Occult symbolism / meaning of the game

[jeromocles]

*BIG TIME SPOILERS AHEAD*

I was wondering if others caught on to some of the occult undertones present in the game.

The first one that jumped out at me was when you are preparing drinks for Diana, and you begin to learn about the conspiracy (hand over eye).

Diana[imgur.com]

Illuminati confirmed?[i.ytimg.com]

Next, you have Donovan, our intrepid bartender, who seems to be a dabble in 'spirit'ual alchemy, and uses it to influence consciousness in others.

I find the most interesting character to be Gost, and it's alluded to in the game that he is a supernatural being and master of the underworld. Notice also whenever he walks into the room he emits a "glow". "Lucifer" translates to "bringer of light". Note also that Gost is responsible for upgrading Donovan's alchemical skills.

Fun side note: you can use the pink concoction during Edgar's interrogation to "invert" the cross[imgur.com].

It's my interpretation that part of the backstory involves Donovan having made a Faustian bargain with Gost, and this is what gives him his immortality and superhuman persuasion/bartending skills. All he had to give up was his soul, and the dream job is his. Whenever he's ready to escape this eternal loop, he's welcome to come join Gost in the underworld.

The game is about FATE and FREE WILL. No matter what choices you make, Brandeis will always meet his fate. If you dial 555-292-257 later in the game, you will be presented with all the potential story branches, and they all ultimately lead to the same conclusion. No matter what "red string" path you take, your fate in the club is sealed. And the cycle continues: love, heartbreak, amnesia. Rinse, lather, repeat.

Just some fun theories to throw out there. Anyone else connect with these ideas?

[jeromocles]

I should note if you enjoy esoteric themes about transhumanist transcendence in a cyberpunk setting, I'd highly, highly recommend Else Heart.Break()

If the philosphical implications about fate and free will are your curiosity, one of the best puzzle games with a meditation on life is The Talos Principle

Finally, if you dig the creepy, Brave New World-esque ramifications of dystopian society built into a survival game, you'll probably enjoy We Happy Few

The greatest pieces of art today are video games. It's the most evocative medium, and I hope it can overcome the "gamer" stereotypes and reach more mainstream acceptance.

[anaphylactic god]

maybe there is no connection ?
like in hollow knight, where devs first created world, made enemies and bosses and only after that connected it with lore to suit setting of locations.
Deconstructeam always participate in game jam(its like a tornament for indie devs where they must create gam ib 24-72 hours). Devs already had batrender simulator, pottery simulator and that end part where you sit in office as small game (it was called Supercontinent LTD).
i think red strings club is combination of their previous games and story is there just to tie peices together. Just like Gods will be watching was made out of several games :Gwbw mini game+ torture simulator + something else i guess.
Btw its looks like Gost character was made after musician with same name, maybe he is friend of devs or something.
i dont deny i could be wrong about everything i just said

[jeromocles]

Interestingly, I think this actually lends MORE weight to what I'm saying.

The opening track to GosT's most recent album, 'Non Paradisi', contains these words: "There is no prison to those who have given their souls to the Prince of Darkness." (with timestamp at 3:42)

GosT's bio also contains this:

And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.

Directed and commanded by another power. The power of darkness, which many people do not believe exists. The power of the Devil. The power of Satan. The power of Baalberith.

So effectively, GosT is functioning as a time lord over Donovan's eternity, having him repeat the same timeline ad infinitum until he's ready to give himself up to his master.

The most interesting relationship to me in the game is that between Akara and GosT, the marriage between artificial superintelligence and magick. I hope we get a chance to learn more backstory as more things continue to be uncovered about the game.

[anaphylactic god]

dayum, you sure like researching that stuff

[epic meow]

Originally posted by jeromocles:

Interestingly, I think this actually lends MORE weight to what I'm saying.

The opening track to GosT's most recent album, 'Non Paradisi', contains these words: "There is no prison to those who have given their souls to the Prince of Darkness." (with timestamp at 3:42)

GosT's bio also contains this:

And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.

Directed and commanded by another power. The power of darkness, which many people do not believe exists. The power of the Devil. The power of Satan. The power of Baalberith.

So effectively, GosT is functioning as a time lord over Donovan's eternity, having him repeat the same timeline ad infinitum until he's ready to give himself up to his master.

The most interesting relationship to me in the game is that between Akara and GosT, the marriage between artificial superintelligence and magick. I hope we get a chance to learn more backstory as more things continue to be uncovered about the game.

That's very interesting, I'm just wondering if maybe GoST couldn't have influence over Donovan because he's alive. He talks big game about only being able to get things that are "dead".

While this is really interesting and even impressive if it's actually something the devs thought of I really think he was only included because of the electro music style. Hopefully not though.

[jeromocles]

As noted in another thread, Gost's theme song is literally called "Occult Synth." Can't believe I missed that one.

[drace]

GosT fan here. I think the backstory of his music persona might be of some note in this whole thing but I'm not an analysis expert so what do I know. Anyways...

GosT's story is that he's Baal-Berith, a Great Duke of Hell, returned to earth in a physical form to play sick-ass music in the name of Satan. As you've already seen, a LOT of his music samples bits and pieces from horror movies with Satanic themes and motifs. His newest album (as of this post), Non Paradisi, is a concept album about a journey through hell, and the intro track off of his upcoming album samples a bunch of old (read: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥) Satanic Panic-era PSAs about how devil worshippers are kidnapping kids and using them in Ye Olde Dark Magicks. Needless to say, the guy likes the satan aesthetics.

If you look up Baal-Berith in the Ars Goetia section of the Lesser Key of Solomon (an anonymously-published book from the mid-1600s on how to summon demons that the biblical King Solomon supposedly captured and forced to serve him), you find this:

"The Twenty-eighth Spirit in Order, as Solomon bound them, is named Berith. He is a Mighty, Great, and Terrible Duke. He hath two other Names given unto him by men of later times, viz.: BEALE, or BEAL, and BOFRY or BOLFRY. He appeareth in the Form of a Soldier with Red Clothing, riding upon a Red Horse, and having a Crown of Gold upon his head. He giveth true answers, Past, Present, and to Come. Thou must make use of a Ring in calling him forth, as is before spoken of regarding Beleth. He can turn all metals into Gold. He can give Dignities, and can confirm them unto Man. He speaketh with a very clear and subtle Voice. He governeth 26 Legions of Spirits."

so yeah make of that what you will. also check out Non Paradisi it's a rad as hell album

[Red Daniel]

Originally posted by jeromocles:

If you dial 555-292-257 later in the game, you will be presented with all the potential story branches, and they all ultimately lead to the same conclusion.

So you're saying dialing that number shows you all the choices you can make in the game?
How are you supposed to figure that number out?

Are there any Hotline Miami numbers you can call or any references?