draguO_doT
133 Reviews liked by draguO_doT
Pokémon Clover
2020
the references are dated
the humor is fucking embarrassing
the fakemon designs juvenile
the people behind it are questionable
the update releases are glacial
yet its still somehow the best pokemon game ever made
the humor is fucking embarrassing
the fakemon designs juvenile
the people behind it are questionable
the update releases are glacial
yet its still somehow the best pokemon game ever made
Pokémon Clover
2020
Don't let your memes be dreams, the only rom hack to rival Undound for best Pokemon hack
Heartbeat
2018
I would recommend avoiding discussions concerning controversies surrounding the developer. No matter what your opinion is, this game does not discuss any of those politics. Many of the characters themselves are gender non-conforming in some way, but that's about it.
A standout in the RPG Maker "genre." Catchy music, vibrant pixel art style, and a touching story. The game was life-changing for me for personal reasons, and I can confidently recommend this as a must-play for those looking to see some of what RPG Maker can do. Can't get enough of the characters either. Very charming all around.
A standout in the RPG Maker "genre." Catchy music, vibrant pixel art style, and a touching story. The game was life-changing for me for personal reasons, and I can confidently recommend this as a must-play for those looking to see some of what RPG Maker can do. Can't get enough of the characters either. Very charming all around.
Snoot Game
2021
This review contains spoilers
TLDR : Game weird, but in a good way. Is free, play it, cry, play again. Will make you feel things, but thats ok.
OK for those that have a bit more time. Here we go.
So, Snoot game. A colossal shitpost of a game about Goodbye Volcano High, released by a group of Anons from 4chan, known only as “Cavemanon Studio” because for once in 4chans life they decided to stop throwing feecies at each other and be productive. They came together to crate a parody of “Goodbye Volcano High”, which funnily enough was released before GVH hit the marked in late 2023. And although the developers have labelled the game as “an anti-fan game, not made in good faith.” Does that make Snoot game bad? Is it terrible? And most importantly is this game worth your time?
Well, it depends.
Keep in mind this game is, by all definition, one gigantic shitpost, based on assumptions about a game that was not fully released, and (in my opinion) no one at the time was trying to make a serious game. Hell, I've heard rumors that the head of Cavemanon was trying to use this as a platform to spread anit LGBTQ+ messages. IT was, and is, a meme of epic proportions. Beyond that, however, the game does have substance to it. It has characters, stories, all the trappings of what can make a story great. And while I have my reservations on how they executed the story, the developers did (in there on way) genuinely care. It was quite clearly a first stab at making something for people to enjoy. Inspite of this, they have gone out of there way to update the game several times, as opposed to leaving it as a bug filled mess (IM LOOKING AT YOU BETHESDA, YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID!). All to tell the story of Anon and Fang.
It stars Anon (Ok, from the get go, this was clearly a self insertion fanfic, but lets be nice about it, m'kay?). Moving away from his old school due to massive social phopas, he is here after choosing the lesser of two evils form his father. Content with flying under the radar, he makes his way in as quietly as he can, before fate slaps him in the face with the massive “ding dong” of plot development” by forcing him to meet an entire range of characters from Naser, Trish, Reed
,and Naomi (BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!) who does everything in her power to get him closer to Fang. Now, Fang is an interesting one. She is the a-typical edgy teen who jut want to know who she is. However, she has allot more going on underneath that she is trying to unpack in her head. And with the help of anon she realizes how to stand on her own to feet, and become the Captain of her own ship. Anon, through helping her, and her friends, finds some personal growth too. Coming into volcano high, he was a racist, judgemental ass hat of a human being. But as he steps out of his shell, he realizes that judging people before you get to know them is not the best move. By just being present, and turning into a beacon of healing for those suffering with their own issues, he realized that dinosaur are like onions. Everyone has layers and layers of things that make up who they are. And once you take the time to look a little deeper, past the facade people put on, you begin to see people for who they truly are.
So, now that you know a little more about what the game is, will you give it a go? Will you give it the time of day? Will you look deeper into the onion, and go on an adventure into a kaleidoscope of memes and story telling?
