Homeless (XBLIG): "A Story Driven Street Life Sim"

It seems that everywhere you look these days there are signs of bad things going on. The world economy is dangling by a thread, the stock market plummets and rises, and unemployment has become a steadily growing occurrence all over the planet. While 'Homeless' doesn't directly discuss these happenings, it does give you a glimpse into how hard it can be having to live on the streets. This topic has hit home for so many people, and for so many reasons. I think 'Silver Dollar Games (the developer)' did an awesome thing by releasing this game to the public. It's the sort of game that sheds light on a very serious problem. I think the developer (Silver Dollar Games) said it best in their game description which simply stated "Be thankful for what you have".

Homeless is a unique indie game that chronicles the life of a homeless man who bums money from people passing by him on the street. When you start the game he begins telling his tale of losing all he had due to poor choices throughout his life. He weaves a sorrowful story of having to fend for himself on the streets, and how he got there in the first place. The tale is very insightful, and gives a realistic look at what day to day life would be like if you (the gamer) had ended up in a similar situation. Since this is a game there are game mechanics involved. You take on the role of the homeless man as he tries to bum change from groups of people passing by him. You have a set amount of time, and a monetary goal you must meet in order to make it to the next day. This is further complicated by an energy meter that runs out with each plea for money that you make. Gathering money from the people that pass by is simply done by pressing (A) once they are within the two red lines that border the homeless man. The more people you get within the boundaries the more money you will receive. There are also people sporting red ties that offer more money if you catch them when they are within the red lines. The game offers hints, and images of homeless life via a billboard on top of an adult video store which the homeless man stands in front of as he begs for money.

I honestly think 'Silver Dollar Games' touched base on something that is very important to think about in this game. In these hard times we all are facing some sort of economic hardship, and it seems to be growing worse by the day. While this game deals with homeless life due to poor choices, I still think it sheds light on how homeless life could be for anyone regardless of how they got to that point. I definitely liked the game description that 'Silver Dollar Games' went with ("Be thankful for what you have"). It's the kind of thing that makes a person stop, and think. In conclusion I think this game is worth a purchase simply for the message that it offers. It's not a game that's made for fun, but one that addresses a reality that is possible for anyone in this world.