>>1031701
>>1031813
>To me "happily ever after" comes across as less like domestic abuse specifically and more about holding on to a relationship or situation despite it only giving diminishing returns.
It would not be farfetched at all to say that the game alludes to domestic abuse/abuse in general in some way somewhere. But I agree that Happily Ever After is drawing ideas from the concept of a failing relationship. Things that seemed perfect and wonderful before become dull (
the feast ), and you don't know why. You keep trying to make things work (
eating the feast over and over ), change things a little to attempt to make the relationship more exciting (
playing the tabletop game repeatedly and changing the rules ), and it may work for a moment. But it never lasts, even if there is still some love left between you and her. Admitting that things are not okay brings a sense of darkness and uncertainty (
the torches going out ).
When I first saw the scene, I immediately noticed this connection, and I'm glad I'm not the only one. Then again, I only recently saw playthroughs of this game, so this could have been talked about already and be common knowledge.
The Damsel route really demonstrates many of the game's strengths in a concise and compelling way. There is horror, conveyed through changes to the visuals and music, as well as humor. There are allusions to the Princess' nature, as well as to the abilities of the Voices. The end result of the route is emotional enough, whether you decide to slay the princess or not. There are difference chances to do the slaying, which results in different art. The game as a whole would have been even stronger and more satisfying if it had been like this the entire way through, sticking to its own unique ideas and charm.