A game that evoked a strong feeling with me is A Distant Memory. It is a Roblox horror game, but I do not think that factor takes away from it being its own game.
The feelings evoked are nothing close to positive, as the game unravels a very dark theme. You play as Dean Lied, a man who has just moved into an apartment to begin his new job. Once at work, Dean experiences extreme internal conflict, in denial that he needs time off from work. The entire environment around him displays his insanity and struggle to keep himself together. Later on, he makes attempts to leave his apartment, but fails to some sort of demon never actually seen. This creature is a representation of Dean forcing himself to stay instead of seeking mental help. At the end of the game, Dean finds himself in his closet hiding from this demon. After much intensity, the game transitions to just the house, ending with a gunshot. The final moment is Dean’s suicide. This game, instead of using a generic monster as a threat, uses a metaphorical one as a representation of the character’s psychological conflict. The game is a warning for players to seek mental assistance in difficult times and a depiction of what could happen to those who choose to suffer through hard times alone. It evokes a tragic sadness, not sugarcoating the ending to be happy, but really showing what could and does happen in the real world.
