I love how this game disguises itself as a horror game... the tropes, the mysterious girl, lights go out, then... she is not there anymore... yet, for those that know the story, will realize, this isn't a scene made for horror, it's just a sorrowful memory. I love Signalis.
This is the main shtig of signalis' main reference 'the king in yellow'. You follow the different stories of trails of characters slowly uncovering the dark secrets of the kjng in yellow, the dark city of carcossa, and the dynasties of hastur. You think that the book is going to reveal the horror, but it after reading the stories you realise at the end; it was a love story all along.
I've only just realised that this train ride was probably Ariane's journey away from her mother and home. It was the point when the relative freedom of her childhood ended and Eusan society started trying to crush her spirit.
It's also probably where she first got the idea to join the Penrose program- peep the poster on the wall opposite of her. I suppose in that way, it's also her "way home."
@@sofielundsskolan She was born on Leng according to the medical records but she lived with her mother in Rotfront Interplanetary Station 6 for most of her early life before moving to Rotfront Section C for schooling there.
It really is funny to think that all this tragedy, whatever form it really takes during this game's events, could've been avoided if Ariane's aunt hadn't insisted on making her attend school at Rotfront. Also tragic to think Ariane likely barely, if ever again, saw her mom again after moving to Rotfront and signing on for the Penrose program.
For some reason, this is the track out of all of them that destroys me. Picturing Ariane, all alone, unhappy, unsure of what she wants in life. No friends, no family that she seems very close to... She's riding the train, just going through another day, thinking about her potential assignment to Sierpinski if she doesnt get another military assignment- hard work on a distant, icy planet... And then she sees the flyer for the Penrose program. Memories come flooding back of her seeing that soldier's picture, wondering if people were proud of her. She watches the buildings fly by, just another part of a planet on which she has never belonged, has never been appreciated. Could Penrose program be the answer? What sort of adventures should she get up to in space? And even if that wasn't very exciting, she could paint and listen to music without judgement. And in any case, it would get her off of this rock, and away from these people. She looks at the flyer and suddenly she feels it, like she's found a purpose in a sea of grey. She pictures herself rising up above the clouds, her stomach dropping as she imagines the feeling of gravity in her ascent to the heavens. She's leaving behind the nation who just wants her to work, the people who bully her, the society who looks down on her artful passions. Even if she doesn't find what she's looking for, it couldn't be worse than here. And then I think about the unimaginable pain Ariane went through because of that decision, that hope turning to fear and agony. I wonder what she would do if she could return to this moment and choose a different path, to avoid those hundreds of years of suffering. Do you think she'd do it, and miss her chance at happiness with Elster? I don't think so. I don't think so. People say it's more upbeat, but that makes it more devastating for me. It's like a small glimpse into a decision that would eventually end with one of the most horrifying stories imaginable.
A perfect summary, I think. It feels like this scene captures so much of what Signalis is about - dehumanization, the reduction of human lives to a tool for governments and armies to use and discard, but also the notion of power too vast for us to control. She is so small, all alone in the train car, but could even she have imagined what terrible power she had?
Never has a game made me want to hug a character and tell her that everything is gonna be all right as much as signalis. Outstanding. Haunting. Beautifull. I really hope rose-engine gets to make more projects, hopefully some in the same universe. I was so enthralled by the world they created that i forgot what the story was really about. And at the end it hit me like a hammer.
Same, this game made me feel things. Shocked to know they didn't get nominations/awards in goty. Anyway, I'm still depressed with the ending I got so imma play again till I'm satisfied with the outcome.
I identify greatly with Ariane-- with the loneliness, uncertainty, and that feeling like you just don't really fit in anywhere. The only difference is I don't have an android engineer gf to fill the void :c
The queer experience. To not fit in, to be pariah, that is to be queer. May you find many to aid you in your journey, and may you be able to aid many more.
*Spoiler ahead* My poor babygirl suffered so much, from when she left her mother's side till she died. She did find brief happiness with Elster but at what cost? I just finished the Promise ending so I'm quite emotional, my throat feking hurts help 😭
@@nilt_pl6087 The latest timestamped log you can find was on cycle 262144, and if each cycle is equal to a full day, then they spent a minimum of just over 718 years in the Penrose-512. So they found a hell of a lot of happiness.
