Gone Home

 PC
User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 2245 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 939 out of 2245
  2. Mixed: 433 out of 2245
  3. Negative: 873 out of 2245

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  1. Ghoster
    Jan 1, 2014
    0
    Well, what to say? This is probably 1st game I'll give score 0. It's first extremely bad graphics, but that's not crucial because lately we have few indie efforts with bad graphics but extremely fun games!!!
    In other side, Gone Home have nothing. It's just walking through house and read some letters. It would probably be more fun as textual adventure from 80's.
  2. JoshHagins
    Jan 1, 2014
    10
    This is such a beautiful game; it literally took my breath away. It's heartbreaking, terrifying, and hopeful all at once, and it will surprise you at every turn. Don't buy into the BS negative reviews. From what I've seen, all those people were expecting Gone Home to be something it's not. It is exactly what it professes to be: a story exploration title. Not an adventure, not a survivalThis is such a beautiful game; it literally took my breath away. It's heartbreaking, terrifying, and hopeful all at once, and it will surprise you at every turn. Don't buy into the BS negative reviews. From what I've seen, all those people were expecting Gone Home to be something it's not. It is exactly what it professes to be: a story exploration title. Not an adventure, not a survival horror, but an interactive storytelling experience. If that's not what you're looking for, then spend your money elsewhere.

    However, if you want to be thrilled, touched, and even a little terrified without firing a gun or running from zombies, PLEASE play this game. I can't even remember how many times I teared up, even cried a bit. Even if you can't directly relate to the characters in this story, you can surely empathize with them. And I'll bet that by the end, you'll care more about them than you might want to admit. I sure do.    … Expand
  3. mrklowny
    Dec 31, 2013
    3
    This is the result of the Femnazi Movement and will go down in history as such. It serves only as an indie glorified walking simulator. The developers could have made something worthwhile, like a new "myst-esque" type game. But decided to go down the political hipster route. The game has been bolstered unjustly in the media and has been shunned by actual gamers. This is a shining exampleThis is the result of the Femnazi Movement and will go down in history as such. It serves only as an indie glorified walking simulator. The developers could have made something worthwhile, like a new "myst-esque" type game. But decided to go down the political hipster route. The game has been bolstered unjustly in the media and has been shunned by actual gamers. This is a shining example of what is wrong with gaming.… Expand
  4. MindSpaz
    Dec 31, 2013
    5
    I'm not sure how to rate this game because I think the way it tells a story is really good, however, I don't think it's 20$ good. There's about 3 hours of gameplay, maybe less, and literally 0 replay value to the game. It's very hard to miss notes because you pretty much have to get them all to complete the game. The story is good, but once again, the game is so short its frustrating. IfI'm not sure how to rate this game because I think the way it tells a story is really good, however, I don't think it's 20$ good. There's about 3 hours of gameplay, maybe less, and literally 0 replay value to the game. It's very hard to miss notes because you pretty much have to get them all to complete the game. The story is good, but once again, the game is so short its frustrating. If the game had some sort of expansion pack or something like that, then I think the game MIGHT get it's value out of it. If this was a 1 dollar game or even a free game, then the score would be a different story. But the fact that the game is so short, and so pricey, I cannot give this game a good score.… Expand
  5. Lerxst
    Dec 30, 2013
    5
    The gameplay consists of nothing more than picking up and reading items while a narrative tells a story a trite, clichéd story that's ending leaves the player flat with the all too familiar, "That's it?" reaction. It's worth a once-through if you get it for under $5 on a Steam sale, but nothing more. The "professional" critics are doing gamers a disservice on this one with their 9s andThe gameplay consists of nothing more than picking up and reading items while a narrative tells a story a trite, clichéd story that's ending leaves the player flat with the all too familiar, "That's it?" reaction. It's worth a once-through if you get it for under $5 on a Steam sale, but nothing more. The "professional" critics are doing gamers a disservice on this one with their 9s and 10s and GOTY recommendations.… Expand
  6. jhernandez89
    Dec 29, 2013
    9
    While not for everybody, Gone Home is a perfect example of how exploratory storytelling can work so well. No you're not shooting things, nothing is blowing up, there's also no other characters to interact with, but Gone Home does a great job of telling you the story, regardless.
  7. Sterlin
    Dec 29, 2013
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game was horribly misrepresented by what I saw on steam. I expected a neat mystery with revelations and real discovery.. yet what i am met with is some stupid (albeit well told) little story about a lesbian girl and her aspirations or whatever. The exploration was somewhat cool and interesting until i found out what it was about. Then i just felt disgusted and betrayed.… Expand
  8. ChanTheMan36
    Dec 29, 2013
    3
    Do not play this game expecting a gripping story or a complex plot. The gameplay is the only thing that this game had going for it, and the gameplay consisted of walking, reading, and moving small objects. The best parts was the ability to pick up most objects, and the navigation of the map. On the other hand, the downsides dominated this small list of good things. The plot was ok, but notDo not play this game expecting a gripping story or a complex plot. The gameplay is the only thing that this game had going for it, and the gameplay consisted of walking, reading, and moving small objects. The best parts was the ability to pick up most objects, and the navigation of the map. On the other hand, the downsides dominated this small list of good things. The plot was ok, but not exciting, really. There was nothing surprising and it was stereotypical of the time and setting. Some of the mysteries are unsolved, and there is not a satisfying closure. The game is extremely short, which actually does it justice because if you paused playing, you might think there is something exciting to be seen next time you play. That is not the case. I finished this game in just under 2 hours. I do not recommend it and I am glad it was no more than 10 dollars.… Expand
  9. chujfugh
    Dec 29, 2013
    8
    Is there one true definition of a video game? For me, it's an entertainment piece whose medium of experiencing it is through player interaction, as opposed to experiencing a piece by listening, or reading, or viewing. Can we not go any further than that? Can we not exclude and isolate perfectly serviceable games simply because they don't fit a bracket? That way, we miss out on a lot ofIs there one true definition of a video game? For me, it's an entertainment piece whose medium of experiencing it is through player interaction, as opposed to experiencing a piece by listening, or reading, or viewing. Can we not go any further than that? Can we not exclude and isolate perfectly serviceable games simply because they don't fit a bracket? That way, we miss out on a lot of great games that otherwise wouldn't exist.

    In that regard, Gone Home is actually more of a game than GTA5 or The Last of Us or COD: Ghosts. It doesn't have cinematic cutscenes which feel more like a movie than a game, it doesn't have high-end motion capture with professional actors. It doesn't have elaborate set pieces with Frostbite 3 engine. It tells its story through playing; through the basic tenant of video games: interactivity. You experience the story, not by cutscenes, but by playing it. Just because it doesn't have combat or violence doesn't mean it's not a game. In fact, it's even more of a game than most triple-A games we play today; it utilises the potential of the medium. It shows what we can do with minimalistic gameplay meaning a lot. It's up to the player to decide how deep they want to dive in to Gone Home.

    With all that said, it's capable of delivering a story so powerful and unique that you can't help but be impressed with its sheer bravery. It shows what we can do with gaming, and it shows the power of gaming over other media, like film or literature. Therefore, Gone Home is as true a game as you can hope for.    … Expand
  10. kurcinamasna
    Dec 29, 2013
    1
    If you are unbearably board,and like mild a ass storyline this is a game for you.Who made this crap should unninstal all programs related to programing and buy a
  11. SweetRollsAhoy
    Dec 29, 2013
    5
    Here's the thing, when I first watched a friend of mine play through Gone Home from start to finish, it hit me it a very tender spot. I adored it. I cried. But after purchasing it myself and playing through it again, I realized how shallow it is.

    While it is debatable whether Gone Home is truly a "game", it is well know it is fully story based. I enjoy story games. I love more "artsy"    Here's the thing, when I first watched a friend of mine play through Gone Home from start to finish, it hit me it a very tender spot. I adored it. I cried. But after purchasing it myself and playing through it again, I realized how shallow it is.

    While it is debatable whether Gone Home is truly a "game", it is well know it is fully story based. I enjoy story games. I love more "artsy" games. However, I feel this one just is not as good as most make it out to be. Yes, it is very good with hitting one with nostalgia. Yes, it good with hitting you in the feels. Honestly though, that's it. And after the second time though it, I just couldn't connect as easily as I could before. I knew the entire story, I knew how it was executed, so there wasn't much left for me to do. There is little to no replay value. And for $20 as an original asking price for a 2 hour experience, it just truly isn't that worth it. I waited until it was on sale which I am grateful for.

    Don't get me wrong. The story is really good for it only being told through notes and journal's left for you to find, but I just wish there was more to justify it.

    I'm in a love/hate relationship with Gone Home. But in the end I just can't recommend it.    … Expand
  12. Drainojunkie
    Dec 28, 2013
    10
    Ignore the intellectual dwarfs giving Gone Home negative reviews because their reaction time wasn't tested and Kate didn't have any skill trees. These degenerates would have the world violently masturbating to military shooters while games showing any interest in developing an emotional narrative are brushed aside and deemed unworthy of even being called a game. The price to play timeIgnore the intellectual dwarfs giving Gone Home negative reviews because their reaction time wasn't tested and Kate didn't have any skill trees. These degenerates would have the world violently masturbating to military shooters while games showing any interest in developing an emotional narrative are brushed aside and deemed unworthy of even being called a game. The price to play time ratio is quite high, but when the quality of the time in game is factored in, I would rate this near (if not at the top) of this years' games. A beautifully somber piece of art that deserves a second chance by those who wrote it off.
    The way the story is doled out through Kate's exploration of the house cannot be achieved in any other medium to the same effect, something ignored by the lobotomized swine who claim that this piece should have been a film or a short novella.    … Expand
  13. alexania
    Dec 28, 2013
    0
    Luckily I got this "game" on a Steam special. I normally believe the story to be the most important part of a game, but there's no game here. Added to that the story is lame and I've read Sweet Valley High books with better plots. The writers were smart though cause this ~10 page story (didn't really keep track) woulf never have got anywhere as any other medium.

    If I could score it less    Luckily I got this "game" on a Steam special. I normally believe the story to be the most important part of a game, but there's no game here. Added to that the story is lame and I've read Sweet Valley High books with better plots. The writers were smart though cause this ~10 page story (didn't really keep track) woulf never have got anywhere as any other medium.

    If I could score it less than 0, I would.    … Expand
  14. kheas
    Dec 28, 2013
    10
    Some games are about winning, most about killing. Ever so often one arrives that is about being a human and that is what Gone Home is at its core. I went in not knowing what to expect. I didn’t read the description; I just thought the game looked intriguing enough to give it a try. I am so very glad I did. In just over an hour I experienced the equivalent of a good book or a touching movieSome games are about winning, most about killing. Ever so often one arrives that is about being a human and that is what Gone Home is at its core. I went in not knowing what to expect. I didn’t read the description; I just thought the game looked intriguing enough to give it a try. I am so very glad I did. In just over an hour I experienced the equivalent of a good book or a touching movie but in a fully interactive and nostalgic trip back to the 90's. This is a story about love, relationships and growing up. If you want an experience like no other game out there, Gone Home is worthwhile.

    A "Thank You" to the team that put this together, I appreciate what you did and look forward to your next effort. I wholeheartedly recommend this game.    … Expand
  15. Trashware
    Dec 28, 2013
    6
    Gone Home falls too short in terms of length and depth. The main story is allright but far from original. The sidestories will give you a nice view on who you are and who you live with, but it's all very simplistic and without many storylayers to peel. I guess I expected more depth in this game, there could be so much more going on. Questions remain unanswered, persons remain outlined butGone Home falls too short in terms of length and depth. The main story is allright but far from original. The sidestories will give you a nice view on who you are and who you live with, but it's all very simplistic and without many storylayers to peel. I guess I expected more depth in this game, there could be so much more going on. Questions remain unanswered, persons remain outlined but not much filled in (especially you yourself, as Katie).
    The exploring way of finding missing pieces of information has been done well and the voice acting is great. The house is big, there's a lot to see if you can stand the unnecessary messy state it's in. I liked rummaging through all that nostalgic 80's90's accessories and listening to the appropriately cringeworthy chickrock cassettes. And the main music is very nice as well come to think of it. There are many details in terms of design and stuff to be find, even though most of it is not of much practical use.

    All the pros and cons outweighing I would not recommend this game, unless you can get it very cheap. You might get disappointed if you're expecting as much as there has been said about it.    … Expand
  16. thebox997
    Dec 28, 2013
    9
    It pushes the boundaries of how stories can be told within video games and is totally immersive. Play it in the dark with headphones. You really do become the player character and become wholly emotionally invested in the stories being told within the house, both the main story and the stories you have to piece together yourself from clues around the house.
  17. CLUTCH
    Dec 28, 2013
    10
    This is less of a game than it is an interactive story, but it is a very compelling and intriguing one and very well constructed.
    I'm not sure where all of the hate is coming from. Perhaps from gamers that have been conditioned to have a very narrow view of what games are, or can be. Perhaps from religious fundamentalists that can't deal with the context of the story, or perhaps just    This is less of a game than it is an interactive story, but it is a very compelling and intriguing one and very well constructed.
    I'm not sure where all of the hate is coming from. Perhaps from gamers that have been conditioned to have a very narrow view of what games are, or can be. Perhaps from religious fundamentalists that can't deal with the context of the story, or perhaps just people that are so unused to character empathy and well constructed story in a video game medium that they simply can't comprehend it.

    As someone that grew up and reached adulthood in the time period where the story is set (1995), I found all of the references very nostalgic. I went in not knowing what to expect, just that it was highly recommended, and I don't regret spending the money on it.

