OK, so I've just played the game ImmorTall for a 5th time through and I think there may be a deeper meaning to it. It feels like its a giant representation of something but i just can't figure out what. Does anyone else feel like this and if so do you have an idea?
However (I just replayed the game) I belive that the meaning is clear: The world has too much war and it is horrible and that peple hate change and things that are different...
I think that it's just supposed to mean that if something new occurs and the government doesn't like it, they can do things to end it to keep the people unaware of change and to keep the government the way it is...corrupt.
I think there are quite a lot of things to get out of this game: - helping strangers is a good thing; - this implies: do not be judgmental of those who are different (compare the monster of Frankenstein); - help others without expecting anything in return; - what DreamingAboutDragons said; - what BillybobJj2 said; - everything dies - how often does the player character drop dead at the end of a game? - violence is not the answer to violence; - mankind is killing itself (a nice metaphore).
What strikes me most is the fact that you usually play games to experience fun, while this game presents you with a lot of concern and grief. Where a game usually is an escape from reality, where violence is glorified and whatever or whoever is killed, is but a number, this game does the exact opposite.
For those who are into philosophy, there is another very simple message: do NOT go for a stroll through a war zone.
I asked my son to play ImmorTall to get his opinion and about all he had to say was,"is this it"? Funny, but this was my same question the only time I played it. I was hoping for a happy ending but in the real world we humans aren't immortal and as Co,Dreaming about Dragons and BillybobJj have all said, death is a fact of life. We are known for how well we treat others, this is our true legacy, no matter how corrupt the government may/may not be. Our sons and daughters are still aliens in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Mediterranean Sea, etc. They will shield others and die for those folks because freedom means that much to them and us. So, if you see a veteran today, shake his/her hand and simply say thanks.
WOW! I'm amazed to get this many responses, thanks for the thoughts guys. I really appreciate knowing I'm not crazy :P and that some people actually get something out of games.
The only thing I missed is probaby the fourth ending.
The first ending is the easiest, go forward and get everything killed.
The second ending is the hardest, go forward and save at least one before you got killed, the survivors will cry for your death. I've managed to save everyone.
The third ending is as easy as the first, when sky turn black and white go back to your ship. The villagers will farewell and the little girl will cry for you.
The fourth ending is what I have never done, get somebody killed or even all of them killed before you go back to the ship.
