Before the beginning of the game, Christopher was found in his living room with copper wire around his hands.

These injuries and their rationale are referenced repeatedly in the narration and by objects the player finds in his illusory landscape.

Like Thechineseroom's previous mod, Dear Esther, the player explores the environment while listening to narration.

However, this time the player can move far more freely and is sometimes armed with a crowbar, which he uses to smash through obstacles or ward off monsters composed of black smoke.

The player can also pick up health packs to repair damage, the existence and extent of which is indicated by cracks spreading inward from the edges of his screen.