My SCARIEST GAME of 2022 (so far...) | MADiSON Review

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0:00 What is MADiSON?
06:19 Welcome to the Game
11:39 How does it play?
13:26 What’s so scary about MADiSON?
16:44 Actually Good Inventory Management
19:28 Actually Bad Autosaves
20:55 What’s the story?
23:57 This game has a lot of jumpscares
28:22 Blue Knees
32:58 What’s Wrong with the Ending?
Twitch: / mertkaykay
Patreon: / mertkaykay
VOD channel: / @mertkaykayvods

[@MertKayKay]

Grab Atlas VPN for just $1.83/mo + 3 MONTHS FOR FREE before the deal expires: get.atlasvpn.com/MertKayKay

[@MF-R]

Hey; why didn't KZbin tell me my favorit snarky British girl posted?! I hit the bell button n that junk -- I DEMAND ANSWERS!

[@MertKayKay]

@@MF-R Hehe welcome Szen! The bell evades us all

[@TheGrinningViking]

I'm Blueknees, please don't call me Daddy I'm not in college anymore. Good review though, way better than the terrible joke I just made. 🎈🎂 🪅🎉🎭🎊

[@TheGrinningViking]

I just exclusively look at the subscriptions page. I've got it bookmarked, KZbin can miss me with their weak home page nonsense.

[@MertKayKay]

@BandofHorses 1985 🤣

[@starpupstudio]

I cannot thank you enough for NOT using jumpscares in your video footage! I would like to see the enemies and interaction with them but I too am a "cry baby piss boy"

[@MertKayKay]

Any time StarPup, I can't stand them myself

[@vvrgo]

I gotta say for someone who is a “crybaby pissboy” you absolutely crush it by sharing and playing games I am WAY too much of a crybaby pissboy to actively search out trailers for let alone play them. I like horror at LEAST two steps removed and your channel is fantastic for it! Funny, informative and gives me enough general understanding of the game that I can blag my way through conversations with friends pretending I don’t have the heart of a cowardly lion and have actually played through them.

[@MertKayKay]

Hahah I've got your back Archie, go and impress your friends with your knowledge ;D

[@chiefofthesky]

this is absolutely 100% how i feel about horror games. i can appreciate that they’re great games, but only if someone else explains them to me. i could never bring myself to play horror games, but i still want to be able to engage in discussion about them.

[@WynneL]

You're all absolutely adorable. Signed, a jaded horror fan who feels virtually nothing anymore and is dead inside. 💗 (Which is why I loved Song of Horror so much; it was like "The Ring, eldritch video game version" and Ring is one of the few things that ever REALLY got to me. Somehow instead of jumpscares, it's poignance, emotional bonds, and irony mixed with dread that get me.)

[@furonguy42]

Kind of amusing that people compared this to Rachel Foster when, based on the things you mention in this game, the only thing that really reminded me of another game you've talked about was a camera with unlockable skins like in Martha Is Dead. Horror games that have old timey cameras with alternate costumes is a weird thing to happen twice to be honest.

[@livik9582]

If I had a nickel every time it happened, I'd have 2 nickels, which isn't much but its weird that it happened twice

[@ddjsoyenby]

yup though guess they want to make a new niche.

[@ashleyturner4993]

They probably compared the games because the character you play commits suicide, even though the stories and gameplay are so different.

[@theshuman100]

what about fatal frame?

[@swordofstabbing]

I can think of more games. Cry of fear comes to mind.

[@Lemmoxx]

It's a testament to your narrative skills that I was freaked out over a game I have not and will never play (I'm equally fascinated and nerfed by horror games). This was an enjoyable review with the perfect amount of depth into the mechanics !

[@MertKayKay]

Thanks so much TL! I'm really happy you liked the video 🥰

[@sarahmacdonald955]

I get too scared by horrror games, so I live vicariously through the bravery of content creators.

[@Lemmoxx]

@@sarahmacdonald955 We're birds of a feather Sarah.

[@jadewedge6082]

"One person told me "It's exactly like The Suicide of Rachel Foster", since that's now apparently the incantation you need to summon my interest" Hahahah, oh my god.

[@MertKayKay]

I was like "how dare you exploit my existing interests" but here I am now, hook line and sinker 😔

[@jadewedge6082]

@@MertKayKay And now my time is being spent watching this *about 40 minutes long video :v

[@felixjaria.3812]

I'm from Argentina, where this game is from, and i know it's not perfect, but i'm so proud that my country can show how good our horror is. I want to thank you for this review, because this game deserves the success it's getting. Besito besito chau chau 💕

[@felixjaria.3812]

Oh, and one thing, Nazis were a huge thing in Argentina in the 50's because they came here so our goverment could extract all the information. Is super normal now to know someone who's grandpa were nazis, it's a meme haha. But yeah, the nazi ghost was bizarre

[@MertKayKay]

It's strange because I was looking at the uniform of Hans - he is actually wearing a Chernobyl hazmat suit! The nazis had very different ones. I'm confused as to why his design is so unusual, especially since, like you said, Nazis were a huge thing in the fifties. So confusing. Thanks for sharing that tidbit of info though, I was very interested

[@Fadeway101]

I think I was too busy trying to make sense of the story to really be scared of it? Like I was constantly trying to find the connection between Madison and Gaschambers Mcstabbers and then Blue Knees, but when there was no real thematic coherency I was just miffed! I also don't tend to experience jumpscares emotionally so it'd happen and then I'd just immediately go back to being annoyed at the writing. My monkey pattern seeking brain was left wanting (the spouse has stopped watching bad horror movies with me because I'd just be constantly indignant, sadly). It's a very good atmospheric though for sure! Like sitting on the balcony at midnight and enjoying the quiet black.

