Metafictional Video Games
This is a list comprised of games that would be considered 'meta' (gross overused word, I know). Metafictional games are games that directly blur the line between game and reality often times aware of their own 'gamey'-ness. This can include games that directly interact with the player, make a commentary on the very nature of video games, or that include a metanarrative.
Since she is such a massive collaborator, close friend, and helped me a lot with this list I’d also like to credit: Bells.
//In the notes are explanations for each
//spoiler warning for each game, obviously.
//work in progress, feel free to suggest games in the comments
Since she is such a massive collaborator, close friend, and helped me a lot with this list I’d also like to credit: Bells.
//In the notes are explanations for each
//spoiler warning for each game, obviously.
//work in progress, feel free to suggest games in the comments
43 Games
17 Comments
@theia thank you for these suggestions, ima try to add them along with little explanations if I can 🙏🏽
AI: The Somnium Files - Nirvana Initiative has a cult that believes that their reality is a simulation and they seek to tear down the veil to the real world and address at points a higher being who may be listening in.
Doki Doki Literature Club obviously but Save the Date did it first.
Doki Doki Literature Club obviously but Save the Date did it first.
Killer7's gameplay is a mix of East and West mechanics to facilitate its narrative of cultural whiplash
The Witness is entirely a commentary on Puzzle Games through its world design and such, placing useless puzzles mimicing something like the tetris effect that solving is in itself the reward. In addition, there's a secret ending with an irl video.
spoiler warning is hidden
Crash Twinsanity: Cortex skips a mini-game all by himself just to get a crystal
Flower Sun and Rain (MASSIVE SPOILERS)
The kid in the game actively makes fun and acknowledges the fact that it's a game, Edo communicates with the player through the screens at the end of days, Edo changes to Sue after Edo dies, and Sumio says "I'm getting that DS feeling" whenever he finds a lost and found spot. Additionally some more subtle things are there like the game point out how everything that happens seems tailor made for Sumio in the guide book.
The kid in the game actively makes fun and acknowledges the fact that it's a game, Edo communicates with the player through the screens at the end of days, Edo changes to Sue after Edo dies, and Sumio says "I'm getting that DS feeling" whenever he finds a lost and found spot. Additionally some more subtle things are there like the game point out how everything that happens seems tailor made for Sumio in the guide book.
Edo changes to Sue in the loading screen*
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Danganronpa 2 and especially V3 definitely blur that line.
No Spec Ops: the Line? Or any of the Daniel Mullins games?
omg how did this happen!!! they're indeed so similar, but i like how we're striving to portray slightly different things that might intersect. great list too!!!
Alan Wake II speaks by itself
Great list! I think Max Payne 2 probably qualifies; like Kojima, Sam Lake really only has one move.
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Love the list! It's given me a lot to look into in the future!
theia
19 days ago
drakengard 3, undertale, banjo-kazooie nuts & bolts
mostly for humorous effect:
kid icarus uprising, banjo-kazooie/banjo-tooie also from what i recall, hi-fi rush, super paper mario, super smash bros. brawl, super smash bros. for 3ds/wii u, super smash bros. ultimate (smash bros ones being the snake codecs/palutena's guidance thingies)
subtextual but it's glaring:
we love katamari