Gone Home

The story is interesting, but all too predictable. I loved the eerie atmosphere created, but personally for me there was not much to do apart from going A to B, listening and reading stuff, figuring out hidden spaces et al.

I'd compare it to something like Limbo, which is a very different game, yet gives one the wholesome experience despite not giving out any detail in spoken narrative. Here on the other hand we get a wholesome narrative, but not much going it's way otherwise.

And intriguing concept that is more or less poorly executed on. For a game that has received overwhelming praise from critics, some calling it an "achievement in gaming", it lacks a satisfying climax and ending (Which I won't spoil here) to tie together all the suspense that it spends 2 and a half hours setting up.

What makes this game interesting is the way it plays on your expectations and horror genre clichés, which always makes sure you are engaged as a player and are paying attention to the story, but overall the entire gameplay aspect of the game becomes irrelevant which is never a good sign for a "game".

Now I'm not one of those people that say "How is this even a game", because as a general rule i like narrative based games, and for the most part enjoyed this narrative and therefore the game.

But the ending was quite possibly the worst ending for any form of fiction I have ever seen. I'm not going to spoil it, because the only reason (literally) to play through this game is the intrigue of the narrative that's it.

The reason why the ending (or later part of the game) sucks is because: -It happens too soon (The game is too short) -Unbelievably underwhelming -Makes you feel cheated for all the suspense lost -Cuts out entire aspects of the game

If I would sum up this game in 2 words it would be "Wasted opportunity"

4/10.

Gone Home is one of those indie gems that left me with a lot to think about long after I stopped playing. This first-person exploration game drops you into an eerily empty house in 1995 as Katie, who just returns from overseas. Right off the bat, the atmosphere hooks you-dim lighting, creaking floorboards, and the ever-present feeling that you're not quite alone in this spacious, yet intimate home. What really stands out in Gone Home is its environmental storytelling. Instead of flashy graphics or complex mechanics, it relies on the location to unfold the narrative. As you rummage through drawers, read notes, and piece together the lives of Katie's family, you start to feel a genuine connection with their struggles and triumphs. The characters, especially Katie's younger sister, Sam, feel real and relatable, making the emotional weight hit harder as the story develops.

The gameplay is pretty straightforward-there are no puzzles or overwhelming challenges, just a lot of exploration. This simplicity allows you to soak in the little details and understand the family dynamics. I found myself lingering over photos and letters, really getting immersed in the story being told. Gone Home is a well crafted experience that champions narrative over action. It's a poignant reminder of how strong storytelling can be in video games.

It's basically just a walking-sim where you go around the house and read notes. And I loved it. This was one of the first games I ever played and what really sparked my love for games in general.

I think the game perfectly nailed the eerie and lonely atmosphere around the house. It's not a horror game and doesn't hint at it, but it sure as hell made me very uncomfortable and frightened at several points in the game.

It was also incredibly intriguing and interesting to slowly unravel the lives and stories of the characters by just simply reading notes and observing the rooms around the house. The house is also very well designed and was very fun to explore, but I guess that's a must when the whole game is centered around this one area.

If you like slow/easy progression and figuring out "stories" by yourself through exploring an immersive environment, I'd definitely recommend this game.

The story takes place in June of 1995 where Katie has just returned home from her trip overseas to find that no one is home to greet her. She must search the new house for clues of where her family has gone.

Gone Home tells a great tale through the use of clues that you find laying around the house. The controls are simple as you can pick up objects and turn them to reveal the message. Some objects are Sam's and she tells you a little bit of her story after you put the object down.

This kind of click, hold, listen is not for everyone; I myself enjoy it but even I have my limits. They could have incorporated some other kind of objective to keep it feeling fresh. After trying to find all the notes, objects and what not, I began to lose interest and just headed to the end of the story.

I still enjoyed it for the most part but if you try and finish it all at once it becomes a chore.