Worked through a visual novel that delved into the distress of a casual supervisor and a profession demanding societal conformity, excluding the aspect of financial security
In the world of video games, a new visual novel titled "Truer than You" stands out as a unique and thought-provoking experience. Developed by a start-up, this game takes players on a journey through the gig economy, with the protagonist, Rin, being a non-binary individual navigating the ups and downs of this modern work landscape.
Rin, the central character, finds employment with a company that connects actors with clients needing people to step into real-life roles or scenarios. The tasks range from attending art galleries to more intense roles such as pretending to be a young girl’s estranged father, offering a glimpse into the diverse and often unpredictable nature of gig work.
The gameplay is choice-driven, with players deciding how Rin interacts with clients and which gigs to accept. The choices impact which storylines are pursued and which fall away, shaping the narrative. Players select from speech balloons that fade over time, requiring quick decisions or opting to let options disappear, adding a layer of immediacy and realism to interactions.
The narrative explores themes of identity, community, love, loss, and navigating an uncertain world from a queer perspective. The game is short, roughly two hours long, and acts as a "visual short story" more than a full-length visual novel.
Jody Macgregor, the writer of this article, is a former music journalist who has written for multiple gaming and technology publications. With a career spanning various topics, from the merits of Silent Hill on PC to the best fantasy shopkeeper tycoon game Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale, and the weirdness of Lost Ark, Macgregor brings a wealth of experience to the table.
Macgregor's first computer was a Commodore 64, and he has since written for renowned publications like PC Gamer, Rock Paper Shotgun, The Big Issue, GamesRadar, Zam, Glixel, Five Out of Ten Magazine, and Playboy.com. He even co-hosted Australia's first radio show about videogames, Zed Games.
In 2015, Macgregor published his first article for PC Gamer, focusing on the audio of Alien Isolation. From 2017 to 2018, he edited PC Gamer Indie.
"Truer than You" is available for purchase on Steam and itch, and a demo is also available for those who wish to try before they buy. For those looking for a game that offers a fresh perspective on the gig economy and the personal and social experiences of a non-binary individual, "Truer than You" is definitely worth a look.
Key points: - Protagonist: Rin, non-binary. - Setting: Gig economy startup offering role-based jobs. - Gameplay: Choice-driven, multiple storylines, quick decision made via fading speech balloons. - Themes: Gender identity, performance, queer perspective, economic precarity. - Length: Approximately two hours, considered a visual short story. - "Truer than You" is a visual novel about the gig economy.
- The start-up's visual novel, "Truer than You", is a unique and thought-provoking game that immerses players in the gig economy, with a non-binary protagonist, Rin.
- Players in "Truer than You" must make quick decisions by selecting from speech balloons that fade over time, adding immediacy and realism to interactions.
- The game's narrative explores themes of identity, performance, queer perspective, and economic precarity, making it a fresh perspective on the gig economy.
- Gamers seeking a short, but impactful visual experience of approximately two hours should consider purchasing "Truer than You" on Steam or itch.
