Brave Anonymous · 4d
Haiiii! Is it okay if I ask if you can rant a bit about Hello Charlotte? Anything about it, really. I've wanted to play it for some time now, but I really can't play a game through without an idea of how other feel about it ~~~ I don't mind spoilers at all, by the way, so please go all-out if you feel like it! I'll probably come back and re-read your answer once I finished playing it... Of course, feel free to ignore this if it's invasive in any way!
Oh!!! This is amazing!!! You are so, so, so appreciated!!! ♡︎
In many ways, HC has shaped aspects of my identity — I believe HC2 & HC3 to be the most memorable experiences, but the “simplicity” of HC1 (in only hindsight) is welcoming (for those who seek it), and sets up the rest of Charlotte’s (Or, ‘My’) — and the other tenant’s — story well.
I think that’s shown in HC1’s “innocent” chapter names too, referencing common childhood things (toys, storybooks — three little bears…). I will never get over Felix’s reaction to what happens to Charlotte. It sends chills down my spine anytime I remember, and even though “Seth”, WE, Charlotte, nor Felix, knows what’s to come, we can tell that the relationship Charlotte has with the tenants permanently changes — what was once a house, became a Home, then was reverted back to a House. It’s… unfortunate, much like growing up, I think.
One can not overstate the importance of a Schizophrenic lens while playing HC, especially HC2 & HC3. The lines between fiction, fiction within the game, and reality within the game blur, and it’s hard to tell what is a conjuration of Charlotte’s (or, perhaps, Charles’?) mind (Of course, it’s fiction within fiction within fiction. You’ll get it.) Every part of Charlotte’s friendship with C, and the Oracle, hurt me. She’s dependent on the Oracle and her self-isolation is evident. Even though C breaks through to her — does he even? — it’s only an attempt to lick his own wounds; according to anyone “rational” in the story. Obviously, MY opinions on C are very different.
The Oracle is precious to me; truly Charlotte’s only friend. And how sad is that? They can only hurt Charlotte, and yet, evidently, they protect her in their own way. Embracing The Oracle is the only way for Charlotte to be any semblance of herself (— at least, as she’s become). All the (HC2) endings are marvelous, and I’d compare them to an ouroboros symbol.
Q84 is the most Me, I’m sure you’ll see why. I hope you can see deeper than most; She self-isolates in a much more destructive way than the Charlotte “Seth” has come to know.
Remember to play Delirium & Heavens Gate as well! They’re both wonderful spin-offs, especially if you like the side cast!
