If you followed the rules you got a good ending, where your childhood isn't spoilt by the knowledge of what's beyond the forest. If you went straight to the forest, then you were ripped out of your innocence and you got a depressing ending. Perhaps the author is trying to say that we are naive, like kids, to something (perhaps the war). It is only after we break free from the control of the authority that we learn of a bigger, yet sadder truth. I think, also, that the card game is a way in which we subtly are told the truth and prepared for it, in case we ever see it. In some way it relates to modern FPS games that kids play, which in turn prepare these kids for the harsh realities of war as a soldier (again, the story relates to war).
 "Monster Arena"){kind=icon}
 "Extinct! Are you smarter than a plant?"){kind=icon}
 "The Day"){kind=icon}
 "I Am An Insane Rogue AI"){kind=icon}
 "Arkandian Crusade"){kind=icon}
 "Book of Mages: The Dark Times"){kind=icon}
 "CellCraft"){kind=icon}
 "Coma"){kind=icon}
 "Max Damage 2"){kind=icon}
 "Dino Run"){kind=icon}
 "Project: Princess"){kind=icon}
 "Robot Wants Kitty"){kind=icon}
 "Help! It's the Unfinished Shadow Game"){kind=icon}
 "Continuity"){kind=icon}
 "Medical School"){kind=icon}
 "Dead Frontier: Outbreak 2"){kind=icon}
 "DuckLife"){kind=icon}
 "Anti-Idle: The Game"){kind=icon}
 "Alice is Dead - Ep 2"){kind=icon}