Info about The Signifier Director's Cut:

Official game description:
Director's Cut Update - OUT NOW!
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FREE MAJOR UPDATE - OUT NOW!
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This major update brings together every last piece of work that went into making the Signifier and then some. More to see and hear, new endings, a cinematic mode with puzzle solutions, performance optimizations, and countless little touchups throughout to make this the ultimate expression of the game. And it's all here, in a free update!
About the Game
==============
The Signifier is a first-person tech-noir mystery adventure that blends investigation, experimental psychology, and artificial intelligence.  
Explore the real and surreal worlds, become immersed in fringe psychology, solve puzzles, and find the truth as Frederick Russell, an expert in AI and psychology, and the main researcher behind an experimental deep brain scanner called the Dreamwalker. Its controversial technology allows the exploration of the recorded senses and unconscious realms of the mind. He finds himself thrust into a spiral of intrigue when asked to use his creation after the vice president of the world’s biggest tech company turns up dead in her apartment.  
**Now including the Director's Cut update!**  
Refinements and enhancements across the board make this the ultimate expression of the Signifier. The free Director's Cut update features new memories, new dialogue, additional endings and improved performance throughout.  
**What's New:**  
*   Expanded narrative content featuring new memories, dialogue and voice-over, three additional story endings, and a new epilogue giving greater insight to key characters and choices.  
*   Improved performance and experience, including better load times and frame rate, revamped animations and UI, and further optimizations for lower-end PCs.  
*   Bonus gameplay features, including a new difficulty setting for those purely interested in experiencing the game’s story, plus new menu tips, clues, and remappable controls.
Free upgrade for anyone who owns The Signifier.  
**Core Features:**
*   Three coexisting dimensions to explore: reality, and the objective memories and subjective dreams in the mindscape  
*   Move between realms to solve puzzles, unlock new dialog branches, and unravel the mystery  
*   Learn psychological concepts to use powers and tools for navigating the strange and unpredictable unconsciousness  
*   Every challenge is part of the mystery that creates unique moments with no filler  
*   A multi-layer narrative that spirals into a complex web of real-world intrigue as surreal suspense  
*   Get immersed in thought provoking tension, free from jump scares  
*   Question the implications of AI, intrusion to the consciousness, privacy, and whether we see the world as it is or a subjective creation of our minds

Release date: Oct 15, 2020

Categories: First-Person Perspective, Investigative Gameplay, Puzzle Solving, Psychological Horror, Walking Simulator, Multiple Endings, Sci-fi Thriller, Exploration

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 10; verdict: Works on Steam Deck; summary: Based on two Steam Deck reviews, the game runs well on Linux (SteamOS) with only a minor framerate adjustment. No negative Linux-specific compatibility signals were found.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $20.00
  - Reasoning: The community is split: one reviewer would be happy at full price ($20), but another finds the bug risk too high at that price, and two others explicitly recommend waiting for a sale, implying a discounted price is more appropriate. The fair base-game price range likely sits between a typical sale discount (around $10) and the full price ($20), with $20 being acceptable only for those who have a positive experience despite bugs. The range $10-$20 reflects these conflicting sentiments.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: 3.0h
  - Session length: 6.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The first and third quotes explicitly state that a playthrough (story completion) takes about 3 hours. The second quote describes a single gaming session of 6 hours, which corresponds to session length. No specific numeric data is provided for full game completion (100%) or endgame activities, so those metrics are left null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game is enjoyable early on but loses its appeal as the story progresses, with pacing and narrative quality declining in the second half.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: N/A
  - Unlock drivers: N/A
  - Conditions: player's tolerance for story decline; expectation of consistent pacing; initial story hook quality
- Player Archetypes:
  - The Immersive Dreamer (buy)
    - Motivation: Exploring the visualization of memories, subconscious themes, and artistic narrative depth.
    - Playstyle: Slow, exploratory detective gameplay with focus on environmental storytelling and psychological hints.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - The Bug-Aware Recommender (sale)
    - Motivation: Wanting to enjoy a promising game while navigating its technical flaws.
