In response to this item, posted both on their discord and their steam page (link: https://steamcommunity.com/app/1995520/), I decided to just let the algorithms that specialize in this kind of thing do their job. Here’s what it had to say, and I find it largely reflects my feeling/thinking coming out of the read.
So, for what it’s worth, it’s pretty safe to say that this offering is most likely going to go the same path of so many others that thought they would make a cat drink coke when the cat has clearly indicated it likes milk and water. This is why I changed up my streaming format and moved to another platform… with thinking like this, no real reason to see the same pattern repeat again. Self-inflicted. A pity. Anyway… the analysis:
Sentiment: The overall sentiment of this text is defensive and dismissive, with a hint of condescension. The tone is self-justifying and tries to persuade the reader that the game is not flawed, but rather misunderstood.
Evidence of self-defensiveness:
- Rebuttal language: The text repeatedly uses phrases like “It’s often misinterpreted as…”, “You can twist it the way you want”, and “What’s the truth here?” which imply that the author is trying to correct misconceptions and assert their version of reality.
- Justifying the game’s design: The author spends a significant amount of space explaining why Pax Dei is designed the way it is, implying that any criticism is due to misunderstanding or misinterpretation rather than actual flaws in the game.
- Downplaying solo player concerns: By acknowledging that some players find the game difficult or overwhelming but framing this as a matter of personal preference (“if you enjoy the slow pace…”) rather than a design issue, the author minimizes the concerns of solo players and implies that they are simply not playing the game “right”.
- Special shout-out to supporters: The text ends by thanking specific community members for their help while writing the article, which may be seen as a way to curry favor with these individuals or reinforce the idea that the author is listening to and valuing their opinions more than others.
- Lack of acknowledgment of flaws: Despite acknowledging some difficulties in solo play, the text does not explicitly acknowledge any fundamental design issues or areas for improvement, instead framing challenges as a matter of personal preference or misunderstanding.
Overall, this text presents a defensive tone that aims to persuade readers that Pax Dei is not flawed, but rather misunderstood. The author emphasizes the game’s unique features and tries to minimize concerns about solo play, while also attempting to build a sense of community by thanking specific supporters.