[@MertKayKay]

The story was a complete mess, I agree! Like it felt like it had been written by three different people and then pieced together at the end

[@doomsday1268]

Jumpscares can never defeat the ol moonwalk

[@MertKayKay]

One day a Dev will counter that strategy and it will be the day I die

[@Lilian620.]

The thing that this game does well is it the perfect balance between comfortable and scary, true horror hits that balance of getting you comfortable enough that when something small happens it makes you jump

[@tabeatamm3594]

Cockroaches are EVERYWHERE in the story, sometimes they're just not that noticeable. Two times they really helped me were (spoilers for puzzle solutions following) When you're surrounded by red doors and need to get out of the basement you can see them on the ground crawling into one of the doorways. This tells you which door to photograph to get out. And after you return from the church - and I'm not sure what exactly triggers them - you can find them crawling towards the room by the grandparents bedroom towards the floorboards with the red key under them. That was the only puzzle I had to look up, because I didn't know what to do next, but had I noticed the bugs on my first playthrough I wouldn't have gotten stuck there.

[@MertKayKay]

You're so right, I played it again with some friends last week and I was like... Wait a minute. Where did all these cockroaches come from!! Whoopsie

[@cookiescream1993]

You say "cry baby piss boy" I say "brilliant KZbin talent that has brought to light another sleeper hit for this year." I was turned off at first too since my brain immediately thought "oh it's the Visage camera gimmick for a whole game," but after reading about the development cycle and remembering how horrifying Visage was I tried it. Blue Knees still haunts me. Absolutely loving this content, Mert! :)

[@MertKayKay]

Aww Cookies thank you! I'm really glad you liked Visage, I've been waiting for it to go on sale for ages but I think I'll just bite the bullet and get it for Halloween times. Thanks for watching my videos as always 😭

[@cookiescream1993]

@@MertKayKay Of course Kay! Some of the best opinions out here. Looking forward to the next one! (PS: Visage is definitely worth the price of admission...if you can overlook the lack of direction it's one of the most unnerving titles I have personally ever played)

[@jenh101]

Honestly I can’t get enough of your content. Always super interesting, funny and informative but what gets me is your delivery. The absolute machine gun rapid fire of sassy, intelligent, dry wit is incredible and makes them just as entertaining on repeat viewing. Practically every sentence is jam packed with brilliant quips and clever wording while still being tonally appropriate to the subject at hand. It’s how I’d like to be able to talk when I grow up. Except I’m considerably older than you already so it’s a bit late in the day to hold out much hope!

[@MertKayKay]

; - ; Jen you make me emotional af, how could you be so wonderful? Thank you very much, I'm so happy to know my stuff is so enjoyable for you. I shall have to just make videos forever now

[@jenh101]

@@MertKayKay you are so very welcome! As long as you keep making them I’ll keep watching!

[@leaare]

I completely agree w this whole comment

[@dontswin]

Same here ! She has amazing wit and great construction of words and sayings. I could never accomplish her style, besides those days have passed like flowing water under a bridge. This young lady will surely go places some day, I could barely keep up with her thought processes. Do all Brits reflect and discuss this way? It truly is amazing and seems to come naturally...I am so jealous of her delivery. @@leaare

[@FanAstraea]

A couple other cockroach moments actually! (SPOILERS): When you're surrounded by red doors, the cockroaches on the floor are all coming from the one you have to photograph. At one point you have to find a cassette on a windowsill and there are a bunch of cockroaches on the wall under it. That's actually how I noticed the cassette after looking for ages. It's pretty subtle, but looking for cockroaches was one of the helpful clues for some of the puzzles, along with the notebook and statue.

[@MertKayKay]

Oh dang thanks Astraea! :O

[@amharbinger]

The atmosphere did ooze with tension and I agree with a lot you said. The biggest issue was the technical stability. On the PS5 the game would crash, completely erasing save files and forcing players to restart. Which means doing that Church puzzle again, which was like grinding teeth.

[@MertKayKay]

Wow did you play on release? I got one crash during my playthrough and luckily the save file was intact, but damn that church puzzle would do me in

[@amharbinger]

Yep, got a review copy. The publisher was aware of the issue and asked to wait for a patch. I did but the issue persisted. I did beat the game but after my third attempt after 2 corruptions.

[@MertKayKay]

@@amharbinger Jesus you're more dedicated than me; I had one corruption during Martha is Dead and I was just as disappointed

[@atinyevil1383]

My big problems with Madison were the ending and overall story. I don't like religion in horror most of the time. You want to throw some demons in there, that's cool. But make it about religion and you lose me. So many religiously-based horror things tend to prop up Christianity while demonizing every other religion OR blaming mental illness on "possessions". I feel like Madison does it in the exact way that I hate, where characters exhibit behaviours and thoughts people with mental illnesses frequently have, but it's treated like it's because of demons and not because said character is off their meds or stopped getting the help they needed. I love the atmosphere of the game and it reminded me of Visage and PT, both of which I adore. But the story lost me.

[@MertKayKay]

Very true! There's a lot of black/white in there and rarely ever any actual observations made of any substance. And the mental illness thing with the visions do really exacerbate the worst possible stereotypes. Completely agree

[@atinyevil1383]

@@MertKayKay for me, the whole Nazi part of the story made me think this the most. Like the woman saying her husband was a Nazi who never loved her sounded like maybe a delusion and the ghost we see is the manifestation of her delusions. But instead of going that angle, it's just a demon possessed him.

[@MertKayKay]

Yes! Moreover (and I wish I'd said this in the video) but he's actually wearing a Chernobyl hazmat suit, not a Nazi hazmat suit. So it's like he was originally designed to be something else entirely, but last minute was changed to a Nazi

[@pinxelated2799]

Yeah, something about religious horror stories is just so incredibly lame to me. Instead of telling us a story with substance and giving us insight into our psychology (especially if and organised religion itself is the source of the horror) it's just "a demon posessed her ooooooo", feels kinda childish to me. Even worse if exorcists and the like are heroic, considering what kind of messed up things those folks are often responsible for.