I would. The game is free, and it costs you nothing but time. While it may not be Cavemanon's best work, Its still and experience worth having. I personally stayed up all night playing it after work just to have a look see, and I'm impressed. Cavemanon did something good all things considered. And given their work on both this, and “I wani hug that gator” I cant wait to see what they come up with in the future.
As always, my name is Poptart, thanks for reading!
OK for those that have a bit more time. Here we go.
So, Snoot game. A colossal shitpost of a game about Goodbye Volcano High, released by a group of Anons from 4chan, known only as “Cavemanon Studio” because for once in 4chans life they decided to stop throwing feecies at each other and be productive. They came together to crate a parody of “Goodbye Volcano High”, which funnily enough was released before GVH hit the marked in late 2023. And although the developers have labelled the game as “an anti-fan game, not made in good faith.” Does that make Snoot game bad? Is it terrible? And most importantly is this game worth your time?
Well, it depends.
Keep in mind this game is, by all definition, one gigantic shitpost, based on assumptions about a game that was not fully released, and (in my opinion) no one at the time was trying to make a serious game. Hell, I've heard rumors that the head of Cavemanon was trying to use this as a platform to spread anit LGBTQ+ messages. IT was, and is, a meme of epic proportions. Beyond that, however, the game does have substance to it. It has characters, stories, all the trappings of what can make a story great. And while I have my reservations on how they executed the story, the developers did (in there on way) genuinely care. It was quite clearly a first stab at making something for people to enjoy. Inspite of this, they have gone out of there way to update the game several times, as opposed to leaving it as a bug filled mess (IM LOOKING AT YOU BETHESDA, YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID!). All to tell the story of Anon and Fang.
It stars Anon (Ok, from the get go, this was clearly a self insertion fanfic, but lets be nice about it, m'kay?). Moving away from his old school due to massive social phopas, he is here after choosing the lesser of two evils form his father. Content with flying under the radar, he makes his way in as quietly as he can, before fate slaps him in the face with the massive “ding dong” of plot development” by forcing him to meet an entire range of characters from Naser, Trish, Reed
,and Naomi (BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!) who does everything in her power to get him closer to Fang. Now, Fang is an interesting one. She is the a-typical edgy teen who jut want to know who she is. However, she has allot more going on underneath that she is trying to unpack in her head. And with the help of anon she realizes how to stand on her own to feet, and become the Captain of her own ship. Anon, through helping her, and her friends, finds some personal growth too. Coming into volcano high, he was a racist, judgemental ass hat of a human being. But as he steps out of his shell, he realizes that judging people before you get to know them is not the best move. By just being present, and turning into a beacon of healing for those suffering with their own issues, he realized that dinosaur are like onions. Everyone has layers and layers of things that make up who they are. And once you take the time to look a little deeper, past the facade people put on, you begin to see people for who they truly are.
So, now that you know a little more about what the game is, will you give it a go? Will you give it the time of day? Will you look deeper into the onion, and go on an adventure into a kaleidoscope of memes and story telling?
I would. The game is free, and it costs you nothing but time. While it may not be Cavemanon's best work, Its still and experience worth having. I personally stayed up all night playing it after work just to have a look see, and I'm impressed. Cavemanon did something good all things considered. And given their work on both this, and “I wani hug that gator” I cant wait to see what they come up with in the future.
As always, my name is Poptart, thanks for reading!
Snoot Game
2021
Yknow this game is technically intelligently written enough to warrant a legitimate review but its still basically just a furry dating simulator so im just going to boost the score a few stars because lucky star got mentioned
Snoot Game
2021
This review contains spoilers
Disclosure: Cavemanon, the studio behind Snoot Game, submitted a trailer for “I Wani Hug That Gator” in 2021 to the “Vidya Gaem Awards”, an award show I work on. “Snoot Game” was a past nominee, and its source material “Goodbye Volcano High”, won Most Pretentious Indie Game in our 2023 show. The opinion presented below is of my own experience playing Snoot Game, and does not represent the views of anyone else.
—
After Goodbye Volcano High won Most Pretentious Indie Game. I played it first, beat it, and then I played Snoot Game, and completed one of the endings. I found it the better game, but just as importantly, I found it completely different in substance.