    If you are a more mature gamer in your late 20s or 30s, you will likely really enjoy this experience. If you have no attention span, imagination, or ability to empathise or be thoughtful and take things in, this will most likely not be the game for you.    … Expand
  18. Halberd96
    Dec 28, 2013
    0
    Absurdly overpriced (20$) for a game that only lasts 1-2 hours and has very simplistic gameplay. I kind of wish I had some sort of warning about this before I bought it. The story is engaging at first until you realize nothing really interesting is going on and they may as well have made the story into a short movie or at least cut the price down significantly, I mean for a game that hasAbsurdly overpriced (20$) for a game that only lasts 1-2 hours and has very simplistic gameplay. I kind of wish I had some sort of warning about this before I bought it. The story is engaging at first until you realize nothing really interesting is going on and they may as well have made the story into a short movie or at least cut the price down significantly, I mean for a game that has story as its main focus the whole thing felt very underwhelming and when I figured out what the game wanted me to figure out I thought there had to be more to the story but I was wrong. I think I'd have appreciated it a lot more if the price was significantly reduced and there were more gameplay mechanics besides walking around a house looking at things but unfortunately Gone Home just didn't do it for me.… Expand
  19. sagesource
    Dec 27, 2013
    10
    A lovely quiet story that stands your expectations on their heads.... come now, when you go to a home to find stuff scattered around and the place empty when it shouldn't be, you expect to find the former residents dead or worse, don't you? Especially when you find that the house has a past..... Not to spoil it, let's just say if you go in with those ideas in your mind, you'll beA lovely quiet story that stands your expectations on their heads.... come now, when you go to a home to find stuff scattered around and the place empty when it shouldn't be, you expect to find the former residents dead or worse, don't you? Especially when you find that the house has a past..... Not to spoil it, let's just say if you go in with those ideas in your mind, you'll be disappointed. If you simply start exploring and putting pieces together, you won't. And if you are one of those people who runs around in online games calling everyone else a f*g, then you'll REALLY hate it. It has a protagonist who seems carefully designed to elicit hatred from the more despicable of the gaming crowd, so I'm not entirely surprised to see the number of negative reviews from users. Disappointed, though. I like blowing brains out as much as the next guy or making a run through something like Borderlands 1 melting people's faces off, but that isn't ALL of gaming. Part of it is individual taste, of course but some of those who authored the more incoherent of the negative reviews would benefit from professional help.… Expand
  20. thingamajiggly
    Dec 27, 2013
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is one of the worst games I've every played. I even created a Metacritic account to write a review. This game presents itself as a suspense/mystery/thriller. Even the trailers indicated such. My boyfriend got me this game for Christmas, because I had been interested in trying it out.

    It starts out with a creepy feeling, what with the music and the storm. The house looks like it was ransacked. The lights flicker. The house creaks. No one is home, and you don't know where anyone is. You find out your father had a psychopath for an uncle, and it might possibly run in the family. Your mother is on the verge of having an affair. The house might even be haunted! All of these are the ingredients for a perfect casual mystery thriller. But no, this ends up being a young lesbian love story, and a pretty stupid one at that. The house isn't haunted, your father is completely sane, your parents are in couples therapy, and your teenage sister just ran off with her lover.

    It was a complete waste of two hours, in my opinion. I only gave it a "1" because I finished it. Silly me, I thought the story would develop further than it did.    … Expand
  21. heychrisfox
    Dec 27, 2013
    8
    A remarkable experience. This is one of the most intimate stories I've ever seen in any game. The atypical style of delivery, letting you wander freely through the house as you choose and uncover the story at your own pace offers a unique way to experience the story. Differentiating itself from similar games like Dear Esther which take you on a guided tour through a pretty landscape, GoneA remarkable experience. This is one of the most intimate stories I've ever seen in any game. The atypical style of delivery, letting you wander freely through the house as you choose and uncover the story at your own pace offers a unique way to experience the story. Differentiating itself from similar games like Dear Esther which take you on a guided tour through a pretty landscape, Gone Home is able to drop you into a strange environment and unravel the story out of it like a tangled ball of yarn.

    It's certainly not a game for everyone. It's very quiet, and the narrative is very discreet. But beyond the people enthusing about it being a 90s time-capsule, or whining that it's not "scary," you have a stark, gorgeous, and solemn game that offers a touching, conflicted coming-of-age story that is worth appreciating for its subtlety and honesty in a way that few other games are able to capture.    … Expand
  22. Greatballs
    Dec 27, 2013
    10
    This game deserves a much higher score! Its has a simple gameplay, but man the atmosphere and story is fantastic! Buy this game if you love at good story!
  23. killeryams
    Dec 27, 2013
    4
    This game makes for mixed feelings. From an artistic standpoint and the way the game goes about telling the story I may be hard pressed to not give it a 9 or 10. That being said from a video game standpoint, I settled on a 4. It's short, expensive, and at the end of the day is better suited as a youtube video than a game by itself. Interesting story, not what I expected but at the endThis game makes for mixed feelings. From an artistic standpoint and the way the game goes about telling the story I may be hard pressed to not give it a 9 or 10. That being said from a video game standpoint, I settled on a 4. It's short, expensive, and at the end of the day is better suited as a youtube video than a game by itself. Interesting story, not what I expected but at the end of the day, this is worth it for $5 or so. $20 and you'll be left feeling robbed.… Expand
  24. honestreviewsho
    Dec 27, 2013
    10
    Gone Home manages to pull off a perfect exploration game without the use of annoying puzzles that could have been (but thankfully weren't) thrown in for the pure purpose of extending gameplay.
  25. william-james88
    Dec 27, 2013
    8
    I don't often write reviews, but this game asks for one due to the huge discrepency in scores between users and reviewers and I do not see one review so far that gives this game justice while being on the side of the consumers. First, to give you an idea of the kind of gamer I am, I will always applaud ingenuity, immersion and accessibility. Hence why my favourite games are the Batman andI don't often write reviews, but this game asks for one due to the huge discrepency in scores between users and reviewers and I do not see one review so far that gives this game justice while being on the side of the consumers. First, to give you an idea of the kind of gamer I am, I will always applaud ingenuity, immersion and accessibility. Hence why my favourite games are the Batman and Bioshock games which blend a great story with dynamic gameplay while I feel games like The Last of Us and Witcher 2 have major gameplay issues that take away the enjoyment of the story creating dissonance. The Last of Us mixes in very frustrating combat and stealth sections with odd autosave points that hindered my experience and enjoyment of the story which is clear the dev team really cared for.

    So knowing my taste and point of view, I hope you understand how I found Gone Home to be a geat game. You see, like the Last of Us, the developers were definitely more story focused, but where the Last of Us will throw a frustrating fighting or stealth sequence, there is none of that in Gone Home. There is no fighting, or running, or any kind of action in Gone Home, where all that happens is you uncovering what just happened in a house by rummaging around. Some people don't call that a game but in a world where The Walking Dead, The Stanley Parable and Journey exist as games, I find it safe to say that it is still very much a game, fitting in a similar category as those other ones. Very light on gameplay, but story focused.

    Like all games, you are still the star of the show, you still control the character, and you still take part of a story. And this story is that of a woman returning to her family in a new house they settled into while you were away.

    Now, as I said before, I like ingenuity in storytelling and when developers try to have as little dissonance between gameplay and story. The story is about exploring your family's house searching for the whereabouts of your sister when no one is home. BUT the game has a linear story which ends and must last at least an hour. I love how the developers solved any dissonance.
    It's an old house, known for it's mysterious past, which your family recently moved into and which you have never seen before. This gives the reason for why both the character and the player would search all over the place and not know the layout right away. This also explains hidden compartments or pasageways you may find. Locked doors help the progression and the order the story is presented to you. And uncovering why you are all alone in this house is one of your main objectives.

    So as a point and click game about exploring a house, and using this mechanic to tell a good story, it's perfectly fine. It even manages to be poingnant and I admit I was very very worried of what I would find up in the attic (I had not felt this kind of worry in a game in a while). You can also add the great sound design and atmosphere showing just how scary it may be to be alone in a house you have never been to. It's also a game both men and women would enjoy just as much. However, it being such a short game with litle gameplay, a 20$ price is asking a lot. And this is where the discrepancy between critic and user scores comes from. Critics did not have to spend this money, so all they see is the positive stuff I wrote above, if they did, you can bet this would not get the same scores. The reason it costs so much is because by having this be a PC game and not a downloadable title on XBLA, the developers where looking at Steam for distribution and were looking at how much it would sell for on a steam sale which is when most units are sold. Thus, the actual sale price is between 4.99-9.99 which makes far more sense. This is simply a business decision and knowing this, I would encourage you to do as the developers foresaw and buy this game only when it falls between that price point. Or you can wait for it to go on the humble bundle in a year, its up to you. Whatever you choose though, I encourage you to play this game. Especially if you grew up in the 90s.    … Expand
  26. Sroty
    Dec 27, 2013
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Strange game. Word "game" is too enough for this. Interactive story or maybe interactive book, but not the game. Gone home has no interaction, no puzzles (except key hunting) but almost every time you're reading scraps of leters, opening drawers and turnings lights, investigating where your family is and what happend. That is the probably the most interesting thing in the game. The end came fast, all the time I expected some story twist but didnt come.… Expand
  27. omniscient
    Dec 27, 2013
    5
    There isn't much to a game with edgy storytelling if there isn't much of a story to tell. Gone Home excels in pushing the boundaries of storytelling but suffers as the story it's trying to tell is bland and banal.
  28. daemongar
    Dec 27, 2013
    0
    There is no game. Saying there was a game here is a joke. The only reason critics like it is because of the lesbian empowerment angle. Yes, the game review industry is that sad. It's not fun, nothing happens, it ends and then you get angry for having spent money on this. Hipsters may like it, critics have NO CHOICE but to like it, but game players shouldn't be tricked into spending moneyThere is no game. Saying there was a game here is a joke. The only reason critics like it is because of the lesbian empowerment angle. Yes, the game review industry is that sad. It's not fun, nothing happens, it ends and then you get angry for having spent money on this. Hipsters may like it, critics have NO CHOICE but to like it, but game players shouldn't be tricked into spending money on this.

    Dear Esther is a much better game if you like this sort of "game." At least it has atmosphere and beautiful graphics. This allows you to explore a house I last saw in U9.    … Expand
  29. Paradosi
    Dec 27, 2013
    0
    I wish I could give a lower review than a zero, this "game" would deserve it.

    In short, this is NOT a game. This is not worth 20 bucks, this is not even worth 2 bucks. It's an interactive walk and pick up simulator, on a backdrop of 3deep5me nonsense. Just another case of how big time reviewers don't give a about the quality of the game at all, just the bull**** they can get out of it.
  30. berpoloo
    Dec 26, 2013
    0
    This is a barely interactive story. People have been sold a bill of goods by reviewers who have missed the point of what they are supposed to do, review a game based on its quality, not on its message or for what it is. Basically people have seen this in film for a long time now where films are overly praised by critics and even given awards because a certain group feels "noble" pattingThis is a barely interactive story. People have been sold a bill of goods by reviewers who have missed the point of what they are supposed to do, review a game based on its quality, not on its message or for what it is. Basically people have seen this in film for a long time now where films are overly praised by critics and even given awards because a certain group feels "noble" patting themselves on the back for praising such material and then basically think that others who are less enlightened than they are should view said material. Basically the way many religions work. Its just very misguided because people want objective reviews, not ones based on political bias. I personally have no issues with the issues of sexuality, I'm probably pro everything they are, but I don't need to be patronized to and be told I have play something because they think its good for me, not because it has objective quality. Basically, don't lie to me just because you think its for a good cause. That kind of thing is never justified.… Expand
  31. andycted
    Dec 26, 2013
    0
    This is the most insulting way I've been conned into spending 6€ for anything. The 'official' reviews are obviously either biased or something worse, because there is no way one would appreciate this.
    I agree with some who said the reviews tell more about gaming journalism than they do the actual game. In fact, I think I won't buy a single 'real game' ever again.
    This is the most    This is the most insulting way I've been conned into spending 6€ for anything. The 'official' reviews are obviously either biased or something worse, because there is no way one would appreciate this.
    I agree with some who said the reviews tell more about gaming journalism than they do the actual game. In fact, I think I won't buy a single 'real game' ever again.

    This is the most amateurish, cringeworthy nonsense that I happened to see on a monitor. It would be offending to read it, but having to 'play' though it was so disgusting that words and comparisons fail me.

    If you enjoy rummaging through an empty house filled with memories of a typical grunge/new wave problematic teenager girl, to the point of some idiotic and ineffective innuendo, you must be either:
    a) a very bored teenager (nothing wrong with it, but I think you could find the flatness of the story annoying)
    b) a new wave/grunge/etc hipster who when sees 90's stuff goes berserk and has Sonic Youth posters on the wall (you know the 'we killed our parents' one)

    It's not a bad game. It's a bad idea and a worse execution. It's uninteresting, boring and plain pretentious to the point it becomes offensive to anyone intelligence. It's like supposing you've got so little to do, that you better spend time piecing together a B-class teenage romantic novel, masqueraded as a mystery.

    It's not that, like some 'journalist' said "something different". Whatever it is, it's useless, meaningless and it's not different: it just tries to be different and fails miserably, becoming nothing.

    It's not a game. And no, the story isn't interesting. It's stupid and very very shallow.

    Donkey Kong had a better story    … Expand
  32. DMets27
    Dec 26, 2013
    1
    Can we stop with the obsession with this game? Gone Home has an interesting setup and completely falls flat after that. Sure the atmosphere is spooky but the game does nothing with it. I don't mind a game with minimal to no gameplay, such as The Walking Dead (which is amazing by the way), but Gone Home's story is very cut and dry, goes from point A to point B and then the game ends... INCan we stop with the obsession with this game? Gone Home has an interesting setup and completely falls flat after that. Sure the atmosphere is spooky but the game does nothing with it. I don't mind a game with minimal to no gameplay, such as The Walking Dead (which is amazing by the way), but Gone Home's story is very cut and dry, goes from point A to point B and then the game ends... IN UNDER 90 MINUTES!! Save your money and do not buy this "game"… Expand
  33. Drekassn
    Dec 26, 2013
    4
    I'm not going to say this "isn't a game" like lots of other people here. Art/mood/atmospheric stories are just as worthy as "games" as the shooter kill-em-all games they churn out near endlessly. In fact, most of my favourite gaming experiences are games with a similar emotional and atmospheric tone to them. But this game in particular, in my opinion, was poorly executed.