[@atinyevil1383]

@@MertKayKay ooooh, I didn't know that. That actually could play into the wife having untreated mental illness well. That she saw him in the hazmat suit at some point and it festeted until she started believing that her husband was really a nazi and not a guy who works at a nuclear power plant or something like that. And I can see that kind of thing for all three sections of the game and the main character working out.

[@madspeterrommedahl4679]

I just realized that the reason the title is spelled "MADiSON", with a tiny "i", is because it's alluding to "MAD SON". Nice touch.

[@echo_phoenix_716]

Ah yes, my favourite coming of age film 'The Blueknees' It took me eleven days to think of this joke

[@direcircumstances]

Yesssss get those sponsorship deals babe! You're going to have 100k subscribers before 2022 is over, I just know it.

[@MertKayKay]

Aww thanks Dire! Here's hoping :D

[@bubblegumcrab]

Mertkaykay: it has a bad story and worse controls Me: oh you're gonna crap on it Mertkaykay: *drooling* its brilliant Me: 👁👄👁

[@MertKayKay]

Before I played I was rubbing my hands together like "I can't wait to shit on this game for an hour", but the game instead shit on me for about 10 hours

[@bubblegumcrab]

@@MertKayKay that's so funny. I really was expecting the shit storm, but it does sound good. I do love me a good story tho

[@samius1149]

Just 40 seconds into the video and I'm already in shock from the knowledge that it's been 2 years since Cyberpunk 2077 came out.

[@MertKayKay]

Insanity isn't it :'(

[@Claudia000]

Thanks for not using jumpscares! 💜

[@MertKayKay]

No worries Claudia, I hate them 😭

[@KataraKilbourne]

That was such a smooth sponsor segue that I kind of short circuited for a moment damn

[@MertKayKay]

Like putting my cat's meds in a little bit of rolled up ham

[@caca279]

Hi, I'm relatively new to your channel, but I've been loving all the videos you've been putting out! You're amazing at telling stories and speaking your mind, and your videos are really entertaining to watch or just leave on in the background as a result I also wanted to thank you for adding captions to your videos! I'm hard of hearing, and not a lot of content creators take the effort to put in captions that aren't auto generated anymore, so it's really nice and really helpful to not have to rewind to figure out what you were saying every 6 seconds, haha. I don't know if it's you or another person writing the captions, but regardless, it means so very much to me (and i'm sure many other viewers too!) and it makes your videos ten times more entertaining. Really excited for the next review you put out!

[@MertKayKay]

Hey Caca! Really glad you're enjoying the videos! I am super flattered to know you've been watching a bunch of them and I really appreciate that you took the time to comment As for the captions, no worries! I find them really relaxing to make and I'll happily sit and spend a few hours on them so it's not an issue. Happy to do them :D

[@elizabethweigle6146]

20:45 I actually think that this feature works for the game bc if you have a quick save, you are in control of when you stop. But with the game’s autosave feature as it is, it’s the game telling you that the game is in control not the player. And that fact really adds to the horror of anything, when you feel like you’ve lost control over something you are used to manipulating

[@sharpscharnier1905]

Aw fuck yes boys new horror game video essay just dropped, get the fancy chairs out

[@derekneaz-nibur407]

Well done Mert, I always love watching reviews of games I’m unlikely to play, it makes me feel like I’m learning about something without actually having to experience the pants wetting. On a separate note though, I’m so fucking sick of games that end on a suicide, it drives me up a fucking wall. It doesn’t matter that it’s horror, stop fucking forcing players to kill themselves, it’s not the profound statement you think it is!! At the very very least, can we stop doing them as first person experiences, at least give the tiniest sense of emotional distance from the act.

[@MertKayKay]

Yes I completely agree, it's starting to become the "It was all a dream" of videogame endings, but with the added ick of flagrantly tossing about mental health issues. Narrative cop-out and insensitive representation

[@mattt05]

Well, in the case of MADiSON suicide makes sense. From the beginning the synopsis of the game tells you that you are forced to complete a sinister ritual. FORCED. And in this case it is not mental illness, you are really being possessed by a demon. Which is a great thing that they don't explain everything with a random mental illness. If you pay attention to detail, the character's hands deteriorate more and more as the game progresses (so does the camera). And at the end of the game luca hangs himself, FORCED by madison to complete the ritual, and the last breath of resurrection we see is madison finally accomplishing the body exchange ritual that she forced us to do from the beginning. That is why we ended up resurrecting as Madison, which we can verify when we see the last photo that the camera takes of us at the end, which comes out burned, just like all the photos that we took of Madison during the game. And it's not that we suddenly know that we have to hang Luca for the drawing. This game has so many exquisite details that if you don't pay attention and ignore them then you don't understand the ending well. We know that Madison needed 7 victims for the ritual. She managed to kill 4 until officer russel killed her. And then the game starts with Luca already being controlled by Madison who is looking to kill the remaining 3 through him. We see that the sunbox that contains the victims of luca, at the bottom says V-VI-VII (the rusty moonbox that contains the first victims of madison says below I-II-III-IV). Well, in Luca's sunbox there are 2 photos, 2 victims out of 3 that she needed, the sister's leg and the mother's arm. And in luca's notebook in which madison writes down all the orders, we see that she wrote down the leg and arm respectively, but that the last victim that madison ordered him to kill was his father (dad's head). Something that as we see, luca could not do and failed, because the game begins with us locked in that room and then we escape to the grandparents' house. And from that moment in which we failed to kill our father and that he was the last victim, Madison aims to use Luca as her last victim, something that we notice in the mausoleum when she tells us that the last victim will be us (you you you you). then the drawing of dad's head at the end appears crossed out and is replaced by that of the hanged son, this being her last order to luca and turning us into the seventh victim

