An immersive, narrative videogame that retells Joel Green's 4-year fight against cancer through about two hours of poetic, imaginative gameplay that explores themes of faith, hope and love.
| LANGUAGE | AUDIO | SUBTITLES | INTERFACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Y | Y | Y |
Dragons kill humans, humans wants to kill dragons...
First and foremost this game will break you, leaving you curled up in a ball at the foot of your desk and chair clenched up in a puddle of tears. I had seen no gameplay prior to playing this masterpeice but what i had seen was a brief interview regarding the story of that dragon, cancer. And honestly this game really hit home for me, for a few personal reasons. I believed that playing this game might help me with some well buried grief, needless to say. It was a good long hour of continuous crying. Will i play this again, yes. But to a degree you can only play that dragon, cancer. Once.. With an untainted and first time play, raw emotions, uncharted territory, and not knowing what lays ahead.. just like the storyline.
No son muchos los juegos que son capaces de hacerme llorar y romperme, pero este lo hizo, me partio el alma, tenia que pausar el juego varias veces para intentar contener mis lagrimas, yo no seria capas de pasar por toda la situacion que el dev paso junto a su familia, en paz descanse Joel
Amazing game! I feel so sorry for the family who lost their son, but I don't regret playing this! I first heard of this game when watching Markiplire's Reading Your Comments series and decided to play it for the first time to celebrate its ten year anniversary! And I'm so glad I did!
I don't think I've cried so much for a video game before. This is such a good game. Not because of the graphics obviously or the movement, but the story is so pure. If you don't know the background, you'll want to. Get some tissues.
Amazing game, I loved every second, I can relate losing my late grandma to cancer lukemia, She was such a kind nice person, She deserved everything in the world, But god took her too soon, I hated it, I hated it so much, But god has a plan for everyone, And I trust his plan, Everything for a reason right?, Life always has purpose and she completed it, Joel completed it, I hope some day I'll meet Joel he sounds like the kindest friend.
I know it's hard to have one lasting memory for a person, and I know this isn't the only memory of Joel but this is a beautiful one, it will leave you in tears and for me it really helped me visit some emotions with some of my loved ones that I never got to fully process. Beautiful game with a somber story.
Thank you for this beautiful experience. Highly recommended. I love my boys.
Absolutamente desgarrador, un tributo hermoso.
Es poesía, de esa que te tatúas en el alma al terminar. Es una experiencia conmovedora y cruel. El sentimiento, la música, las voces, el amor puesto en este proyecto, inefable.
Lo peor es sin duda el hecho de que es un juego, las limitaciones técnicas y los bugs ocasionales que pueden romper el clima de la escena. Es breve, conciso y duro, un point & click narrativo que no cuenta, transmite.
Me ha encantado, una muestra perfecta sobre cómo los videojuegos pueden ser un medio de expresión artística completamente adecuado, inmersivo e incluso superior en algunos casos.
As someone who thinks babies are too pure for this world, this was such a heartbreaking game to play through. I'm not religious but this game gave me so much to think about. What I mean is, during hardship, it is a very human thing to look for answers or find relief in concepts (like God and miracles) that we do not completely understand and I wish more people understood and respected that even if we don't personally agree. Absolutely beautiful and sad at the same time.
Very few games can make me cry. I'm very proud to say this is 100% one of them.
Real games give you not a challenge, not an entertainment, they give you experience. You play a game and after that you are different, it has sinked inside you.
This is a real game. A game for humans. I wish that everyone some day will find it and play. Especially young people. "That Dragon, Cancer" is like a good movie or book. It gives you an opportunity to see the world in a way I wish none of us would. It touches your soul and makes you feel and think about something in your life. I pulls the strings of kindness. This is the true form of art.
Ryan, Amy, thank you for the game, it was a pleasure to play it.
This game is so raw and emotional. I find myself playing this game from time to time. Especially if I'm in my "feels". The fact that they use real dialogue - from phone calls to therapy appointments, makes the game so much different for any other game. Its a walking sim. So if you're not into an emotional walking sim game, then this isn't for you.I truly enjoy this master piece of a game. 10/10
a SAD game. heart warming and story based walk through type of play style. brb still sobbing.
cried.