    Let me    I'm not going to say this "isn't a game" like lots of other people here. Art/mood/atmospheric stories are just as worthy as "games" as the shooter kill-em-all games they churn out near endlessly. In fact, most of my favourite gaming experiences are games with a similar emotional and atmospheric tone to them. But this game in particular, in my opinion, was poorly executed.

    Let me explain. The game begins in a foreboding way, entering an empty old house in the middle of a storm, one of the first clues involving a young girl crying over an answering machine. As you go on, the mood continues its intriguing pull, taking you through a father obsessed with conspiracy theories, the brief story of the "ghost" of the house, and other dark family secrets that could really go anywhere. As you follow the clues you gradually discover the sister's lesbian relationship and the trials they go through until you reach the very end, an attic surrounded by red lights with a note saying "Do not enter when lights are on". What horrible thing awaits you here? With all the buildup it's bound to be something intriguing.

    Nope. All that you find in the attic is a saccharine "twist" ending where the sister's girlfriend realizes she wants to be together more than any of her other life aspirations and they run away together. None of the foreboding atmosphere, the unsettling clues, any of it, pays off whatsoever. All of the families problems are resolved in a sugary sweet success and everyone goes home (yuk yuk) happy.

    Now, I feel I should clarify that I am very much pro-gay relationships. But basically, I felt betrayed by this game. It's like following an engaging abduction mystery only to find out that the victim wasn't kidnapped at all and was simply off visiting her mum in the next town. You shouldn't have to hijack another genre and pretend your game is one thing and then shift towards something else at the last minute in order to make it seem more compelling a story than it actually is. All of the red herrings just really made the ending feel cheap and essentially made all of the buildup and excitement I'd been feeling disappear in a disappointing huff. The story was not deep or profound. It relied on faking an atmosphere in order to get a point across that, these days, I don't really think needs to be snuck in under the radar anymore.

    The disappointment alone means I cannot in good faith recommend this to anyone else.    … Expand
  34. New_World_Chaos
    Dec 26, 2013
    2
    One hour of gameplay for 20 dollars. This game is a joke, and you could save your money by simply watching a let's play on Youtube. The story is decent, but it's not worth the price.
  35. Brandonb1
    Dec 26, 2013
    0
    This is not a game, this is a pretentious interactive lifetime movie. There are literately no game mechanics to speak of. The story telling is on the same level of deviant art fan fiction. Absolutely horrible, avoid at all costs.
  36. PtolemyAFX
    Dec 26, 2013
    4
    Gone Home is a disappointing experience. While the throwbacks to the 90s are nice, and the house itself is nice to look round, the game's core is its story, and it's here where it fails to impress. Without revealing too much, the story is very pedestrian, and you'll find yourself becoming quite bored; you'll either stop playing about two thirds in or just get it over with as quickly asGone Home is a disappointing experience. While the throwbacks to the 90s are nice, and the house itself is nice to look round, the game's core is its story, and it's here where it fails to impress. Without revealing too much, the story is very pedestrian, and you'll find yourself becoming quite bored; you'll either stop playing about two thirds in or just get it over with as quickly as possible. Not to mention the whole thing takes a few hours to get through and has no replay value whatsoever.

    For a game that has nothing else going for it other than its plot, this is a fatal flaw. There's nothing to really recommend here. Avoid.    … Expand
  37. fabiolfpinto
    Dec 25, 2013
    8
    I've never played anything like Gone Home. Every second seems like something terrible is going to happen, but that moment is postponed until the end of the game. The game is about exploration, and while we explore a deserted house in a scary scenario we discover what is really happening. We found the house littered, and the player can interact with what he finds throughout the game,I've never played anything like Gone Home. Every second seems like something terrible is going to happen, but that moment is postponed until the end of the game. The game is about exploration, and while we explore a deserted house in a scary scenario we discover what is really happening. We found the house littered, and the player can interact with what he finds throughout the game, allowing the player to put the story together. Which brings us to a heartbreaking conclusion, in a game that tells a better story in just two hours than most games in 20.… Expand
  38. x2495iiii
    Dec 24, 2013
    0
    Code-wise, it's poorly optimized, and the physics are poorly done. Not a game-breaker, nor is it unexpected, since it's an indie game.

    Nostalgia-wise, it got some things wrong, like the model of the old SNES cartridges. Again, not a deal breaker, but notable, since a key to triggering nostalgia is getting the details right. The big disappointment is the poorly thought out storylines.    Code-wise, it's poorly optimized, and the physics are poorly done. Not a game-breaker, nor is it unexpected, since it's an indie game.

    Nostalgia-wise, it got some things wrong, like the model of the old SNES cartridges. Again, not a deal breaker, but notable, since a key to triggering nostalgia is getting the details right.

    The big disappointment is the poorly thought out storylines. There are three (excluding the player) family members, each seemingly with their own stories, but only one of the three stories is properly fleshed out, since it's the focus of the vast majority of the game. The other two are ambiguous at best, and since most of the clues deal exclusively with the largest of the three storylines, the other two seem neglected. Furthermore, the "main" story plays out like a Hallmark movie, or one of those "very special episodes" of the old 90's sitcoms. It may speak to some, but to others, it's a bland, over-taught moral lesson that doesn't provide the motivation necessary to keep listening, let alone finish a game.

    I'm not surprised that most critics, with their collective emphasis on maintaining good PR and requirement for pandering to the lowest common denominator, have simultaneously jumped on this shallow vehicle of a game. I am surprised by how far they've taken it, however. This game is, at best, decent. A 60 if you're feeling optimistic, a 40 if you're not. It certainly isn't worth a GOTY award. But regardless, the world of video game journalism seems to have let down their followers in this respect. Perhaps out of fear for their own careers, they have given this game praise it does not deserve and misled their followers into expecting more from this hollow shell of a game.

    If there was ever any doubt in my mind that the integrity of the average video game journalist was next to non-existent, seeing it sold here for the price of a flimsy, political plot-device removed it.    … Expand
  39. TheNapier
    Dec 23, 2013
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The year 1995 was a very special year in my life, one that I, as a teenager, remember quite fondly. Among my memories of that time, I spent several days at my uncle's large house during the final week of October. His house has always been a place that has stimulated my imagination due to its size, design, and atmosphere a house not unlike the one featured in "Gone Home". From the moment I first heard of the nostalgic setting and period for "Gone Home," I knew I just had to have it.

    First, the positives. Although some have taken issue with the graphics, I actually thought they greatly contributed to the game's overall sense of isolation and eeriness. I almost believed I was back in my uncle's house. The game's sound effects are equally beneficial to setting the mood. Playing the game with headphones on, I found myself wondering "What was that?" when I thought I heard someone in another room. And the control, though very basic, is pretty much all you need for a game like this, though I would've liked a "run" feature to help me get around faster.

    Now, the negatives. The game is incredibly short. Three hours, done. Once you beat the game, you could replay it, but probably only once. Really, I don't see any point to replaying it even one time. The game's storyline was also very disappointing. I went into this game spoiler-free, so I was really let down that what seemed to be a thriller-mystery quickly revealed itself as a sappy love story that I had zero interest in. At first, I was thinking that maybe Samantha and Lonnie, two outcasts in their school, were going to form a suicide pact and were already dead, but revelations from Sam's diary gradually reveal that the two are lesbians who want to run away together. It's obvious that the game's makers are making a social commentary on homosexual relationships, but it just seems really weird to have that subject matter in a setting that feels more like "Resident Evil" than an after-school special. I also had a major problem with the inclusion of an actual Ouija board in the game. Though you never actually use it, it's there, hidden behind a wall panel. For those who, like me, are very sensitive about such things, this factor alone prevents me from recommending the game to anyone.

    For over twenty years, "Battletoads," for NES, was the most overrated game I ever played. Within a few short hours, a new dubious champion was crowned. I really, really wanted to like this game. But, due to its length, story, and mediocre gameplay, I cannot agree with the critics who are singing its praises. In a year full of great independent games, "Gone Home" is not even in the same league as "The Stanley Parable" or "Papers, Please," two games that are not only worthy of their acclaim, but are already modern classics in my eyes. Is this the worst game I've ever played? No, not even close. I wouldn't say it's a bad game, but it's not even good enough for me to call it "just good". It's average. That's all "Gone Home" is, a critically acclaimed, average game. Way to kill my 1995 nostalgia trip, Fullbright.    … Expand
  40. Falcus_
    Dec 23, 2013
    0
    This whole game's success is because muh feminism and muh LBGT.

    Why no games about divorced fathers living in a rented flat and struggling to live because needs to pay wages? Why no games about a man convicted with a fake rape accusation? Why no games about men losing jobs after coworker pretended he molested her? Why no games about men working an entire life for their family just to    This whole game's success is because muh feminism and muh LBGT.

    Why no games about divorced fathers living in a rented flat and struggling to live because needs to pay wages?
    Why no games about a man convicted with a fake rape accusation?
    Why no games about men losing jobs after coworker pretended he molested her?
    Why no games about men working an entire life for their family just to have his wife destroy 30 years of honest work in a month?
    Why no games about women using guilt to manipulate children into religions or other ideologies?

    This whole game's success is just a byproduct of the current society's hypocrisis.
    Makes you think to what low point we have come.    … Expand
  41. fittuner
    Dec 22, 2013
    9
    Gone Home is an excellent game that proves that games don't need to just be about killing. The game has actual depth, emotion, and a unique narrative method. I can understand why many would be upset with this game. the game is roughly two hours long, so the full price is a bit much. Thankfully, Steam is known for its sales. It is best to wait until it is marked down. Otherwise, it isGone Home is an excellent game that proves that games don't need to just be about killing. The game has actual depth, emotion, and a unique narrative method. I can understand why many would be upset with this game. the game is roughly two hours long, so the full price is a bit much. Thankfully, Steam is known for its sales. It is best to wait until it is marked down. Otherwise, it is a very simple and engrossing game that I found myself completely absorbed in. Once I started it, I could not get up. I had to finish it. I had to find out what happened. I had to experience it. Many take this game as an actual game. Gone Home is more of an experience than a game. It is an experience in atmosphere, character development, and (most importantly) emotion. This is a game of patience that requires attention. If you feel that video games truly are a form of art, Gone Home should be near the top of your list.… Expand
  42. Lucathegreat
    Dec 22, 2013
    4
    Story is not that bad and the (only) voice is good, but it's hard to even consider this as a "game". You do nothing else apart from picking up letters and books, and hear what happened. No puzzles, an empty house full of useless stuff that you can pick up for no reason. That's it. It lasts 1,5-2 hours max, so no-one should pay it more than $2-3.

    The only reason this game is getting    Story is not that bad and the (only) voice is good, but it's hard to even consider this as a "game". You do nothing else apart from picking up letters and books, and hear what happened. No puzzles, an empty house full of useless stuff that you can pick up for no reason. That's it. It lasts 1,5-2 hours max, so no-one should pay it more than $2-3.

    The only reason this game is getting awarded is because of the "politically correct" theme of the story (that I won't spoil, but will be clear pretty soon), so the entire game it's just a slimy operation to gain easy consensus, thing proven by the fact that developers themselves tend to delete any thread on the Steam forum and ban users that dares to move even the slightiest complaint about their perfect game and don't treat it like a GOTY.    … Expand
  43. NoMoreNiceGuy
    Dec 21, 2013
    1
    So i've heard great things about this game from reviews and dcided to try it. Trash, thats it. You arrive to an empty house and have to walk around and find hidden rooms and letters, it's boring, no puzzles or gameplay at all. The first 5 minutes i was neutral, it wasn't boring but not fun, then after 7 minutes i had to endure to complete the game, waste of time, the only reason someoneSo i've heard great things about this game from reviews and dcided to try it. Trash, thats it. You arrive to an empty house and have to walk around and find hidden rooms and letters, it's boring, no puzzles or gameplay at all. The first 5 minutes i was neutral, it wasn't boring but not fun, then after 7 minutes i had to endure to complete the game, waste of time, the only reason someone would buy this is if level 1 tetris is to hard for them… Expand
  44. OnlyOnGoodGames
    Dec 21, 2013
    8
    I thought that this game was fantastic. Everyone here complaining about the gameplay went in to the game with the wrong expectations. If you go into it expecting there to be ghosts and thrills, then you are mistaken. You clearly did not do your research on the game and find out what it was about nor did you look at the core game mechanics before you purchased it.If you had done so, youI thought that this game was fantastic. Everyone here complaining about the gameplay went in to the game with the wrong expectations. If you go into it expecting there to be ghosts and thrills, then you are mistaken. You clearly did not do your research on the game and find out what it was about nor did you look at the core game mechanics before you purchased it.If you had done so, you would have realized that this is a STORY DRIVEN GAME. Its like reading an animated mystery book. I, however, did my research and made an informed decision to purchase this game. It was one of the best purchases I've made. The story was compelling and I felt an emotional connection to the characters. The game is short, yes, (lasted a bit over 2 hours for me, and 4 for my girlfriend) but never once did I want to stop playing. When the game was over, it felt complete. It felt well executed. Many games fail to convey emotions to the player and fail to wrap up the story in a satisfying way. I feel that this game did exactly as advertised and I am immensely pleased with my purchase. The only other game that comes to my mind as having a similar emotional and "complete" feeling at the game's end was Bastion. Both of these games just had something special about them that I really connected with. So, take that for what it's worth, I suppose.