[@MertKayKay]

@@mattt05 I think it's worth remembering that while, in the narrative sense, Luca is forced, a team of writers still decided that the ritual ends in suicide - they could have written it to end in multiple ways and they still chose to write suicide. I read the synopsis of the story and I do understand the reasoning, but it doesn't exist in a vacuum. While Luca was forced, the writers were not Moreover the 7th victim was originally supposed to be his dad, so it's not like the clues were cleverly sewn into the game - Luca became the 7th victim in the absolute most final scene too. He literally scribbled out "Dad's Head" and wrote "hanged son" instead. Not an especially clever twist as it had little to no hints

[@mattt05]

​@@MertKayKay Hey! Great video! First of all, tell you that on PC it is a completely superior experience. That problem of multiple buttons performing the same action does not happen on pc. That's the fault of the publisher who ported it to consoles, not the devs. The devs are only in charge of the pc version. After watching the entire video I can say that there are some things that you may missed -For example Luca didn't lock himself in the room at the beginning, his father locked him up for what he had done. And because Luca possibly tried to kill him from what we deduce from the drawing of dad's head in his notebook. And luca then says "maybe I can run away through the grandparents' house" which reveals to us that he wants to escape from the place where he was locked up. -Then, Luca's voice that made you laugh, yes, it's made by a gay actor, I saw him stream the game. I see no problem with it. I think it adds realism and diversity to the industry. And that he is complaining and scared all the time seems to me to be something very coherent given that Luca is 16 years old and is being possessed more and more. I wonder how we would be in such a situation. I hate voice actors who recite everything without expression or emotion, who directly read, and don't act. -The grandfather is dead, they specify it or imply it, when you see the drawing in the kitchen, the grandfather's letter in the green safe also implies it and well, as you say, the totally old and abandoned house is more than obvious. -Some laughed at the way the tapes play but it's more than clear that it's just a visual representation that the tape is playing so you can keep walking around the house and you don't have to stand there listening to it without being able to move. -The cockroaches: You said they are only used on the red basement door but they are not only used there. The game has a lot of details. Cockroaches at the top of the well tell you that you have to take a photo there. In the circle of red doors, when all the doors are closed, if you look at the floor you see that the cockroaches come out of only one door, indicating which is the door that returns you to the house. Well, then they appear on the horns when you have to take the picture, they also appear on the wall where the tape number 3 is, and they are even the solution of a "puzzle", when after hearing the call of priestr Thomas, you see them come out of there pointing you all the way to find the red basement key that is under the plank. -The part of the tunnel: it is supposed that to know the correct path you must take photos. That's why luca says "there are handprints on the walls, the handprints stopped". Then if you take photos on the walls you will see the handprints on the photos if you go the right way and there will be no handprints on the photos if you take the wrong way. -Hans is not presented at nancy's confession. They present him before in a newspaper that is in the church in the year 2022 where they tell all the horrors that happened in that church since it was founded. Church that they also present before at the house and they tell you that madison hale's wake was there, which already explains why madison made us go there. This game has many things that are explained in small details. It seems amazing to me. Even the solution to the puzzle of the mausoleum is given on the wall of the study, where the names of the 4 victims of madison are written. Hans's story is a parallel story to the main one, that's why he is not mentioned again later. It's just the threat they put in the church section, because actually going through that section without any threat would have been boring. -And Blue Knees is the other parallel story, just like in the conjuring saga, where you had the main story and then you were introduced to annabelle, or the nun or the crooked man. And then yes, each one of them had their personal film and there they delved deeper into their stories. -And at the end I already said that suicide seems the most logical to me, because from the beginning they implicitly tell you that Luca failed to kill the father and therefore a seventh victim is missing, one already imagines that it is going to be Luca, what which is confirmed in the mausoleum on the top floor that says you you. Anyway, even if it has some plot holes, I agree that it was the scariest game in recent years. And that it was done by just one person together with a programmer, and above all in unity, seems crazy to me. I hope they have sold well, because if they did this without a big budget I can't imagine what they can achieve in a next game. But hey, I really loooved your video, it was very entertaining, I just tried to mention some things that you may have missed like the cockroaches and stuff. I hope you don't take it the wrong way!

[@MertKayKay]

@@mattt05 Glad you liked the video

[@GhostRavenFIN]

"Think Henry's apartment from Silent Hill 4, if you're old enough to have seen a PS2 in person - and I know some of you aren't." Thanks. You gave me osteoporosis just by saying this.

[@renk1056]

I’ve said this before but I ADORE your honesty about fear, and the way you kind of poke fun at it. Your videos are funny, and I feel better when there’s someone else who loves scary games but doesn’t handle fear well! As far as this specific video is concerned, I definitely want to check this out, both because of the high praise you’ve given the atmosphere and because I want to see some of the unintentional goofs you mentioned.

[@MertKayKay]

Thank you Ren! I'm glad you like the big baby perspective B) If you do try it, I sincerely hope you enjoy it!

[@Lilacgnoll]

I love watching horror games through the gaps in between my fingers, and I cannot get enough of your channel. Keep up the amazing work!

[@MertKayKay]

Aww thank you Katherine! :D I shall have to make more!

[@nathanjones8667]

Based on what you said I think you would quite enjoy Devotion! It’s got the same exceptional atmosphere and you spend a lot of time retreading the same space. I really liked it.

[@DragonWingsQuizlet]

this sounds like a game i would absolutely play even if the story is flimsy. great video again! blue knees sounds like nightmare fuel.

