Freud’s Bones, a review of a research adventure dedicated to the father of psychoanalysis

The first edition of The Interpretation of Dreams, to which the foundations of psychoanalysis are attributed, was published on November 4, 1899. The work of Sigmund Freud was one of the fundamental works not only of his time but also of human history, born after a long elaboration of interviews with other great intellectuals of his time and decisive events such as the “dream of the injection of Irma”. “and the death of his father. We speak of a man with a complex thought, who had developed a new science and swept through all of humanity, with a force still falling upon us today, so much so that we feel compelled to respond first. Freud’s Bones review it has to do with the way the game approaches such a difficult subject. How much Freud is in Freud’s bones?

in Freud’s bones

Making a point-and-click adventure trying to psychoanalyze his father psychoanalysisAt the same time, getting the player into the procedures he uses to treat his patients seems like a tall order to even describe. Fortunately, the Italian developer Axel Fox, who created the game, has done dedicated work on the subject and is therefore highly adept, as he has shown throughout the study. Of course, we don’t struggle to imagine it in front of the screen as we ponder how it can transform certain concepts into playful form. It’s not an instant deal.

Selected access path double investigation, if we want to define it that way. The player then becomes Freud’s speaking conscience (hence the title) etched into his bones, taking control and deciding his actions, before many quarrels with the stubborn genius who doesn’t want to believe in our existence.

It may seem strange, but despite being the first to open the doors of the human unconscious, he is in the throes of a deep crisis among his loved ones, a psychoanalytic society eager to marginalize him in favor of Jung. , because of his theories. mainly focused sexual area, his beloved daughter Anna (who will also become a psychiatrist), who gives him some thought, a wife who can’t stand him any longer, a lover in need of attention, antisemitism is increasingly commonplace and the abuse of Cocaine and cigars, in order to find the calm he must analyze his patients. The second is the second object of research. Basically we interpret Freud, so we must accompany him in his work.

double dream

Bones of Freud thus follows two directions: Freud’s discovery through analysis of elements of his work, which includes esoteric objects, pictures, photographs and a rich library from which quotations can be taken; and the discovery of their patients, who each have symptoms related to their traumatic experiences and must reappear to allow the patient to process them. For example, the first case we will encounter is the case of a woman who is no longer able to walk, while the next case concerns a megalomaniac narcissist suffering from haptophobia. What we need to do during psychoanalysis sessions is to try to ask the right questions. patientsto reveal the details that we can produce a diagnosis.

That’s part of the beauty of Freud’s Bones, but also one of its limitations: The rigor with which cases are presented and the ways we’re given to approach them turns out to be hard to understand if you don’t have a clue. private information. The subject is so clear that the author himself, clearly aware of the difficulty of some passages, that of Io, Superego and Es as well as some related disciplines. Nothing prohibitive, God forbid, but it’s clear that a good read helps.

This sessions with patients they consist of different systems, all of which integrate with each other to reach a definitive diagnosis. First of all, it is necessary to analyze the reports of other doctors and the medical records containing all the documents useful for understanding the case, in some cases Freud will need to analyze more specifically and will highlight key elements. Then there is the actual session, where you have to ask questions from time to time, choosing which attitude to keep, being more professional and impartial, being more friendly, or relying on analysis or intuition. The sessions themselves will be able to produce texts that Freud must analyze to find key elements in order to ask further questions and continue researching. The management of the system is quite simple, mainly because choosing questions based on arguments and trying to make the patient clear, the repressed must rise to consciousness, allowing the Superego to overcome its opposing defenses. When enough elements are present, a diagnosis can be made by associating certain images with the patient’s display of discomfort. Then you can proceed with the medical prescription. Of course, do not forget to get paid, otherwise bankruptcy is safe.

Freud’s research

L’Freud’s general researchinstead, it proceeds a little differently. As mentioned earlier, it is necessary to examine the objects in his studio and manage their stress through cigars and cocaine (Freud was consuming so much that he also wrote an article on the subject). Every day we will have to choose how to force him to act in the face of certain events, we will dig into his soul and penetrate his dream world. Freud’s analysis is the part of the play that is most evocative, but also presents the most powerful images, with direct references to the reality of time and his being a Jew in a world overwhelmed by prejudice and anti-Semitism.

In this sense, it is very effective. graphic style It is elaborated by Giulia Sabatini, who very clearly lays out all the settings and elements of the play, which never ceases to have an out-of-place, surreal and dreamlike touch, especially in the later stages when Freud’s visions become stronger and more present. .

As you can imagine, there is a lot of talk about the game itself, as there is a lot of text to read, both in the form of dialogues and actual documents. Not bad, considering the theme. Putting psychoanalysis at the center of a video game without sacrificing a deeply personal touch is certainly one of the most interesting and competent endeavors.