The video game Consume Me, developed by Jenny Jiao Hsia and AP Thomson, explores the complexities of diet culture through autobiographical storytelling and gameplay. The game incorporates food items, such as tomatoes and pasta, represented as Tetris blocks associated with “bites,” symbolizing calories. The protagonist, Jenny, engages in meticulous rituals involving these blocks, aiming to manage her food intake while under a self-imposed limit. This portrayal highlights the intersection of gaming mechanics and themes of disordered eating.
In traditional gaming contexts, food often symbolizes strength and health, enhancing a player’s abilities. However, Consume Me subverts this notion, presenting food instead as an object of control and anxiety. The character’s teenage years are marked by dieting, framed as a mini-game, reflecting the broader narrative of her life. Choices related to food influence various aspects of her daily existence, including relationships and academic performance.
As the narrative progresses, Jenny’s goals evolve, shaped by interactions with a distorted reflection of herself. Despite these shifts, the focus on dieting persists, illustrating the complex motivations behind disordered eating, which can extend beyond mere food and body image control.
The game concludes with a ten-year leap, bypassing the resolution of Jenny’s struggles. This choice underscores the ongoing challenges associated with disordered eating, leaving players questioning the outcomes of her journey. While the lack of a definitive resolution may raise concerns, it enhances the game’s authenticity by embracing the complexities of its subject matter.
Consume Me is currently available on Steam and invites players to engage with its themes in a uniquely interactive manner, prompting reflections on the interplay between food, control, and personal identity.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/games/791220/consume-me-review-steam