Indie Game: The Movie; yes this is actually a thing.

Indie Game: The Movie was an excellent documentary. It was not just that it interested me in subject matter, but the telling of three core stories alongside the world that is independent gaming that developers entirely immerse themselves in. It is incredible to see just what these people are capable of on such a small team and with such a low budget, and perhaps little time. It was interesting to see that even a documentary found a way to weave itself into the themes of film, the primary two being man vs. himself and individual vs. society.

Man vs. Himself is just about the core of this documentary. As we explore the separate teams, all of three or fewer people, that created Super Meat Boy, Fez, and Braid, we can see that indie developing is a major battle against oneself. Not only are there the physical limitations, where a team of three are expected to be up to par with a team of one-thousand or more at a more professional level, but the people are constantly bogged down with criticism from themselves, their peers, and complete and utter strangers. It sent many of the developers into a depression where the only thing that they felt they had that could sufficiently be used to cope with were their own unfinished works. Each project was strenuous on the developers, and gave a perspective for the viewers to look into their minds and experience work that could be more difficult than they may ever experience. It is remarkable to see the great lengths of determination and hope put into projects that I personally have seen grow to something that I looked at to be some of the best games of all.

Individual vs. Society is a theme that really gets into the fact of just how isolated these developers feel. Constantly being on the clock, these people give up all chance of socializing, even with wives whom with they were married to before they got involved on their serious journey. The feeling of freedom and independence should be a good one, but with no constraints, the public demands more, faster, and the large name companies are shifting attention away from these projects. In the story of the creation of Fez, when Phil Fish loses his first business partner, everything seems lost; no one is left to help him including the law, and he is isolated to be left only with his work, that could be the downfall of him unless his powerful ex-associate shows him mercy.

This documentary is amazing at telling the stories, and showing the reality and brutality of something that many people take for granted. While introducing us to three dreams, it shows us the struggles, and then ultimately the full circle in which something miraculous is formed, and suddenly everything is worth it, even when hope seemed lost and everything ahead would only be impossible. Even with some of the most difficult obstacles, these three teams pursued their goals against all odds, and shows how effort can go a remarkably long way. This picture is moving, and did not feel like a dry documentary that I have encountered many times. I would give this a 4 out of 5 bandages.