An unconventional perspective on how brutal life can be
And the hope that comes with this as a creation itself
for a long time, no game could make me cry as much as this one. A couple of times, I had to pause the game to get myself together and continue playing. After completing the game, I came across a video of the game's award ceremony, where Ryan Green delivered a speech that made my heart break even more. I believe that many people should experience this game, and it deserves all the praise and positive feedback it receives.
"And I have hope that when we are all willing to see each other, not for just who we want to be, but who we are, and who we're meant to be – this act of love, and this act of grace, can change the world"
Hardest game I've ever played.. by far.
Было тяжко, но оно того стоило
That Dragon, Cancer it’s a casual game with minimal gameplay. However, it offers a deep emotional and spiritual journey, it’s one of the best and most powerful experiences I ever had in gaming and I recommend this game to everyone.
Even if you’re not a believer you’ll be able to sympathize with what these people went through, as for believers you’ll have your faith strengthened after experiencing this game.
Games that deal with grief and loss have a special place in my heart and I hold this belief that if their stories are packaged in a neat but precise way and delivered well, the game itself does not have to be groundbreaking for me to give it a good review because, at the end of the day, these games become more of a form of expression when it comes to their experiences with life and really, who are we all to negatively critique someone for how they deal with grief, loss, and more specifically, a loved one's death?
I bought That Dragon, Cancer because the description of the package deeply resonated with me, but before I did, I scrolled through the reviews offhandedly, which was my first mistake, and saw a very popular review on here that essentially says, "DO NOT BUY! THIS GAME IS JESUS PROPAGANDA." The next mistake that I made was that I actually hesitated from buying said game because I'm the last person on this planet who is interested in unwillingly investing my time in any type of religion or religious adjacent things as an ex-catholic. However, I decided to still give the game a shot because the message of the game hits too close to home to ignore and I needed something that would resonate with me. All that being said, I'm grateful that I bought the game and invested my time in it because Joel's story is more important than whatever religious aspects this game had that some people had a problem with or had trouble ignoring (which I do not understand how some people cannot easily ignore these parts or just play along with, but maybe it's just a skill issue on some people).
While I'll admit that this game does take a nosedive into religion at some point during the game, as someone with a detached viewpoint of their story — implementing religion in the game should be interpreted more through the lens of Joel's parents getting more and more desperate as the story progresses rather than a form of propaganda to promote their religion, which again I do not understand how some people saw it as such but to each their own. Personally, I think the religious aspects of the story are Ryan and Amy's way of going through stages of grief and coping with their loss. I also want to emphasize the fact that Joel's story is far more important than whatever religious topics this game had and should not even be one of the main talking points for the review section of this game, but again, to each their own.
Would I recommend this game to a friend? Yes, especially a grieving friend. Would I play this game again? No, I personally think this is a game that you consume once, and it sits with you for a very long time.
Wow
This game broke me. It brought tears to me, it takes you through the lives of the family. I def rec playing this, just be mentally ready. My prayers goes to the family, the end credits hurt so bad.
Acabo de terminar el juego y no tengo palabras para definirlo.
Mas que juego es una experiencia, de lo mas duro y crudo que se puede pasar. pero narrado de forma excelente
Es un trabajo autentico y que te mueve hasta lo mas profundo del alma.
Sin duda recomiendo que le dediquen un momento para poder vivirlo uds tambien.
♥♥♥♥ cancer
More of a story experience than a game to be honest, but a beautiful one it is. Truly heart breaking and it truly puts a perspective to life and makes you cherish every living moment.
Could not stop smiling or crying 10/10
That Dragon, Cancer is a hard game to review. As a game, it may be sparse, but as an expression, it's a whole lot more. It's the intimate and personal tale of the brave Joel Green told by his father. The Green family immerses us in their loss by sharing vignettes and fragmented memories of their harrowing experience. I can't imagine how painful or therapeutic a project like this must have been.
Everybody deals with loss in some capacity at some point. Coping mechanisms are as varied and nuanced as the people who use them, but something like this is truly unique. You can debate and analyze the merit of something like this in the larger gaming sphere, or you can take it as what it is: a tribute to a boy taken before his time. I won't pretend that I was entirely entranced by the gameplay, but to complain about something like the controls in certain sections feels tone deaf.
This is a beautiful remembrance of a son who is very sorely missed, and I think everyone could find something cathartic in its reflection.
