9 Lives

This reminds me of last year's "The Test is Now READY", and a lot of other reviewers seem to have had the same idea. The format is a little different, though: the "test" as a whole is now a scale, with each scenario is a different stage on that scale. The idea is to progress all the way to the "good" end of the scale, with the caveat that you only have nine "lives", or opportunities, with which to respond to a scenario. You don't need nine, though: three is enough to get you from your starting point to the end. I suppose you would need nine if you were to devolve down to the lowest before moving back up again, but, well, that involves giving the Wrong Answer.

And here's the thing. The way this is set up, there is always a very clear Wrong Answer. There's generally no moral dilemma about it. And, given the judgemental nature of the game design, there cannot be. The game isn't here to discuss moral grey areas, but to reward you for giving the Right Answer. This being IF, there is enough distance between me the player and me the protagonist that choosing the Right Answer is pretty easy. The only reason I'd choose the Wrong Answer is if I were curious enough to see what lower lifeform I'd be in the stage below where I am now. (But perhaps that's the point...?)

Well, I suppose it's a good start, anyway. Moral choice and temptation are tough things to do in IF, because temptation can never be as real on-screen as it is in real life.

Breakfast is, I think, something light and vegetarian, to be eaten while watching the sunrise. One coddled egg with light soya sauce and a sprinkling of chopped green onion, beancurd, green tea and enlightenment.