Awesome/Cool/Interesting experiences playing TVoEC [POSSIBLE SPOILERS]

[[TBM]TheJackal]

I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling that this game was one of the most unique and moving games I've ever played. I had some experiences playing this that I've never had gaming before, and I've played games for years and years now. I wanted to share some of my unique little moments I had playing the game, and ask for other experiences that you guys felt were moving/special/strange whatever.

From the outset, I got into this game specifically for the mystery solving aspect, so I actually sat down at my desk with my notebook and a pen at the ready to record notes as I went along. I approached the game as if I really was a detective, and I feel like that approach paid off in my experience of it. It has been fun going back over my notes to see where I was on the right track, where I was off base, and how there were many things I noticed but didn't fully comprehend the meaning of.

I noticed the single crow feather at the scene of Travis's murder, and although it stuck out to me, I felt maybe I was being paranoid and searched the entire area in detail, finding that it was the only one anywhere around there. This tiny little detail felt like a subtle and thrilling hint to me that the devs of this game did NOTHING by accident, and were paying attention to tiny details that most gamers would probably completely miss. It was really exciting to me to know I had stepped into a story this deeply crafted.

I remember noticing the clocks, but not realizing until the end what they meant, which was an awesome feeling when it dawned on me.

I actually played to the mine puzzle and then restarted because I felt I had missed something. Turned out I had completely missed the traps puzzle and the space man, and it totally changed my understanding of the game. My heart was actually pounding in my chest the first time I chased the astronaut through the woods! It was intense and awesome.

I loved how my mind kept trying to solve the mystery, but the unrealness of the environment kept nagging at me, kept tugging at my brain until I realized about half to 3/4 of the way through what was really going on. The derelict condition of the houses and the valley didn't match with the immediacy of the murders, and the photo of the Carter family only reinforced this feeling. The first question that sprang to my mind when I saw the photo was, "Who took it?" There was nobody mentioned in the narrative who could have. The mine lighting, but especially the candles, were a huge clue to this.

Another clue that I realized but didn't understand was how part way through the game, I was thinking to myself, "Geeze, am I the worst prepared detective in the world? Who sets out to solve a case and takes NOTHING with them, not even a flashlight!" In retrospect, of course, this all makes sense.

This game's atmosphere was so powerful that I felt this oppressive sense of foreboding, and at times during the game I was actually fearing what would happen when the sun finally set; what terrible horrors would I have to face? The fact that this game induced these thoughts and feelings in me is incredible in light of the ending. Also, it was this very thought "What happens when the sun sets?" that eventually drew my attention to the fact that the sun hadn't moved one bit since I began, which led me to realize the truth early-ish in the game.

I actually laughed at myself a bit when the jump scare happened, because I didn't even realize what I was actually looking at until it was in my face. I was wondering if it was someone I'd have to talk to or something.

No other game has forced me to pay as close attention, and I don't think any other game has ever left me feeling like there's still more layers I have yet to consider. I also don't think I've played a game that resonated so strongly with me on a personal level. The environment reminded me of a lot of places in the area where I grew up, and I was a lot like Ethan as a kid in some respects.

The game also managed to take an ending I foresaw and felt I would hate (I've always hated that literary device) and miraculously turned it into a bittersweet ending I love. That was amazing and I really appreciated it.

Okay folks, lets hear your special moments in Red Creek Valley.

[Djigivara]

I agree with you this is the Only game that give me Satisfaction about graphics and sound I love this game too!...

[The Professor]

That jumpscare was totally unexpected for me too.