Mi madre pasó por cancer de mama en el 2012. Paso por preceso de quimioterapias y unos meses después de terminar, tuvo una recaída. La desesperación que sentimos todos en ese momento fue monumental, y recordar todo el proceso y tan solo pensar en volverlo a vivir, era tortuoso. Yo tenía 16 años en ese entonces. Mi madre afortunadamente vivió un segundo proceso, sin quimioterapia, y hoy agradezco su vida todos los días.
Gracias crear esta experiencia tan única. Fue difícil de jugar sin duda alguna, pero me esforcé porque sentí que tenia que reconectar con esos viejos sentimientos.
Dios bendiga sus corazones y siempre encuentren luz en el día a día.
😥
words cannot describe how thankful i am for video game manifestations of love. this is one of the most raw and emotional pieces of art i have ever interacted with. so gut-wrenchingly beautiful.
A very real and honest journey of the Greens’ experience of raising their son Joel, who had terminal cancer for 4 years.
I never want to play this game again. 😪
Thank you Green family, for sharing your story.
I recommend watching "Thank You for Playing" before playing this.
amazing game in memory of joel.
Great
they made me write word
There is little that can be said to accurately describe the suffering this game evokes. The story makes you feel as if it is your own child being wrenched away from you by that dragon, cancer. I myself a grown man was reduced to tears for the duration of the game. In a beautiful display of home audio and different POV's, i can confidently say this is nothing short of a deserving memorial of sort for Joel.
Truly in our small self revolving worlds we often negate to wonder the trials and pains of others.
May the green family find comfort from the lord.
God rest little Joel greens soul.
"The problem of reality, is that terrible things can happen to good people, and sadly the most we can do is stand by our friends and hope they get better and unfortunately sometimes they don't."
Five years ago I met the most wonderful group of people, this was in the midst of the covid pandemic. One of them had met this other person, and she was the sweetest person ever. She had cancer. We as a group helped her, I remember doing my part in trying to make her smile. The game is right when you say you don't know how much time you have left. She was gone sooner than any of us had expected, and to me that was scary and sad. Scary because I had never dealt with death before, and the notion of losing someone permanently was very overbearing. Sad because I genuinely had hoped and hoped that some way some how she would get better, and for a while it seemed like it was plausible. To this day, I wish to carry even a bit of her kindness in my heart, as of recent I've been nothing but the opposite and after playing this I want to change that. You never know how much time you have left. From now on, I'll hug those I love just a little tighter, laugh a little louder, and cry a little more before it's much too late again.
good sad game .
:(
absolutely heartbreaking
An extremely emotional story with beautifully executed visuals perfectly encapsulating the struggle that is cancer. I spent a good amount of time crying whilst experiencing this story. This experience was deeply therapeutic for the parts of me still stuck in the past with family struggles against cancer.
We love you Joel.
The story was a 10/10 but it was so short that I beat it and then refunded it cuz I had less than 2 hours on the game. I was at the verge of tears on that one scene (the one called [spoiler]I'm Sorry Guys, It's Not Good[/spoiler]) which very few games have done.
To everyone who's played Before Your Eyes, I would say this game is sadder but only because this is actually the story of something that truly happened to someone. Imo Before Your Eyes is superior.
[spoiler] Why do all Joels end up dying????? [/spoiler]
i tried this game out about a year ago and i wanted to say that your son did not deserve to have cancer he is a loved little boy that has a loving family :D
One of the most emotional games to date, absolutely love it.
Tiene AÑOS que quería jugar éste "Juego".
En 2020 ese dragón me quitó a una querida amiga.
En 2025 nació mi hijo que quiero con toda mi alma y ... uffff
Leí cada una de las cartas en la sección del hospital. Éste juego realmente da una perspectiva diferente de la vida.
El capítulo 3... realmente me destruyó pieza por pieza.
Plasman de una forma tan sublime los sentimientos de ambos padres.
