I have a million and seven excuses why I haven't been posting regularly lately, but this wall of half-lies and somewhat-truths I've constructed could not contain my desire to spread the word about this game.
Bob Clark of The Designer's Dilemma blog recently developed a simple title called Off With Her Head for the Global Game Jam, and it's arguably of greater moral depth than almost any game in existence. Off With Her Head places you in the shoes of an executioner for a King, and you have the unenviable duty of convincing all the kingdom's women to either join the royal harem or die beheaded at your hands. The women of this land are all so beautiful and marry so quickly that even the realm's own men often go unwed, His Highness included, and the King has had enough. You will either help him resolve this problem in the most despicable manner possible, or you yourself will share their fate.
The game plays out entirely through single-frame animations and text, and each of your victims has their own personality. Using 4 simples responses (Yes, No, ask a question, or give a "straight answer") you can try to save their lives or simply take them. But if you kill too many, the King will not be pleased and you will suffer as well.
There are many different endings, one of which includes an ill-fate for the King himself, so perhaps it is not all sin and amoral punishment. Needless to say though, the tale rarely ends well for the women.
The script comes off a bit misogynistic, as the Executioner seems to have little pity for his victims regardless of your decisions. But the women themselves are well-spoken and often heroically defiant, so it's hard to say that Mr. Clark's interpretation of female-will is offensive. However, he has mentioned that even he is unsure whether or not he has vented some of his frustrations with the fairer sex through this game, and to that I say "Yes, you have." Bringing that up is practically all the evidence you need to verify it.
What makes this game so deep is the terrible decision you must constantly make; to kill someone or to issue them a life of rape and slavery. Obviously, neither have much appeal (unless that's what you're into?) I'll let you be the judge of which is better, and of course, I have my own opinion.
It is not often that we are forced to make even rudimentary moral decisions in video games, and it's rarer yet that they have a genuine affect on the outcome of the story. Despite them all appearing identical, it was hard for me not to see a unique individual in each, especially with the well written dialog and hefty figurative weight on my shoulders. To that extent, Bob has done a great job of making authetically important characters.
If there's ever been a game ripe for discussion, it's this one, and thankfully most of it that I have read so far has been nothing short thought-provoking. You can try it for yourself here, and because I found it to be such a powerful experience (but primarily because it runs solo in a browser window), I've even added it to the game section here on fortytwo points. Just click that little GAMES button in the navbar and give a whirl.
Off With Her Head will probably make you feel as good as it makes you feel bad, and somehow, that's a good thing.
-Unfather
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