The game draws you in from the very moment you open the website, where it tells you what you need to bring. That feeling of getting ready for an upcoming adventure—which is exactly what the game is (for me). Then comes the first message, and…
Here, I have to highlight the way Friend speaks—10 out of 10. The pacing, the sound design, the background atmosphere—everything is top-notch. I was aligned from the very start, fully accepting the rules of this Game, and so the feeling that it was really my Friend on the other end of the “line” felt completely real. At one point, I even caught myself thinking, "Damn, this really resonates with me" (forgive me, Lord). Not sure if we’re all a little like this character, or if it’s just a weird coincidence.
At certain moments, I even got goosebumps—from everything I was hearing in my headphones, from the world around me. Then, Steve Jobs entered the game. And here, I noticed myself slightly "falling out" of the immersion. Let me explain.
It’s hard to balance two roles at once—being in the flow of the Game and simultaneously being an Observer to give feedback. Maybe I just failed in setting my task correctly and should have picked only one.
So why did I "fall out" a little? Steve Jobs sounded different to me. His dialogue with Friend felt perfectly crafted, yet the feeling somehow shifted. If the beginning was like a personal letter from a close friend, the second part felt more like an audiobook or a radio drama.
Then, I arrived at the park near the pier—fully back in the flow. Synced with the Game and the world around me.The weather was just right—sunny with a breeze. I walked through the park, getting into it again. Reached the far gazebo, lay down, and listened, following Hillary Green’s meditation.
And then… the world responded.
A local Burmese guy pulled me out of meditation by placing my phone on me—which was just lying beside me at the time. Hahaha. I guess he was trying to be helpful? He left and immediately returned with a couple of his friends. One of them had a guitar, and we had a pretty nice chat. I played a few songs for them, they offered me a coconut. But then, the first guy started acting strange, and I figured it was time to wrap it up. I shook their hands, even hugged one of them in gratitude for the conversation… And then they started asking me for money.
I was totally unprepared for that turn of events. Both mentally and literally, because I had no cash on me at all.Hahaha.
I made a swift exit and sat down closer to the park's entrance, struggling to find my place in the audio again. But the immersion was lost—understandably so. Bought some mosquito repellent and rode to the Temple.
Almost fell off my bike while turning into the temple, hahaha. Inside, I got a little confused—didn’t realize I had to walk around the green house to find the golden stone. So yeah, got lost in plain sight for a moment. But soon, I was back on track and in the Game’s flow again.
I reached the top faster than my Friend 😉 Proud of my fitness! Took in the atmosphere near the statue—thankfully, I had the place all to myself.
On my way out, I noticed three Asian girls struggling to take a photo, so I helped them. Again, it felt like part of the Game—to be in tune with the world, to help those around me.
Then, I headed toward the Chaloklum pier. The surroundings were breathtaking—silence, boats, crystal-clear water under the sun…
But I couldn’t shout. Didn’t have the willpower. Too many people around. The block was too strong. So, I let loose a bit later, on the road. 😉
On the way to Hin Kong, I picked up a Russian-speaking girl who was hitchhiking. She needed a ride to Thong Sala, and since it wasn’t far off my route, I gladly agreed. The world was responding again.
But then… real-life context hit. Our political views were vastly different, and the conversation turned quite heavy and uncomfortable (on her part, not mine). Even though she was friendly, I kept thinking—if the world is responding, it sure does so in an odd way.
At Hin Kong, I walked onto the sandbar… God, that moment was beautiful. White sand, palm trees, a soft breeze, stunning water with gentle waves. I let myself dance. The Game worked its magic again.
When the Game sent me to Pantip to "grab some food," I was a little bummed because I wasn’t hungry. But I was thirsty, so I grabbed a drink and settled at the food court. Choosing the right spot for Hillary Green’s task felt crucial.
Unfortunately, I started falling out of the process again toward the finale. Not because of the Game itself, but because I miscalculated my time. I had planned my next meeting based on the Game’s estimated duration, but I lost too much time with the Burmese guys and other moments. So, my final catharsis at the chess table didn’t quite happen.
Whew… that was a stream of consciousness. A chaotic one. I know this might be unreadable. SO:
1️⃣ The Game is fantastic! The voices, the acting—absolutely top-tier. But out of the three, Friend is the best.
2️⃣ Reality doesn’t always cooperate with the Game. Sad, but that’s its nature—the nature of reality. But if you’re lucky and fully aligned with the Game, the world, and yourself, it can be an incredible experience.
3️⃣ The Game is meant to elevate you to a new level, but for me, it didn’t fully work. Not because it wasn’t great—just that not everything it offered was possible for me. See point 2. Hahaha.
4️⃣ The pacing is perfect. Except for Pantip, which didn’t work for me, everything else was spot on. Thanks for making navigation smooth, without unnecessary detours.
I probably have more thoughts, but I’d rather discuss them in person—if you’d even want to after this monstrosity of a text. Hahahaha.
I’m grateful for this experience. Huge thanks to the creators and voice actors! Brilliant work.