This Game Bleeds Oil | NORCO Analysis & Review

[@ToGamesItMayConcern]

This video is intended for those who've completed the game. There are light spoilers covering the first half of the game throughout; I don't consider these spoilers so substantial as to ruin the gaming experience for those who haven't played the game yet, so feel free to watch if you're just curious about the game but don't mind minor spoilers. Major, endgame spoilers are discussed from 12:21 - 14:52 (spoiler warning in video). Feel free to skip that time if you don't want revelations from the second half of the game fully revealed to you. There is still plenty unsaid about the game in this review. If you watch the whole thing and it garners your interest in the full game, please play the game. It is amazing, honestly, and happens to be available right now through Game Pass.

[@P.M.KraigOramous]

Although this game can touch anyone incredibly deeply, it has impacted me emotionally in ways I can't describe as someone from southeastern Louisiana. It perfectly captures the feelings here, in this time and place, and has many hidden themes and references that impact someone familiar with the area much more deeply. Generally, it's the love for the area despite its messed up reality and conflicted feelings of leaving to find better opportunities elsewhere, but never being able to find anything quite like it anywhere else and always thinking about maybe going back/staying despite it all. I'm glad it's getting a wider exposure to display our little swampy, dreadfully haunting, and simultaneously beautiful corner of the world.

[@caleb911x]

I hope more people play Norco so I can talk about Norco with more people

[@ToGamesItMayConcern]

Haha. This is always the problem with great but semi-obscure indie games!

[@RalucaM]

Haha exactly my thoughts! I have nobody! And I'm dying to talk about it

[@dang2959]

Nice video. I just finished this game and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it, although I couldn’t quite figure out why. So I went looking for videos on it and this one definitely does the best job of explaining the feeling this game leaves you with.

[@Moister356]

Loved the game and the vibes, though I'd say it ended a bit abruptly

[@RalucaM]

Great commentary, tour observations are very nuanced and love the references. I feel there could be an entire documentary about this game, it's small, but it's so insane, like with disco elysium, I'm in awe that someone can think of something so deep and wide at the same time. The conspiracies, the humor, the ridiculousness, the characters, the story, add superb graphics on top and superb music and I'm just sitting here thinking "what the hell did I just play". Can't believe I almost missed because some review on Steam said "you have to be nostalgic about Americana to play it" like that scratches more than the surface.

[@safe-keeper1042]

Loved this game so much. Such a masterpiece. Oh, and I agree that the fact that it steers clear of (and even critiques) the misery porn approach to places like Norco definitely is one of its strong points.

[@colinedgar6742]

I love your analysis of this game - looking forward to checking out more of your stuff

[@FlorianFullStop]

Excellent analysis of NORCO; it's a beautiful game that left a lot on me as I played through it.

[@ToGamesItMayConcern]

Thank you very much! Coming from you that means a lot, considering the density and consistent quality of your writing.

[@IdealGame]

I really liked your analysis. I finished the game a couple of days ago and I was searching for some meaning. You helped me. Thanks.

[@ToGamesItMayConcern]

Thank you! I'm glad we helped you think through your thoughts on the game.

[@ArtByBritania]

I loved this video! Ill have to check out some of the short stories you mentioned.

[@Deadforge]

I gotta check this out. My first experience hearing about this was from thesummerofmark and RagnarRox. Such a great video.

[@stevenyukabacera160]

Interesting video! Hadn't heard of this game before, but it looks absolutely beautiful.

[@ToGamesItMayConcern]

Thanks for stopping by! The artwork is gorgeous and deftly adds to the game's somber atmosphere. I highly recommend you give it a shot someday. I'm glad I played it.

[@Proctor_Conley]

It hurts.

[@yourbrainonegg159]

god it fucking hurts

[@Proctor_Conley]

@@yourbrainonegg159 I don't know what to do about it all. Form a community? Run? My health & wealth limits both while folks seem so crazy, so desperate for & focused on money, they don't even listen when I talk. Has the world gone mad or have I?

[@daskys]

First!