So I've started playing Heavy Rain again (I know, I know...streaming it for friends though), and I'm having a really hard time dealing with how they handle the love interest, Madison. Every scene with her has the most uncomfortable male gaze, and that doesn't even go into the first time you play her where she has a nightmare that she's being attacked by masked men. The way they frame her attack is clearly exploitative (especially with her being brutalized while wearing nothing but underwear). But I almost get this feeling that if I bring up how uncomfortable I am with it at all anywhere, I'll end up being dogpiled by guys thinking I'm being too sensitive. I really, really, REALLY want to write a review of it when I'm done and point out these issues I'm having, but then I'm scared I'm going to invite a posse of guys telling me I'm wrong for how I feel. Ugh...
I'm kinda getting the same vibe from Silent Hill 4 (which I'm also playing again now) where you're forced to peep in on Eileen from your apartment. It's needlessly voyeuristic, but maybe the devs were hoping people would be uncomfortable with it. Though, you know that's not how things are going to pan out with most players. ::sigh::
That doesn't stop me from feeling like I shouldn't be this upset over fictional women, but here I am, wringing my hands over it.