    - Playstyle: Patient troubleshooting and replaying after patches, evaluating the game despite its rough edges.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - The Genre Critic (sale)
    - Motivation: Evaluating narrative delivery and genre innovation against established titles.
    - Playstyle: Comparative analysis, positioning the game within the narrative adventure and walking simulator genres.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Observer; Life is Strange; Heavy Rain; The Stanley Parable; Detroit: Become Human


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Engaging and emotional story (weight 0.63): Reviewers frequently praised the game's narrative as gripping, emotional, and captivating, with many describing it as 'great' or 'nice'. The story consistently stands out as a major strength across multiple clusters.
- Multiple endings and choices matter (weight 0.47): Players highlighted the non-linear dialogue and branching endings that depend on player choices, which significantly enhance replayability. The inclusion of multiple outcomes and different ending paths is a standout, frequently mentioned feature.
- High replay value from endings (weight 0.41): The existence of multiple endings strongly encourages players to replay the game to see all possible outcomes. This is directly linked to the branching narrative and choice-based structure.
- Unique and creative concept (weight 0.4): The game's premise of exploring memories from within is considered unique, imaginative, and thought-provoking, with themes around AI, memory, and death. Players found the entire idea cool, well-executed, and immersive.
- Excellent voice acting and sound (weight 0.33): Voice acting was deemed incredible, fantastic, and surprisingly good, while sound design, audio mixing, and music were also praised. These audio elements contribute significantly to the game's atmosphere and immersion.
- Great graphics and visuals (weight 0.24): Graphics are appreciated for being beautiful, creative, and visually stunning, with unique imagery and atmosphere. Visuals were noted as a strong point, though some felt they were merely decent.
- Strong puzzles and gameplay (weight 0.21): Solving puzzles was described as satisfying, varied, and complex, often tied to reconstructing memory fragments using collectibles. The gameplay mechanics are engaging and add depth to the story.
- Psychologically disturbing atmosphere (weight 0.15): The game is noted for its psychological creepiness and disturbing yet fascinating exploration of memories. This eerie, thought-provoking atmosphere adds to the unique experience.

Common complaints:
- Story feels incomplete (weight 0.44): Multiple clusters highlight that the narrative is incomplete, with abrupt endings and unresolved plot points. Players feel the story ends too soon and loses coherence, often leaving them dissatisfied.
- Frequent bugs and glitches (weight 0.33): Bugs and glitches are frequent, ranging from minor annoyances to game-breaking issues that require reloading saves or prevent completion. The game is perceived as unpolished and unreliable.
- Plot quality declines (weight 0.24): The plot's quality declines in the latter half, with twists that are boring or nonsensical, leading to a confusing narrative. Players lose interest as the story becomes less enjoyable.
- Missing Chinese localization (weight 0.13): A notable number of players report the lack of Chinese localization, which limits accessibility for a significant audience. This is a concrete missing feature that affects player experience.
- Game is too short (weight 0.12): The game is notably short, with players finishing it before feeling fully engaged. The brevity is a common criticism that undermines the overall value.
- Mediocre overall quality (weight 0.12): Players describe the game as mediocre overall, with unimpressive graphics and gameplay that fail to stand out. This general lack of polish affects the game's appeal.
- Puzzles are confusing (weight 0.11): Some puzzles are unclear or confusing, requiring excessive trial and error or careful attention that frustrates players. The difficulty is not well-balanced for all audiences.
- Flat character development (weight 0.08): Characters, including the protagonist, are flat and lack meaningful development. This makes the narrative less engaging and reduces emotional investment.
- Limited replay value (weight 0.08): Limited replayability is noted, with players seeing little reason to return after completion. The lack of variety or new content reduces long-term engagement.
- Cumbersome game mechanics (weight 0.08): Game mechanics are described as a chore, with confusing and disappointing systems that hinder enjoyment. The design feels cumbersome and unintuitive.
- Extreme negative criticism (weight 0.07): A small but vocal group dismisses the game as trash or garbage, indicating a severe negative reaction. This extreme feedback may be due to personal taste or major flaws.
