After reading about The Vanishing of Ethan Carter from Game Informer, I came across “Depression Quest.”
“Depression Quest” is a hypertext-based depression simulator. Unlike the interaction fiction, I recently reviewed, there’s no graphics engine: the “game” is a series of pages with a sound-track.
But it’s quite moving. The game shares themes with both Dear Esther and Gone Home, but by firmly placing the events in the real world the themes of sadness and loss are reinforced by an alarming veracity.
“Depression Quest” is free, but you can pay what you want, and any funds go to a mental health charity.