Before Anon came along, humans were never part of Volcano High. But by taking the focus away from “the meteor” and impending doom, neither were distressing concepts like racism, being socially ostracized, and familial dysfunction. While some casual misgendering, conflict, and personal growth are also present in Goodbye Volcano High, each of these things are more tactfully addressed in Snoot Game.
As someone who doesn’t play a lot of VNs, this is the best VN to come out of 4chan since Katawa Shoujo, and it also has the dubious distinction of being the most notorious fan work since Harry Potter’s “My Immortal”.
I think the core message of Snoot Game is to grow as an empathetic person, get over social anxieties, and treat people with respect, even as it pains one to do so. This message resonates really well for a site that has many people who are undersocialized. Even the act of physical contact from the opposite sex sets off blaring alarm bells in Anon’s mind, and this serves as both a hilarious deprecation of Anon’s confidence, as well as an acute understanding of the target audience.
Anon’s insertion into the mix of Volcano High also serves to bring its audience back to school. They’re not necessarily the NB dinosaur Fang is, but they probably were in love once, they probably were bullied once by someone who was being a piece of shit, and given teenage angst, they also probably were a piece of shit themselves. The biggest takeaway is where you start isn’t where you end - and if this is what you wish, the story will punish you with some pretty damn sad endings.
Snoot Game’s derivative factor cuts both ways. Most characters aren’t OC, and as sad as it is to see KO-OP look down on the fans and have some its own turboautists coming at Cavemanon pitchforks in-hand, the company showed some restraint by never issuing a C&D despite the extensive copying.
Additionally, the heavy reliance on pop and chan-culture references can alienate the “normie” audience, perhaps most notably the KO-OP staff who played the game’s earlier builds before deciding to disassociate. Seeing Anon call dinosaurs “meteor dodgers”, others pointing out that the good endings (3 & 4) have Fang abandon her nonbinary identity, Anon’s neighborhood being called “Skin Row” (a la LA’s Skid Row), and the choice word “trigga” being used each serve as powder kegs to ignite and then warn others: “don’t try this game, it’s fucking bigoted.”
That’s not to say criticism of the game is without merit, or that the people who are reviewing the game poorly for these reasons do so in bad faith. But when I look at this game, I see it for what it is - a fan work from someone you’d least expect. Cavemanon took what was originally a parody and really knocked it out of the ballpark with something that better resonated with its home audience - which just so happened to be the same site I grew up on: 4chan.
Perhaps one day, KO-OP and Cavemanon can get along, but until then, just play both so you know what the hell each is all about. I’m looking forward to playing Wani in the future.
—
After Goodbye Volcano High won Most Pretentious Indie Game. I played it first, beat it, and then I played Snoot Game, and completed one of the endings. I found it the better game, but just as importantly, I found it completely different in substance.
Before Anon came along, humans were never part of Volcano High. But by taking the focus away from “the meteor” and impending doom, neither were distressing concepts like racism, being socially ostracized, and familial dysfunction. While some casual misgendering, conflict, and personal growth are also present in Goodbye Volcano High, each of these things are more tactfully addressed in Snoot Game.
As someone who doesn’t play a lot of VNs, this is the best VN to come out of 4chan since Katawa Shoujo, and it also has the dubious distinction of being the most notorious fan work since Harry Potter’s “My Immortal”.
I think the core message of Snoot Game is to grow as an empathetic person, get over social anxieties, and treat people with respect, even as it pains one to do so. This message resonates really well for a site that has many people who are undersocialized. Even the act of physical contact from the opposite sex sets off blaring alarm bells in Anon’s mind, and this serves as both a hilarious deprecation of Anon’s confidence, as well as an acute understanding of the target audience.
Anon’s insertion into the mix of Volcano High also serves to bring its audience back to school. They’re not necessarily the NB dinosaur Fang is, but they probably were in love once, they probably were bullied once by someone who was being a piece of shit, and given teenage angst, they also probably were a piece of shit themselves. The biggest takeaway is where you start isn’t where you end - and if this is what you wish, the story will punish you with some pretty damn sad endings.