    The game just felt complete, and nothing seemed to be an afterthought. Its not one of those games where you shoot stuff for 6 hours surrounded by a weak story with plot holes everywhere. Don't get my wrong, I love FPS games and play them constantly. But Gone Home was just a nicely needed change of pace and made you actually feel like a part of an evolving story for once. And for that, this game was worth every penny    … Expand
  45. LittleBrat
    Dec 20, 2013
    1
    Maybe I was not in the mood for this kind of game or that my terrible OCD's keep me off from these games
    The "game" was cheesy, with a predictable story, overly annoying and too much open stuff up, read and proceed. It felt like an exploration grind for nothing quest, with a story that wouldn't get us closer to the character's emotionally.
    To turn the game experience a better one I did    Maybe I was not in the mood for this kind of game or that my terrible OCD's keep me off from these games
    The "game" was cheesy, with a predictable story, overly annoying and too much open stuff up, read and proceed. It felt like an exploration grind for nothing quest, with a story that wouldn't get us closer to the character's emotionally.
    To turn the game experience a better one I did one thing: I picked everything I could and would pile it in floor hall as I proceeded (well I turned this to a 5 hour game), then I had a scale of how this game was.
    To finish, I believe that this hype has started from a review from gamespot that lacks rationality, and spotlights the politic views from the reviewer and the necessity "she" has to stand ground on this business.    … Expand
  46. Lynnux
    Dec 20, 2013
    0
    This is more a warning than a Review. Bought the Steam version (Windows) in October 2013. By then the game was out for some time but still in kind of alpha state.
    The controls are poorly programmed. In my case I have a joystick and rudder pedals. Searched in the forums and found that you have to disable the drivers of them to activate the keyboard and the mouse. Yes, not to just unplug    This is more a warning than a Review. Bought the Steam version (Windows) in October 2013. By then the game was out for some time but still in kind of alpha state.
    The controls are poorly programmed. In my case I have a joystick and rudder pedals. Searched in the forums and found that you have to disable the drivers of them to activate the keyboard and the mouse. Yes, not to just unplug them but to disable their drivers. Next problem was a black screen, so I stopped the installation and requested a refund from Steam. Steam just played dumb and asked me to read the forums.

    So, this is a warning not to buy a game which is clearly not bug-free enough to be sold...    … Expand
  47. Troyjak
    Dec 19, 2013
    10
    This is a truly amazing game, I've never felt so connected to a video game character before. Make sure to start playing it blind, no spoilers... Everyone needs to play this!!
  48. CharlieWaflesBR
    Dec 19, 2013
    5
    Some people are saying that this is not exactly a game and that it doesn't contain the basic things to make it so, but I have to disagree on that part. Basing your score on such a notion is moronic and completely undermines the efforts that were put into the other aspects of the experience, like the storytelling, the sound design, the voice acting and so on. The reason I'm giving this gameSome people are saying that this is not exactly a game and that it doesn't contain the basic things to make it so, but I have to disagree on that part. Basing your score on such a notion is moronic and completely undermines the efforts that were put into the other aspects of the experience, like the storytelling, the sound design, the voice acting and so on. The reason I'm giving this game a 5 is simply because the story is flat out mediocre. It's literally something you've seen hundreds of times before in many different mediums, and you probably criticized it to death, but now that it's in game form and it tackles some mature concepts it suddenly becomes one of the greatest feats in recent gaming history. This has to be one of the most disappointing experiences I've had recently and I don't recommend you buy it for it's original price 20$ I payed 5$ for it and I still kinda feel like I've been ripped off. What bothers me is not the fact that they're asking 20$ for a 90 minute experience. I've payed 15$ for The Stanley Parable and it was worth it. It's the whole movement and critical praise behind this titles that makes me mad.… Expand
  49. pinned110
    Dec 19, 2013
    3
    The only thing this game is actually selling is the story, and it is a highly predictable one. How could this be "the greatest video game love story"? Just because it has the homosexuality with a bit 90s nostalgia theme? Really? Maybe the story IS THAT GOOD and I simply couldn't understand, but the rest parts of the game is basically non-existent. There is minor exploration content,The only thing this game is actually selling is the story, and it is a highly predictable one. How could this be "the greatest video game love story"? Just because it has the homosexuality with a bit 90s nostalgia theme? Really? Maybe the story IS THAT GOOD and I simply couldn't understand, but the rest parts of the game is basically non-existent. There is minor exploration content, misleading atmosphere that doesn't fit the story properly and that's pretty much it. The voice acting is not bad, other than that, I can't see what makes the game great.

    How this game was able to beat BF4, Papers please, The Stanley Parable in VGX is a true mystery for me.    … Expand
  50. araouf
    Dec 19, 2013
    2
    I am so glad that I did not pay $20 for this game or I would have been pissed. If this was a $3 ios app, then Id think it is worth buying, otherwise save your money. The game starts off with a lot of potential and I was getting really into it. After a (short) while though that excitement wore off and I was waiting for something to actually happen in the game. Well right when I thoughtI am so glad that I did not pay $20 for this game or I would have been pissed. If this was a $3 ios app, then Id think it is worth buying, otherwise save your money. The game starts off with a lot of potential and I was getting really into it. After a (short) while though that excitement wore off and I was waiting for something to actually happen in the game. Well right when I thought something was going to happen, the game ends! This is a super super short game. Set your expectations very low otherwise you will be disappointed.… Expand
  51. justmaybe4
    Dec 18, 2013
    10
    Incredible. What a great game- so unique. Rare subject subject matter, such an intimate narrative. 10 out of 10, undoubtably. Sure, it's short, and the replay value is close to zilch, but that's the nature of the narrative. Completely worth it, seeing as I bought it for $5.
  52. Zodmo
    Dec 18, 2013
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I am an older game player (62). I think this game is average in just about every way: graphics, sound, story line. Perhaps the thing that bothers me most is the ending. I think the fact that our young friend decided to be a runaway is disconcerting. Kids that age have all sorts of strange ideas and drives. This game seems to laud very questionable behavior. Let's face it: she has no money, and no real education. She is taking off with her friend to a life that will almost certainly be a miserable one, once the initial thrill wears off. I just to heck that this games does not encourage anyone else to do this sort of thing.… Expand
  53. hahahaha1
    Dec 18, 2013
    10
    The game “Gone Home” follows the story of Sam Greenbriar’s disappearance, seen through the eyes of her sister, Katie Greenbriar. You come home after being over seas for a year, to a house you have never been to, seeing as your family moved while you were gone. Upon arrival at your new house, you find your house to be empty, with a note on the door from Sam saying goodbye, and to not goThe game “Gone Home” follows the story of Sam Greenbriar’s disappearance, seen through the eyes of her sister, Katie Greenbriar. You come home after being over seas for a year, to a house you have never been to, seeing as your family moved while you were gone. Upon arrival at your new house, you find your house to be empty, with a note on the door from Sam saying goodbye, and to not go looking for her. Inside this old, gloomy house, you navigate your way through the maze of hallways, rooms, and secret passages, in the house, finding clues as to where your family has gone. Through examining scraps of paper, letters, posters, magazines, and other items, you uncover the secrets the house holds on your missing family.
    The story focuses on your sister, Sam Greenbriar’s disappearance, but the sub plots of “Gone Home” is what makes the game for me. Your parents, Terrance Greenbriar, a struggling author with an obsession with JFK, and your mother who works at a distant forestry, Janice Greenbrair, both have dark backstories, uncovered in the dimly lit rooms filled with evidence of your parents’ disappearance. This narrative on your parents gives a lot of depth to the game, and gives an even clearer depiction of the strained relationship your family has.
    You uncover your family’s stories through examining items such as letters or pamphlets found around the house. Finding these items leave much of the story to the imagination. Seeing as most of their stories are shown through one-way letters, or book reviews, you yourself can fill in the blanks of these plots. This aspect of finding the parts of their plots around the house, only to finish with a blurry outline of their past’s, adding a certain mystery to the game. I think that this works in favor of the tone set in this old, gloomy house. This is the first time Katie has ever been in her house, and no one is there. The mystery of the house gives an anxiety, which is felt at the flicker of every light, and at every dark corner. The tone and these unclear subplots tie in well with each other, and give a more dark and sinister mood to the game, which I think is really effective in delivering “Gone Home”.
    “Gone Home” uses a different type of storytelling to get across the plot of the game. You have to go looking for answers, instead of things being laid out in front of you. This gives a very real sense to the game. Its anxious and mysterious tone is strengthened through this way of storytelling, and effectively intrigues the players. I found myself enthralled in “Gone Home’s” world, looking deeper into the stories of my family, and deeply analyzing the narrative and feel of this game. I really enjoyed playing it and have and will recommend it to others.    … Expand
  54. Dune_Jumper
    Dec 17, 2013
    1
    Again with the walking simulators. Indie developers, take a note; WHEN MAKING A GAME, DO NOT FORGET TO IMPLEMENT GAMEPLAY. It's that simple.
    This game IS better than Dear Esther, though. At least this game has SOME form of interactivity.
  55. McLaughlin24
    Dec 17, 2013
    8
    Gone Home is a groundbreaking game produced by The Fullbright Company. Gone Home is unique through its exploration of a deep narrative through simple, yet rewarding gameplay. As Katie returns from her year abroad in Europe, she finds an unfamiliar house in a state of dismay. While exploring the house, the player undercover clues to the family’s whereabouts and more specifically, the storyGone Home is a groundbreaking game produced by The Fullbright Company. Gone Home is unique through its exploration of a deep narrative through simple, yet rewarding gameplay. As Katie returns from her year abroad in Europe, she finds an unfamiliar house in a state of dismay. While exploring the house, the player undercover clues to the family’s whereabouts and more specifically, the story of Katie’s sister, Sam.

    Although Gone Home is a remarkable production, the game is lacking in some technical aspects. The most noticeable downfall are the graphics of the game, which are sub-par. Gone Home relies on its simplicity to convey its affecting story in the most effective manner, but the graphics of the game are too simplistic for a game of this era. The windows are blacked out to avoid having to detail an exterior world and objects that can be interacted with standout from the surroundings due to the increased graphical detail placed on these objects. The purpose of the game is to tell a meaningful story, placing less importance on graphics. Despite this, improved graphics would not distract the player from the game and would add a sense of validity to the game as a top-flight release in the current market. Another flaw is the lack of audio stimulation. Throughout the game, the only sound that is heard is constant pattering of rainfall outside. There are some sound effects, such as the buzz of a television or the sound of a running faucet, but aside from this, the only audio is Sam’s journal readings. When searching for the next clue, the lack of outside stimulation can cause the game to become temporarily mundane, discouraging the player. Gone Home is a well-done, focused game, but these technical deficiencies detract from the overall gameplay experience.

    Overcoming the technical flaws within Gone Home, the exploratory storytelling aspect of the game is the factor that makes this production so outstanding. The game is focused chiefly on uncovering the story of the family in a way, which is pure and has no distractions from achievements or points. The story that Katie begins to uncover about her sister Sam is atypical and suspenseful. Although many video games have captivating stories, Gone Home is so successful due to the way the story is conveyed. The gameplay is guided; the player is kept within boundaries that will ensure the final story is uncovered. Despite this guided gameplay, the player can explore the house in a variety of different routes, uncovering pieces of the story in different orders. The developers cleverly allowed these different routes to all uncover the final story as an intact narrative, allowing a sense of freedom within a game that takes place within a single house. This unique method of storytelling in Gone Home propels the game to a level of profundity and richness that few other games have ever achieved.

    The Fullbright Company has produced a remarkable game in Gone Home. This game has some technical shortcomings, but the unique depth of storytelling within the gameplay makes uncovering Sam’s story unlike any other video game available today. Overall, Gone Home is a story; hardcore gamers may not be as intrigued by what the game has to offer, but those with an affinity for rich literary works will be blown away.    … Expand
  56. mraboud
    Dec 17, 2013
    9
    From the creators of the famous RPG game, BioShock comes Gone Home, an intriguing and suspenseful, first-person game played from the point of view of Katie Greenbriar. When Katie arrives home from Europe, she realizes that her entire family has deserted the house. As our heroine begins to search for clues about their disappearance, terrible secrets and an intricate plot line emerge toFrom the creators of the famous RPG game, BioShock comes Gone Home, an intriguing and suspenseful, first-person game played from the point of view of Katie Greenbriar. When Katie arrives home from Europe, she realizes that her entire family has deserted the house. As our heroine begins to search for clues about their disappearance, terrible secrets and an intricate plot line emerge to capture the player’s imagination.

    Gone Home is a unique style of game, as it is exploration based, and the player merely roams around the house finding clues, unlike most games, which involve violence and conquering levels. The subtlety of the game is also a rare quality, since the plot is not obvious at first, although the plot later shows the complexity of characters, and their history, once scrutinized. Without giving too much away, the story involves unusual and complex relationships between characters. Although the graphics are not modern, their lack of sophistication reflects the 1995 setting effectively. In fact, the game has been praised for its realistic depiction of the 1990s and, indeed, items such as tube television sets, auto stereograms, and 90s board games frame the time period convincingly.

    The realism, however, is at times bothersome because the game is too darkly lit. It is often overly time consuming for the player to wander around finding light switches, which feels like an odd use of the player’s time. Another negative aspect of this game is its length, as it only takes a few hours to complete from start to finish. Also, in terms of gameplay, the replay value is diminished since there is a static narrative, which limits the gaming experience.

