More powerful the more I thought about it
Been a fan of newgrounds for years, resisted the urge to create an account until THIS GAME. You reeled me in, which says something about the power of this game.
In terms of gameplay, there wasn't much to this game. I understand the concept, but after the first play though, I played again, eager to see how my character's responses would alter the story. The graphic and sound changes were really neat, but they seem insufficient as the entire game. Just some different dialog in response to your character would make it much more satisfying.
The graphics and sound were adequate, and the subtle changes over time were cool, though far enough down the "protest" three, the sound was painful to listen to. I'm sure that was intentional, but a little lighter on the shrill pitches would have helped.
Here's the meat: the philosophy - My first impulse was to make a snide review, something like "If you keep the main character from overreacting, they'll eventually be cured! Bravo!" but that wasn't enough to make me create an account. It wasn't until later that I realized I was "RIGHT" that I had to write a review.
The great thing is, this game straddles the fine line that makes everyone right, which is a hard thing to do. If you're a pacifist, the character either sees everyone for the unenlightened violence mongers that they are and have a moral victory when the quit OR loses their way because they became desensitized through capitulation. What a GREAT MESSAGE about staying true to your values!
BUT if you're NOT a pacifist, the character either overreacts at every little thing, demonizing those around themselves until they quit their job, receiving economic punishment in return for their radical viewpoint OR keeps things in perspective long enough to realize that they were overreacting about nothing, and becomes a normal member of society. What a GREAT MESSAGE about temperance and perspective!
And isn't that exactly what the crux of the problem is? Differing viewpoints? Too many games with agendas do nothing but preach from an assumed moral high ground and don't present a realistic view in which both sides can see themselves and then think about the issue. Bravo!