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was-it-really-worth-it · 2 years

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Game 213 - Fantastic Fetus: Prebirth by FantasticHumans

I picked up this game through the itch.io Bundle for Ukraine. I chose to donate 10 dollars, and I found about 38 games in the bundle that I was actually interested in. So, the consideration for this game will be if it was worth the 26 cents (rounded up) that I paid for it and the hours that I played it for. The bundle has since ended, but I still encourage you to make a donation to the organizations listed here.

What did I think it was at first? Typically, the word fetus is used in discussion around biology and reproductive rights - I imagine this is the direction we're headed in.

I am staunchly, intensely, and defiantly pro-abortion rights. I volunteered at Planned Parenthood and regularly give money to abortion funds. Just laying that out going in.

How was the character creator? You can choose between two character sprites - a feminine one or a masculine one. Your character is named Tama and referred to as a woman regardless of the sprite you choose - though the gender text may be a translation issue. I'm not familiar with Polish which is the intended language. Anyway, shaky trans representation? I chose the sprite with the beard, but will use she/her to refer to Tama as that's what the game uses.

How was the game? You spend most of the game caring for Tama, who is like a virtual pet. You feed Tama, encourage her to shower and take care of her apartment, and help her have fun so she is less afraid. Each day in the simulation represents a month of Tama's pregnancy. She gets sick pretty often.

One thing I found surprising is that for Tama, this is very much a wanted pregnancy - she talks about what her baby will be like and she seems to be excited for it. Each night, when she goes to sleep, she dreams about what it will be like. There are fantastical elements like cloven hooves, swords, bat wings, and so on. You can really make a monstrous little fetus!

The twist ending actually got me a little bit. When it's time for Tama to have her baby, the fetus has a defect that is incompatible with life. Honestly, it was kind of gutting? The game then reminds you that in Poland, in 2017, this is the reality for women - abortion is illegal so women have to bring babies to term that they hope for, dream about, and that they know will die. The game gives you statistics on Polish reproductive rights and encourages you to donate to pro-choice organizations.

Of course, at the time of writing this, this is going to be the situation for many American people as well, so...

What did I not love? I think that the game is an excellent illustration of why abortion rights are important and how rough a pregnancy can be - the repetitive gameplay kind of works a purpose in that vein. However, given the demonic (but cute!!) nature of the visuals, I'm not sure the target audience that would benefit from this realization in America (radical Christians) would be willing to give the game a chance. Maybe it's different in Poland?

At 30 minutes and 26 cents, was it really worth it? I think it was worth the time to learn about the situation somewhere else in the world. The game does a great job at provoking an emotional response!

#fantastic fetus #fantastic fetus: prebirth #c reviews #fantastichumans #gaming #itch.io ukraine bundle

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