That Dragon, Cancer

Click on the image for the trailer.

On January 12, 2016, an autobiographical video game made by a married couple, Ryan and Amy Green, That Dragon, Cancer was released. Unlike other games, This game is not about the protagonist "hero," who takes on the world - killing bad guys, completing missions, tackling challenges, saving humanity, saving princesses or winning the game in general. No, this story game is about the Green family, their baby son Joel, and their battle with a dragon aka cancer. The game takes you through the spectrum of the husband and the wife, unpackaging their heartbreaking confessions, challenges, and struggles being with Joel in his cancer.

Image from Numinous Games

But more than their battle against Joel's cancer, TDC heavily carried with religious perspective.  Ryan and Amy were evidently unashamed about their expressed faith in the game (raw audio recordings of their prayers; Bible verses quoted here and there) At one point during the game, the couple turned to God, expressing their unrelenting prayer and songs of worship. There's even a particular scene where the couples fought because Ryan was wavering in faith, but Amy persistently insisted to hold faithfully unto God.

The game basically asks you to bear witness to how two people felt about their son, Joel. How the two felt when Joel died. Although I'm not a parent, but this is a parent's worst nightmare. Insofar, Ryan and Amy intentionally wanted or wants to share these key moments with the audience, to make them, us, understand the unfortunate reality of the world we live in. Even though, what it seems like intruding into their personal life, we are able to see through this family, the primary need and longing hope in Christ; which, one day we will see the most excellent Triune God. That it's during moments like these, when Christ is most beautiful, pleasurable, needed, and loving.

Image from official site.

Some may be apt to turn away from games; especially, if one is unfamiliar with the gaming mechanics. However, one of the perks about That Dragon, Cancer is that anyone can play this game. You don't have to be a gamer or have any experience with video gaming in general to play TDC. It's surprisingly easy to maneuver - just by moving your cursor, clicking - and straightforward with respect to mechanics. It does not require your quick reflexes or reactions in any way. At some point, you might be confused about what to do next, but all that the audiences are required to do is look around and investigate the surroundings.

Despite the easiness of the gaming mechanics, TDC can be emotionally and spiritually demanding. One scene requires you to be in the shoes of Ryan, in grieving frustration and hopelessness with Joel. (Will stop there to not spoil.) I found myself stopping the game to catch my breath and keep my composure, primarily afraid to move onto the next chapter or scene. Too uncomfortable to press forward until I recollected my thoughts and emotions.

It proves that cancer is a gateway to uncomfortable realization or discontinuity - we either want to avoid it or pretend it doesn't exist. However, the reality is we either have been there ourselves or we know someone who did. Especially, for those who's not been part of it, the topic of cancer is subtle but surely not distant. TDC is for the likes of those who's been part of the cancer battle - a hopeful yearning for Christ  - and those who haven't - wisdom of understanding to comfort the lost and struggling alike. 

Image from Numinous Games

I'm a huge gamer. I've been playing games for years and I'm way too accustomed to trampling on enemies, bad guys, ugly monsters, or (sometimes) allies alike, all for the sake of winning or saving the world. Unfortunately, through the progression of TDC, I found myself trampling on the one I needed to save, Joel. In the end, I couldn't save him, and there was nothing I could do to save him from the dragon.

It's unlike any other game I've ever played before, That Dragon, Cancer is an excellent piece of work, aesthetically invigorating, brilliantly portrayed, and powerful. It's a great story game about fear and hope. The 2 hours and 14 chapters of gameplay is worthwhile, thought-provoking, and incredibly appealing. For the price, TDC definitely worth it; more so worth talking about.

You can purchase this game on Steam or visit their website.