Recomendado
终于在今天完整体验了整个游戏，最初在姥姥确诊癌症的时候就有听说过这个游戏，当时还只有demo。但这游戏太贴近我的生活，现实中亲人确诊癌症的恐惧已经吞噬了我，我不敢再在游戏中体验。后来姥姥去世，也因为害怕重新揭开伤疤，一直都不敢尝试。在如今来玩，震撼于信仰的强大。母亲的乐观让我最开始以为那是孩子的小姨，是什么样的力量让她能一直存有希望的，是对神的信念么？父亲在孩子生病过程中信仰的建筑也让我在反思自己。是一部很好的可视化游戏，温情又扣人心弦。
sometimes we dont get lucky, if you grieve for people you loved, please play this.
may you rest well daisy
真實的永遠是最致命的，我想説這是款略顯粗糙的 令人倍感遺憾的獨游。教導我們珍惜生命
made me cry thanks
Um jogo simples, mas forte. That Dragon, Cancer é um daqueles jogos narrativos emocionais que ficam na memória, porque são lindos e tocantes e conseguem ultrapassar qualquer barreira, até mesmo a linguística (falo isso porque joguei em inglês, e o meu é meio limitado, mas consegui apreciar bem o jogo). Como o foco é total narrativo, a jogabilidade é simples, podendo até ser meio desajeitada ou frustrante para alguns, vai de jogador. Se você jogou Before Your Eyes (outro jogo narrativo lindo), provavelmente gostará de That Dragon, Cancer, já que a forma de como a história é contada e até alguns aspectos da gameplay são bem parecidos. Para quem não sabe, essa é uma história real que, foi eternizado pelos pais da criancinha com cancer, Joel, em formato de jogo.
Algo que preciso destacar é, a única coisa que me incomodou nesse jogo é que ele dá uma leve desandada da metade pro final na minha opinião. Eu não sei por em palavras muito bem, eu só posso dizer que pra mim decaiu consideravelmente. A jogabilidade deu uma piorada, ficou mais "longa" e travada em muitos momentos e até um pouco mais confusa. Mas tem uma outra coisa. Lá pros 70% do jogo, por aí, o que eram sentimentos crus, durezas da vida, dificuldades, começaram a ser cobertas com fé, sem mais nem menos. Ok, eu entendo, esse jogo acima de tudo é a história dos pais de Joel sobre conviver com um filho doente, e foi assim que foi na vida real, então nada mais justo do que retratar dessa mesma forma no jogo também, mas para mim, a partir daí, eu comecei a perder um pouco da conexão que eu tinha com o game. Um outro jogo que fez isso, que eu também ressaltei esse ponto na minha review, foi Room of Depression.
Contudo, mesmo com esses pontos, gostei da experiência que tive, só não rejogaria com tão pouco espaço de tempo como fiz com Before Your Eyes.
<3
Um jogo muito bonito e emocionante. Uma história muito particular, mas ao mesmo tempo fala sobre uma condição que é comum a muitas famílias: a perda de um parente acometido pelo câncer. Simples, mas muito legal jogar mesmo depois de quase 10 anos do seu lançamento.
실화에 바탕인 이야기라 이야기가 가지는 힘은 충분히 있으나
한글패치가
평가를 갉아먹는것 같습니다.
중반까지는 어느정도 느낌이 오는데 이동하면서 듣는 나레이션 한글화도 안되있고
중반에 편지지도 한글화가 전혀 안되있어서 이야기가 매끄럽지 않다고 느낍니다.
몰입되려다가 와장창 깨져버립니다.
만원 가격에 한글화도 좀 완벽하지 않아서 추천드릴만한 작품은 아닌것같습니다.
cancer sucks
Quiero comenzar por decir que este no es un videojuego cualquiera, es la forma en como un padre en luto por la reciente muerte de pequeño encuentra la forma de superar junto a su esposa la perdida de un ser querido tan preciado como lo es un hijo. Es íncreible como logran plasmar el dolor y los sentimientos que puedan presentarse respecto cáncer infantil, no solo en el niño sino ademas lo que representa para su progenitores. Lloré, reí, me entretuve, pero lo mas importante es que me dejo con un mensaje el cual muy difícilmente logre olvidar.
Otro apartado que quizás pueda apartar el juego a aquellos que hablamos español/castellano es el idioma, pero con algo de conocimiento básico en ingles puede llegar a comprenderse y no se diluye para nada la mensaje, al menos en mi experiencia. RECOMENDADO.....................excepto si sos padre de algún recién nacido XD
GOOD
The story in this game is explained so well and in so much detail like how Joel had to be treated, the sudden news, and his passing. This game really got me at the end credits when they showed Joel with his family and I actually cried for a bit. May you Rest in Peace, Joel; with all the pancakes you could have with your adorable dog
yes
I don't ever want to play this game again. The story hurt me too bad...
this is sad and good
I had been eyeing this game for some time, and after the recent loss of my Mom to cancer and dementia, I finally decided to buy it. The emotions portrayed in the game struck a deep chord within me, and I found myself in tears as I navigated through each chapter, reliving moments with my Mom. It was a poignant experience, beautifully capturing the essence of honoring a loved one and the memories we hold dear.
