Delusions to Dreams: Unraveling the Mysteries of Milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk

Yes, that is the real title to this game. It’s a sequel to the first game, “Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk.” Check out our coverage of that game here.

Here is the sequels’ steam page.

Introduction

“Milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk” is the intriguing sequel to the game “Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk.” In this follow-up, players once again step into the shoes of the protagonist, now affectionately known by the community as Milk-chan. The sequel delves deeper into Milk-chan’s psyche, blurring the lines between her illusionary world and reality.

milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk thumbnail — Thumbnail, via the steam page

Graphical Changes

The sequel has undergone a noticeable graphical transformation. While the first game was celebrated for its unique art style, the sequel has adopted a more conventional, albeit higher quality, aesthetic. This change is most evident in the game’s animated sequences, including a fully animated introductory cinematic.

milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk cutscene intro — Animated Intro

Gameplay Overview

“Milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk” picks up immediately after the events of its predecessor, with Milk-chan returning home. Players reassume their prior role, but the dynamics have shifted. This time, the gameplay immerses players deeply into Milk-chan’s illusionary world. The challenge lies in navigating the delicate balance between indulging her delusions and attempting to anchor her back to reality.

milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk strangulation scene — “Death 1”, or the Strangulation Cutscene

The game is generally broken down as follows:

An introductory sequence where Milk-chan encounters a monstrous entity. This creature injects a “venom” into her, warning her against consuming milk ever again.

Following this intense cutscene, the gameplay becomes more like a visual-novel, where there’s largely no dialogue that changes the outcomes until Milk-chan goes to lie down.

milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk general gameplay — Gameplay

A pivotal moment arises when she seeks the player’s assistance in “finding her thoughts,” symbolized as fireflies. This segment is crucial as the dialogue choices made here determine the game’s progression and eventual outcome.

Theories

Milk Allergy Theory: The monstrous entity’s venom injection scene might symbolize Milk-chan’s allergic reaction to milk. The act of injecting could be a representation of her mother administering an epi-pen or a similar emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions. This theory gains traction when noting the striking resemblance between the monster’s face and that of Milk-chan’s mother from the first game. This could imply that in Milk-chan’s distorted perception, her mother’s act of care (administering the epi-pen) is seen as an attack by a monstrous figure, highlighting the internal conflict and confusion she feels.

milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk milk monster allergy — The Monster

Treska’s Ending and the Delphic Maxims: Some players believe that Treska, from the default ending, represents Milk-chan during the events of the first game. This theory is further supported by the Delphic maxim “Ἄρχε σεαυτοῦ,” which translates to “Be in control of yourself” or “Be Yourself.” This could indicate that Treska is a representation of a younger, happier Milk-chan.

milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk cutscene treshka — Treshka, via the default ending

Still Alive Theory: Another prevalent theory suggests that the protagonist might actually be a long-haired boy. This theory delves into the idea that the traumatic events in the game are memories of the day before his father’s suicide, which deeply affected him. The protagonist’s obsession with buying milk might be a way to cling to the past when his father was still alive.

Rebuttal to the Still Alive Theory: Some players believe that Treska represents Milk-chan’s mental disorders and societal perceptions of them. This is largely accepted by the community. Evidence comes from the official steam page, which labels Milk-chan as female.

milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk steam page

Dreams as Reflections: The dreams in the game (mostly, the endings) are believed to be a reflection of Milk-chan’s thoughts and feelings. They might represent her traumatic past and the pain associated with it, distorted by her own mind.

How to Get Each Ending

E1: Shop Ending / “Magaz Ending”

Trigger the Strangulation Cutscene by answering “(That’s the thing. I have no idea. This is… weird.)” to Milk-chan.
Alternatively, don’t meet any of the other 4 endings conditions (this is the default ending).

milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk ending 1 — Default Ending

Explanation for Ending 1: This is the default ending of the game. It mirrors the plot of the original “Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk.” In this dream, Milk-chan imagines she is assisting a young boy named Treska in purchasing a bag of milk from a store just before its closing time.

E2: Phone Ending / “Telef Ending”

Do not trigger the Strangulation Cutscene.
Collect Milk-chan’s phone.

milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of phone ending — Phone Ending

E3: Mirror Ending / “Zerk Ending”

Do not collect Milk-chan’s phone.
Do not trigger the strangulation cutscene
Collect all the 5 fireflies (mound of pills, dosage papers, laptop, sketchbook, and backpack).

milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of mirror ending — Mirror Ending

Explanation for Ending 3 (Zerk Ending): In this ending, Milk-chan dreams that she is confronting her reflection as she prepares for school in the morning. This dream symbolizes her repetitive thoughts, as she finds herself caught in a loop of the same conversation, with her reflection altering with each iteration.

E4: Room and Field Ending / “Kompol Ending”

Do not trigger the Stangulation Cutscene.
Do not collect Milk-chan’s phone.
Do not collect all the 5 fireflies.
Trigger the Laptop Full Dialogue by answering “(You’ll end up returning to that subject anyway)” to Milk-chan.
Go to the balcony.

milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk green field ending — Field Ending

Explanation for E4: In this ending, Milk-chan dreams that she has awakened in a pitch-black room with nothing but a door. As she attempts to flee the room, the walls and door rapidly recede from her, leaving her stranded in a vast void.

E5: Stairs Ending / “Lest Ending”

Do not trigger the Stangulation Cutscene.
Do not collect Milk-chan’s phone.
Do not collect all the 5 fireflies.
Do not go to the balcony.

milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk staircase ending — Stairs Ending

Explanation for E5: In this dream, Milk-chan finds herself on a slender staircase spiraling around a massive concrete pillar. An overwhelming cosmic force emerges, bestowing upon her enigmatic revelations.

Conclusion

“Milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk” offers players a deep dive into the complex psyche of Milk-chan. With its intriguing story, multiple endings, and thought-provoking theories, the game promises an immersive experience that will leave players pondering long after the credits roll.

…However, one must wonder if perhaps a few of the endings are too niche for players to have the motivation to dive back into the game in search of alternatives.

In my opinion, the first game is still superior to the sequel. The sequel feels like it’s trying too hard to be cryptic.

Sources: Latest Anime News, Steam Community Guide 1, Steam Community Guide 2, Self Playthrough

Check out our other coverage here on LAN:
The Community Speaks: Issues with “Deceit 2”
At Home Alone I & II Review – The Weirdest Game With A Hidden Story
Needy Streamer Overload Review: A Misguided Dive into Streaming and Mental Health
Free Steam Game Purrgatory: How To (Probably) Get Out Of Cat-themed Purgatory

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