    Overall, Gone Home is an enjoyable for the person who likes story-based games rather than brutality. In other words, fans of GTA and Call of Duty may not appreciate the nuanced mood and activities, where Katie collects personal notes, family secrets, and discovers underground passageways and keys to the past. Readers may enjoy this game as most of the game’s strength lies in the layered narrative structure. As mentioned above, the game length is not comparable to popular games as the cost per hour of gameplay is significantly higher, although it may provide the same satisfaction for the more thoughtful player.    … Expand
  57. rirwin11
    Dec 17, 2013
    8
    Gone Home is an exploration game that tells the story of a family. It is first person style, and it revolves around one house. The character you play is Katie, who is coming home to an unfamiliar house after a yearlong trip to Europe. No one is home when you arrive, and you have to explore the house to learn what Katie missed while she was gone.
    Gone Home has a different game style    Gone Home is an exploration game that tells the story of a family. It is first person style, and it revolves around one house. The character you play is Katie, who is coming home to an unfamiliar house after a yearlong trip to Europe. No one is home when you arrive, and you have to explore the house to learn what Katie missed while she was gone.
    Gone Home has a different game style compared to traditional games and it contains an unfamiliar story telling method, but it is just as intriguing. While playing you will often find yourself curious to find out more information about the family and excited to find the next clue. It allows the player to become more involved in the story compared to traditional video games where you are not bothered to read any text. When you are going from clue to clue, you find yourself completely immersed in the story and you cannot put the game down. The feeling it relates to is the way you feel when you are reading an enticing book. The story is very well thought out and believable. Through the mixture of old notes, letters and voice messages, the game gives you just the right amount of information to put the story together yourself. The simple graphics and sound, along with the limited character functions allows for a very smooth gameplay experience, where you are never thrown off task.
    The main focus of the story is on Katie’s sister Sam who seems to have the most interesting story of all. However, curiosity for the story of the other family members is not satisfied. They even introduce Katie’s grandfather near the end of the game, but limit the information on him to a mere two artifacts. It would’ve benefitted the overall experience if there were more spin-off stories about other characters. Furthermore, the story seemed very short and you often learn information at a quick rate. If the story were spread out more and extra spin-off stories were added, the overall experience would be much more satisfying.
    Overall, the game is a new way of telling a story, which proved to be very successful as I was interested during the whole game. I would definitely suggest that anyone who is interested in narrative check out this game, as it is a fresh compelling method of story telling. Also any gamer will want to check it out to get a different yet equally satisfying gaming experience.    … Expand
  58. joshareview
    Dec 17, 2013
    9
    Gone Home Review

    Gone Home is a story centralized exploration game, released August 15, 2013 by The Fullbright Company. The gameplay takes place in a seemingly abandoned house and the game unfolds through an eerie yet heartwarming tale of an extremely dysfunctional family. Gone Home was a game that went under the radar for most gamers, and was quickly shunned for its hefty price of    Gone Home Review

    Gone Home is a story centralized exploration game, released August 15, 2013 by The Fullbright Company. The gameplay takes place in a seemingly abandoned house and the game unfolds through an eerie yet heartwarming tale of an extremely dysfunctional family.

    Gone Home was a game that went under the radar for most gamers, and was quickly shunned for its hefty price of $20.00 and only 2 hour of gameplay. However, for what the game lacked in replay value, it fully made up by delivering an immersive and engaging gameplay experience. The game is a masterpiece that welds together intricate webs of stories culminating in a smart and intriguing game. The story follows Kate, a university student, who takes a year off to study abroad. But when she returns to her family’s new house it is deserted. It is the game player's task as Kate to figure out the whereabouts of her family members. Through Kate's quest to put the pieces of her family's puzzle together, several story lines emerge. A lesbian love story involving Kate's sister Sam and Lonnie, an older high school student weaves romance, intimacy and sexual identity issues into the game. Kate stumbles into another story line involving a dark family secret that delves into the paranormal, betrayal and trauma.

    The game does a great job of providing an engaging and realistic playing experience through the use of cartoon graphics and sound effects. The story of Kate’s family can be found in the artifacts around the house, including photos, notes and audio diaries. The sound effects enhance the eerie atmosphere and mood of the game. This game is a perfect example of how games do not need action elements in order to create an engaging and immersive gameplay experience.

    Although Gone Home is an amazing game, it is not without its problems. The game, as stated before by many players, has little replay value. The only reason I found myself actually going back to the game was because I did not understand the full story at first, which can be another issue on its own. The game might require some preliminary research about the game before starting to play it in order to for players to fully understand the nuances of the narrative.

    Gone Home is an all around amazing game. Gone Home proves that there does not have to be flashy graphics and action elements in order to create a captivating game. Gone Home delivers a hopeful look at the future of games which will be more story driven and intellectually engaging. Although a great game, Gone Home is not worth the full retail price of $20.00 and recommend that you wait until the price is lowered to buy this game.    … Expand
  59. Lenimph
    Dec 17, 2013
    10
    I’ve been pondering on how to review Gone Home for a long time since I played it, because in general I’ve been thinking a lot about it. And I’ve been thinking so much about it because this game is beautiful and I have never had such a raw emotional reaction to a videogame ever. So there might never be a time when I stop thinking about it…

    About when I first opened the game to play it in    I’ve been pondering on how to review Gone Home for a long time since I played it, because in general I’ve been thinking a lot about it. And I’ve been thinking so much about it because this game is beautiful and I have never had such a raw emotional reaction to a videogame ever. So there might never be a time when I stop thinking about it…

    About when I first opened the game to play it in the middle of the night and then I was just so creeped out by the atmosphere and the strange noises that the house was making I just decided to leave it for the next day when the sun was up. That’s how perfectly this game grasps that feeling about being scared of your own house at night when your own imagination begins to playing tricks on you. I would even say it rivals most horror games out there, despite not being one. Subtlety is something many videogames lack today and the gentle attention to detail in this game refreshing. Every objects has it's purpose. Whether it's a large plot point, or a small nail polish bottle with a witty label, they all come together to make this large, almost mansion like building, into a home.

    About how Sam reminded me of myself, so much so that at the end of the game I was crying. Crying because I was happy that Sam got to do what I was so afraid of doing, and because she was so lucky to even find someone she could be with, and that someone actually made a videogame about my demographic, and not your typical straight white male protagonist with little to no personality. Yes I am a queer woman who grew up in the 90’s, who’s a big X-files fan (Finally Gillian Anderson!), grew up with Lisa Frank products, and day dreamed about being a pirate. And yes there are other games with female protagonists, but not a single one of them I could relate to like this. They’re all incredible woman with amazing powers, but how many of them are just… normal? This is a story about two normal girls doing normal freaking things that isn’t a Barbie adventure game, and it’s revolutionary for that alone and that is beautiful, but also a horrible reflection of what is seriously lacking in this industry, and that made me cry.

    After playing games for as long as I can remember I finally found one that I truly relate to.

    But you don’t have to be a girl or a lesbian to enjoy this (as some close minded people would like to proclaim). This is a game that exposes a family. We’re finding their porn stashes, dirty diary entries, letters of hopeful marital affairs, discovering the wonder and consumption of first love and exposing a dark family secret. This is an awesome point and click adventure and anyone who calls this game a clickateverythingfestwalkinglesbiansimulator has never had the pleasure of truly enjoying the genre. If they can’t enjoy this game I don’t think they could ever have the patience for classics like The Longest Journey and the Monkey Island series. This is a game that creates an amazing living environment. This is a game that creates dynamic unique characters. This a game where the narrative didn’t settle for the mediocre. This is a game that tackled real discriminatory issues. This is a game that dared to be different, and it deserves every bit of praise it’s getting.

    And we need more games like this. More games that represent other cultures, races, genders, and people so everyone can have this wonder feeling of inclusion and immersion that’s just… awesome.

    I WANT TO BELIEVE that we can get more games like this.    … Expand
  60. CGordNorton
    Dec 17, 2013
    8
    “Gone Home” by The Fullbright Company seeks to raise the bar on storytelling in videogames. The premise is simple, in 1995 you have been away from home traveling in Europe for a year and have just arrived home. You don’t know much of what has happened to your family in the last year other than they have moved to a new house. No one is home to great you when you arrive at 2am but through“Gone Home” by The Fullbright Company seeks to raise the bar on storytelling in videogames. The premise is simple, in 1995 you have been away from home traveling in Europe for a year and have just arrived home. You don’t know much of what has happened to your family in the last year other than they have moved to a new house. No one is home to great you when you arrive at 2am but through investigation of the house you uncover the events of the last 12 months.

    Coming off the success of Bioshock 2 and specifically Minerva’s Den, which the founding developers of The Fullbright Company worked extensively on, they decided they wanted to try something new. In most current releases the focus is on new and exciting gameplay or amazing visuals. Gone Home takes a different approach. The main focus is the story and how it is told, not flashy graphics or bar raising gameplay elements. They push towards the intricacies of any novel while maintaining interactivity, which is unprecedented in current video game releases. As the company is relatively new and small it allows the game to take risks that would otherwise have been left on the cutting room floor. The relative prestige of the individual developers lets the game gain a player base.

    Players can definitely see the influence that other games have had on this title. Some architecture and game elements feel almost copied from Bioshock and other similar releases. In the developer commentary that becomes available after finishing the game further explains the depth of links between Gone Home and previous titles. These references further the idea that the game tries to be like books, novels frequently reference other novels and literary works and including this in games is only a natural progression.

    While the graphics and gameplay may not raise the bar compared with the latest Call of Duty or Battlefield it has it’s own place among current video games. Another complaint is the length of the game that averages around 3 hours that, for the $20 is not very long but when you take into account the story can be justified. Overall the game is the beginning of the next phase of the industry, not only should games be about the latest graphics but we should ask for better storylines in the future. Personally I grant The Fullbright Company’s “Gone Home” a 8/10 and can’t wait to see what they come out with in the future.    … Expand
  61. nharrison1996
    Dec 17, 2013
    9
    Gone Home is a unique gaming experience that demonstrates how games can be an art form equal to literature and film. In Gone Home, you are Katie Greenbriar, a college-aged girl who returns home in 1995 after spending a year abroad to find the family residence abandoned. As the player, you explore this ghostly mansion searching for clues as to their whereabouts. The story is quiteGone Home is a unique gaming experience that demonstrates how games can be an art form equal to literature and film. In Gone Home, you are Katie Greenbriar, a college-aged girl who returns home in 1995 after spending a year abroad to find the family residence abandoned. As the player, you explore this ghostly mansion searching for clues as to their whereabouts. The story is quite brilliant, due to the interactivity aspect of it. The player has to discover the story on their own, by finding journal entries, notes and the like. The game world is populated with many other items that help further the backstory, a picture with the face ripped out, shot glasses strewn around the music room, the condom in dad’s drawer, and many other seemingly insignificant objects allow you to come to your own conclusions about the inhabitants of the home, without the answer being explicit. The story is not very long, and to go into any detail would be to spoil it. This is a game best experienced with no knowledge of the plot since most of the fun is discovering the story yourself. Know that it is emotional and artfully done, without relying on cliché video game tropes. What is best about the story is that it can only work as a game. The way the player interacts with the house and develops empathy for the characters, despite not seeing them, could never work in any other medium. It is the perfect example of where a video game can surpass films or novels in the realm of narrative. The gameplay in Gone Home is fairly simplistic. You can walk around, open doors, open drawers, turn on lights, read notes, flush toilets, pick up toothbrushes and cups, and then throw those items around the house. The house feels lived in, empty pizza boxes, VHS tapes, books on the shelf, and homework in various rooms contribute to the authenticity of the world. The game is devoid of combat, puzzles, or any other elements generally found in games. This keeps the game grounded in reality. Despite not having the most realistic graphics, the designers at Fullbright Studios have managed to create a game world that feels astoundingly real. Gone Home is the video game equivalent of a short story, a two-hour experience that should be extremely palatable to hardcore gamers and noobs alike. It proves how games can be more than mindless violence and recycled storylines. It proves that games can be art. It is not for everyone, though. Those looking for a traditional heart pumping, competitive, exciting gaming experience should look elsewhere, but if you are looking for something different than the average first person shooter I completely recommend it.

    9.2/10    … Expand
  62. matthew14555
    Dec 17, 2013
    9
    Gone Home is a game unlike any other, exploring the personal lives of a family in an intimate way. Katie has just arrived home after having traveled Europe. She arrives at a new house where she discovers no one is home to greet her. Katie is then set on a path of discovery all throughout the house with a goal of finding out what is happening with her family. Katie achieves this byGone Home is a game unlike any other, exploring the personal lives of a family in an intimate way. Katie has just arrived home after having traveled Europe. She arrives at a new house where she discovers no one is home to greet her. Katie is then set on a path of discovery all throughout the house with a goal of finding out what is happening with her family. Katie achieves this by uncovering cryptic messages left by her sister in the form of journal entries and letters.
    The house is explored through the narrative of Samantha Greenbriar, Katie’s sister. Sam has left letters, maps, and journal entries scattered throughout the house that help Katie understand the events that have played out over the past year. The maps are quite often related to ghosts said to be roaming through the house, as a result Katie is lead into scary hidden rooms. The letters and journal entries are normally associated with Sam’s personal life, they help Katie understand the events that occurred in the house while she was gone, as well as adding a creepy effect to the game.
    Gone Home’s sound and graphics are used in an incredible way to help enhance the gamer’s experience. The sound in Gone Home is creepy to say the least; there is a constant loop of scary noises like creaks in wood and thunder, which make you feel as though someone is following you throughout the entire game. The graphics are created not to blow the gamers mind but to help the player focus on the more important aspects of the game, specifically the story. The poor graphics set the game apart from today’s popular games because of the minimalistic detail used. Gone Home use of a first person adventure is unlike any other because no one is killed and there are no requirements that must be met, which results in the player having complete control of their experience in the game
    Gone Home was a breath of fresh air in comparison to the popular games of today. Unlike the games of today, which tend to be based on killing or sports this game explores a story of love and relationships. Although the game is short, it is very meaningful, and I believe if people took the time to really analyze each room within the house they would enjoy not just the game but the story as well.    … Expand
  63. sneakysmurf1
    Dec 17, 2013
    9
    Gone Home is a work by the Fullbright Company that perfectly encapsulates the elements of great story telling into one brilliant game. The Fullbright Company is composed of a few people who worked together on DLC for the Bioshock franchise called Minerva’s Den. They decided they wanted to play around with story telling in video games and so they packed up and moved into one of their housesGone Home is a work by the Fullbright Company that perfectly encapsulates the elements of great story telling into one brilliant game. The Fullbright Company is composed of a few people who worked together on DLC for the Bioshock franchise called Minerva’s Den. They decided they wanted to play around with story telling in video games and so they packed up and moved into one of their houses in Oregon to begin work on Gone Home, a story about teenage love, the dynamic of a family, and coming together after terrible hardships.

