words aren't working so well for me lately but this resonated a lot. Fat, queer, aro/ace, disabled, its like looking into a mirror. I try so hard to make myself likable but I'm tired. I'm trying to give myself permission to be "monstrous"
Thank you for reading and commenting. I am so glad this little game is resonating with so many people... who are like me. We are never alone. I made this game because I struggle with allowing myself that too, and it helped a little. It's a long, arduous journey to Medusa's Wake, but we'll get there.
I related a lot to this as a queer, fat, disabled, autistic person. I have long had a pet theory that autistic people get such immediately negative responses from neurotypicals because we fall into their "uncanny valley" of "close—but not close enough—to human", seen as threatening and off-putting like good-but-not-good-enough CGI or humanoid robots. I think there are ways past these sorts of implicit biases, but it will take effort and care, especially from the neurotypical side of things... so it will probably take a while. And in the meantime, I'd rather be otherworldly and vaguely threatening.
Thank you so, so much for your kind words! I'm moved that so many related to this game-- of the queer, fat, disabled, autistic kinds. There are so many more of us than I tend to realize.
Here's to being otherworldly and vaguely threatening, if one must be perceived at all!
This felt as heart-wrenchingly personal and beautiful as poetry, and was thoroughly elevated by the soundtrack and minimalist pixel art. Thank you so much for sharing.
The minimalism of the style chosen really transports one back in time and activates the imagination. I also love the idea of kinetic think pieces and poetry. What a lovely way to communicate to an audience.
I also, like many in the comments, like the title. The dual meaning of waking Medusa and remembering her death is so evocative.
Thank you so much! I was worried it was... too self-indulgent, like imposing my ramblings to a semi-captive audience. I'm so glad it resonated with you. I'm feeling encouraged to make more games of the kind!
This brought to mind Anna Anthropy's book Rise of the Videogame Zinesters. I thought "Ah, this is the kind of thing she was talking about." And then I saw you used one of her tilesets. :3
I resonate with this experience. You're not alone. The phrase "Medusa's Wake" struck a chord of grief in me, with all the things she represents. You did well. Keep making good art. <3
Thank you so much! I actually haven't read that book at all, but the concept talks to me a lot-- being a videogame zinester. I've always wanted to get into zines, but I've always talked myself out of it :D So now I will go read that book, thank you!
everything about this game - the music, art, and storytelling - made it such a beautiful tale. i really felt like i was climbing towards something grand while playing. amazingly done!
Gosh, what a lovely, heart-wrenching game. Every single word of this is gorgeously written and made my own fat, queer, disabled body feel so seen. Also, you chose the colours for this wonderfully. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I was a bit hesitant to post it at first, and not really satisfied with the end result compared to my initial idea. I am so, so glad that this resonated with my fellow gorgons.
Oh thank you so much! I actually spent quite some time looking for the music that would be Exactly Right(tm), and when I heard the first few seconds of this one I was like "yes, this can and will work". I'm so glad my work paid off!
← Return to game
Comments
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.
words aren't working so well for me lately but this resonated a lot. Fat, queer, aro/ace, disabled, its like looking into a mirror. I try so hard to make myself likable but I'm tired. I'm trying to give myself permission to be "monstrous"
Thank you for reading and commenting. I am so glad this little game is resonating with so many people... who are like me. We are never alone.
I made this game because I struggle with allowing myself that too, and it helped a little. It's a long, arduous journey to Medusa's Wake, but we'll get there.
I related a lot to this as a queer, fat, disabled, autistic person. I have long had a pet theory that autistic people get such immediately negative responses from neurotypicals because we fall into their "uncanny valley" of "close—but not close enough—to human", seen as threatening and off-putting like good-but-not-good-enough CGI or humanoid robots. I think there are ways past these sorts of implicit biases, but it will take effort and care, especially from the neurotypical side of things... so it will probably take a while. And in the meantime, I'd rather be otherworldly and vaguely threatening.
Thank you so, so much for your kind words! I'm moved that so many related to this game-- of the queer, fat, disabled, autistic kinds. There are so many more of us than I tend to realize.
Here's to being otherworldly and vaguely threatening, if one must be perceived at all!
This felt as heart-wrenchingly personal and beautiful as poetry, and was thoroughly elevated by the soundtrack and minimalist pixel art. Thank you so much for sharing.
"there is such strength in being unpalatable"
Thank you so much for playing and commenting, such kind words!
The minimalism of the style chosen really transports one back in time and activates the imagination. I also love the idea of kinetic think pieces and poetry. What a lovely way to communicate to an audience.
I also, like many in the comments, like the title. The dual meaning of waking Medusa and remembering her death is so evocative.
Thank you so much! I was worried it was... too self-indulgent, like imposing my ramblings to a semi-captive audience. I'm so glad it resonated with you. I'm feeling encouraged to make more games of the kind!
This brought to mind Anna Anthropy's book Rise of the Videogame Zinesters. I thought "Ah, this is the kind of thing she was talking about." And then I saw you used one of her tilesets. :3
I resonate with this experience. You're not alone. The phrase "Medusa's Wake" struck a chord of grief in me, with all the things she represents. You did well. Keep making good art. <3
Thank you so much! I actually haven't read that book at all, but the concept talks to me a lot-- being a videogame zinester. I've always wanted to get into zines, but I've always talked myself out of it :D So now I will go read that book, thank you!
When I first started being interested in Bitsy, I came across this and found it very encouraging: https://ebeth.itch.io/small-games-manifesto
I'm glad the game resonated with you, thank you for playing and commenting! I will keep making art!
everything about this game - the music, art, and storytelling - made it such a beautiful tale. i really felt like i was climbing towards something grand while playing. amazingly done!
Thank you so much, I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Gosh, what a lovely, heart-wrenching game. Every single word of this is gorgeously written and made my own fat, queer, disabled body feel so seen. Also, you chose the colours for this wonderfully. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I was a bit hesitant to post it at first, and not really satisfied with the end result compared to my initial idea. I am so, so glad that this resonated with my fellow gorgons.
loved this! the music tied it all together for me, i felt compelled to slow down and really take in your prose
Oh thank you so much! I actually spent quite some time looking for the music that would be Exactly Right(tm), and when I heard the first few seconds of this one I was like "yes, this can and will work". I'm so glad my work paid off!
this is phenomenal. my queer fat body raises a cup to yours, fellow gorgon.
Thank you so much. This comment made my morning. To you, fellow gorgon!