Snoot Game’s derivative factor cuts both ways. Most characters aren’t OC, and as sad as it is to see KO-OP look down on the fans and have some its own turboautists coming at Cavemanon pitchforks in-hand, the company showed some restraint by never issuing a C&D despite the extensive copying.
Additionally, the heavy reliance on pop and chan-culture references can alienate the “normie” audience, perhaps most notably the KO-OP staff who played the game’s earlier builds before deciding to disassociate. Seeing Anon call dinosaurs “meteor dodgers”, others pointing out that the good endings (3 & 4) have Fang abandon her nonbinary identity, Anon’s neighborhood being called “Skin Row” (a la LA’s Skid Row), and the choice word “trigga” being used each serve as powder kegs to ignite and then warn others: “don’t try this game, it’s fucking bigoted.”
That’s not to say criticism of the game is without merit, or that the people who are reviewing the game poorly for these reasons do so in bad faith. But when I look at this game, I see it for what it is - a fan work from someone you’d least expect. Cavemanon took what was originally a parody and really knocked it out of the ballpark with something that better resonated with its home audience - which just so happened to be the same site I grew up on: 4chan.
Perhaps one day, KO-OP and Cavemanon can get along, but until then, just play both so you know what the hell each is all about. I’m looking forward to playing Wani in the future.
Snoot Game
2021
I expected a shitty meme VN from a edgy imageboard about mongolian basket weaving, instead I actually got a quite heartfelt and emotional story with a lot of drama, actually positive messages encouraging friendship, tolerance and understanding others, and the realization that I live in a world where, unfortunately, I will never be able to date, marry and have children with a humanoid dinosaur woman.
Snoot Game
2021
This review contains spoilers
Snoot Game is somewhat of a marvel. There is nothing else that quite like it in its niche.
Specifically, a Visual Novel created by a group of users from an Anonymous Japanese basket weaving forum is not unheard of, with the likes of Katawa Shoujo being the foremost VN made by a group of terminally online strangers. However, Snoot Game rests comfortably in its niche with the unique aspect that its parodying of another game that has yet been released at the time of writing, Goodbye Volcano High. It's a struggle to think another game, especially of this size, that exists as a parody to another, let alone one steeped so far in Anonymous image board culture. Snoot Game manages to stand out from the crowd, there's simply not another game quite like it.
Snoot Game is a product of its time. While Katawa Shoujo was complete before the 'culture war' began raging, Snoot Game did not have such a luxury. Snoot Game now stands as one of the very few more sensitive titles covering the hot button topic of gender. Unlike the leagues of quirky indie games that allegorize the positive destruction of the gender binary, Snoot Game takes a visual stance against gender fluidity. There is very little art that takes a stance against gender fluidity, and even less so that attempts to do it in a respectful manner. Snoot Game manages to find the balance between poking fun and outright propagandizing with its message, while making the creator's opinion very clear. Snoot Game manages to explore a relationship with someone identifying as non-binary as more than just a black and white endeavor through its various endings, despite it being made clear which is the more positive outcome.
Despite what is mentioned above likely being the most contentious aspect of the game, Snoot Game has much more substance than a critique against gender fluidity. One might think a parody game of this sort would be shallow, short, and generally forgettable, but Snoot Game manages to rise above any preconceived notions. By the end of my first play-through and my first ending, I found myself surprised how much I cared for many of the colorful cast of characters. The emotions that that each character got me to feel were varied and strong. The fact that I can say I despise one character is very intriguing to me, as the character writing left a lasting impression that ended up with me despising, respecting, or loving certain characters. If it were incompetently written, I would simply feel nothing about these characters and forget about them, but I was left yearning to see more of their interactions with one another.
Another pleasant surprise was the excellent handling of the relationships. Some aspects may fall through the cracks because of the nature of a multi-ending Visual Novel, but a majority of the writing concering the relationship content was superb. The trials and tribulations managed to stay interesting, but realistic enough to hit very close to home on some cases.
While the writing was a highlight, the skill and passion placed in character art assets cannot be understated. Despite appearing relatively simple, the different expressions and animations of the characters contribute a great deal to the emotions conveyed to the player. Specifically, Naser's character portraits shifting of emotions were fantastically done. Another highlight must go to Anon's eyes, very expressive and I loved seeing them whenever they appeared. Nearly all of the different character portraits and their variations were punching above their weight. The CGs are very effective at provoking the intended thoughts or emotions to the player.