    The game plays almost like an interactive book, with the whole thing being about the story; there are no real collectables, mini-games, or alternate mechanics, and it is awesome. I personally live for amazing stories; tales like the Legend of Zelda and the Lord of The Rings are some of the things I love the most, and there is nothing better than a well-told video game story. Gone Home focuses on the idea of piecing together the story of your character’s family, the Greenbriers. You play as Katie, a twenty-something girl who has just come home after spending a year travelling in Europe to an empty house and an ominous note on the door telling you not to look around. Katie discovers the story by picking up and reading notes, pictures, letters, and books around the house and pieces the story together by herself (yourself). Aside from the sister Sam’s story, nothing is ever expressly said about the other stories, leaving you as the player with your own opinion about the family. This mechanic (while being used previously) is a welcome break from cinematic scenes and bland dialogue as the only way to tell a story in games. This way the story is in some ways left mostly up to interpretation, which a breath of fresh air that the gaming industry desperately needed. The only issue I had (fairly minor mind you) while playing was the convenience of some of the notes and their placement in the house, and the story felt at some points a bit too linear for it all to be taking place a family’s home. This was just a little bit of an annoyance in an otherwise almost perfect game, and you will soon forget the linear-ness of the story once you get sucked in.

    Despite having some very minor believability issues, this game was a joy to play from start to finish, with the little intricacies of the atmosphere, to the plethora of gaming references and “easter eggs”, to the melancholy mood and tone of the house, to the heartwarming and uplifting finale. I personally would rank this game among the best and most enjoyable I have ever played.

    9.5/10    … Expand
  64. mhogarth
    Dec 17, 2013
    7
    “Gone Home,” a game created by the Fullbright Company, which was formed by three ex staff from the Bioshock video game franchise, is a new type of narrative adventure in the gaming world. You start the game in a rainy, dimly lit atmosphere on the front porch of a mansion you have seen for the first time in your life. Your name is Katie Greenbriar and you are all alone after being away from“Gone Home,” a game created by the Fullbright Company, which was formed by three ex staff from the Bioshock video game franchise, is a new type of narrative adventure in the gaming world. You start the game in a rainy, dimly lit atmosphere on the front porch of a mansion you have seen for the first time in your life. Your name is Katie Greenbriar and you are all alone after being away from home for a year in Europe. Your mission throughout the game is to find out what happened to your family, but along the way you also find out who they really are.
    I studied and played this game in my grade 12 English class at Royal St. George’s College. I was assigned three characters to track, and to find out as much about them as possible. I found that tracking the characters enhanced my overall game experience by prompting me to look deeper into an already rich narrative.
    The narrative involves many major and minor characters whose stories explain the family’s past and present. Although the graphics in “Gone Home” are not as advanced as they are in popular first person shooter games such as Call of Duty and Halo, this augmented the narrative even more. This is because, instead of being captivated by state of the art graphics, the player can focus much more on the narrative story, with fewer visual distractions. For example, the only thing visible through the windows is a pitch-black night sky.
    “Gone Home” introduced me to a new type of gaming experience. Although I enjoyed the experience, I personally prefer the high intensity of sports video games or first person shooters. In these games, the objective is to overcome opponents, whether by killing them or scoring more points. This gets me more involved and focused on the game. In contrast, I found I got bored quickly with the few objectives presented to me in “Gone Home” finding codes for locks and a few secret doors. Although it’s great that “Gone Home” can be used in a classroom environment and it is a very innovative genre of gaming, it could be improved be making it a little more exciting. The demographic groups targeted by this game people in their late teens and early 20s generally want a livelier experience.
    Overall, the positives of this game outweighed the negatives. I enjoyed the new gaming experience even without the fast-paced action and advanced graphics. In this day and age most people believe that a game needs the most action and the best graphics to be popular. The Fullbright Company proved everyone wrong with the success they are having in “Gone Home.” I recommend this game for people who want to try a whole new kind of gaming experience.    … Expand
  65. Astefank
    Dec 17, 2013
    10
    Gone Home is a first-person interactive story game that is full of mystery, suspense, and exploration. The game starts with you arriving at this huge mansion in the middle of Oregon as the main character, Kaitlin Greenbriar, who has just returned from a year in Europe. As you start to walk around the house you realize that her sister and her parents are gone and it is your job to try andGone Home is a first-person interactive story game that is full of mystery, suspense, and exploration. The game starts with you arriving at this huge mansion in the middle of Oregon as the main character, Kaitlin Greenbriar, who has just returned from a year in Europe. As you start to walk around the house you realize that her sister and her parents are gone and it is your job to try and piece together the puzzle of where they all went.

    The game is seen through the eyes of Katie after she realizes that she is the only one in the family’s new house. As you explore the house you find more clues about the family’s life. Surprisingly, the game is not just about where the rest of the family disappeared to, there are many different stories with in the game. The overall story line has you thinking about what really happened to the family right until the end when you put all of the pieces together. The graphics are not what people would be expecting from a game that came out in 2013, however, the graphics being the way that they are, gave us a sense that we are actually in the house in 1995. The audio in the game really adds a great amount of realism from the thunder and creaking floors to the music. Having songs from that time period playing in certain parts of the house helped us learn more about the characters. While having the voice clips play after you look at an important object really adds to the game. As you walk around that house picking up every object you can to see if there is another clue to solve where the family went you realize that almost everything you find has a purpose to the story.

    Although most of the objects in the game do have a purpose there are a lot of duplicate objects that are just fillers, such as random boxes in the basement. One of the things that I would have liked to have seen done differently would be to have the objects that you could not interact have the same quality graphics as the ones you could interact with. Another big change I would like to have seen would be that the house have better lighting, making it easier to find some of the documents such as documents that are in the corners of rooms.

    Playing Gone Home has been an experience that I really enjoyed even though this is not the type of video game I would usually play. You would think that playing a video game for an English class would take all of the fun out of it but that is not true with Gone Home. I would recommend this game to everyone especially if it goes on sale because $20 for a game that is over in 3 hours might not please everyone. Gone Home hopefully represents a huge step forward in the gaming industry illustrating that every game does not have to be a first-person shooter.    … Expand
  66. KatieGreenbriar
    Dec 17, 2013
    9
    Gone Home is a first person interactive narrative that takes place in the Pacific Northwest in the year 1995. You play as Katie Greenbriar, who has been travelling abroad for almost a year and she comes to a home she has never been to before. Her entire family is gone and it is your job to find out what has happened while you were away.
    Gone Home’s story is a compelling, well paced, and    Gone Home is a first person interactive narrative that takes place in the Pacific Northwest in the year 1995. You play as Katie Greenbriar, who has been travelling abroad for almost a year and she comes to a home she has never been to before. Her entire family is gone and it is your job to find out what has happened while you were away.
    Gone Home’s story is a compelling, well paced, and heartfelt. When you first start the game you have no idea what has happened and there is no cut scene giving you any background. Gone Home allows you discover what has happened at your own pace and it does not spoon-feed you the story. The only spoken narrative in the game is by Sam, which is voiceovers of her diaries and is triggered when you pick up certain artifacts throughout the house. These show how it has been hard for her since Katie left, how she feels alone and her budding romance with Lonnie, a girl who attends Sam’s school. The tones of diaries in which Sam’s diaries are written and spoken are so emotional that you believe that Sam is actually real. Sam’s voice actress, Sarah Grayson gives a performance that feels real and gives the character emotional depth, making it easier to feel empathetic towards Sam. This is one of Gone Home’s best qualities and it helps immerse you in the world that The Fullbright Company has created.
    Gone Home’s gameplay is very simplistic, which serves the game and it’s narrative quite well. You play in the perspective of Katie Greenbriar and the first person perspective really helps you immerse yourself in the world, making you feel you are actually experiencing it. There are only a few gameplay mechanics: walking, crouching and interacting with objects. The Fullbright Company designed the gameplay so that more is less. Even though the controls seem limited, you do not feel limited and makes Katie seem real, unlike most videogame characters. These mechanics do not interfere with the story and actually enhance it, giving a sense of realism. When you pick up an object you can analyze it, allowing you to examine it in great detail. The interactivity with the artifacts and the amount of detail make the home seem real because each artifact has some reason for being there and has a backstory behind it. The simplistic nature of the gameplay allows you to focus on the narrative, which is Gone Home’s best quality.
    Overall, I really enjoyed Gone Home. There have been few games where I have really connected with the characters and this caused me to keep playing and find out what happened. I also admire the simplistic nature of the gameplay and it allows almost anyone to pick it and play it, regardless of their experience with videogames. My only gripe is that the game has little replay value and the story does not have as big of an impact when you play is subsequent times. I really enjoyed myself when I played Gone Home, it has a great story, simple to use mechanics and I would recommend it to anyone.    … Expand
  67. lkelleher
    Dec 16, 2013
    8
    It’s refreshing to play a game like Gone Home, where the entire game is non-violent yet still intriguing, and draws attention from all types of gamers. The game plays like a movie that only focuses on character development, and the relationships between many of the characters. Being that I am not a gamer by any stretch of the imagination, the game still appealed to me because it really isIt’s refreshing to play a game like Gone Home, where the entire game is non-violent yet still intriguing, and draws attention from all types of gamers. The game plays like a movie that only focuses on character development, and the relationships between many of the characters. Being that I am not a gamer by any stretch of the imagination, the game still appealed to me because it really is different from many other games I have played in the past. This game appeals to a whole new gaming audience as well as the general gaming public.

    Gone Home truly is an exploration game. It is different from the plethora of exploration games that have preceded it in the sense that it explores something that many people would consider not worth exploring. It’s the subtleness of everything in the house building up and slowly becoming apparent to you as a gamer that really makes this interesting. From the second the game starts you’re left wondering where you are, why you’re there, and where everyone else is. Once inside you have to do your best to piece together the mystery that is this house and your family. Each character in the game has their own completely unique storyline, and as a gamer you can follow certain storylines or all at once. It’s the different storylines that continuously become more and more interesting as you go on that keeps players wanting more.

    There are many artifacts made by the game creators that help to reference and further establish a setting that I've never experienced before. The game is set in 1995. As you walk around the house you will find posters, video games, albums, and other historical references found in notes and letters. This too adds another dimension to the game. Whether it be the reference to a Pulp Fiction movie screening in a nearby theatre or the many references to the Riot Grrrl movement that was very prominent in that part of the U.S. at that time.

    Overall, I would rate this game an 8 out of a possible 10. Having said that, it wouldn’t necessarily be a game I would play again and I think this is where the game experiences its major fault. It really is a one-time deal with this game, with only few players venturing on for a second go. I would recommend this game to many of my friends because it is very interesting.    … Expand
  68. cartman467
    Dec 16, 2013
    10
    Gone Home is an unusual game. Most of the currently popular games are action shooter games and sports games. These games tend to have clear-cut stories and objectives. Gone Home is not like this at all. When you first begin to play Gone Home you need to rely completely on your intuition and experiential learning. When a player begins the game they are given neither clearGone Home is an unusual game. Most of the currently popular games are action shooter games and sports games. These games tend to have clear-cut stories and objectives. Gone Home is not like this at all. When you first begin to play Gone Home you need to rely completely on your intuition and experiential learning. When a player begins the game they are given neither clear introductory explanations, nor any clear indication of the game’s purpose.
    Gone Home is an exploration game. The player is playing as Kaitlin (Katie) Greenbriar who is returning home from a year-long trip to Europe. Katie is returning home to a house she has not been in before, and she quickly realizes that her family is in shambles. She decides to explore the house to determine what has happened to her family. Although discovering what happened to her family is one main objectives of the game, there are many sub-plots and other objectives for the player to discover. Two aspects of Gone Home that particularly intrigued and impressed me were the attention to detail in the game, and the self-discovery of clues by the player.
    In my opinion the coolest part of Gone Home is the creator’s attention to detail, especially for such a low budget game. There were countless items in the game for the player to discover. These items have incredible detail, no matter how insignificant the item to the game’s plot. The level of illustration detail and the realism of the items in the game make exploring the rooms extremely interesting. I really applaud The Fullbright Company for this as it makes the game much more enjoyable.
    The second aspect that really impressed me was the self-directed exploration the game. In Gone Home the player travels room to room, trying to find clues to unravel the many mysteries of the Greenbriar family. Although the creator’s control the player’s movement somewhat through their locking of certain rooms or forcing the player to find items that open the doors, for the most part a player’s exploration of the house is self-directed. This creates a game that is a very different experience for each player. I really enjoy this aspect of the game as it allows the game to evolve with the player, rather than force the player from level to level in the hierarchical approach of many other games.
    I really enjoyed the Gone Home as it was a great balance of a highly detailed environment with a self-directed exploration. I would recommend this game to anyone who enjoys mystery and exploration games.    … Expand
  69. Kilo29
    Dec 16, 2013
    9
    Kate Greenbriar is returning home from a year abroad in 1995. She arrives to an empty house, with a note on the front door addressed to her from her sister Sam. The note says Sam is sorry that she cannot be there for Kate, but to not come looking for her. This note begins Kate’s journey to find out where Sam is, the focus of the game.

    Kate’s journey consists of reading notes, letters    Kate Greenbriar is returning home from a year abroad in 1995. She arrives to an empty house, with a note on the front door addressed to her from her sister Sam. The note says Sam is sorry that she cannot be there for Kate, but to not come looking for her. This note begins Kate’s journey to find out where Sam is, the focus of the game.

