Dot's Home 4+

I really liked this game, it was interesting but challenging to play. You have to really think about the best choices to make, when often both choices are undesirable. It really taught me a lot about the difficulties faced by POC (People of Color), immigrants, and lower-income people in the US in concerns to housing. I had learned about things like redlining and gentrification at school, but this game gave me more insight to how those things actually play out in the day-to-day lives of some Americans. I would definitely recommend this game, and I think it would be a great tool to teach kids about systemic housing discrimination against POC, immigrants, and lower-income people in America. And despite covering societal issues that can be depressing to think about, it was still fun and enjoyable to play. Also, the art and graphics are beautifully designed!

It does a really good job of showing how housing discrimination works throughout the years esp in America.

The transitions from time periods were clear cut and engrossing. The past has a slight dreamlike quality to it just in the same way as the mc is affected by it, and we get to kinda feel how it is for her too. The asthma thing really got me thinking.

The art was top notch and I could play through it all in an hour or so. The story was interesting. Reading the paper and how it changed through generations but also stayed the same, showed how things don’t just end. History does repeat itself and we can have a hand in making sure that doesn’t happen. Why would there be a need to flip a home if the neighborhood was invested in properly so that everything was functioning and beautiful for its residents? But well that doesn’t turn a profit, does it?
It really highlighted things to show the guy, real estate agent? Murphy dude. How the grandfather was basically exactly like him, zero change.

Spoilers ***
I’m confused how if the home was sold, in the ending I chose, how did the grandma get to keep living there?? As that’s what it said happened afaik

Ok I'm playing, but an aspect of this game that I think this game nails on the head is that the pursuit of constantly getting richer can separate you from the people that matter in your life... and leave you open to manipulation.

If you wanna speedrun the good ending, rent, stick with Amos, and rent to the Tawfiqs. It's not money that makes a good life, it's people.

Oh, and having grown up in "well-to-do" environments. the neutral and bad endings about the kids being too well behaved and the police notices of noise complaints, of people keeping to themselves... it's horrible and depressing. Having a strong community and an environment where you can actually walk outside and greet neighbors... that's what really matters in life.