This game is depressing

[Hyperion]

"Nobody is more hopelessly oppressed than he who believes himself to be free."

-Göthe

I think that quote summarizes The Stanley Parable.

[Strange Sentinel]

The game isn't really meant to be depressing, although some of the themes of narrative freedom (of lack-of) are tackled rather heavy in a few endings. It's an insight of how video game storys
can be restrictive either to or against the players' own demands, both linerally and both non-linear fashion (you can choose to follow the narrator, or not, simply put), which is kinda more interesting than depressing to me.
However, I do love that quote now (or maybe not, since that's rather sad in itself).

[Pink Jodi]

Its not completely depressing unless your job is exactly like stanley and when you play it you see yourself and realise that your whole life is worthless.

On a plus note, I like the adventure line music and the things said when you go in the broom closet and wondering around the museum.
Some of the endings are weird experiences though... o.O

[Austellus]

Well, the apartment, nuke and Mariella endings certainly aren't happy. Or the suicide ending. Or the frozen ending.

Actually, is there a happy ending? The freedom ending is a little suspect.

[Strange Sentinel]

Originally posted by Hutch:

Well, the apartment, nuke and Mariella endings certainly aren't happy. Or the suicide ending. Or the frozen ending.

Actually, is there a happy ending? The freedom ending is a little suspect.

I guess it's a matter of view.
I found the endings where the Narrator ended up directly addressing the player rather than Stanley were alright (The Confusion Ending and I think the Nuke ending, as examples), probably since they make it clear about the players or the narrators own role in the game rather than Stanley.
The endings are probably more thought provoking than anything, and not closure for the player themself (especially because the game really doesn't end).

[A_Phosphorus_Invention]

Originally posted by Hutch:

Well, the apartment, nuke and Mariella endings certainly aren't happy. Or the suicide ending. Or the frozen ending.

Actually, is there a happy ending? The freedom ending is a little suspect.

Very true, the "outside" could just be a virtual reality simulation. I mean, wouldn't be the first thing to end with that.

[Strange Sentinel]

Originally posted by j.w.yergan:

Originally posted by Hutch:

Well, the apartment, nuke and Mariella endings certainly aren't happy. Or the suicide ending. Or the frozen ending.

Actually, is there a happy ending? The freedom ending is a little suspect.

Very true, the "outside" could just be a virtual reality simulation. I mean, wouldn't be the first thing to end with that.

That's looking rather deep into it. :S
The Freedom ending is probably the most debatable (it may be a simple story ending or a simulation), which is probably the main point of the Stanley Parable: is there really choice in a narrative such as this?

[Hyperion]

Maybe I'm looking at it too deeply myself, but I saw it as a metaphor for how we lead our lives, how we feel we really have choices socially, politically, etc (when we don't), and what happens when we try to take control of our own destiny.

[meikkon]

Originally posted by Landsknecht:

Maybe I'm looking at it too deeply myself, but I saw it as a metaphor for how we lead our lives, how we feel we really have choices socially, politically, etc (when we don't), and what happens when we try to take control of our own destiny.

Its a game that includes a baby game and the number 8. You have to look deep to find something depressing about those

[gary]

I think this game manages to be both depressing and fun. Opression and an awesome hilarious narrator. It's weirdly amazing.

[meikkon]

Originally posted by Joey The Dinosaur:

I think this game manages to be both depressing and fun. Opression and an awesome hilarious narrator. It's weirdly amazing.

Your name is Joey The Dinosaur. Your name is amazing

[Rusty]

I can't bear to play the game anymore. I've permanently erased all thoughts and memories to avoid mental damage. I'm not saying this for the fun of it or RPG, but because..........

[pawzisme]

no doubt I am a bear of little brain - I found it.. boring and somewhat pointless. Happily we are all different and one man's meat is another man's pot of noodles ( or something) Vive la difference!