We need more well-written Western visual novels.

It's interesting... I've got to two of the endings so far (although I don't get the hospital one...). Should probably play it more.

Reminds me of Facade, just not quite so good :x

I looked at the script file, and it seems the third ending is the good one, but i didn't really understand why. Maybe the title has something to do with it... I should do some research.

Hyper Emerson, the 'bad' ending hints very heavily at what the game is about and hence why the third ending is good.

I did see the bad ending, but i didn't really get what happened to the main character or what exactly the girl was.
I'm confused. =S

So is the girl a metaphor of some kind of addiction, or am I overanalyzing things?

Yeah, it's a metaphor for drugs.

"Wrapped around my right hand" - what does that line remind you of?

I think the game is very good, I got the drug metaphor very fast but I also hoped for somethign ... more. The girl was very cute, i hoped at least there could be soem kind of overdose so you can stay with her forever not end up in the hospital and the way she flashes also brought me to soem cyberpunk ideas... very nice anyway.

With the flickering, I kept wondering if there was a fourth ending where you could directly confront the metaphor.

For some reason, I was enjoying the game a lot more before I realized the metaphor for drugs. Then it became... ordinary.

It's very nice work for a western VN, though. I enjoyed it while it lasted.

"For some reason, I was enjoying the game a lot more before I realized the metaphor for drugs. Then it became... ordinary."

Yeah, I wish indie developers didn't rely on cheap gimmicks like that.

It's not strictly about drugs, although it can be interpreted that way. :)

Haha, at first, i thought the game was about some sort of disease, and tried to figure out the meaning of the title, and failed at that. XD

"For some reason, I was enjoying the game a lot more before I realized the metaphor for drugs. Then it became... ordinary."

Yeah, I wish indie developers didn't rely on cheap gimmicks like that."

The above comments are ordinary , cheap and gimmicky .

You forgot to log in Mr. Indie Developer.

I was a bit dissapointed with this one. The happy ending, in particular seemed ridiculous: "she was out of my life within a month, I haven't relied on her since" or somesuch. Just wait until withdrawal kicks in, junior.

"it's not strictly about drugs, although it can be interpreted that way"

I'm sorry, but I don't buy that. Its obviously about drugs. I presume its heroin, but there are other possibilities. No other explanation fits with the comment the nurse makes about the character not hitting a vein.

It's best to just admit that the game is a metaphor for trying to kick a drug habit, and just be open about it.

i'm guessing the author has never done any heavier drugs, as seem to be the usual case in the war on drugs.

drugs? Somehow I thought it was about self injury... that habbit where you cut yourselve to release pressure?

i mean how would you destoy nerves and ateria with a needle?? also it would fit the title better :)

yeah, that is actually what came to my mind too, but it didn't seem to fit in as much with the rest of the story.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_injection

"Hitting arteries and nerves is dangerous, painful, and presents its own similar spectrum of problems."

I really like the game, but if there are only three endings I got them all very easily.

I guess the reason why the metaphor didn't hit me is because it's open for interpretation. But the drug-one is the most likely one it appears. I still think it's kinda silly. I'm not really into the topic but is it really any realistic that a drug-addict can really stop the consumption by himself after years of use? I wouldn't know, it just seems kinda weird.

Still, for a "pretentious art-game" I must admit that I really liked this one. I didn't even like the character-design too much but this was still fun.

Well done, Bento.
The paths to the endings are worth a mention, from a design standpoint.
People will naturally gravitate to an edge case (approval/ rejection) based on their emotional state.
But the most revealing, and most entertaining for me, ending required that you don't stay trapped in the emotional metaphor.
It takes guts to look at an ugly reality straight on, even if you don't change it.

@anonymous
That was what bothered me. Even if he used all of his willpower he would still get cravings. Any former addict will tell you that it never completely leaves you.

I'm having some trouble finding that third ending, bigbosssNK. I'm trying to confront the metaphor directly, but that leads to one other problem I have with Air Pressure: Sometimes what each option means can be incredibly vague.

I can see your grievance regarding vagueness. Here's an equally vague spoiler :)

SPOILER
Scene 1: Stay home and have a fal out with her
Scene 2: Apologize for your behavior, but maintain your personal reservations towards her
Scene 3: Take control of the situation, but keep her at bay

@Deacon Lowdown

Hey, I'm glad you're giving this so much thought. :D The game though is not about drugs, although it is valid to interpret it that way. There's some small amount of cross-over I'm sure, with other addictions too, but as I have no experience of drugs I have no clue where exactly the points meet. :)

It's interesting to hear that, Bento_Smile. I'll have to play through it again.

I don't mean to sound overly critical, though: I think you have some very good ideas here, and the color suits the mood of the game perfectly.

Also, it must be said: for all the bitching I've done about this game, I must have played it through about a dozen times, so something keeps me coming back.

It's not about drugs, it's about self mutilation. If you ask me, that makes more sense, considering the how the nurse in the hospital ending spoke.

The comment above nailed it, I think. Once you know that, going back to the game gives it a new edge.

But you can't wrap self harm around your arm...

Umm... it says I can't forget the marks she made... What does that mean? Is it what I think...? The sick-minded way?