YMMV / Crimson Gray

• Alternate Character Interpretation:
  • For Lizzie; what was the biggest factor in her emotional issues? Her abusive upbringing, her genetics, or the drug she was exposed to in the womb?
  • In the second game, when we can see things from Lizzie's perspective, it's shown that she analyzes everyone she meets in terms of what kind of threat they present. Not just to her relationship, but their combat capabilities. Combine this with her physical abilities, lack of empathy, and general disinterest in recreational activities that don't involve John, and you have to wonder if she was really an accident, or a deliberate attempt to create a Super-Soldier.
  • Given the reveals in the true route and the family photo John sees of Lizzie and her mother (in which Abby Doss seems very happy and proud of her daughter, while Lizzie has only contempt) was Lizzie's mother really an awful person at heart? Or was it really a result of her addiction to the drugs from KioTech?
  • With John, the game averts this by clarifying that his depression is not a result of the conspiracy, but something he just has to live with. But in regards to his relationship with Lizzie, especially in the true route, how much of his feelings for her are genuine? How much is just him sympathizing with her because they both struggle with mental illness? Or even more cynically, is it all Stockholm Syndrome, given that he'd been locked in her basement for over a week when they started actually dating? Or could it even all be a result of John regularly taking Paxetine, a drug that makes someone obedient?
• Funny Moments: A darkly humorous moment. In one route where John and Lizzie begin a genuine relationship after she reveals her true self to him, John checks his locker and sees a new note from her surrounded by little hearts: "I don't feel like murdering anyone today!"
• Heartwarming Moments: It's somewhat twisted by the circumstances (and not a little of Lizzie's behavior), but when John refuses to let Lizzie hurt herself even after all she's done to him, she's baffled and incredulous to the point of having a fit of screaming laughter, all the while holding up her hand in a gesture demanding "WHY?!" Once the mania is out of her system, a Single Tear runs from her eyes, closed in grateful relief, as the gesturing hand takes hold of John's instead. Despite everything, he loves her, and she's thankful for it.
• Tear Jerker:
  • The game's depiction of John's depression in general. Having a persistent feeling of worthlessness, being unable to concentrate on people or conversations, barely having the energy for anything other than getting through the day, and sometimes just waiting to die. He's critical of everything he does and analyzes selfishness into even things like trying to get Lizzie some therapy and medication; him dumping on himself constantly also isn't helped by the fact that his friends dump on him too. Many players with depression may be able to relate to his experiences.
  • In the route where John is held in Lizzie's basement over vacation, when he comes back it's noted that nobody, not his friends nor his father, even tried to check on him or noticed he was gone.