Z.A.T.O // I Love The World And Everything In It is really good & also free and you should play it instantly.
Now I know what ur thinking: "buh I already watched Serial Experiments Lain", "but I already played Echo Project". u silly billykins that means you'll like this one too. In case you also haven't seen those: good! More things to watch after this one! But onto Z.A.T.O...
Nominally, it is a simple linear VN with light yuri themes & light psychological horror themes. In practice, its core thesis hits me so hard I will probably use it as a reference point for how I think about the world going forward. I'll see how much I can explain without spoilers:
Despite what some other steam reviewers will say, it is not "metafiction" or anything like that. It's also not a metaphor for anything. Events are strictly literal, taking place in a closed system, and how this affects the characters is the interesting part. It is absolutely existential, making you question the nature of fate & what it means to be human. In the long run, like "heat death of the universe" long, Everything is doomed anyways, so let's enjoy this aberration while it lasts.
Is what I think it's saying. There's derealization sure, but it's almost... grounding in a way? I know how crazy that sounds but trust me bro
Anyways the art is cute, soundtrack is fantastic at elevating the moods, writing is just incredible, this is THE visual novel to play imo. Did I mention it's free on Steam? And itch.io? Play it now btw go go go