Doki Doki Literature Club Will Mess You Up

"Awww, what a cute looking slice of life dating sim on Steam... and it's free! Let's give this one a— wait why is it tagged as psychological horror on the store page?"

When you boot up Doki Doki Literature Club, you are greeted with an eerie disclaimer:

This game is not suitable for children or those who are easily disturbed

What? Ok... That's odd. Well, here goes.

The first moments of Doki Doki Literature Club (DDLT) are a pure slice of life breeze. I found myself quickly forgetting about the psychological horror tag and the strange disclaimer, and I became more and more immersed into this silly dating sim. I don't really play dating sims, but I could easily tell that DDLT was chock full of the classic clichés and archetypes. However, I found the dialogue endearing enough to keep going, and the menial tasks kept me distracted.

I don't wish to spoil this unique experience, so I will limit myself only to vague descriptions. There is a particular moment in the DDLT journey that will shock you beyond belief. I remember audibly gasping and putting my hands on my head. It's incredibly rare for a game to provide such an astonishing (figurative) slap in the face. If you find yourself completely bored with the game's initial gameplay, stick it out and do your best to engage at least a little until you get to "the moment". You will be rewarded for making intentional choices in the early phases of the game (there are also multiple endings). Buckle up, because this game is not what it seems. Prepare to be taken on a wild ride.

I do feel I should say, if your mental health is not in a great place, I'd advise you to steer clear of this game. Some aspects of the game may be triggering for you. If you are confident in your ability to engage with a game including such warnings from the gaming community as well as the disclaimer at the start of the game, you should be fine. Many horror games only get more and more bleak and disturbing as you progress, leaving you in a pit of despair as the credits roll, but DDLT ventures into much more interesting territory than that. After rolling credits, I found myself thrilled, fascinated, and laughing out loud at the absurdity of it all.

If you're looking for a truly unique thrill this spooky season, give Doki Doki Literature Club a shot. It will make your heart go "doki doki".