What I initially expected was going to be a simple parody game played for a quick laugh has left me feeling quite melancholic after completion. It's one of those games where you feel a tinge of sadness that it's over because, once again, there is nothing else quite like it.
All of this makes Snoot Game one of the most unique games available to play right now. Any game that casually references Gurren Lagann is a 10/10 in my booka. Highly recommended.
Specifically, a Visual Novel created by a group of users from an Anonymous Japanese basket weaving forum is not unheard of, with the likes of Katawa Shoujo being the foremost VN made by a group of terminally online strangers. However, Snoot Game rests comfortably in its niche with the unique aspect that its parodying of another game that has yet been released at the time of writing, Goodbye Volcano High. It's a struggle to think another game, especially of this size, that exists as a parody to another, let alone one steeped so far in Anonymous image board culture. Snoot Game manages to stand out from the crowd, there's simply not another game quite like it.
Snoot Game is a product of its time. While Katawa Shoujo was complete before the 'culture war' began raging, Snoot Game did not have such a luxury. Snoot Game now stands as one of the very few more sensitive titles covering the hot button topic of gender. Unlike the leagues of quirky indie games that allegorize the positive destruction of the gender binary, Snoot Game takes a visual stance against gender fluidity. There is very little art that takes a stance against gender fluidity, and even less so that attempts to do it in a respectful manner. Snoot Game manages to find the balance between poking fun and outright propagandizing with its message, while making the creator's opinion very clear. Snoot Game manages to explore a relationship with someone identifying as non-binary as more than just a black and white endeavor through its various endings, despite it being made clear which is the more positive outcome.
Despite what is mentioned above likely being the most contentious aspect of the game, Snoot Game has much more substance than a critique against gender fluidity. One might think a parody game of this sort would be shallow, short, and generally forgettable, but Snoot Game manages to rise above any preconceived notions. By the end of my first play-through and my first ending, I found myself surprised how much I cared for many of the colorful cast of characters. The emotions that that each character got me to feel were varied and strong. The fact that I can say I despise one character is very intriguing to me, as the character writing left a lasting impression that ended up with me despising, respecting, or loving certain characters. If it were incompetently written, I would simply feel nothing about these characters and forget about them, but I was left yearning to see more of their interactions with one another.
Another pleasant surprise was the excellent handling of the relationships. Some aspects may fall through the cracks because of the nature of a multi-ending Visual Novel, but a majority of the writing concering the relationship content was superb. The trials and tribulations managed to stay interesting, but realistic enough to hit very close to home on some cases.
While the writing was a highlight, the skill and passion placed in character art assets cannot be understated. Despite appearing relatively simple, the different expressions and animations of the characters contribute a great deal to the emotions conveyed to the player. Specifically, Naser's character portraits shifting of emotions were fantastically done. Another highlight must go to Anon's eyes, very expressive and I loved seeing them whenever they appeared. Nearly all of the different character portraits and their variations were punching above their weight. The CGs are very effective at provoking the intended thoughts or emotions to the player.
What I initially expected was going to be a simple parody game played for a quick laugh has left me feeling quite melancholic after completion. It's one of those games where you feel a tinge of sadness that it's over because, once again, there is nothing else quite like it.
All of this makes Snoot Game one of the most unique games available to play right now. Any game that casually references Gurren Lagann is a 10/10 in my booka. Highly recommended.
Snoot Game
2021
The external problems surrounding this VN in terms of the toxic 4chan fanbase is unfortunate, as I feel it has led to many people writing it off as a shallow anti-trans hit piece when, at least for me, it feels like this game actually covers a very interesting perspective about a person who is so lost on trying to understand who they are and that them going from NB to cis is a step in that process. It never felt to me like the game was trying to teach anything about being pro or anti-trans, but rather that those who are still figuring out their lives and who they are as people need empathy and support to find those answers, regardless of what they are.
Super Mario Bros. 3
1988
Two things strike me as kind of unbelievable about this game. The first is that this was somehow made on the same console as the original Super Mario Bros, a game which feels incredibly creaky and antiquated nowadays, whilst Super Mario Bros 3 both still controls well now and isn't that far off aesthetically from a product I'd be fine with seeing released nowadays.