Of all the cutscenes in this game, this one (especially her facial expression) makes me want to comfort her and tell her that she's not alone 😢 She looks so depressing and sad it's unbearable
I love this game. Here I thought no other game could compare to silent hill, which is my favourite game of all time. But I was wrong, this game is just as good and the story was amazing yet heartbreaking. I hope they make more games like this I'm all for it
I haven't finished it, but it helps, I can cry without knowing why and actually kind of free myself from this burden, it helps me, I hope it helps others too
On one hand, neither The Nation nor The Empress deserve to be at the helm of both Gestalts and Replikas - Humanity. On the other hand, hey public transport!
I found myself humming this song yesterday after a rough day at work. There’s something sad about this song, like it’s a reminder you can’t save everyone or everything, or get closure but you can keep trying to make a better future and do what you can here and now…
@@volchanka9689и да и нет..Просто это мелодия очень хорошо выражает то, что человек в итогу плывет по этой жизненной реке один, окружаемый случайными попутчиками.И этот поезд, летящий на огромной скорости сквозь заснеженные бесконечные многоэтажки подозрительно напоминающие наши панельки, усиливает это чувство в разы.
It doesn't have the same vibe or feeling, but the first person puzzle segments really reminded me of Myst. Probably not this scene, but most of them gave me a sort of cozy retro puzzle game feel. I may be missing a few decades of progress within the genre of "first person puzzle game" here though. Loved the first person sections too.
This song feels like trying to remember something important that you forgot, and being right next to it, but never succeeding. Like a grandma with dementia forgetting her daughter.
This track brings back to 90s final fantasy game's. It has this somber and emotional tone to it. And with setting of a train moving the snow cascading a endless city It gives time to reflect.
This also brings to mind a very strong childhood memory of mine too: the train scene in Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. It's set almost exactly the same. A train carrying defeated cargo through a blizzard. On that train they discover their calling. For Ariane: an escape, a future where she can at least find the freedom that she used to have; to draw, to paint, to sing, and to dance again, even if on her own. For Spirit: a reminder of who he is, where he came from, and the will to fight to be free again. Both also play the most poignant music that brings me to tears every time.
For anybody who hasn't seen Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron: go watch it! It's from the golden age of Dreamworks Animation and has phenomenal music scored by Hans Zimmer and songs sung by Bryan Adams! The song during the scene in question is "Sound the Bugle" sung by Bryan Adams. It's an absolute tear-jerker and honestly fits Signalis and Elster's struggle too well... I'd almost bet Rose Engine took inspiration from it...
Excited to get back to this moment in my current playthrough. I really want to take my time and just sit here. Maybe try to catch how Ariane was feeling in that moment. Every other minute in this game is something that can sit with you forever.
Were you the only ones on that train? Overwatch stopped our train in the woods and took my husband for questioning. They said he'd be on the next train. I'm not sure when that was. They're being nice, though, letting me wait for him.
Я еду год, я еду два Я еду бог знает куда Смотрю в окно и вижу взгляд Который скрыл от всех подряд Не важно где, не важно как Мне пустота - мой худший брат Не скрыться от нее нигде Найдут меня даже во сне А я привык, мне даже в радость? Все эта грустная усталость В меланхоличной электричке Что также едет по привычке
It makes me wonder if this is the train ride after being beaten up in school or on the way to school. Eitheray it makes me think of Arianne in limbo like the stasis chamber - she is alone in a transient state with no begining or end.
Getting to the end of the game I was overwhelmed with the feeling that none of it mattered and that was ok. It's the only game that's ever left me feeling like that l.
I sat there, quietly, by the window. I guess I don't exactly know what I was waiting for, some kind of miracle, something to show me life can be worth living. But, as ash-like snow melts against the opaque glass, I know, the only thing that makes life worth living, was you. And now that your gone, everything is so, so grey. I miss you. I'm Sorry
![SIGNALIS - Train Ride [Extended]](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
