i thought i misunderstood the game after reading this review so I double-checked and its the other way around. which makes it even more bleak. "Five consecutive misses earns the opponent a phone call" (which is scripted to happen during their 2nd turn). I tried what happens when the player misses all bombs in a round on purpose and nothing changed from what i could tell. I even missed on purpose right before that scripted event happens and the opponent still misses every bomb. seems like they don't even get a call like the player does or they just bad at tricking the tenants lmao

it is strange how that would be the case though! the game is scripted for you to lose, and therefore kill yourself. Either they are just miles ahead of the player and are just toying with us (the same way they'd use a toy to fuck with, well, all these civilian casualties), or really a stroke of good luck. Sounds like the second option is a bit unlikely, though I can see in that aspect why they wouldn't get a call, or need one, for that matter.

yea true! i believe the fact that the game is rigged against the player is just a silly and nihilistic on the nose metaphor. same as the winner ending. something like "if you are born in a world like this there is no escape, its all rigged against you and even if you win it makes no difference" just like that announcer at the start said, i forgot the exact words. I don't agree with the sentiment at all, but that edgy fuck inside of me still enjoys some good ol nihilism and a bleak metaphor for it. it's also easier to program only one board layout, one enemy "attack pattern" (like them not actually getting to use a call) and one ending and if it fits the theme i.e. the nihilism, then why the fuck not. it works for me and even like you said it makes the player question.. is my opponent miles ahead of me and just toying around?? dark af