This is the saddest and best game I have EVER played. The simple fact of the story is heartbreaking, but how it is told through the art style and the visuals is AMAZING. I'm 16 now, and to think this poor, innocent kid born in the same year as me never got to experience life like I have is saddening. Thank you, truly, to the developers who helped the parents make this game; it was an honor to go through Joel's story. Thank you, sm. god bless
[h1]Самый гнусный враг человека[/h1]
Игры не обязаны быть чистым развлечением. Они не только делятся историей, как остальные медиа, но и погружают игрока в чужой опыт как ничто другое. That Dragon, Cancer рассказывает трагическую историю из обыкновенной семьи, но за счет интерактивности и чуднóго повествования создаются уникальные эмоции и ощущения
Диагноз рака у 4-летнего Джоэла провел родителей через множество терзаний и тревог. Они вместе проходят через все этапы лечения и принятия, и игра показывает их с должным тактом и весом. Насколько бы развитие событий не было предсказуемым, эмоции остаются честными и сильными. Геймплей представлен от первого лица, но симулятором ходьбы его трудно назвать. Перемещаться на WASD нельзя – надо камерой выбирать точку перемещения и таким же образом выполнять контекстные действия. Управление необычное, но прямолинейное; как в квесте. Несмотря на горечь, игра дает повеселиться. Малютке Джоэлу надо поддерживать небольшую радость, так что с ним доведется сыграть пару мини-игр
Графика представлена стилем лоу-поли с насыщенной цветовой палитрой. Анимация очень простая, мимика ни у кого не имеется по понятным причинам. «Дешево и сердито» звучит не как критика, а выбор под собственные возможности
В повествовании хватает сюрреализма и психоделики. Всяческие метафоры усиливают эмоции и задают интересные игровые ситуации: картинг по коридорам больницы, аппарат МРТ посреди амфитеатра, внутренний кризис родителей в бескрайнем и бездонном море. Озвучка пугающе хорошая. Порой она кажется такой реальной, будто включили запись разговора из обыкновенной жизни
That Dragon, Cancer важна не только как игра про рак, но и про христианскую веру. Насколько Бог помог Джоэлу бороться, а насколько вера тщетна и бесполезна? Мне как неверующему приятно погрузиться в разум религиозного человека и увидеть в нём благо.
[url=https://stopgame.ru/game/that_dragon_cancer/review/23775]Ссылка на полный обзор со скриншотами[/url]
[b]Похвально. [u]Избранное[/u][/b]
i cried like a little baby but it is a good game. It's also a good game to play if you need to a really good cry.
f**k cancer
This isn't a game it is a story. This was the exact argument I used against one of my high school teachers when I said that video games can be pieces of literature as well. This story broke me over and over again and I wasn't going to let anyone say that it wasn't as good as other forms of media because it was just a 'game' I was supposed to only write 1000 words on it, in the end I had nearly 5000 words written about it. Do not make the same mistake other might, this is not a game, it is a heart crushing story
Powerful story
Whenever I started getting into the game, some minor bugs always broke the immersion for me. Yet, I still would love to finish it, but now I get stuck on the baby knight chapter. No workarounds described in the forums worked for me. Cannot progress further.
So I got this game to deal with my dads passing with cancer maybe as a therapeutic way , while playing the game it gave me an understanding of what others did and went through as well. Its a very intense and healing game to play , i needed to take a long break to continue playing from it being deeply emotional. I finished the game a few minutes ago, Sending love to the family and love to sweet baby Joel, It was a powerful journey throughout the whole time, I feel....not sure how to feel... Do i recommend this game 100000% please get this game.
Touchant
Aunque alguna de sus mecánicas dan cáncer; el juego es tan emotivo como inolvidable.
Me hizo llorar una banda 10/10
This is a remarkable experience. The art has held up very well over time, the sound design is incredible, and the story is told with such rare vulnerability and honesty. While the religious beliefs expressed don't align closely with mine, the only truthful way of telling this story is through the same lens it was experienced through, and there is universality in that specificity. Be warned that some of the scenes are very hard to play through, but beautiful for that. I don't know how you could play this through without crying. Thank you, Green family, for this lovely gift.