[@cjr4043]

So sorry if this is strange but your voice is so clear and good to listen to. I have some sensory processing issues so usually I have to watch videos with captions but with your channel i find it’s really easy to listen to and understand while i draw or work or something. Love your channel

[@MertKayKay]

CJ I am so happy to hear it 😭

[@heresyisecstasy]

@@MertKayKay I also have terrible auditory processing issues and I agree, your voice is really easy to listen to and understand, thank you for being so clear!

[@heresyisecstasy]

@@MertKayKay I also have terrible auditory processing issues and I agree, your voice is really easy to listen to and understand, thank you for being so clear!

[@MertKayKay]

@@heresyisecstasy No worries JM! :D

[@asteriondeltoro124]

"The ending is all fart and no shit, but it could have been shit." Umm... yes? Bit of a mixed metaphor, I think... 😅

[@MertKayKay]

On reflection that was a poor choice of words

[@asteriondeltoro124]

@@MertKayKay S'okay, it amused me. :) I was reminded of Angry Joe's should-be-classic flub, "They're giving us shit that's not really shit!"

[@noahquilantan1061]

"Like a newborn with a drunk mother-in-law" I'm just trying to map out this family tree

[@chiefavagef0x837]

"if you're old enough to have seen a PS2" The fact that you even said that makes me feel old, thanks! 😂😅😭

[@MertKayKay]

Life is just a conga line of people feeling old, I love this

[@jesscork5500]

I am SO HAPPY you drew the connection between the main character voice and that goddamn Pinocchio VA, I heard it IMMEDIATELY and could not unhear it

[@renaigh]

Camera Shake makes sense for when the Protagonist is diegetically using one but otherwise no one, not even God's Drunkest Driver, would sway as much as these Horror protagonists.

[@natecorbin5216]

I will now repeat my respectful suggestion to expand your scope of coverage to include films and other shows. I'd enjoy hearing you riff on Sinister, for example, or use the same kind of scalpel you used on Rachel Foster to carve up some other worthy targets, of which there are many. Just an idea. Not like there's a dearth of games. Also shoutout to your brother. I was listening rather than watching and had to go back and figure out why I heard a bugle.

[@MertKayKay]

Nate you're quickly becoming a font of true wisdom, I think I might need to start branching out as there are a few things I'd love to cover. Won't be for a while but I'd LOVE to talk about some of the stuff we talked about on stream the other day, especially 13 Reasons Why. Thanks for the suggestions :D

[@Lynn-wy8ft]

@@MertKayKay A small suggestion, the netflix movie homonculus is not very often talked about and is absolutely terrible. It is based on a manga wich admittedly does a lot wrong too, but the movie just turns every character into good or bad and takes all the depth away from the manga. It truly made me mad at how it justifies sensitive topics in a kind of similar way that rachel foster does (not trying to get your interest, i just don't want to say the word on youtube) it is absolutely mind boggling and a shitshow. It also released pretty recently... so yeah.. Just a suggestion :) (also this isn't meant to sound forceful in any way) love your content, keep up the good work ! (Btw warning it has in depth depictions of assault (the same kind of assault as rachel foster but explicitly shown.)

[@natecorbin5216]

@@MertKayKay Happy to help. Not gonna lie, I mainly want to hear what is becoming your trademark phrasing about one of the many, many movies or other media I've seen that I despise because they're dog shit. I'm imagining something along the lines of, "It's a bit like having someone squat over your face when you already know they've got the runs: the tension arises from the dread you feel over what you know will be shit but you're still morbidly, sickly curious about the particulars and minutiae."

[@MertKayKay]

@@natecorbin5216 Nate that is a horrifying image, I love it :D No wonder you're an author

[@MertKayKay]

@@Lynn-wy8ft Aww thank you so much Lynn! I've been running low on Netflix content so I finally have a reason to keep subbing haha

[@DieserJunge89]

Haha, your commentary/narration is SO good and funny. And your voice is nice to listen to. You've got yourself a new subscriber! Shoutout to my algorithm.

[@MertKayKay]

Thanks so much Dieser 😍 💞 welcome aboard!

[@Kimmaline]

"If youre old enough to have seen a Playstation II in person..." *winces in remembering playing Frogger on the original Atari*

[@MertKayKay]

I work with a guy (uni student) who talks about "his childhood with the PS3" and it's horrifying

[@Kimmaline]

@@MertKayKay it's funny, because I look younger than I am. Im 45, but generally people think I'm in my late 20s or early 30s. I have a genetic connective tissue disorder--so a lifetime of pain and disability but hey! I get great skin and to delay the ageism a bit. Tho...I'm not certain ableism was a fair trade, especially not living in the U.S., and in the very state where eugenics laws were first popularized. 😳 I truly grew up with the original Nintendo--my memories of the Atari are fuzzy and from when I was probably 4 or 5 at most. My dad was a professional musician and luthier, but also a freaking computer whiz. He used to code little spaceship blowup games for me on his RadioShack TRS-80 III. So with all of that, it was kinda hilarious to live through the whole, "Tits or GTFO" era of hating on girl gamers....like, it just never occurred to me that videogames were considered a gendered activity by some people until I was a teenager in the 90s. I find it interesting how many women around my age are super into games but I just never knew--its like my generation learned to not mention gaming or something. I live about 10min from LucasArts and briefly worked at Broderbund while they were QAing Riven--I'm actually still friends with a couple of people from that QA team. But yet every now and then I will find out that some friend of mine who is Not A Dude™️ has played tons of the same games as me and I had no clue they even had a Switch, let alone was super into gaming. Now I occasionally get pushback from jerks who I very literally could have birthed (even if it would have been a bit scandalous) and it's kinda hilarious in a sad, misogyny-is-normalized kind of way. That being said, I'm essentially a professional feminist and used to help run a very large and very visible nonprofit; and Ben Shapiro's fanbase is heavy in gamers, so that is likely the source of most. You can't look like me and be a mouthy leftist and not get a bunch of Jordan Peterson simps whinging in your mentions, it would seem. 😆

[@grace-4072]

32:04 Man, thanks for mentioning that. Us hard of hearing folks get left behind a lot when it comes to game design! I agree I think they definitely need more accessibility

[@FrancescoAcquos]

I think one of the absolute best things about your videos is how absurdly well delivered your lines are. I am very much a "crybaby pissboy" but I get so enthralled by how you review these games that I completely zone in on your voice and then BAM I'm hit with the funniest line ever. It's like a jumplaugh, when you just said "and the scares had me painting my sofa brown" it just kills me. Good job Mert, yer killin' it

[@MertKayKay]

Eee thank you Francesco! :D I'm very happy you like my humour!