- Poor character animations (weight 0.07): Character animations are mediocre to poor, detracting from the visual experience. This technical flaw is noticeable and reduces immersion.
- No chapter selection (weight 0.06): The absence of a chapter selection feature is a specific omission that players find inconvenient, especially for replaying sections. It is a quality-of-life issue.

Gameplay feedback:
- Multiple endings depend on choices (weight 0.42): Player dialogue and moral decisions determine which of several endings is reached, often requiring multiple playthroughs to see all of them, including six distinct endings.
- Investigative story with puzzles (weight 0.37): The game is a story-driven detective thriller that combines investigation and mystery-solving with puzzle mechanics, creating a narrative-heavy adventure.
- Memory exploration with perspectives (weight 0.37): Players navigate the victim's memories, switching between objective (environmental) and subjective (emotional) perspectives to uncover the truth and solve puzzles.
- Memory reconstructing gameplay (weight 0.26): The core investigation mechanic involves reconstructing and exploring memories, often piecing together data or objects to understand events and solve the mystery.
- Walking simulator detective elements (weight 0.24): Reviews describe the game as a first-person walking simulator with a detective angle, emphasizing exploration and story over complex gameplay mechanics.
- Psychological horror puzzle hybrid (weight 0.23): The game blends psychological horror elements with puzzle-solving, delivering a tense, mind-bending experience that challenges the player intellectually.
- Real and memory world traversal (weight 0.22): Players move between reality and AI-reconstructed memories or dreams, blending factual and subjective viewpoints to piece together the narrative.
- Suicide investigation via AI (weight 0.16): The plot centers on investigating a suicide using an AI that reconstructs the victim's memories, with the player delving into both factual and emotional recollections.
- Exploration and puzzle gameplay (weight 0.16): Gameplay is rooted in exploration and puzzle-solving, including environmental interactions and assembling data pieces, though some find the gameplay light.
- First-person indie adventure (weight 0.15): The game is presented as a first-person indie narrative adventure, offering a story-heavy experience with puzzle elements.
- Dialogue decisions impact story (weight 0.1): Conversation choices during interactions affect the narrative direction and ending outcomes, providing replay value and encouraging different decision paths.

Performance notes:
- Falling through map bug (weight 0.23): Several reviews mention a recurring bug where the player falls through the floor or map, sometimes at specific locations like the club, requiring reloads. This is a notable technical issue affecting gameplay.
- Good optimization on lower-end PCs (weight 0.17): Multiple players report smooth performance on lower-spec hardware and mid-range systems, with high frame rates at various resolutions. Specific high-end results include 70fps at 5K and 144fps at 1080p, indicating solid scalability.
- Frequent crashes prevent progression (weight 0.17): The game crashes repeatedly, including at a specific death scene, causing players to lose progress and, in one case, preventing completion. This is a critical stability issue that impacts the overall experience.
- Stable performance with rough edges (weight 0.12): Some players describe the game as generally stable but with minor technical roughness typical of ambitious indie titles. This reflects an overall positive but not flawless experience.
- Minor bugs requiring reloads (weight 0.09): There are minor bugs such as clipping through walls or getting stuck that force players to reload saves. This adds frustration but is less severe than full crashes.
- Good optimization on modern hardware (weight 0.09): Players on high-end systems report excellent frame rates and smooth performance, with one noting 70fps at 5K ultra and another 144fps at 1080p. This indicates strong performance on capable GPUs.
- Poor optimization on older graphics cards (weight 0.05): One player reports poor optimization on older GPUs, which may cause performance issues for users with outdated hardware. This contrasts with the smooth experience on modern systems.
- Steam Deck performance at 30FPS (weight 0.05): One player confirms the game runs well on Steam Deck at 30FPS, indicating acceptable performance on handheld hardware. This suggests the game is playable on portable devices.
- Improved load times and frame rates (weight 0.05): One review highlights improvements in load times, frame rates, animations, and UI, suggesting performance is better in recent versions. This indicates ongoing optimization efforts.
- Too few autosave points (weight 0.05): A player mentions the game has too few autosave points, making it frustrating to lose progress when bugs occur. This ties into the need for more frequent saving.