The second is how, despite countless games since SMB3 imitating it and reusing its ideas, even now you can still feel this game just oozing imagination. There are close to no moments spent in the game that aren't either introducing a new idea or developing a previous one in an interesting way, and whilst not all of those ideas are necessarily good even the duds are largely excusable because you'll be only moments away from something far better.
The second is how, despite countless games since SMB3 imitating it and reusing its ideas, even now you can still feel this game just oozing imagination. There are close to no moments spent in the game that aren't either introducing a new idea or developing a previous one in an interesting way, and whilst not all of those ideas are necessarily good even the duds are largely excusable because you'll be only moments away from something far better.
Super Mario Bros. 3
1988
This game is so good, it got a 100-minute ad dedicated to it.
Super Mario Bros. 3
1988
The game to send to the aliens.
To remind ourselves why we play videogames. In case we ever forget.
To remind ourselves why we play videogames. In case we ever forget.
daxter is the kind of guy to get cancelled in 2020 for a tweet he made in 2011
Snoot Game
2021
Snoot Game is a very interesting cultural phenomenon. A meme game parody made by 4chan that outshines its source material, not just because it's funny and competently made, but also it also has a surprisingly heartfelt story and message. The writing is competent, its character art is okay to good, the characters are engaging, the music is surprisingly good, and it can be pretty funny. It kind of sucks you in. But what truly sets Snoot Game apart is its ability to go into profound themes that comment on attitudes of the modern era in a unique way.
This is the type of delicate story only an independent work could tell. Mainstream media sure as hell wouldn't tackle controversial and nuanced takes on modern issues like Snoot Game does. At its heart is Fang, a character who grapples with her identity. She believes herself to be non-binary. In Goodbye Volcano High, that's it. That's her purpose. Fang = non-binary, that's why she exists as a character. But in Snoot Game, Fang believes herself to be non-binary, only to realize it was a temporary phase in her journey of self-discovery.
Importantly, Snoot Game doesn't cast judgment on transgender people as a group, a fashion, or an ideology. It treats Fang as one person who represents herself, an individual. But her story with Anon does questions the rigid and dogmatic attitudes that surround discussions on gender. Fang's narrative reflects the real-life experiences of many young people who experiment with various labels in their youth, transgender or otherwise, only to later shed them as they deepen their understanding of themselves. Exploration of gender identity is, in a sense, a form of fashion. It's something a person can adopt and discard as their understanding of themselves evolves. That isn't to say it isn't real. Your fashions and labels you choose to adopt may end up being some deeply profound part of you that you'll want to carry with you for a long time. But most young people who struggle with gender identity come out of it believing they're not trans or non-binary after all. It would be very unwise to cast aside and ignore the growing trend of people using gender identity as fashion, and the growing number of detransitioners. There's something to learn from them, and their stories are worth telling.
But all that isn't even the real point of Snoot Game. Anon doesn't think poorly of Fang for her non-binary self-identity at all, only insulting her over it very briefly after meeting and she makes a scene over him misgendering her, and in the second-worst ending of the game, where Anon and Fang both failed to change and grow as people.
The real message in Snoot Game is clear: Our identities are complex and multifaceted, and they extend far beyond the confines of labels we may adopt. What truly defines us are our attitudes and actions, which evolve as we muddle through the intricacies of our lives and the world and people all around us. Snoot Game encourages us to embrace the fluidity of our identities and to not worry too much about limiting labels that may or may not authentically represent our inner selves.
Anon, our focal character, presents a different kind of message, though a harmonious one. He's the typical modern-day misanthrope. An outcast, a loser, a guy that shitposts and trolls online. Anon is a very flawed character to start with, and he has a lot to learn. But isn't it usually the outcast who challenges conventional notions of respect, friendship, and human connection? Anon's perspective on gender identity stands in stark contrast to Fang's. He doesn't believe in the whole transgender thing, he barely even understands it and he sees Fang for her innate femininity, barely recognizing her non-binary persona. And they don't really challenge each other on this outside of Fang calling him a bigot a few times, so they don't really try to change each other's minds on the issue. So how can he form a bond with her? His outlook clashes with the prevailing attitudes that total ideological alignment is a prerequisite for closeness. As if that's the benchmark for love and respect. Give it any thought and you'd come to the conclusion that it isn't. Snoot Game rejects that idea outright. Just because someone believes in the same gender stuff as you doesn't mean they're going to treat you right. Just because someone doesn't believe in the gender stuff you do doesn't mean they're going to treat you wrong.