[h2]总体评价[/h2]
短短2.5小时就看完了一个活生生的人从诞生到离世
对生命离去的伤感和惋惜实在是让我说不出来什么有用的评价
总之，[b]非常推荐购买[/b]
我希望并且相信所有人都会好好珍惜他们的人生
[h3]优点[/h3]
1.画面不能说精致但是很优美，各种氛围给的很足
2.配音很好（无意冒犯，但我真的分不清这是真的在医院还是在录影棚录的）
3.音乐衔接的很好，有非常强的代入感
4.足以让人内心有所触动的故事（我是了解了原本的故事才来玩的，玩完泪目了）
[h3]缺点[/h3]
1.选择对话文本时有卡顿（但是不影响观感）
其他没有问题，非常推荐去玩
This was a heartbreaking yet beautiful experience.
That Dragon, Cancer is based on a true story told through creative and imaginative gameplay.
And wow! The visuals in this game are so out there. They really put into the imagination on a child. i will say grab some tissues because this game will most likely make you cry! Anyone who has dealt with, or has had family deal with cancer will really feel it. This game is not action packed. It's a slow paced narrative. But that's OK. It fits the vibe!
Grab your tissues and play this game!
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I honestly found it boring and frustrating. This would have been better as a 40-60 minutes short film.
A true masterpiece.
It breaks my heart every time I see the game in my library.
The story about Joel's battle... I really don't know how to put it into words.
I felt close to Joel through this story, and being a dad myself this hit me in the heart.
This is a good game that can be completed in one sitting, but be ready to cry. I see this as a heavy game, but kids can definitely play it easily.
As a Christian myself, I appreciate this game being a Christian game, or having Christianity tied into it. There aren't too many of this quality of Christian games out there.
Good job and God bless.
神作
Incredibly personal, very heavy stuff turned into an incredibly genuine and rare piece of art. Rest in peace, Joel.
probably can't finish, sobbing uncontrollably
Life-changing experience. Some of the hardest 2 hours of my life.
100% would recommend
100% don't want to play it again
Thank you for making this
I cried like 5 times at least, Psalm 23:6
its a great game i loved it andso will you
《癌症如龙》里关于游戏性的各方面其实都不算特别出色，游戏内并没有过多可以让玩家操作和探索的要素因子：没有指引没有背包，线切式的画风放在今日也有些拿不上台面，所有的人物也都没有鼻子，游戏流程也十分线性，没有多余哪怕一条分支，也因为其是由制作者根据孩子自身从出生到离去的经历当做流程的，在游戏进行的途中你最能感觉到的大多是有癌症患者家庭对于疾病恐惧和无能为力的绝望。而正是这是这么真实又残酷的绝望往往十分打动人心。
游戏充斥着各种孩子生活上快乐活泼和治疗时压抑绝望心情的对比，每次场景转换都可以看出游戏里有制作者强烈的个人情绪在内：用录音和大人们对话表达身为成年人的“我们”对这个刚刚来到人世的孩子就遭受到如此不公的愤怒、悲伤和绝望；而接受治疗后的Joel总是能发散出开心的笑声，他的画和稚嫩的语气都表现出了一个孩子是如此热爱生活，热爱生命，游戏制作者同时身为孩子的父亲是如何面对逐步走向死亡的Joel，相比在游戏过程中我们都能够得以体会。
游戏用孩子的内心活动来代替癌症的恐惧，那个永远还有半格血的黑色恶龙正是年仅4岁的Joel脑海里为之战斗的癌症，无法打败，也无法逃离。
This is one of the only serious reviews Ill do.
This isnt a game, its a story. And its one that hits hard if youve lost someone or currently have someone going through cancer or such. Hell it could be anything.
This is such a touching way to tell how a family lost their son due to cancer.
Is it long? no. But the point is the family making a tribute to their son and its the most pure thing ive seen in a long time.
I read all the cards in the hospital, and it genuinely made me tear up reading through each message people sent to their folks or loved ones while there.
Probably hit hard as someone who has a current family member dealing with some health problems.
Even if you dont buy this game, atleast watch videos to see the messages sent through the game.