    Kate’s journey consists of reading notes, letters and books, as well as listening to music and audio logs. At first, I did not find the plot to be as captivating as I hoped it would be. This was until I discovered the multitude of side stories that take place throughout the game. I was not only searching for Sam, but also learning about the history of the Greenbriar family. Although the main plot is fairly straightforward, the side stories present a challenge in the search for clues in Kate’s house, and provide a reason to play the game more than once. I thoroughly enjoyed this search, as I was constantly on edge about if I had missed clues, or what I was going to find in the next room. This mixture of adventure and story telling sets Gone Home apart from most games.

    Unlike many games, Gone Home does not impress with its graphics or sound; however, this quickly became irrelevant to me. The graphics are simple and the sounds of the game (other than the audio logs, which are discussed below) do no more than set the mood of the game with a thunderstorm. It is clear that The Fullbright Company focused on the narrative of the game, and rightly so. One of the best features of the game is a series of audio logs from Sam, which tell the story from her perspective. These are arguably the most interesting feature of the game. The majority of the complaints about Gone Home come not from the narrative, but from the duration of the game.

    Many complaints about Gone Home arise from the fact that it is currently priced at $20 and yet provides 2-3 hours of gameplay. While I can understand why one would be disappointed with an inadequate amount of gameplay, I believe Gone Home’s value comes from its high quality narrative, not its duration. Would you rather pay $15 for a great 30 minute movie, or a mediocre 2 hour movie? For this reason, I have no complaints about Gone Home.

    If you are looking for an action packed, fast paced thriller, this game is not for you. The satisfaction from completing Gone Home is the result of a lethargic search, with a series of items that must be interpreted and can lead to misdirection. I found myself on the edge of my seat in the final stretch of the game. If you are one who enjoys searching for clues and piecing together the puzzle, similar to analyzing a novel, I highly recommend this game.    … Expand
  70. eggmansalad
    Dec 16, 2013
    8
    Gone Home Review

    The date is June, 6, 1995 and Kate Greenbriar arrives at her families new home in in Pacific Northwest, after she had been traveling through Europe for a year. After putting her bags down she looks at the door to find a note from her younger sister Sam saying that she has left, and not to look for her. Once inside the house Kate starts a search for clues to help solve    Gone Home Review

    The date is June, 6, 1995 and Kate Greenbriar arrives at her families new home in in Pacific Northwest, after she had been traveling through Europe for a year. After putting her bags down she looks at the door to find a note from her younger sister Sam saying that she has left, and not to look for her. Once inside the house Kate starts a search for clues to help solve the mystery of her sisters disappearance.

    Once you enter the house you become a Nancy Drew like protagonist, searching for clues and reading journals entries trying to solve the “case of the missing sister”. Coupled with the eerie household, a raging thunderstorm, and depressed voice overs the player originally feels the unnerving suspense that games such as Amnesia or Slender provide. Every corner you turn around, or room you walk into, there is the sense that a monster might jump out at your, or that you will find a body lying in a pool of blood. This, however is not the case. The game instead focuses on the sudden relationship between to young and reckless teenagers Lonny, and Sam, that is told through triggered sequences whenever a certain item is picked up.

    The story is very well told and, the fact that the player needs to find certain items around the house to further develop the story, keeps the player interested. This is a gameplay mechanic that is not original to this title, yet this mechanic was used expertly, and was not at all revealing of how the story would unfold. The subplots were told in a very similar fashion as well. Though instead of picking up certain items and hearing a narration of a journal entry from Sam, there had to be much more research put into unearthing these plots. This could be done by reading letters, or newspaper clippings that could be found around the house. The game also boasted a complex yet not impossible set of mysteries, that included hidden house keys, and missing combinations. These problems were fun to solve, and were puzzling at times, but were not a hair pulling catastrophe that would have dragged the game on longer than its run time of roughly 2-3 hours. The era the game was selected very well as not only did the technology at the time provide many ways to create clues (i.e reading several notes between Lonny and Sam, as opposed to looking at one email account), but the 90’s gave the game many great cultural references such as, Nintendo 64, and the Riot Grrl movement.

    However this game is far from perfect, it was very disappointing that the main plot was not as enticing as it could have been. What started off as a story of a runaway girl, that doesn’t fit in and lives in the “psycho house”, turns into a fantastical love story about two girls falling in love and talking about their sexual experiences. This love story makes the eerie aura originally felt while playing the game disappear, and the journal entries start to feel redundant and boring towards the end. In fact the best plot in the game is the subplot of the dad’s failed career as an author, and the constant date of November 22, 1963 appearing (a date that’s meaning can be found with a little extra research). This subplot helped keep the the scary feel of the game alive and made me question as to why the story had to go the way it did. The game also had several useless subplots, such as the subplot involving Daniel and the Nintendo, or Janice Greenbriar’s relationship with a park ranger known as Rick. The game also gave very little connection with the main character Kate Greenbriar, something that is not very common within games, and without the constant solving of mysteries, a serious disconnect with the game would have been inevitable.

    This game boasts and very well told and interactive story, and one of the most interesting subplots ever in a game, yet has a very soft ending to the plot, and a strong disconnect to the protagonist. Though flaws in all Gone Home provides a refreshing playing experience that is definitely worth the 2-3 hours most players will spend on this game.

    Score out of 10: 7.7/10    … Expand
  71. LukasH
    Dec 16, 2013
    9
    Gone Home is a 1st person video game created by The Fullbright Company that is based around a young woman coming home to an empty house. She has to go through the house, looking at different artifacts to solve the mystery of her missing family.
    I was impressed with how such a simple game kept me on my toes until the very end. I constantly found myself looking at irrelevant objects,    Gone Home is a 1st person video game created by The Fullbright Company that is based around a young woman coming home to an empty house. She has to go through the house, looking at different artifacts to solve the mystery of her missing family.
    I was impressed with how such a simple game kept me on my toes until the very end. I constantly found myself looking at irrelevant objects, believing it had something to do with the plot line. Being able to pick up everything possible, added a reality factor to the game, making the player feel like he/she is deciding what and what not to do. It felt like you were in the game. Yes, I know its an over used line to try and state a point, but it’s true. This game is very open. There weren’t a lot of hints so the player has to use their brains to get to the end of the game.
    What added onto the story is that it is an effortless game to play. The controls are easy, the sounds around the house are pragmatic and most of all, the graphics are good enough to examine specific artifacts. Each of these elements plays a huge role in this game. Without simple controls, players will get frustrated and demotivate themselves to play. With this day in age, everything has the best graphics and sound, so in order for Gone Home to compete with Call of Duty or The Last of Us, they had to “get to their level.” Each room is completely different and custom to specific characters. For example, the teenager’s room looks like a teenagers room.
    As the game progresses, the protagonist, Katie, begins to learn more and more about her younger sister, Sam. Through Sam’s journal entries, she is able to narrate her story. We are entered into Sam’s world through the eyes of the older sibling’s. Sam’s journal entries are what Katie follows to find out where Sam and her parents are.
    In conclusion, I would give The Fulbright Company’s Gone Home a 9 out of 10. The game was perfect in every way. It was one of the most realistic games I've ever played. The one part I disagreed about was the way it ended. I don't want to spoil it, but I felt that it could've ended with an explosion instead of a lit candle.    … Expand
  72. 21JumpStreet
    Dec 16, 2013
    8
    In the end, its about the story. The best part of this game was the narrative, and the challenge to the player to consider the mode of storytelling. There has been a mass divide between players who want a big, bright and golden experience with epic action that can change the game at the drop of a hat, and those that are more interested in a different form of game. One that tells a story.In the end, its about the story. The best part of this game was the narrative, and the challenge to the player to consider the mode of storytelling. There has been a mass divide between players who want a big, bright and golden experience with epic action that can change the game at the drop of a hat, and those that are more interested in a different form of game. One that tells a story. For those who are more willing to forego the expectations of flashy animation and radical action, this game can be a rewarding experience.… Expand
  73. WesKnowles
    Dec 16, 2013
    10
    Gone Home, a new release from The Fullbright Company, tells the mysterious tale of the Greenbriar family. Upon coming home from a long trip, Katie Greenbriar returns on a stormy night, to find her family’s new mansion abandoned. Amazing writing and progressive expansion of the story draw you in, despite the seeming monotony of the gameplay, which is completely void of any weapons orGone Home, a new release from The Fullbright Company, tells the mysterious tale of the Greenbriar family. Upon coming home from a long trip, Katie Greenbriar returns on a stormy night, to find her family’s new mansion abandoned. Amazing writing and progressive expansion of the story draw you in, despite the seeming monotony of the gameplay, which is completely void of any weapons or enemies.

    The mystery and unease as you walk into the house is nearly palpable. Not sure what to expect, the crashing thunder and flashes of lightning set the mood for the first clue you find your sister has left home, telling you to not try to find out where she has gone. The entirety of Gone Home follows this premise, and is what pulls you in the most. The story feeds itself, and it’s clear that developer Steve Gaynor is a vastly experienced and professional writer. Every piece of information leads to new details, which lead you further into the world of the Greenbriars. The most strenuous part of Gone Home is trying to decide whether you want to sprint to the next clue, or take your time, savoring the story. Gone Home leads you through an incredible tale, using all of your senses to do so.

    Whether it’s the first flash of lightning, followed up by a delayed crack of thunder, or the first Riot Grrrl cassette, the story is accompanied by phenomenal auditory and visual effects. The dim lighting as you enter a new room never fails to creep you out, especially after entering a dimly lit bathroom and finding a bathtub splattered with bright red stains, when the eeriness peaks until you learn that it’s simply hair dye. With just a few games under their belt, the ability to create such perfect scenes lead me to believe that this isn’t the last time we’ll see The Fullbright Company accepting awards at places such as the Spike VGX awards, winners of Best Independent Game, as well as Best PC Game.

    These sorts of scenes are prominent throughout Gone Home, and slowly build up over time, and in all honesty; it’s the first game that has left a vivid imprint in my mind. Of course, I doubt you’ll hear people speak of the emotional rollercoaster that you’re led on throughout a game of Plants Vs. Zombies. The main reason for this is the personal connection you feel, as if truly a member of the Greenbriar family. Each character develops throughout the game, giving it a truly personal feeling.

    Gone Home leads you on an adventure unlike any other game I’ve played, using impressive storytelling, vivid imagery, and brilliant auditory effects. The Fullbright Company sought to venture into uncharted territory, and did so with flying colors. Perfect for the hardcore gamer, or perhaps as a Steam gift to your Call of Duty obsessed sibling, Gone Home is the beginning of a new era of gaming, where stories come to life.    … Expand
  74. CaseySean01
    Dec 16, 2013
    9
    Gone Home is an immersive mystery, simulation experience, requiring the player to learn about the personal lives of the characters and extend empathy to them. While Gone Home differs from the usual action-heavy, combat-focused games, it succeeds in its own genre due to elegant and meaningful writing, and an amazing story-driven structure of game architecture.
    Gone Home begins with Katie    Gone Home is an immersive mystery, simulation experience, requiring the player to learn about the personal lives of the characters and extend empathy to them. While Gone Home differs from the usual action-heavy, combat-focused games, it succeeds in its own genre due to elegant and meaningful writing, and an amazing story-driven structure of game architecture.
    Gone Home begins with Katie Greenbriar, a young woman returning to her family’s home in 1995 after spending a year travelling in Europe. Upon arrival during a dark and stormy night, the house appears to be deserted, and requires the player to collect artifacts and clues hiding within the realistic environment to rebuild the broken puzzle of a story. By doing so, the player is rewarded with pieces of information that could never have been known or assumed when first entering the house.
    Throughout the game, Katie’s younger sister Samantha, narrates a large number of journal entries as the player finds important artifacts that are relevant to the story. Other hints and critical information are unveiled as the player explores the house, finding notes, objects, and photos. Since recently moving into the brand new mansion, Katie finds herself in a very mysterious environment, and having to explore this new and interesting environment adds to the sense of unease that is sensed consistently throughout the game.
    While Gone Home isn’t the most polished game in terms of graphics and visuals, there are other ways of compelling the player’s immersion throughout the story, through the use of perfected sound and environment design. It’s not often in a game that you find yourself just standing in the middle of a room, listening to the ambient soundtrack, or thinking about how much work was put into realistically routing cables from lamps and TVs to their corresponding outlets and the effect is truly captivating.
    Steve Gaynor, Karla Zimbonja, Johnnemann Nordhagen, and Kate Craig are very experienced in game development, having worked on BioShock 2, BioShock Infinite, and XCOM: Declassified. What makes Gone Home a truly different experience is the elevated level of personality poured into this game from its developers. This is evident as the player listens to in-game commentary from all four developers. The commentary discusses what the developer had in mind when part of the level or story was created, and includes references to items that were randomly tossed into the game such as the BioShock Infinite cover mimicked on the salad dressing bottle hidden in the pantry. This unique level of detail is almost never delivered within bigger titles, as the personality of the developers is often hidden behind their numbers. That is what is truly revolutionary about this “new” exploration game, which could potentially change how video games are made going forward.
    It is difficult to imagine what could have been improved in Gone Home, especially because so many things were done perfectly. However, there were a couple things I was disappointed about when I played through the game for the first time. I found that the story was a little bit too linear. The way the game subtly pushes the player in the right directions by finding codes to locked doors, or secret passageways strays from the exploration genre that this game attempted to mimic. I believe the player should be able to explore anywhere they want, perhaps having to revisit places to find missed clues about the story or having to wander about for minutes, just pondering what they should do next. Secondly, I found that the ending was rather lackluster. It was not on par with the amazing development throughout the game, and ended far too suddenly. While the ending does have a deeper meaning when studied closely, many players who are experiencing this unique game for the first time will often overlook that poignancy.
    Overall, I would award Gone Home with a rating of 9 out of 10. Throughout the game, I felt myself being further drawn into the story, aided by the realistic setting, amazing soundtrack, and the addition of audio journals that arose when certain, important objects were found. Although the ending was not on-par with the rest of the story, and the mystery genre of the game was clouded by the linear direction, I would highly recommend this game to any avid game player, even if they have a history of playing “triple A” titles consistently, but especially if they have a true appreciation for uniquely styled games.    … Expand
  75. FinnMalcolm
    Dec 16, 2013
    9
    Gone Home is a first-person interactive story adventure game that is very original, unseen and groundbreaking in the video game world. Gone Home is the Fullbright Company’s first hit and follows the story of Kate Greenbriar, who after coming home from a European gap year finds her new family house abandoned. Kate is forced to search throughout the house for clues in the form of notes andGone Home is a first-person interactive story adventure game that is very original, unseen and groundbreaking in the video game world. Gone Home is the Fullbright Company’s first hit and follows the story of Kate Greenbriar, who after coming home from a European gap year finds her new family house abandoned. Kate is forced to search throughout the house for clues in the form of notes and other items in the hopes of finding out what happened to her estranged family. The game is so respectable for several reasons; it creates an unseen perspective in video games, it combines the experience of both a book and a video game and its graphics and content surpass those of any other comparable game. This unseen perspective is the perspective that of an adventure game, combined with the suspense and gameplay of a first person shooter. Secondly, during the playing of the game, the gamer experiences both feelings that are associated with reading, and others that are traditionally associated with gaming. The experience of reading is felt because Gone Home is the first game to go into the thought process of characters and delve into the relationship between characters. Lastly, the game is so successful because its graphics, gameplay, and commentary are very advanced and unorthodox in the world of adventure games. In my opinion, the game is very good, and I enjoyed it very much. I particularly enjoyed it because it provided me with a gaming experience that I had not felt before and opened my eyes to different genres of video games.… Expand
  76. rmahjour
    Dec 15, 2013
    10
    Gone Home is a game about careful exploration and discovery. The main character is Katie Greenbriar, who’s recently returned from a year abroad. She arrives to a new house filled with artifacts about her sister and parents who have disappeared and are not at the house. Katie’s goal is to determine where her family is and what happened in the last year.