Anon may not share Fang's beliefs, but his actions speak volumes about his respect for her as a person. He goes out of his way to bring happiness into her life, enjoying her company, trying to make her smile, taking joy in her successes, comforting her when she's low or vulnerable, and actively supporting her deepest dreams and aspirations. Anon's genuine desire to be there for Fang shows a deeper connection that transcends labels, fashions, ideologies, or whatever else. It's important to recognize that Anon is never trying to fix Fang. He's not going on Ben Shapiro type rants about how her identity is invalid or something like that. He's supporting her as she figures herself out.
The dynamic between Fang and Anon underscores the game's idea that true love and respect grows out of actions and attitudes, not fashions or ideologies. If you're willing to reach out, show kindness, and care. Anon sees nothing but beauty in Fang's heart and soul and it draws him out of his shell. He's ready and willing to nurture Fang's spirit and provide companionship and comfort for her, and by accepting that he can love someone, through all the trials that puts him through, he becomes a better man for it. That's why she ends up falling in love with him in return. And what's more important than love? I don't think anything is. Human beings are far, far more than their gender identities, and love is far more encompassing than agreement on fashions or ideologies. Deep, sincere love can exist between people who hold differing beliefs and world views, and Snoot Game seems to highlight that. Just because someone is very different from you, doesn't mean you can't become close. It's all about how they treat you. Really treat you.
Snoot Game, at its core, is a journey of self-discovery, winding and complex through Anon and Fang's evolution. Yet they also shows that human bonds transcend labels when they're rooted in care and goodwill. Their arcs represent the dialects of coming together in harmony. Our identities and beliefs constantly shift as we grow. Change is the only constant. Yet love persists throughout those transformations when you focused on nurturing the spirits of the people you care about, not controlling anyone's mind.
One more key theme of Fang and Anon's dynamic is in mutual understanding emerging by embracing each person's quirks and complexity, not demanding conformity. Shared hopes, vulnerability, and support resonate deeper than sharing ideologies. In a fractured world, Snoot Game has hope that common humanity can overcome division when we open our hearts, whether you're old-fashioned or new-fashioned, we should be able to respect each other and come together. Perspectives differ, but kindness is a universal language. The game's ultimate message seems to be that life's richness blooms through supporting others' growth, not judging differences. Our shared longing for purpose binds us. And most importantly of all, Fang's snoot is very boopable.
This is the type of delicate story only an independent work could tell. Mainstream media sure as hell wouldn't tackle controversial and nuanced takes on modern issues like Snoot Game does. At its heart is Fang, a character who grapples with her identity. She believes herself to be non-binary. In Goodbye Volcano High, that's it. That's her purpose. Fang = non-binary, that's why she exists as a character. But in Snoot Game, Fang believes herself to be non-binary, only to realize it was a temporary phase in her journey of self-discovery.
Importantly, Snoot Game doesn't cast judgment on transgender people as a group, a fashion, or an ideology. It treats Fang as one person who represents herself, an individual. But her story with Anon does questions the rigid and dogmatic attitudes that surround discussions on gender. Fang's narrative reflects the real-life experiences of many young people who experiment with various labels in their youth, transgender or otherwise, only to later shed them as they deepen their understanding of themselves. Exploration of gender identity is, in a sense, a form of fashion. It's something a person can adopt and discard as their understanding of themselves evolves. That isn't to say it isn't real. Your fashions and labels you choose to adopt may end up being some deeply profound part of you that you'll want to carry with you for a long time. But most young people who struggle with gender identity come out of it believing they're not trans or non-binary after all. It would be very unwise to cast aside and ignore the growing trend of people using gender identity as fashion, and the growing number of detransitioners. There's something to learn from them, and their stories are worth telling.