- No bugs or crashes after 6.5 hours (weight 0.05): One player reports no bugs, glitches, or crashes after 6.5 hours of gameplay, suggesting that the experience can be stable for some. This offers a positive counterpoint to the reported technical issues.
- Game slows down and nearly crashes (weight 0.05): One review mentions the game slowing down and nearly crashing, indicating performance issues under certain conditions. This adds to the list of technical problems.
- Decent graphics quality (weight 0.05): A player notes that graphics are decent, indicating acceptable visual presentation. This is a minor point but contributes to overall satisfaction.
- Missing texture bug blocks progress (weight 0.05): A player encountered a missing texture bug that blocked progress, though it may have been fixed. This is an example of a progress-hindering issue.
- Graphical glitches (weight 0.05): A review notes graphical glitches, which could include visual artifacts or rendering issues. This is a broad technical complaint.
- Camera jitter despite VSync (weight 0.05): One player reports camera jitter that looks like screen tearing even with VSync or adaptive sync enabled. This is a specific visual issue that affects smoothness.
- No major technical issues seen (weight 0.05): Another player reports no major technical issues, reinforcing that the game can run well for some users. This balances the negative reports.
- Specs on older system (weight 0.04): A player lists their system specs as Windows 8.1, GTX 970M, 8GB RAM, and Intel i7, but gives no performance verdict. This indicates a baseline for low-end testing.

Recommendations:
- Highly recommended overall (weight 0.38): Several reviewers give strong positive recommendations, highlighting the game's overall quality and appeal.
- Worth experiencing for story (weight 0.38): Reviewers emphasize the game's narrative and adventure aspects, saying it's worth playing through for the experience.
- Recommended when on sale (weight 0.3): Multiple reviewers suggest purchasing the game at a discount, indicating it's worth playing but not at full price for some.
- Not recommended for everyone (weight 0.25): Several reviewers caution that the game may not appeal to all players, particularly those seeking action or fast pacing.
- Recommended for specific audiences (weight 0.21): The game appeals to fans of psychological horror, sci-fi, cyberpunk, and narrative-driven games like SOMA or Heavy Rain.
- Technical issues affect recommendation (weight 0.2): Some reviewers mention technical problems, jankiness, or control issues that lower their recommendation, though fixes may help.
- Atmosphere and plot praised (weight 0.13): The game's atmosphere, settings, and plot are highlighted as strong points, contributing to positive recommendations.
- Buy only at discount (weight 0.12): Some reviewers advise waiting for a steep discount due to perceived value, especially considering flaws.
- Walking pace may be slow (weight 0.11): The game's slow walking pace is noted as a drawback, with advice to play slowly and absorb everything.
- Recommended for walking sim fans (weight 0.11): The game is specifically recommended to fans of walking simulators and narrative indie adventures.
- Recommended for English speakers (weight 0.11): The game is recommended for English speakers, but some note a lack of official Chinese localization.
- Check controls and fixes (weight 0.11): Reviewers mention that remapping controls or Director's Cut fixes improve the experience, suggesting to check for updates.
- Alternative recommendations (weight 0.08): Some reviewers suggest playing Observer instead or watching endings on YouTube rather than playing.
- Not for action seekers (weight 0.05): Those expecting action, varied gameplay, or fast pacing are advised not to play this game.
- Potential for motion sickness (weight 0.05): A warning is given that the game may cause dizziness or motion sickness in susceptible players.

Other player notes:
- Short playtime length (weight 0.54): The game is consistently described as short, with playthroughs ranging from 2 to 8 hours, most commonly around 3-6 hours. This brevity is a recurring point, often mentioned in the context of value and replayability.
- Multiple endings present (weight 0.26): The game features multiple endings, with reviewers noting at least three and up to six possible endings, requiring multiple playthroughs to see all of them. This is a key narrative feature highlighted across several reviews.
- Replayability encouraged (weight 0.19): The game encourages replay through multiple endings, secrets, and many details in memories, inviting players to explore more. Reviewers plan to replay for 100% completion, indicating high replay value for some.
