It’s apparent that Fathom attempts to subvert a good deal of our assumptions and preconceptions about games in general, and specifically, 2d platformers like Cave Story. It asks questions. Questions like, “Hang on, who am I? Why am I shooting these harmless sprinkler things to get pointless blue machine parts? Why do I assume that this boss fight is winnable? Because I’m a protagonist? Do I now rely on the feeble tropes I’ve often smirked at, such as the vilification of flower pot sentry bots?”