Suicide is a serious matter and definitely a topic that is close to my heart.
According to afsp.org, 121 suicides take place every day.
You see, the thing about suicide is that it's permanent. What's done is done. There is no reversing or changing what you did. Once you pull the trigger or leap off from that high standpoint, there is no turning back.
“Don't Take This Risk” is an indie game developed by Poison Apple Tales. It is about a young woman who receives a call from an unknown number. Turns out, the person on the other line is a man searching for the suicide hotline. In this game, you have a limited amount of time to make a decision as of what happens next. The game has nine endings, with an extended version currently in the works.
I discovered this game through a YouTuber named Markiplier. (Pretty sure most of you have probably heard of him). I was scrolling through YouTube one day and saw a video he had uploaded titled “Don't Take This Risk” with a noose as the thumbnail.
Curiosity immediately got the best of me and I clicked on it right away. In the beginning of the video, he was disclaiming to the audience that this was a very serious game dealing with suicide and depression. After watching his video along with other walkthroughs, I wanted to check the game out for myself.
After hours of trying to download it onto my laptop, it was finally downloaded, and I was ready to play this game for myself. I must say, I was a tad bit nervous while playing this game. One thing I learned from playing this game is that when you are dealing with someone who is suicidal, to keep them talking.
In gameplay, you can have the option of asking him about his family, what's outside his window, anything you can do to just keep him on the line talking.
(Something to make note of in real life, too.)
If the player chooses to tell the main character that they love him, then he will tell you that he wishes to see you and will invite you to come to his house. If the player chooses to visit him, it is very clear that he isn't in his right state of mind. (Then again, keep in mind that this man is insanely depressed and wants to commit suicide, so he isn't in his right state of mind to begin with.)
In the endings “Keep Your Eye on Me”, “Stay With Me Forever” and “Risky Love” he immediately develops an infatuation with the female character and implies that he may or may not harm you. (It's mainly implied in “Keep Your Eye on Me”)
The game does a very good job at depicting depression in a true, realistic form. I also liked how the game really made me question myself, “how far would I be willing to go to keep someone from hurting themselves?” or “how much would I be willing to put myself in harm’s way to help someone that I don't even know?”
Because sadly, even though this is a game, situations like this do occur in real life more often than we'd like to admit.
Suicide is a very serious thing that shouldn't be taken lightly. The powerful message behind “Don't Take This Risk” is, number one, suicide doesn't just affect you, it affects all of the people around you.
Even though these words seem hollow to some, life is precious and is definitely worth living.
Number two, there is a fine line between helping someone and putting yourself in danger. Wanting to help someone is fine, but please don't neglect your own personal safety.
Remember you're important, too.
Finally, number three, there is always someone that cares. You are never ever alone.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, please call the National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Depression is strong, but you're much stronger. Please keep fighting.
