's more of a flyby with little interaction here and thereThis project had so much potential. It could have been another Papo & Yo. However it's more of a flyby with little interaction here and there rather than a "game". There are no real puzzles to solve. It's great as a story, telling the loss of a child, but as a game, it does not really justify the price tag.… Expand

   • 6 of 13 users found this helpful
6. Aiden_Pearce

   Feb 15, 2016

   4

   Sorry, for the loss, Ryan & Amy.
   
   The end of the ''game'' it reads "thank you for playing'', but there is zero gameplay, nor is this a game.Sorry, for the loss, Ryan & Amy.
   
   The end of the ''game'' it reads "thank you for playing'', but there is zero gameplay, nor is this a game. i really don't see how 14.99 justifies what i just went through. Also, imo, the controls are wonky as heck. i feel like the button mapping could have been made easier. I think i spent about an hour and a half on this, and there were a few times i was kind of stuck, once underwater trying to (incorrectly) swim up, another time in a hospital room with Joel crying on a loop, and a 3rd time infront of candles in the church where i found myself playing repeater a few times before progressing.
   
   kudos, for the artistic approach, i thought that was a nice touch.
   
   i'm not going to really touch too much on belief, bc i don't feel like that should warrant a positive/negative review just bc someone might share a different belief; mine, may be similar, who knows.. But, i kind of wish it was less about ''us'' knowing what exists and that Joel is alright now, and more about how Joel positively left a good imprint on others whilst he was here. it's not my story. it was heartfelt.
   
   basically, bc of what i thought were weak controls. and, the fact that it's simply not a game. i don't feel it warrants a 15 USD price tag.
   
   i dislike giving this a negative review. rip, Joel, and to the family, all the best.… Expand

   • 10 of 15 users found this helpful
7. crimsondoor

   Jul 15, 2016

   3

   I want to like this game but can't because
   
   1. Controls are clunky as hell. You can't really control what you want to do, where togo andI want to like this game but can't because
   
   1. Controls are clunky as hell. You can't really control what you want to do, where togo and have to figure out the next step by moving the mouse around.
   
   2. I hate kids. I can't bear baby screams.
   
   3. I am an atheist. Sorry that you have to resort to faith but I don't care about your god who loved your child so much he killed him.
   
   4. Most people can't relate to this game thus it is unenjoyable. When I was playing it most of the time I don't even understand what I am doing or what the message is about.
   
   Sorry to say this but in my opinion the developers are very self-centered, whether they realised it or not.… Expand

   • 2 of 4 users found this helpful
8. GamecubeLover

   Aug 15, 2016

   0

   What a boring and pointless game. While other people are dying we must care about this kid and make a whole video game about it! The game isWhat a boring and pointless game. While other people are dying we must care about this kid and make a whole video game about it! The game is so boring and cliche that the didn't even try! I bet their kid will come back from the dead to just kill this game. Cancer is sad but it doesn't need a god damn game! You can make like books or something but a VIDEO GAME? This game is ungodly. I don't even want to call it a game for the sake of it. Oh wait my cat had cancer and died so I must make a 3 hour game that is boring and a waste of time! Know what? Everybody who has cancer must get a game! NOPE just this one kid and the game is boring and 100% cliche and unoriginal. I am sorry for their lost but WHY A GAME!… Expand

   • 3 of 12 users found this helpful

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