More Than A Story About Depression
Mental health issues in games can be a hard thing to pull off. The subject matter on the page doesn’t exactly cry out for an exciting gaming experience. But games like Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II and Martha Is Dead do a superb job of dealing with sensitive subjects while creating truly exceptional experiences.
Blueberry is a game that deals with depression and suicide, so be warned. But it approaches these subjects with compassion, respect, and love. It’s also, in the same breath, a platform game like something you might have played on a Game Boy in the early 90s. What’s not to like?
Piecing Together A Life In Fragments
MELLOW Games, who made this debut effort, is a company that wants to create “unique emotional experiences”. In Blueberry, they certainly live up to that mission statement. You play as Blueberry herself, whom we first meet in her later years. Alone in her house, she is having a phone call with her son, who tells her he’s not going to invite her to his birthday. Straight away, we realise something isn’t quite right, and when an imaginary small figure in a diving outfit appears, you know something is very much not right with Blueberry.
Next, we delve into the different aspects and eras of Blueberry’s life. We experience her as a child living with her mother, causing chaos and doing all the things kids do to drive their parents mad. Her mother is overwhelmed, while her father is an alcoholic who just wants to eat cookies. The next stage covers her teenage years, where a young Blueberry struggles at school with friendships and schoolwork. Her relationship with her mother has deteriorated, and then a terrible event affects them all.
The next stage sees Blueberry as an adult, heavily pregnant and working in a customer service call centre. She is short of money and now a single mum herself, beginning to understand just how difficult life can be. Finally, we return to her later years, where we started, and see how damaged her life has become, as well as the ways she attempts to heal some of the trauma from past events.
Generational Trauma, Grief, And Hope
The story is excellent throughout and full of real-world problems. I think it deals with depression and generational trauma brilliantly. It might sound like the game is too heavy for some people, but it’s also a game full of hope, even while dealing with some weighty subject matter.
Gameplay is presented in a 2D world, and each choice you make affects the outcome and ending of the game. The main gameplay takes place in a sort of 2D Mario-style world. You jump across platforms, climb ladders, and avoid falling. There are hazards to avoid, items to collect such as drinks and treats, and doorways that lead you to different moments in Blueberry’s life.
In these different vignettes, you get to experience important moments from her life. You move around these levels as different versions of Blueberry, interacting with family, friends, and colleagues. There are objects to collect and inspect, and these tasks can be very varied. At one point, you have to respond to customers while working for a tech company. In another, you’re tidying up after your son’s bath time. There are dialogue trees to explore, with different responses affecting the story. You also get moments where you battle Street Fighter-style using concentration, taking on your mum, therapist, or even an imaginary depression monster. It’s varied, unique, and often surprising.
Turning Memories Into A Mosaic
After completing a vignette, you earn a puzzle piece. This is added to a mosaic that forms a picture representing different aspects of Blueberry’s life. It’s not a complicated puzzle mechanic, but it’s a nice diversion. My only real criticism of the game is that it’s too easy. There isn’t much challenge here, and even the platforming is very forgiving.
Visually, I think the game has a neat design and implements its ideas in a simple but beautiful way. I loved the glimpses into Blueberry’s world and the clever, unique way they were presented. The platforming sections are enjoyable, and piecing together the jigsaw mosaic is satisfying. The game starts off colourful but gradually darkens as depression takes hold.
The audio is good too, with a solid soundtrack throughout. However, there is no voice-over work, which feels like a bit of a missed opportunity.
An Emotional Journey Worth Taking
Blueberry will only take you a few hours to complete, and it’s a great emotional journey. I liked the way it mixes old-school platforming with elements of point-and-click adventure games. It’s an affecting story about someone living with mental health problems and the impact those struggles have on both them and the people around.
But mostly it’s a story about recovery, healing, and hope. Thank you, Blueberry.
Important Links
Blueberry – Not Every Journey Is About Saving The World – https://www.thexboxhub.com/blueberry-not-every-journey-is-about-saving-the-world/
Buy from the Xbox Store – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/blueberry/9P1WBF8PXJG2/0010
