You Don't Have To Go Home, But You Can't Stay Here

Your favorite bar is closing down, and tonight is the goodbye party.

The author notes that the game is based around the experiences of LGBTQ people in today's world. While there are occasional moments in the game where this subject is directly mentioned, it leaves things open-ended for the player.

Gameplay/Visuals
The game features anthropomorphized characters. You are a dog named Snuggles. We begin outside our favorite bar.

The game is made with Bitsy and makes a great first impression with its visual design. It kind of feels like playing a video game. There are graphics for the scenery, and all the characters appear as animal avatars.

Gameplay involves visiting the different areas of the bar while observing and talking to characters. Conversation is menu-based, and you travel by using the arrows on your keyboard. Once you’re satisfied, leave the bar to end the game.

All of this creates an immersive experience. Because of this, however, some players may be left wishing that the gameplay had more things for them to explore.

Story
You Don't Have To Go Home, But You Can't Stay Here seems to be an incredibly personal game for the author, so I'll refrain from overanalyzing it as I often do in my reviews.

There are two themes that stick out. I’d like to briefly discuss.

First: As you get older, you become more aware of the distance between yourself and younger generations. Snuggles views the younger patrons with the nostalgic sentiment of, "I was once like that," and reflects, with some sadness, on how this kind of place was not available to Snuggles when they were younger. Now, they identify more with the older patrons and even joke about this with some friends.

Second: Venues that offer a respite from mainstream bias and hostility are limited and at risk of being closed due to costs- as is the case with Snuggles’ bar- and other factors.

There aren't a lot of spaces for people like us as it is.

The closing of the bar goes beyond feeling sad about losing a place to hang out. It's a gathering space for community. Its closure brings the worry of what else will be closed or taken away. Then what?

There’s a lot to think about.

Final thoughts
You Don't Have To Go Home, But You Can't Stay Here is a bittersweet game about saying goodbye:

Not to a single person, but to a place and the people who brought it to life.

The bar clearly means a lot to the characters. Our conversations with them give us a glimpse as to how the bar became so loved, and these interactions, though brief, convey insights relevant to our world now.

Ultimately, it is an introspective game. Everything is infused with Snuggles’ own memories and life experiences. It has an unrushed ambience, and I think many people will enjoy it.