♥♥♥♥ Cancer. Thank you for an experience
[i]That Dragon, Cancer[/i] es una experiencia única que aborda un tema extremadamente delicado: el duelo y el cáncer infantil. Se presenta como un recorrido interactivo formado por escenas que combinan recuerdos íntimos y metáforas, más pensado para emocionar y hacer reflexionar que para entretener de manera tradicional.
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[b]Narrativa:[/b]
[i]That Dragon, Cancer[/i] se centra en la experiencia de los padres de Joel, un niño que lucha contra el cáncer, y en cómo afrontan la pérdida. [spoiler]La historia crece poco a poco en intensidad, alternando escenas íntimas con otras cargadas de simbolismo. Momentos como la inundación de la habitación convierten el dolor en metáfora, mostrando de manera visual lo que las palabras no alcanzan a decir.
El dragón, como representación de la enfermedad, es quizá la imagen más poderosa. No solo da título al juego, sino que resume la lucha entre esperanza y desesperanza, recordando que lo importante no es la existencia del monstruo, sino la posibilidad de enfrentarlo. Esta alegoría funciona como hilo invisible que conecta lo real con lo imaginado, lo infantil con lo trágico.
El relato también se apoya en un contraste constante: pasajes desgarradores junto a momentos más ligeros, casi absurdos, que ofrecen un respiro necesario. Esa oscilación evita que la experiencia se vuelva insoportable y refleja cómo incluso en medio de la pérdida se buscan fugas de alivio.
El tramo final apuesta por un cierre abierto, menos enfocado en respuestas que en la reflexión personal. No hay una manera única de vivir el duelo: lo que subraya el juego es la importancia de acompañar y ser acompañado en el camino. La religión aparece como un marco natural en el contexto de la obra, aunque puede generar distancia en quienes no comparten esa fe. Aun así, el mensaje sobre el amor y la fragilidad de la vida logra trascender esa capa.
Por último, la inclusión de testimonios ajenos a través de las tarjetas y las botellas en el mar refuerza la dimensión colectiva del duelo. No se trata solo de una familia, sino de un coro de voces que convierte la pérdida en un espacio compartido, abriendo la experiencia más allá de lo autobiográfico.[/spoiler]
[b]Impacto y relevancia:[/b]
Cuando se lanzó en 2016, [i]That Dragon, Cancer[/i] sorprendió por convertir una experiencia íntima en una obra jugable. En un panorama dominado por títulos de acción o narrativas ficcionales, su enfoque autobiográfico demostró que el videojuego también podía ser un medio legítimo para contar historias personales y frágiles.
Su valor no estuvo solo en visibilizar el cáncer infantil, sino en mostrar cómo el medio puede abrir espacios de empatía y reflexión colectiva. El juego invitó a los jugadores a participar de un duelo real y con ello amplió las posibilidades del videojuego como lenguaje. Fue una ruptura silenciosa que dio paso a otras propuestas igual de personales, aunque pocas con un impacto tan directo.
Hoy, casi una década después, no se percibe como un título anticuado. Su mensaje y su diseño siguen tocando fibras sensibles y recordando que los videojuegos no solo entretienen: también pueden acompañar y dar voz a experiencias que normalmente quedan fuera de la pantalla.
[b]Entorno y ambientación:[/b]
El apartado visual de [i]That Dragon, Cancer[/i] apuesta por un estilo minimalista y casi abstracto. Las formas sencillas, los colores planos y el uso de la luz no buscan realismo, sino transmitir emociones de manera directa. Esta elección funciona en las escenas simbólicas, donde lo esencial es el impacto emocional, aunque en elementos como las tarjetas se percibe cierta falta de acabado que resta fuerza a su significado.
El sonido acompaña desde la sobriedad. No hay una banda sonora memorable, pero sí un uso del espacio sonoro que refuerza la intimidad de cada escena. Las voces reales de la familia, integradas en el juego, aportan una carga de autenticidad difícil de reproducir de otra forma.
En conjunto, el entorno y la ambientación no destacan por su espectacularidad, sino por la coherencia con la propuesta. Visuales y audio trabajan al servicio de la narrativa, reforzando la vulnerabilidad de la historia sin imponerse por encima de ella.
