As a child, I typically performed odd video games I discovered on the web or watched playthroughs of them. Most of those had been RPG Maker horror video games as a result of one thing about mixing cute artwork kinds with terrifying imagery and plots resonated with a younger me.

The Coffin of Andy and Leyley might be the primary title to take me again to this oddly particular level in my life. Since taking part in the primary two episodes, I can’t get it out of my head.

The sport follows siblings Andrew and Ashley Graves as they hatch a plan to flee the residence they’re trapped in. Alongside the best way, they develop a style for human flesh, and it’s shortly clear that each are monsters.

It’s a well-written exploration of a poisonous sibling dynamic and a revolting expertise. I hesitate to name it trashy as a result of it nearly at all times balances its grim tone nicely, however some gamers do assume sure moments take it too far.

The Coffin of Andy and Leyley is arguably a case of content material warnings needing extra specificity, even when the present ones already cowl a lot of the floor. Be warned, there shall be spoilers for The Coffin of Andy and Leyley‘s first two episodes.

Cannibalism and manipulation galore

What attracted me to The Coffin of Andy and Leyley is it stars two horrible folks. I really like following poisonous protagonists doing deplorable issues, and having a cute artwork model as a filter sells me on about something.

Regardless of the topic materials coping with cannibalism and the occult, The Coffin of Andy and Leyley is surprisingly not graphic. Low-pixel element obscures the worst of it, and the protagonists’ banter takes away from the actual fact they eat folks. There additionally will not be a lot precise cannibalism since Andrew and Ashley solely eat three folks through the first two episodes, with the primary being out of desperation as they spent weeks with out meals.

It additionally allowed the sport to deal with making the principle dynamic its most unsettling half. What’s clear from the get-go is how manipulative Ashley is over Andrew, who’s mainly her doormat. Even after they had been children, her outbursts shortly stamped out the tiny resistance Andrew put up together with his sister’s calls for. No matter Ashley needed to do, Andrew ultimately obtained behind.

This culminates within the first episode by revealing in a flashback that they trapped a woman their age in a crate as children. Her bronchial asthma was already appearing up within the dusty warehouse, with the lure all however guaranteeing her demise. Whereas Andrew tried to face his floor, one tantrum from Ashley made him stand down.

This flashback additionally demonstrates how odd the vibes between the siblings are. Ashley’s possessiveness over Andrew boils over every time a woman takes an curiosity in him romantically. She solely harbored such hate in the direction of the woman they trapped as a result of she was inquisitive about Andrew. A basic worry of abandonment is a believable cause for these emotions, and Andrew does appear carried out with Ashley. Nothing extra can come from this, proper?

Jesus, Andrew, THAT’S YOUR SISTER

A lot of the dialogue surrounding The Coffin of Andy and Leyley issues how the siblings’ relationship evolves. The second episode provides larger perception into their psychological states and additional exhibits Andrew to be much less of a sufferer than initially anticipated.

Whereas Ashley’s emotions towards her brother seem as obsessiveness over not shedding him, Andrew displays romantic curiosity in his sister. This turned obvious when, after asserting himself as “Andrew” as an alternative of “Andy,” he appeared from Ashley’s eyes to her mouth. It’s a tiny element that made me wince.

It’s not as if these emotions are new since a flashback exhibits a dialog about Ashley between Andrew and his ex, Julia. Not solely does he simply lie about how Ashley operates, however he asks Julia to tie her hair again. Whereas not explicitly said, the context extremely implies he prefers it when his girlfriend resembles his sister.

Ashley reciprocates these emotions to some extent, as one of many potential visions exhibits each after hooking up. The sport provides a warning earlier than pursuing this route, and rightfully so. I knew this was coming, however seeing it unfold made part of me die inside.

This side is undoubtedly probably the most controversial factor about The Coffin of Andy and Leyley, and I perceive why. Whereas cannibalism is a taboo topic, it’s current in mainstream video games like Fallout as an possibility for gamers. Having incestuous themes crosses over into Drakengard territory, and even then, no possibility permits Caim to reciprocate Furiae’s emotions for him.

Whereas a small a part of the general expertise, it being a risk has overtaken discourse on The Coffin of Andy and Leyley. I’m going to hate saying this with each fiber of my being, however the route matches throughout the sport’s tone.

Poisonous codependency taken to absolutely the extremes

The Coffin of Andy and Leyley is a couple of sibling relationship taking its codependency to an absurd excessive. Its content material is offered with a mixture of comedy whereas being genuinely unsettling. If the writing was weaker, its topics might have been dealt with with the tact of one thing like Mogeko Fortress, one other RPG Maker horror sport whose dealing with of delicate subjects comes off as tone-deaf.

The Coffin of Andy and Leyley‘s focus stays on the siblings on the run and doing numerous deplorable issues. Potential shifts of their dynamic are player-dependent, however no matter path they go on, the leads at all times stay enjoyable to observe. This may say lots about me, however I chuckled a number of occasions whereas taking part in. Seeing Ashley nearly completely botch disposing of her dad and mom’ our bodies is a scene equally as disturbing as it’s humorous.

No matter tone a scene has, this fixed uneasy feeling permeates every part. The strain is extra evident in some scenes, nevertheless it at all times appears like issues are about to go horribly fallacious. An instance of what I imply is when carrying their dad and mom’ skulls up a hill, the plastic bag they’re in breaks. They roll down because the leads watch in horror.

Relying on the route chosen, the tone can turn into jovial, however no matter prior selections, it’s a tense scene. It lingers lengthy sufficient on the skulls rolling down. I saved considering that somebody was certain to come back throughout them. Whereas not essentially a scary scene, it places the lingering dread on the forefront.

Nonetheless, a further content material warning with spoilers may assist higher inform them on whether or not they’ll stay inquisitive about a sport that includes leads who killed one other baby of their youth and doubtlessly kind an incestuous relationship. As disgusting as cannibalism is, it’s not an unusual taboo to discover, however incest is one other ballpark, particularly in video games.

Since not all of the content material is out, I can’t totally advocate The Coffin of Andy and Leyley but. The final episode could possibly be a catastrophe for all I do know. I actually hope that’s not the case as a result of what’s current at present, I believe, is pleasurable, and I consider it has the potential to be a cult traditional.

The leads are despicable folks, however so is nearly everybody else of their world. As twisted and manipulative as Andrew and Ashley are, at the very least they at all times have a humorous remark prepared, irrespective of how inappropriate the state of affairs.