But all that isn't even the real point of Snoot Game. Anon doesn't think poorly of Fang for her non-binary self-identity at all, only insulting her over it very briefly after meeting and she makes a scene over him misgendering her, and in the second-worst ending of the game, where Anon and Fang both failed to change and grow as people.
The real message in Snoot Game is clear: Our identities are complex and multifaceted, and they extend far beyond the confines of labels we may adopt. What truly defines us are our attitudes and actions, which evolve as we muddle through the intricacies of our lives and the world and people all around us. Snoot Game encourages us to embrace the fluidity of our identities and to not worry too much about limiting labels that may or may not authentically represent our inner selves.
Anon, our focal character, presents a different kind of message, though a harmonious one. He's the typical modern-day misanthrope. An outcast, a loser, a guy that shitposts and trolls online. Anon is a very flawed character to start with, and he has a lot to learn. But isn't it usually the outcast who challenges conventional notions of respect, friendship, and human connection? Anon's perspective on gender identity stands in stark contrast to Fang's. He doesn't believe in the whole transgender thing, he barely even understands it and he sees Fang for her innate femininity, barely recognizing her non-binary persona. And they don't really challenge each other on this outside of Fang calling him a bigot a few times, so they don't really try to change each other's minds on the issue. So how can he form a bond with her? His outlook clashes with the prevailing attitudes that total ideological alignment is a prerequisite for closeness. As if that's the benchmark for love and respect. Give it any thought and you'd come to the conclusion that it isn't. Snoot Game rejects that idea outright. Just because someone believes in the same gender stuff as you doesn't mean they're going to treat you right. Just because someone doesn't believe in the gender stuff you do doesn't mean they're going to treat you wrong.
Anon may not share Fang's beliefs, but his actions speak volumes about his respect for her as a person. He goes out of his way to bring happiness into her life, enjoying her company, trying to make her smile, taking joy in her successes, comforting her when she's low or vulnerable, and actively supporting her deepest dreams and aspirations. Anon's genuine desire to be there for Fang shows a deeper connection that transcends labels, fashions, ideologies, or whatever else. It's important to recognize that Anon is never trying to fix Fang. He's not going on Ben Shapiro type rants about how her identity is invalid or something like that. He's supporting her as she figures herself out.
The dynamic between Fang and Anon underscores the game's idea that true love and respect grows out of actions and attitudes, not fashions or ideologies. If you're willing to reach out, show kindness, and care. Anon sees nothing but beauty in Fang's heart and soul and it draws him out of his shell. He's ready and willing to nurture Fang's spirit and provide companionship and comfort for her, and by accepting that he can love someone, through all the trials that puts him through, he becomes a better man for it. That's why she ends up falling in love with him in return. And what's more important than love? I don't think anything is. Human beings are far, far more than their gender identities, and love is far more encompassing than agreement on fashions or ideologies. Deep, sincere love can exist between people who hold differing beliefs and world views, and Snoot Game seems to highlight that. Just because someone is very different from you, doesn't mean you can't become close. It's all about how they treat you. Really treat you.
Snoot Game, at its core, is a journey of self-discovery, winding and complex through Anon and Fang's evolution. Yet they also shows that human bonds transcend labels when they're rooted in care and goodwill. Their arcs represent the dialects of coming together in harmony. Our identities and beliefs constantly shift as we grow. Change is the only constant. Yet love persists throughout those transformations when you focused on nurturing the spirits of the people you care about, not controlling anyone's mind.
One more key theme of Fang and Anon's dynamic is in mutual understanding emerging by embracing each person's quirks and complexity, not demanding conformity. Shared hopes, vulnerability, and support resonate deeper than sharing ideologies. In a fractured world, Snoot Game has hope that common humanity can overcome division when we open our hearts, whether you're old-fashioned or new-fashioned, we should be able to respect each other and come together. Perspectives differ, but kindness is a universal language. The game's ultimate message seems to be that life's richness blooms through supporting others' growth, not judging differences. Our shared longing for purpose binds us. And most importantly of all, Fang's snoot is very boopable.
Snoot Game
2021
Wonderful game, wonderful snoot.