Gish

 PC
User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 65 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 65
  3. Negative: 13 out of 65

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  1. LevelsAndGear
    Sep 4, 2011
    4
    I liked the idea and the concept, and this seemed to get a lot of positive reaction from critics and players alike, but I found the control scheme in Gish to be... frustrating and unforgiving. Having to time the jumps, jiggle the sticky mode, etc, seemed unnecessary. I wanted to enjoy it, but after the first few levels when most of my emotion was around the frustration around the timing ofI liked the idea and the concept, and this seemed to get a lot of positive reaction from critics and players alike, but I found the control scheme in Gish to be... frustrating and unforgiving. Having to time the jumps, jiggle the sticky mode, etc, seemed unnecessary. I wanted to enjoy it, but after the first few levels when most of my emotion was around the frustration around the timing of the button pushes, it just wasn't fun for me.… Expand
  2. tech-noir
    Jan 20, 2012
    3
    The idea of mechanics in Gish are innovative and creative, but the controls and implementation are absolutely horrible. The music gets repetitive, as it remains the same for several levels without changing. Then, there is the awful pseudo metal music with wailing that is completely unbearable. The game does not fit the entire screen even if you selected full screen in the settings. ThereThe idea of mechanics in Gish are innovative and creative, but the controls and implementation are absolutely horrible. The music gets repetitive, as it remains the same for several levels without changing. Then, there is the awful pseudo metal music with wailing that is completely unbearable. The game does not fit the entire screen even if you selected full screen in the settings. There are additional bonus levels as well as fan made levels that can be downloaded, but there aren't any reasons to bother. Plus, there are the local Versus multiplayer and Collection modes, with multiplayer possibly being where Gish may shine, as two people suffering through the horrible controls, physics, concept, and design might actually be funny. Each level is short but of adequate length because of the horrible controls, mechanics, and the time it actually takes to complete many of them. The story is nearly nonexistent, and the few parts where you are given a bit of background information on the character, it cuts off prematurely, without giving you a real chance of reading it. The level design is not well done, nor is it clever. They rely on the repetition of them for longevity and game play. The more difficult levels will force you to repeat them an extreme amount of times until you are able to get the horrible controls tamed. Once you are able to pass these levels, there is no feeling of accomplishment, and you are not rewarded for any of your success. The artwork is plain and unmemorable, going along with the game's general lack of charm. There is simply nothing interesting to look at while playing. Gish is not a platformer. It is an exercise in frustration and patience. The controls, mechanics, and physics are the worst I've ever experienced in a game. Accomplishing a simple, single jump, is something synonymous with a miracle, or some kind of supernatural phenomenon, if you believe in these sorts of things. The platforming (if you can call it that) is so disastrous, it is comparable to bouncing jello/jelly off of pieces of Legos, and hoping for the best. The controls are outrageous. I have never attempted a game with controls this unreasonable. It's like playing with a severe physical handicap. Gish is nearly unplayable. In the later levels, the only reason why they are able to be completed is almost by pure luck. The skills garnered by playing this game are so unprecise, that they can not be considered actual skills at all. It is a matter of chance that the physics of this train wreck behaved a certain way in order for you to proceed through the levels. I am a veteran of old school platformers, and never have I been so frustrated at the shortcomings of games of the genre before Gish came along. It is an example of game development malpractice and poor implementation of all aspects involved. Gish is quite possibly the worst game I have ever played. There is no excuse for a game of such rotten design to come out in 2004, let alone charge people to play it. Gish is a perfect example of how not to make a game. It took me about 7 hours to complete.… Expand
  3. James9075
    Nov 26, 2011
    4
    in gish you are a ball of tar trying to save an emo chick. i think. the story is someone kidnaps gish girl and you are the only one that can save her. so naturally your supposed to do 2d platforming puzzles,when the controls work. one of the major complaints i had with this game is they took technical issues and tried to pass them off as part of the game. like how you cant move from wallin gish you are a ball of tar trying to save an emo chick. i think. the story is someone kidnaps gish girl and you are the only one that can save her. so naturally your supposed to do 2d platforming puzzles,when the controls work. one of the major complaints i had with this game is they took technical issues and tried to pass them off as part of the game. like how you cant move from wall to wall without letting go of A for just the right amount of time. i'm not much a fan of the art style either. overall it isn't THAT bad but i'd wait for it to go on sale before i bought it.… Expand
  4. rasLivity
    Jun 25, 2013
    2
    11/11 achievements broken, f*cking nerve-wrecking gameplay, that all from me. but i have to write something more, so ......................go da hell gish
  5. Tromble
    Jun 29, 2021
    4
    Gish has a lot of heart and charm but has aged excruciatingly poorly.

    I would not recommend Gish.

Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Best PC Game of 2004
44
#44 Most Discussed PC Game of 2004
57
#57 Most Shared PC Game of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Play.tm
    74
    My only real reservation with Gish is the simplicity of the gameplay and the fact that, despite the unique physical properties of the character it is still a 2D platform/puzzle game...But if you do like this style of game then Gish really is a superb piece of work, and the talented folk over at Chronologic will entertain you for a very reasonable sum of money.
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  2. Computer Games Online RO
    80
    One of the most original games released this year, not to say ever, and it’s perfect for those breaks between two "UT2004" deatmatches.
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  3. Adrenaline Vault
    60
    The graphics could use as much TLC as the physics received, the sound and music could be fleshed out, and the controls could use some tightening to work more organically.
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