- Compared to Observer (weight 0.19): The game is frequently compared to Observer, with some reviewers considering Observer objectively better, while others see similarities in style and gameplay. These comparisons often highlight the game's psychological thriller elements.
- Price discussed (weight 0.18): Reviews are divided on the price: some consider it cheap for the content, while others find it too high. This reflects differing opinions on value, with some recommending purchasing on sale.
- No Chinese localization (weight 0.16): Several reviewers noted the lack of Chinese language support at launch, which was a significant barrier for some players. This absence of localization was a common complaint.
- Psychoanalysis themes (weight 0.15): The game's story is rooted in psychoanalysis, referencing Lacan and appealing to fans of psychological theory. Some reviewers note the narrative is one-sided in favor of psychoanalytic methods, which may not appeal to everyone.
- AI themes explored (weight 0.15): The game presents interesting ideas about AI and asks relevant questions about the technology, comparing it to current real-world AI themes. This is a strong point for players interested in sci-fi and philosophical topics.
- Bug issues persist (weight 0.13): The Director's Cut edition still has many bugs 15 months after release, including glitches that were supposedly fixed with patches. This indicates ongoing technical problems that affect the player experience.
- Indie Chilean studio (weight 0.11): The game is an indie title from a Chilean studio, which is a point of interest for players looking for diverse and unique games. This background is mentioned alongside comparisons to larger titles.
- Niche community size (weight 0.11): The game has a niche following with a small community, evident from the low number of recommendations and active players. This suggests a dedicated but limited audience.
- Director's Cut improvements (weight 0.09): The Director's Cut builds upon the 2020 release with expanded narrative and improved performance, fixing issues like the abrupt ending. However, some bugs persist, so it's a mixed improvement.
- Walking simulator core (weight 0.09): The game is fundamentally a walking simulator combined with puzzle elements, focusing on narrative and exploration rather than action. This genre classification is mentioned by reviewers to set expectations.
- No manual save option (weight 0.09): The game lacks a manual save feature, which can be frustrating for players who want to control their progress. This is a specific quality-of-life issue noted in reviews.
- Technical performance good (weight 0.09): The game is optimized and runs smoothly on low-end PCs, and is playable with 8 GB of RAM, making it accessible to a wider audience. This is a positive technical aspect highlighted in reviews.
- Developer responsive forums (weight 0.05): The developer is responsive in forums, but troubleshooting often ends with suggestions to load an earlier save, which is not always helpful. This indicates a supportive but limited support system.
- Limited replayability (weight 0.05): Despite multiple endings and secrets, some reviewers find limited replayability, suggesting that the experience may not vary significantly across playthroughs. This is a contrasting viewpoint to those who enjoy replaying.
- Spanish translation poor (weight 0.05): The Spanish translation is noted as poor, despite the game's Chilean origin. This is a localization issue that affects Spanish-speaking players.
- Steam features included (weight 0.05): The game is sold on Steam and has Steam card and item drops, which is a minor but appreciated feature for collectors. This adds value to the purchase for some players.
- Creepy but not horror (weight 0.05): The game is partially creepy but not a horror game, which may appeal to those who enjoy suspense without jump scares. This distinction is noted to set expectations.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.19): Players experienced numerous game-breaking bugs, including falling through floors, walking through walls, crashes, and lost progress, often requiring reloads or restarting sections. The controls were janky, context-sensitive, or unresponsive, and the gameplay felt tedious with unclear objectives and ineffective help. The story and endings were also unsatisfying, with multiple endings not reflecting choices and a lack of localization adding to the difficulty.
- Disappointment (weight 0.17): The game's promising premise and first hours were undermined by a lackluster second half, an abrupt ending, and many unresolved plot lines. Technical issues, such as controller problems and game-breaking bugs, detracted from the experience, while the story and characters felt underdeveloped. The endings were weak, nearly identical, and failed to provide satisfying conclusions, leaving players wanting more.
- Admiration (weight 0.1): Players admired the surreal and distorted dream environments, which were beautifully crafted and visually distinct. The unique exploration of memories, combined with excellent music and atmosphere, created an immersive and thought-provoking experience. The game's cognitive realism and artistic presentation were highly praised, with many considering it an underestimated masterpiece.