[@Gloowie12345]

Another absolute banger of a video. I'm so glad I found your channel, as a person with the AD of HD I struggle with finding people with the right kind of rapid fire talk speed that grabs my attention by the balls and keeps me hostage for an extended period of time without me zoning out. You and CJ the X are probably the only ones thus far that have managed and it's glorious. Your quote-ability is excellent, your commentary is nuanced, somehow both irreverent and more respectful of the topics explored by the games than the actual writers of the games themselves, funny and engaging. I love myself some horror media breakdown while I eat alone in my apartment with my fish tank as my only company. You manage to retain the spooky atmosphere while also breaking the tension. Like going urban exploring at night with someone who thinks wingsuit flying is a relaxing activity. Thanks for sharing your work!

[@MertKayKay]

Jidder your comment really brightened my morning, it's wonderful to know my commentary works so well with the AD of HD. I don't have ADHD but I zone out big-time and I usually end up putting videos in 2x speed just to get people talking quick enough that I'm staying with them the whole time, so maybe that's why I talk so fast :'D But ultimately yes, thank you so much, I'm really flattered that you like my work. And aww, fish tanks are beautiful. My company is my cat Seffy and she is very smelly

[@Gloowie12345]

@@MertKayKay I'm glad I could pay back some brightening, give Seffy a pat from me and congratulate her for being delightfully pungent in the lovely a way only cats can be

[@alkyoneus]

okay ngl the transition into the ad read fuckin GOT me

[@Lili-ib2rh]

I really liked your review. You said what's good and what's bad, I feel like how can you really know well who is going to like it and who is not. It was really personalized and I wish more reviewers would do that.

[@leaare]

Considering we agreed w each other about hating jump scares in the comments of your Martha is Dead video, and I managed to actually watch a full Song of Horror lets play after I watched your video on that, I'm absolutely blown away you managed to play this. I just watch let's plays, and I literally gave up on watching this at the first look through the wall bc the atmosphere made me absolutely panicked. And like, again, I don't even play it myself, and I watched the let's play without head phones. You're telling us you played this, with head phones, multiple times, and there are actual jump scares, not just the threat of it? Absolutely mind blowing to me, I'm in awe (imagine the lady gaga show stopp, spectacular, completely not ever been done before gif here pls) Loving horror and despising jump scares, the universe rly played a cruel joke on us there

[@MertKayKay]

Hahahaha we are scared twins 🤣 I did! Although the game is like 6 hours long and it took me about a week. A few times I'd start the game, hear a noise, pause the game, and just sit there for like an hour. It's horrible

[@leaare]

@@MertKayKay but like. That makes it even more impressive. You continuously went BACK? I really love your channel because it allows me to learn about games I would LOVE to watch but am too scared to, or at least have your essays prepare me for what I'm about to get into but I hope you don't raise your heart-attack risks too much :D

[@KirieHimuro100]

The newborn with the drunk MIL got me laughing so much. Thanks for brightening my day while at work.

[@MertKayKay]

Any time Kirie, thanks so much for watching :D Enjoy work!

[@kingdomarc9]

Blue Knees > BK > Banjo-Kazooie > MADiSON is a stealth spiritual successor to the beloved N64 classic, and I dare anyone to convince me otherwise.

[@joycewible8816]

There are so many little hilarious parts of your script that I just smile all the way through your reviews ☺️

[@MertKayKay]

Aww thank you Joyce! :D

[@HeyMickeyWay]

You have become my favorite content creator, keep up the incredible work! ❤️❤️❤️

[@MertKayKay]

Aww thank you Marissa! I will do my best :D

[@pnkbeard]

I was surprised to the quality of the game, usually i am okay with horror games but damn that final section with blue knees got me frozen, amazing would shit my pants again. Awesome video! Can't wait to see what you review next!

[@ronniejones3719]

Your segue into introducing the sponsor was flawless.

[@MertKayKay]

Thank you Ronnie 🥹

[@delablo]

You are absolutely delightful and I'm so happy KZbin recommended your channel to me.

[@MertKayKay]

You are even more delightful and I am so grateful, thank you Del! :D

[@lightbending]

"VaatiVidya would starve in this game" fucking incredible line XD

[@ianclark2665]

When I suffered a flux of the bowels, I thought, 'this game aint for you', old chap.

[@Yellowtailz]

this game is super underrated!! im so happy ypu covered it!

[@MiyukiShiroitori]

huge respect for u playing horror games despite being a wuss. i get absolutely paralyzed in horror games, ill just park my ass next to the nearest wall... thats why i married my wife, to play the horror games for me to watch. :) sadly that really makes me feel the lack of story more strongly in horror games, as i can put so much more focus on it in the moment.

[@SirCaptAsspull]

Gotta say it, I love your sarcasm and jokes peppered in but the cadence and pacing are just so perfect and poignant Seriously liking your channel so far, love me some horror games!!!