[b]Mecánicas de juego:[/b]
[i]That Dragon, Cancer[/i] apuesta por mecánicas muy simples, lo que permite mantener el foco en la historia sin desviar la atención. [spoiler]Escenas como la carrera en el hospital introducen un respiro lúdico dentro de un contexto asfixiante, y el minijuego del dragón arcade convierte la enfermedad en una metáfora que puede ser combatida desde la mirada infantil.[/spoiler] Son ejemplos de cómo la interacción no está pensada para desafiar al jugador, sino para implicarlo emocionalmente.
El movimiento por clic es funcional pero torpe en algunos momentos, lo que resta fluidez a la exploración. Y ciertos elementos, como las tarjetas, acusan un acabado demasiado básico, con gráficos planos que no transmiten todo el peso que deberían.
Pese a esas limitaciones, las mecánicas cumplen con su objetivo: no buscan profundidad jugable, sino dar forma a una experiencia íntima. Cada acción, por pequeña que sea, tiene un sentido emocional y contribuye a que el jugador no solo observe, sino acompañe.
[b]Aspecto técnico:[/b]
En lo técnico, [i]That Dragon, Cancer[/i] se mantiene estable: no hay caídas de rendimiento ni errores graves que rompan la experiencia. Su sencillez le permite funcionar con fluidez, aunque también limita el impacto visual.
Donde más se nota la falta de pulido es en elementos como las tarjetas, que aparecen demasiado planas y poco trabajadas en comparación con la carga simbólica que representan. En general, la estética minimalista funciona, pero algunos detalles rozan lo rudimentario y restan fuerza a la inmersión.
Se percibe como una obra sólida en rendimiento, pero modesta en acabado. Lo técnico no estorba, pero tampoco eleva: está al servicio de la narrativa, aunque sin la consistencia necesaria para igualar la fuerza del mensaje.
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[b]Conclusión:[/b]
[i]That Dragon, Cancer[/i] no es un juego que se mida en horas o en mecánicas, sino en lo que consigue despertar. Es un relato íntimo convertido en experiencia, un intento de transformar el dolor en algo que otros puedan acompañar aunque sea por un instante.
No busca respuestas, ni tampoco consuelo fácil. Sus escenas, sus voces y su simbología son heridas abiertas compartidas con quien juega, recordando que en el duelo no existe un camino correcto. Lo que queda no es la certeza, sino la sensación de haber sido testigo de un amor que persiste incluso en la pérdida.
Con su sencillez, [i]That Dragon, Cancer[/i] se muestra vulnerable, casi desnudo, y ahí reside gran parte de su fuerza. No intenta deslumbrar ni disfrazar, sino ofrecer un espacio honesto donde acompañar el dolor y el amor de una familia. Esa fragilidad es también su verdad, y lo que permanece es la certeza de haber sostenido un dolor tan humano como inevitable.
Probably the saddest game ever made in my opinion. I couldn't make it through without being in absolute tears bc of the connections I have with loosing loved ones due to numerous illnesses, including cancer. My only complaint is that for whatever reason, in the levels where you played in the ocean, my screen went completely purple. I later found out that in the last level, the sunrays where completely purple. If there's a solution, I'd love to know so I may replay them and add them to my video. Other than that, I'd highly recommend this game for everyone to experience. Thank yall from the bottom of my heart, and I am so sorry that you had to experience the agonizing pain of loosing that beautiful baby boy due to this terrible illness.
This is a very deep and real immersion into the human experience. A very important story to experience for those with maturity as this experience does not hold back.
This is one of those games where you play once, you tell your friends about it, but you don't dare touch it again. This game hits hard in the emotions. I love this game. But I am not strong enough to play it again.
I cried like a ♥♥♥♥♥.
It's a good game, it just hits you so hard... I couldn't even get through it. Do not play it if you are in an emotionally vulnerable state. It will make you feel like ♥♥♥♥, as you are forced to watch as a sweet little kid slowly dies from cancer.
I understand the story that the Greens are trying to tell here, I really do, I also feel like an ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ for giving this a negative review. But the game itself is just horrible. They would've been better off making a movie.
"There is nothing more resilient than the human heart."
步行，展现了一个家庭 孩子患病后 父母的绝望 与 试图自我救赎
世界上没有感同身受，就算代入感再强 也不及当事人 万分之一
祝福 大家身体健康 ，不要为了任何去伤害健康
This game is actually incredible. I cant even begin to describe the emotions I felt during my almost 2 hours of game.
