Welcome yet again to Joyful Stick, our semi-regular game review series. Miss the last entry? You can read it here. Today, we’re going to discuss a game of nuanced relational politics, intrigue and deceit-Snow Daze.
Before we begin, I’d like to state upfront Joyful Stick is in no way a paid promotion. Titles are purchased by recommendation of the audience with funds from Patreon. Want to see a game featured here? Drop me a line at my socials at the bottom of this article. If you would like to purchase a title to be reviewed, please get in touch with me on twitter so we can make arrangements!
Now, on with the review.
Sleight of Hand, Sleight of Mind: The Art of Persuasion
So basically, I got a degree in lying to people.
There’s a more formal and academic way to say that. Sure. But my early twenties were spent studying Jim Jones, Marshall Applewhite and Joseph Smith. In my free time, I read up on P.T. Barnum who is attributed as the man behind such luminary phrases as “there’s a sucker born every minute”. With the benefit of hindsight, it’s easy to call these guys schmucks. But in their hayday? They all had one thing in common.
They could talk you into literally anything.
Persuasion is a communication art that succeeds on a maxim of multiple different factors our brain processes simultaneously. Appearance, tone of voice, social standing, and extrinsic factors all culminate into a singular moment of convincing. Sometimes it happens in seconds, sometimes it takes years. You can drastically alter that course depending on what tools you have available. A great personal example of this is my vocal range, relative social and professional status and proven talent. Could I run for president? Well I mean-okay, so no. But could I use the tools at my disposal to keep an eye on things that affect my community? Absolutely. And I would succeed.
Hypnosis in practice no different. It’s persuasion with the aid of tools both physical and metaphorical. If we’re to reduce it to the most base elements, it’s no different than any dom-sub interaction. The hypnotist (dom) engages the sub in a trance or sub-space, but that’s only possible when the sub intrinsically (and often vocally) signals they desire a loss of control. The loss of control for the sub is often something sublime they can’t seek within the waking world. However the pair come to an agreement is entirely case dependent.
There’s quite a few tropes within the kink. “Look at this shiny pocket watch, watch the metronome, follow my voice”. The reason these exist is that within persuasion, familiarity reduces tension and allows subjects to be more pliable. It’s why Jim Jones used christianity to approach people as a monkey salesman (no, really). The devices used to induce hypnosis are largely irrelevant-it’s the mental association tied with them that gives them power.
I mention all of this so that the plot of Snow Daze makes a bit more sense. Snow Daze is a erotic multi-branch visual novel from Outbreak Games and published by Critical Bliss that centers around Johnny and his step family as they’re snowed in Overlook Hotel style. Johnny-who is sick and tired of being surrounded by hot women he can’t fuck-decides it’s time to loosen his step family up with subliminal messaging and a device called a dulcimeter (it’s a metronome with a spiral on it). What happens next is ultimately up to the player, but as the game opens with a blatant ass shot? You can probably take a guess. The game features crisp, clean art and professional voice acting for the entire cast except Johnny.
Spoilers beyond this point.
Hand Waving Problems Through Comedy
As someone who has never been successfully hypnotized, who isn’t a part of the hypnosis kink community and studied/practiced persuasion professionally? I initially balked at the primary narrative device of Snow Daze. I often describe myself as Oz, forever behind the curtain of what I do. Being back here means I see everyone elses tricks as well. Even if we’re not on the same path or in the same community, it’s hard to be persuaded when you know the tech behind the tricks. No amount of well timed music, slow words or pocket watches will sway me from busting a one liner and ruining your attempt.
But that’s what made playing and completing the game worth my time. It knows it’s primary plot device is totally preposterous and makes no attempts to hide it. Johnny, despite being loaded with house work, low self esteem and little means to build/study hypnosis devices somehow does. The dulcimeter looks like something a cartoon villain would use. The hypnosis methods are community tropes instead of actual studied, super serious elements like some porn games would use. Thus, Snow Daze is approachable for those in the community and the harshest cynics like me. The moment I realized this, I was in for the long haul.