[@MertKayKay]

Thank you so much! :D

[@SirCaptAsspull]

@MertKayKay no thank you, your channel is such a refreshing change of pace and we have similar sense of humor so yeah I'm really enjoying myself going thru your content ^.^

[@sm24644]

Totally agree I tried this game and was glad when I found myself genuinely engaged with the puzzle. The flooded basement scene was a delight and the statue that follows you around was terrifying.

[@MertKayKay]

SANTIAGO! :D Hey! I'm really glad you enjoyed the game too

[@ivanpetrov5255]

I thought I missed a review video, but then I realized it's for Madison (which I assume is a new game). I really enjoy the review videos.

[@MertKayKay]

Thank you so much Ivan! Really glad you like it. This game came out about a month ago and I couldn't resist. Loved it.

[@Icedragon248]

You have such a way with words, enjoying all your idioms!

[@MertKayKay]

Thank you Icedragon! :D

[@ArmoredSoul1]

Okay real talk, I had to say this right as I reacted, at around 6:39 I had walked away with my bluetooth headphones on and I heard the knocking on the door in the video and thought it was IRL and as I walked to my front door, the opening of the door sound played and I maybe cried a little in panic. I dunno if that's a testament to the audio design already or the ease with which I'm tricked by sounds in my headphones.

[@kingintern7566]

While I can play horror games (while watching horror movies is impossible) I really love your analysis of this one! I love breaking down scares and atmosphere in games because they're interactive, so I feel a lot less helpless and it fascinates me about when a scare gets me and why.

[@gregorybrandenburger9457]

How do we know we're making it? Sponsorship.

[@ddjsoyenby]

your jokes are always god tier love your reviews

[@thatd-4-v-3musicguyatevent27]

Yay merts back

[@archivewiddershins2923]

IMO maintaining a tense atmosphere is one of the hardest parts of making a horror game. This studio has great potential, and I have high hopes that they'll adjust the pacing of their endings so their next game can be more shit. If you'll pardon the pardon

[@MertKayKay]

Very true! I think they've really cracked that formula. Smack in a solid story and we've got the makings of a perfect game

[@_indigo_inked]

Really proving yourself to have those epic pro gamer strats by walking back with those headphones off😂 I am too big of a baby to even try a game like this where you have to stick your head around corners. F u c k that!

[@MertKayKay]

The backwards walk is foolproof, until some developer catches on ;D

[@maddyrose3943]

I thought you were saying "bloonies" and I honestly thought "what a bizarre name for a ghost"

[@androgynousbutter1373]

love ur videos :) Ill never play horror games bc im a wuss but i love hearing about them from creators like u who are very fun to listen to

[@MertKayKay]

Thanks so much Butter! Glad you liked it

[@HiBuddyyyyyy]

You have a Pathologic pfp too! :D

[@androgynousbutter1373]

@@HiBuddyyyyyy oh hey! :D i love patho 2 (as much as one can love a pain simulator) esp lara

[@HiBuddyyyyyy]

@@androgynousbutter1373 Lara is great, she’s one of my favourite characters as well.

[@epicepicgirl]

blue knees is one of my favourite horror monsters there is, hes kinda iconic ngl

[@Redhactv]

I love that you did the video as you managed to make a forgettable game to me to be a interesting one. I love your takes and feelings on this game even though I didn't think it was good. Great video!! Makes me wish I could have experienced this game like you did. Making me envious !

[@TheGrinningViking]

My brain is weird, I have a slow reaction to scary things. Jump out at me with something not scary all day and I won't have a startle, but pop something actually scary in front of me and I'll "Ahh!" a half second later then most people. With actually great atmosphere this might jumpscare me a bunch. Then again if there's too many that are just a loud noise and something non-threatening I'll bet bored. I know that's not a flaw of the game, like I said, I have a weird brain. And just to get the obvious joke out of the way: I'm Blueknees - a lot of people have called me daddy in the past, but please don't. lol

[@MertKayKay]

Viking I wouldn't say that was weird, it sounds like a strength 🤣 +15 resistance to jumpscares, keeps the adrenaline low

[@treetheoak8313]

You got those ad read transitions down! 😘👌

[@Deathy_is_me-_-]

Finally, i knew as soon as i've seen the trailer for madison that a review is gonna come.

[@MertKayKay]

You know me far too well! :D

[@P-boyPayne]

I saw the trailer for this and was interested but I never picked it up. I’m glad you covered it! I might actually pick it up now

[@MertKayKay]

If you do, I really hope you enjoy it! :D

[@michaellesperance4358]

I've had my eye on this game since it came out. Definitely gonna pick it up close to Halloween for some spooky times

[@MertKayKay]

I hope you enjoy it Michael! It ruined my week, but in a good way :D

[@jojojoemorelle]

Thank you for great and entertaining analysis. I've newly subscribed to your channel. Probably many people have already recommended to you, but since you like Madison's atmosphere and story but disappointed by the lack of secrets, you should try "Visage". It'll be exciting to see your take on the horror gem. The atmosphere is fiercely terrifying. The story and puzzles are somewhat cryptic but easy to follow if you pay close attention to what's happening. If you've already played it or just knew how the game goes, I apologize for posting a long comment. Then 28 minutes in I realized you've mentioned Visage. So... HERE YOU GO, I suppose? By the way, I'm from Japan and I like Junji Ito's works. Uzumaki is my favorite, so when you mentioned Junji Ito on Rapture's video, it made my day. Maybe year. So again, thank you a lot.

[@coltonwilkie241]

Doesn't show jumpscares, but casually name drops Cyberpunk 2077 which is scarier to think about.

[@hmmokay.4807]

Thank you, excellent video

[@mackenzieviews7682]

GREAT ad transition

[@JackVice]

About time this channel blows up!

