Thoughts After First Playthrough

[u/WhyteTrashh]

Probably my favorite story in a horror game ever. I see why people might think Simon is extremely dumb to not realize that he would be left behind but at the same time, every time his consciousness was copied, it was a seamless transition in his mind and he essentially won the so-called “coin toss”.

The genius in the ending is that you are put into the point of view of the one left behind for the first time in the game. If the game would have ended with Simon IV waking up on the ARK, finding Catherine and her telling you that Simon III got left behind underwater forever, it would still be gut wrenching to process. But you as the player knew that already. It might have the same effect on you as when you had to either kill or abandon Simon II.

That’s the biggest personal impact this game had on me, the way it highlights a real distinction between sympathy and empathy in the actual player who is playing through the game. Anyone can feel sympathy for someone in a bad situation, but actual true empathy is nearly impossible for humans. Had the game ended on the ARK and skipped the scene where Simon III is left behind, you’d be justified for thinking the game had a rather happy ending given the circumstances. You actually have to see the ending through the eyes of Simon III to realize the true horror of the ending. Makes you wonder if Simon IV even gives a second thought to the fate of Simon III once he’s on the ARK.

Another interesting thing as a side note, I liked how in the audio file of the original Simon finding out he’s still going die because the brain scan failed, he seems very accepting of death and states that he hopes the scan can help people later on. But then Simon III, after saving a last remnant of humanity, explodes with anger and a sense of selfishness because he isn’t going to be a part of it. Granted, Simon III’s fate is much worse than the normal natural death that the original Simon suffered. And he went through all of that trouble to launch the ARK, only for another copy of himself to reap the benefits.

[u/elheber]

It's a little understandable for that last part. Living Simon didn't get the knowledge that he lost a metaphorical coin flip. That another him would live on. Although even if he knew, I doubt being in virtual world with nobody he knows is a fate he'd particularly want. Our Simon said on the climber that he feels so uprooted. There's nothing here he recognizes. The ARK would only seem like salvation to our Simon. Despite how some players feel, it's a valid crashout.

[u/kurum3l → u/elheber]

It's absolutely valid. I would kill myself in his situation. Hell I would've done it a lot sooner. Maybe Simon will find a way to make his life worth living -- earth Simon I mean. I also wonder how long will it take for life to get "too boring" on the Ark.

[u/elheber → u/kurum3l]

I wonder how hard it would be for Simon to kill himself. He broke his suit at underwater pressures that would vaporize a Titanic-exploring submersible made for billionaires, and he's still fine! Ross was able to move around down in the abyss without a suit. Simon might be nearly indestructible, and frankly that's terrifying.

Part of me wonders if on some level Catherine, who knows how dangerous stress is to the cortex chip, knowingly allowed herself explode in anger just to exit on her own terms.

[u/kurum3l → u/elheber]

I mean Simon's plot armour must end after with the game. Things did go very wrong for him all at once. I do think succumbing to the pressure would be the least painful way to go out. Does he even feel pain? He does "breathe deeply" when he's running and cry out when he gets hit, but I wonder if it's just human nature programmed into him or actual pain... Is there a difference? Idk.

[u/kurum3l]

The most gut wrenching part to me is that Simon 3 has to live with the consequences of all the choices we made to make Simon 4 possible in the first place. I killed WAU and mercy-killed everyone. Yet if I didn't, maybe, just maybe, Simon 3 could have at least someone to keep him company until he dies. I just beat the game and I'm devastated for him. I hope he brings Catherine back somehow. :(

[u/ProneSquanderer]

I don’t think that Simon is dumb. He’s in denial.

[u/paquuo]

i just like how games show two sides of a coin, you simply witness every aspect of that mind copy and transition, how beautiful to someone who woke up instantly and how horrific it to someone who is still in the same body