As mentioned, Snow Daze focuses on interactions between Johnny, his three step sisters and his step mother. Yes, they’re all step family. The games creator even excuses this as “cat magick” with his mascot at the very start of the game. This tongue-in-cheek shoulder shrug of blood-relational squick sets the tone from the game at the onset. Snow Daze uses comedy and wink-wink-nudge style to be less problematic than it could be, including a clothing slider so you can stream the game on Youtube. That doesn’t change the fact that incest is the primary focus of it. Johnny even has a twin sister-Jane-whose is perhaps the entire reason the game explains that everyone is step family at all. Having incest in a title and hand-waving it with “cat magick” is double talk for censors and sales.
That aside, Snow Daze is ultimately a game about consent. Despite the fact Johnny uses hypnosis on his entire family, sex scenes are only possible by Johnny both seeking a family members consent and engaging them on their terms. Sarah, the runt of the litter, prefers gentle pet play. Kira the studious, repressed academic wants to let loose. Noelle, Johnny’s workaholic mother, only wants what’s best for her son. The moment Johnny suggests something for his own horny needs instead of meeting theirs? The trance is broken. The attention to this makes every dialogue choice feel like the sword of damocles is over your head. Save often.
Jane is where Snow Daze puts the most work in. From the onset, it’s made obvious through her interactions and dialogue with Johnny that they were once incredibly close. Her arc, compared to the rest of the family, is far more focused on emotional resolve and the conflicts that drove her and her brother apart. Johnny isn’t trying to fuck Jane at first-he’s far more focused on simply getting her back. Jane likewise reveals her own conflict with identity, attempting to distance herself from weakness while deep in every trance. Despite what Snow Daze is and the circumstances that lead to it? There’s real emotion behind Jane’s performance and narrative. I actually found her arc to be the most rewarding.
Speaking of which, Snow Daze has multiple different endings depending on how you choose to spend your time. The “bad ends” simply lead to Johnny being the exclusive property of a single family member, being found out, or (if you’re really careful) getting the entire family under his spell and being given the choice to reverse everything. I wasn’t expecting this by the games conclusion, and it’s actually the option I went with. By the end of the game, despite the hours invested, I simply wanted the family to be happy. That ending doesn’t bag Johnny what he wants-yet still delivered what I as a player wanted. I was satisfied.
Technical Tricks
Snow Daze could have easily slid into over-the-top like My Breast Friend Sally or been utter rubbish. What ultimately made it a joyful experience for me was the professionally delivered voice work and subtle, clean art style. The game looks and sounds pleasant. The anatomy of the characters isn’t ridiculous-Noelle’s breasts even have visible sag from their weight! Every line is delivered with the brevity it deserves in context-even when it’s simple hypnosis mumbles.
However, there were several times characters would be clothed in a scene only for their clothing to disappear the moment they began speaking. While this is a minor gripe (and arguably a plus for some), it happened enough that I couldn’t help but notice it as a glitch. Likewise, there was once in my playthrough I went to save, and the game saved the save menu. This was resolved by simply saving again but was again something I couldn’t not notice.
Bonus Content
Snow Daze features additional audio “stories” that you can listen to. They’re totally non-interactive and likely could have easily been scenes in the game. These tid-bits flesh out the family a bit more, but are completely optional. The game also features a CG gallery of all the nudes, and clothing options for who wears what kind of style throughout the game. A nice touch, I will say.
Conclusion:
Snow Daze features roughly 3 hours of professionally crafted work for the low price of ten american dollars. Despite the questionable premise, I was actually genuinely impressed with what the title accomplished in that brief amount of time. The narrative was crafted with care and respect, and the vocal performances will touch your heart/genitals and have you laughing within the same scene. I actually enjoyed the game for more than what it was, and found the price of entry well worth it.
‘Tis the season for colder weather and snow banks, so give the game a chance to warm you up.
-j