[@MertKayKay]

Jack thank you very much

[@GuyFarruski]

I'm not a fan of horror games but this has sparked my curiosity

[@officebatmanthetank1043]

Great video! Keep up the good work!

[@MertKayKay]

Thank you Office Batman! :D

[@Predathis]

Great review Mert, that sponsor transition was seamless haha. I think the game being in a realistically sized house works on two fronts, it makes it way more believable when playing but also makes it easier to put yourself in the characters shoes, like this could happen to me. Especially when they include the haunted book with the game which is an awesome touch. The autosave issue does seem super annoying. I wonder if you could fix it with either going to a cabinet with extra film, and loading it into the camera to act as a manual save, requiring an item but also sticking with the need to move around the house like the safe. Or if certain pictures you take just act as an autosave seeing as the pictures are what progresses the game. Be honest though, how much time did you spend using the controller as cover? 😂

[@MertKayKay]

Thanks Pred! :D And yes! The house as a setting was such a grounded idea, like you said "it could happen to me" - and it also made the place feel really familiar and like it should be comfortable, but it wasn't. Which was really nice. And I crossed over beyond controller hiding, I bought a pillow in and just put my head in it :'D

[@Predathis]

@@MertKayKay hahaha its a move in the right direction, now there's a hint of comfort while being terrorized

[@jamessinclair2342]

Where are all this woman's subscribers?

[@zacharia1446]

That plug transition almost got me. Almost

[@dyinginpink]

your videos give me life 💓

[@MertKayKay]

Thanks Anna! Your comments make me smile 😁

[@theguyinthere]

i'm so excited to see her review manhunt can't wait

[@MertKayKay]

I'm so excited to play it, hopefully soon!! :D

[@samius1149]

Super interesting video. Definitely makes the game look a lot more polished than I had believed from other essays/reviews analyzing it. I've always hates Resident Evil's puzzles so this game sounds like it could be amazing. Any plans to stream this/upload any VODs of your older playthroughs (if any were streamed)?

[@MertKayKay]

Thanks! If you do play it, I hope you enjoy it! I utterly inch through this game when I play it, it really scares me, so unfortunately I have no plans to stream it :'( maybe one day if I finally get over the tension

[@moss8807]

Another lovely vid!!!

[@MertKayKay]

Thank you lovely Moss 🥰

[@Prizzlesticks]

You should definitely give Visage a shot. I'm a bit biased because I grew up in a house eerily similar (down to a staircase lined to the ceiling in family pictures... wtf, I thought my hoarder mother was the only one with such poor taste), but the atmosphere was top notch, and the puzzles were satisfying. Not crazy hard, but occasionally puzzling (haha). And tense. Also uses a camera. I imagine you might enjoy it, or at least find the comparisons interesting. :)

[@StephenYuan]

Your productivity and quality bar are ridiculous for any single content creator , MertKK. I am going to chalk it up to some kind of extended manic episode.

[@MertKayKay]

I set my phone alarm for 5 minutes, I put my head on my desk, I blink-sleep, I wake up with my alarm. Weirdly really works

[@AkiDave]

I just finished it today and I was confused about the plot around when you get back to the house. The ending makes sense but at the same time why did it have to end that way?. The wake up part was like “ah I get it” but also “oof”. You do a lot of fetching for it to just end like that and while it’s interesting in paper , it feels cheap in execution. I like a lot of Madison , wish the story was bit more cohesive and I wish they added a quick turn button. Oh I forgot to mention how scary it was tho. The atmosphere was pretty well and I liked the soundtrack. The jumpscare got a bit much when the game already fucks with you enough. But some of the jumpscares hit different where you’re shook to the core When we meet Hans that line made me laugh cause it’s so out of left field. I was like “wait we’re dealing with Nazi’s now?”

[@zerothe3rd]

just found your channel today but i love your vids. Gonna binge them.

[@MertKayKay]

Thank you Zero!! Welcome

[@speakeazy7036]

Honestly I haven't played the game, but I watched people play it and my god. Usually watching someone play a game ruins the atmosphere but dear god. I felt that shit and it was amazing. I really forgot how amazing atmosphere makes you feel in horror. This is an amazing video as always - hearing your narration and commentary is always a treat and it's really interesting hearing what you have to say!

[@MertKayKay]

Thank you Speakeazy! I love good atmosphere

[@definitelyhooman7939]

While Madison is definitely scary, it really didn't do it for me. I'm probably biased as I've never been a massive fan of supernatural horror (I've just never found it as effective as other types of horror), but even so, I was still disappointed. I don't have an issue with the use of jumpscares, but it started to ruin the atmosphere for me, ruining the tension more often than it added to it. While I agree that the atmosphere is pretty fantastic, I felt like I wanted more story or progression to go with it. Also, maybe I'm an idiot but I didn't realise I was fufilling the ritual until the end? Either way, I really enjoyed hearing your perspective! I appreciate you trying horror games even though they're not your usual style, it makes for a unique perspective, and your writing is super sharp. Keep up the great work!

[@MertKayKay]

Thanks so much Hooman! What kinds of horror do you personally prefer? I'm also quite a sucker for body horror but more in a morbid interest way. I agree re: the jumpscares; I think they were definitely overcompensating with them when they really didn't need to. The atmosphere!

[@definitelyhooman7939]

@@MertKayKay Yessssss body horror is amazing! I'm also a massive fan of domestic horror, existential horror and cosmic horror. You can get really weird and mind fucky with them

[@Xander_P.G.K]

Good video once again! 👍 I might check out this game if I get the chance. And I laughed way to hard at you throwing in that Pinocchio clip. I guess I still get a chuckle out of that little shit XD

[@MertKayKay]

Thank you lovely gamer 😁

[@thac0twenty377]

blue knees he is behind you and he will find you yeah now is stuck in your head too. I can't carry the burden alone