- Appreciation (weight 0.07): Players appreciated the game's strong atmosphere, story, and unique memory exploration concept, which effectively captured the complexity of memories. The well-crafted puzzles and visual variety between objective and subjective memories were highlighted, along with the excellent investigation gameplay and symbolic depth. The game's themes and narrative delivery were considered engaging and creative, with improved technical elements enhancing the experience.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Players found the game enjoyable due to its interesting and unusual exploration, case-solving, and trippy visuals. The surreal, creative elements and captivating settings were major factors in their enjoyment. Despite occasional bugs, the engaging gameplay and cinematic experience were praised, and many found the game to be a unique and realistic experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.03): Players felt satisfied with the game's emotional story, high-quality sound, and environment, as well as the puzzle-solving experience. The developers' timely fix for the remapping issue allowed players to enjoy the game, which was engaging enough to finish in one sitting. The game met expectations after the first chapter, with an ending that properly explained events.
- Interest (weight 0.03): Players were interested in the game's smart psychology and writing, as well as thought-provoking themes like the AI lecture. The innovative concept of exploring the subconscious and the dark case sparked curiosity. Despite flaws, the story and the unusual cybernoir genre with atmospheric modes were compelling.
- Excitement (weight 0.03): Players were excited by the game's unique and stimulating nature, along with interesting gameplay mechanics and premise, such as investigating a dead body's mind. The brilliant script and mind-blowing ending encouraged players to explore other endings. The unique experience of confronting AI-related problems was a source of excitement.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Players felt confused by the mechanics of changing realities, which were hard to understand initially, with ineffective hints and unclear instructions. Some players were unable to achieve certain endings despite following guides, and unresolved plot points, like the AI's takeover intentions, added to the confusion. The gameplay was sometimes confusing, detracting from the overall experience.
- Engagement (weight 0.02): The game's engaging mystery and story successfully drew players in, with immersive atmospheres and compelling surreal environments. The narrative was manipulative and compelling, pulling players into the protagonist's perspective from the first chapter. The deep narrative and intellectual challenges kept players engaged throughout.
- Love (weight 0.02): Players loved the idea of walking around dreams and the game's unique, special ambiance. The story and its uniqueness were praised, and the game was reminiscent of university courses, which some found appealing. The overall experience was genuinely loved.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Annoyance stemmed from bugs that blocked progression, forcing reloads of autosaves, and unskippable cutscenes, especially during multiple playthroughs. Additionally, some dialogue and psychological interpretations were seen as shallow and annoying.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Players felt enthusiastic about the game's unique experience, engaging gameplay, and brilliant writing. The concept was seen as unique and detailed, surpassing many AAA releases, and the compelling story left a lasting impression even days after playing.
- Fascination (weight 0.01): Players were fascinated by the gripping story, bizarre and creepy visual effects, and references to Lacan and other easter eggs. The mysterious and fantastic expression of human consciousness added to the game's appeal.
- Amazement (weight 0.01): Players were amazed by the incredible visuals and well-executed memory concept, as well as the overall presentation and vibe that exceeded expectations. The quality achieved by a Chilean indie studio was also a source of amazement.
- Intrigue (weight 0.01): Players were intrigued by the concept of moving between reality and AI-reconstructed memories, and the game presented an intriguing mystery. The mysterious structure and psychological creepiness heightened the intrigue.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Players became angry due to terrible Spanish translation errors, data disappearing, and blocked progression. The game's crashes and overall beta-like feel also contributed to their anger.
- Awe (weight 0.01): Players were awed by the touching and impressive story, which, despite being initially strange and scary, left a strong impression. Stunning visuals and an immersive atmosphere further enhanced the sense of awe.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom arose from slow, long loading times that made the game feel like work, along with uninteresting gameplay. The tedious pacing and lack of engagement led to feelings of boredom.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Players were surprised by the game ending earlier than expected due to its short length. Additionally, the how well the game represented memories was a pleasant surprise.}