    The narrative of the game is    Gone Home is a game about careful exploration and discovery. The main character is Katie Greenbriar, who’s recently returned from a year abroad. She arrives to a new house filled with artifacts about her sister and parents who have disappeared and are not at the house. Katie’s goal is to determine where her family is and what happened in the last year.

    The narrative of the game is through the eyes of Katie trying to figure out what happened to her sister after reading the note on the front door from her sister. Although, despite its initial setup, Gone Home actually tells several different stories. As you search through the dark and gloomy house, you uncover details not only about Sam's situation, but also about what has been going on with Katie's parents, and the home’s previous occupants, too. You'll get insight into the state of their marriage, obstacles in their careers and their interests solely from looking around. The many artifacts in the game allow the gamer to miss or ignore some details, which draws each gamer to their own conclusions. Therefore it is important to examine and read every object you can in the house.

    The graphics of the game are ok. The house is well rendered and lit in a way for you to feel the house is eerie and creepy. Although I wish there was more details with some objects I did not find graphics to be an issue. The music in the game is fantastic. The sounds of thunder, the creaky floorboards and doors keep you on the edge of your seat. As well the cassette tapes featuring bands such as Heavens to Betsy and Bratmobile give the real sense of the game's '90s Riot Grrrl setting. Lastly, the controls are simple, and it is easy to navigate with either mouse or trackpad and keyboard. The Fullbright Company made sure that the controls do not get in the way of the game and the unfolding of the story.

    Playing Gone Home was a new experience that I really enjoyed. Gone Home felt as if I was “playing” a novel. I would recommend this game to someone who would like to try a different type of game, and who enjoys adventures and stories.    … Expand
  77. homosaur
    Dec 12, 2013
    6
    I agree with most of the people on here that say Gone Home is conceptually brilliant and essential, and I also agree with those that think the story is somewhat bland. I appreciate the unique perspective, and the game really drips with nostalgia for the 1990's Portland underground. It really does feel like it really understands time and place. However, there's actually little story, it'sI agree with most of the people on here that say Gone Home is conceptually brilliant and essential, and I also agree with those that think the story is somewhat bland. I appreciate the unique perspective, and the game really drips with nostalgia for the 1990's Portland underground. It really does feel like it really understands time and place. However, there's actually little story, it's more of a short interactive fiction work.

    It's also too expensive. If I had paid $20 for this like some on here, I'd be furious with the length and lack of interaction. At $10 it's still a bit pricey. I'm not sure if the high cost is due to a custom engine, but if that's the case, they should have likely got something off the shelf and made the game cheaper. Unless you can get this for $10 or less, I unfortunately cannot recommend it despite the fact that it's something everyone should play once.    … Expand
  78. AssurHeX
    Dec 11, 2013
    0
    This can barely be considered a VN since it's so short. This game doesn't do anything that hasn't been done before. Calling it new and innovative because of it's lack of gameplay just means it's a movie. And a bad one at that.
    Thank god I didn't pay for it. I wonder If I can get my bandwidth back.
  79. packiechan88
    Dec 11, 2013
    9
    If you're looking for a touching, memorable, intelligent story in which you make it unfold then play this.More a point and click novel than a game. Can't understand how there is so many negative reviews, I can only assume its COD fanboys annoyed that there wasn't any guns or explosions
  80. Supagoat
    Dec 11, 2013
    1
    I can appreciate why the story of this game resonates with some people. Not just LBGT it's a story that can resonate with most any teenager.

    That said, the game is terrible. The story is delivered almost exclusively through audio diaries and a couple souvenirs that reinforce what the diary entries were about. There is no game here. It's a static environment that the player    I can appreciate why the story of this game resonates with some people. Not just LBGT it's a story that can resonate with most any teenager.

    That said, the game is terrible. The story is delivered almost exclusively through audio diaries and a couple souvenirs that reinforce what the diary entries were about. There is no game here. It's a static environment that the player navigates, poking around for diary entries. There are no puzzles. There are no enemies to defeat. No skill challenges. No choices to be made. It barely qualifies as an interactive fiction, since most entries into that genre involve the player in the story with dialog choices or action decisions.

    It won game of the year based entirely on the social content it took on. That's laudable, but not worthy of a best game award.

    Oh, and it's very short.    … Expand
  81. gearsofwar98
    Dec 10, 2013
    0
    One of the games that proved reviewing websites are terrible. With a incredible short and overhyped story this game was not worth playing for free. The story was incredible mediocre and cliche and I feel if anyone thought it was well written probably has never read a book in there life. Anyone saying it was special is either a LGBT shill or just a woman. Do not play this game or give theOne of the games that proved reviewing websites are terrible. With a incredible short and overhyped story this game was not worth playing for free. The story was incredible mediocre and cliche and I feel if anyone thought it was well written probably has never read a book in there life. Anyone saying it was special is either a LGBT shill or just a woman. Do not play this game or give the company money for garbage like this.… Expand
  82. thedarkestdie
    Dec 9, 2013
    9
    This games is an example of how games truly can be art. I wouldn't go as far as to call it a masterpiece but the game creates a unique experience that transcends that of other games in the industry. There is no combat, there is no fighting, its just pure exploration as you try to uncover why Katie's family is not home to greet her, and why her sister Sam is not around either. The entireThis games is an example of how games truly can be art. I wouldn't go as far as to call it a masterpiece but the game creates a unique experience that transcends that of other games in the industry. There is no combat, there is no fighting, its just pure exploration as you try to uncover why Katie's family is not home to greet her, and why her sister Sam is not around either. The entire house begs to be explored. You pick up anything from a cup to one of the many letters and notes scattered around the house, each one adding on to the emotional and touching story. The story is also narrated though Katie's sister Sam using narrated Journal entries- as the player continues to find more notes and letters that tell Sam's story. The Journals outline Sam's relationship with a girl named Lonnie, and how close the two of them become. It's a touching relationship that continues to grow throughout the game. The house has a lot to say to you should you take the time to pay attention to every detail. It not only outlines the relationship between Sam and Lonnie but it also gives insight into Katie's Parents and what they are like along with their own story ark (particularly about the Father). There is also a very creepy and unsettling atmosphere that is generated around roaming around a big empty mansion in the middle of the night with a massive storm outside. I found myself looking up and towards the doorway while examining something whenever I heard a loud creaking in the floorboards. There is no danger but that doesn't make the game feel any less unsettling.

    This game is not trying to be a game in the traditional sense. Its trying to be more than that. Its trying to tell a story and provide a unique and immersive experience that goes beyond complex gameplay mechanics. If you look at the game in this way and understand what this game is truly trying to be, then it can be a beautiful experience for you. That being said the game really isn't for everyone. If you want more out of the gameplay beyond simple exploration you may find yourself disappointed and among the masses of people who want to bash on a game that they don't appreciated for what it is trying to be.    … Expand
  83. naroom
    Dec 9, 2013
    10
    This was a game experience that was unlike anything I've ever had. It has a very human story that haunted me afterwards. I couldn't stop thinking about the game when I'd finished it. This game is a work of art.

    I recommend you read as little as possible about this game before playing it. It's very easy to read something that would spoil the experience of the game. After playing it,    This was a game experience that was unlike anything I've ever had. It has a very human story that haunted me afterwards. I couldn't stop thinking about the game when I'd finished it. This game is a work of art.

    I recommend you read as little as possible about this game before playing it. It's very easy to read something that would spoil the experience of the game.

    After playing it, though, I recommend reading some of the analyses of the game that various bloggers have posted. This game has an emotional depth that's just unheard of, and it's difficult to understand the whole thing on one play-through. So, save your reading about the game until after you've played it.    … Expand
  84. victorhjkl
    Dec 8, 2013
    6
    Gone home has a very short story but it doesn't mean that the it isn't good, in the game you just have to go through the story without trouble there isn't guns or something like that, Gone Home is boring sometimes it hasn't amazing graphics, just some persons will like this game, but if story is just what you are looking for in a game you will enjoy it.
  85. Adgalo
    Dec 8, 2013
    8
    The story unfolds while you walk through the house reading notes written by your character's sister... Great game, although now for everyone.

    PD: LOL at all those low ratings...
  86. mysteriousfleas
    Dec 7, 2013
    0
    You can't even call this a game, it's a pretentious media presentation which presents a narrative wank job for those with a persecution complex to satisfy themselves with. Utter crap.
  87. JacksonTanner
    Dec 6, 2013
    10
    This is more than a game. This is a full-blown experience. In the beginning, it is difficult to discern the concept behind the game but you quickly become immersed and enthralled. The attention to detail is astounding. The score is emotional and marvelous. You begin to discover the parts of the game that you enjoy the most, for me it was the cassettes laying around. Pure 90s punk nostalgiaThis is more than a game. This is a full-blown experience. In the beginning, it is difficult to discern the concept behind the game but you quickly become immersed and enthralled. The attention to detail is astounding. The score is emotional and marvelous. You begin to discover the parts of the game that you enjoy the most, for me it was the cassettes laying around. Pure 90s punk nostalgia filled my earholes. This is a work of art and not to spoil anything, the ending is beyond satisfying. Highly recommend.… Expand
  88. logothing
    Dec 6, 2013
    9
    I'll start out by saying that the steam price for this game IS too much. If you are strapped for cash, please wait for this to go on sale. If, however, you are swimming in cash, this game is well worth the money.

    This game really excels in its story telling. There are several layers here, and some may be glossed over by players trying to get at the "meat" of the game. Players that    I'll start out by saying that the steam price for this game IS too much. If you are strapped for cash, please wait for this to go on sale. If, however, you are swimming in cash, this game is well worth the money.

    This game really excels in its story telling. There are several layers here, and some may be glossed over by players trying to get at the "meat" of the game. Players that do this will be disappointed. While there is a "main story", the supplemental details and subplots are vital to adding nuance and richness to the experience as a whole.

    I will not spoil the game. My decision to purchase this game came with almost complete (albeit unwitting) ignorance to the subject matter, and I feel that my experience was all the better. Don't read any other reviews: just play the game.

    Story: depth 8/10
    presentation 10/10
    originality 7.5/10
    memorable? Yes    … Expand
  89. Gollygeeanelite
    Dec 5, 2013
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. First, let me start this review off by focusing on the general pricing/length of this game. For 20 dollars (or $5 if you purchased it during a Steam sale), you are getting a video game experience that will last no longer than two hours. That's right. 2 hours. The actual interaction with the story last no more than 10 minutes. I could have gotten the same value from interesting stories from browsing forums on the internet.

    There isn't much that makes this story unique [SPOILERS START HERE]. A girl gets adjusted to a new life after moving. She meets a fellow classmate. She falls in love with her. They are both lesbian. They date for a year. They run away from home. The end. There is nothing special here. I'm a HUGE reader. I've read visual novels, manga, and over 500 normal novels. This story is truly MEH. Books that are comparable with this game cost a lot less and will have you engaged for 6-8 hours.

    But comparing a reading game to other reading forms of entertainment can wait. The most frustrating part about this game is the desperation clicking. I literally went through the mansion clicking everything 2-3 times. I didn't want to miss parts of the story because I got to the end game in 50 minutes. I wasn't even sure if the game was truly complete! I didn't want the money I spent to cheat me even more. The mechanics of the game are just clicking to get a scrap of any mediocre letter or note left by your family. It leaves you in disappointment because a fleshed out story wouldn't leave such a broken trail behind.

    There are many experiences that would surpass this gaming experience. Watch an anime (FMA, Steins;Gate, Deathnote), read a book, or check out a visual novel like Clannad. These are all good uses of mediums to tell a great story. Walking through an empty house picking up torn up letters is not. Back to the drawing board guys.    … Expand
  90. JCee
    Dec 5, 2013
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I've been looking for a game to play in-between my regular Sims/Skyrim sessions, and this looked like a decent one. I'm a 90's kid (born late 80's actually) and a sucker for "exploration/mystery" type games, plus the 50% Cyber Monday sale didn't hurt either. I played for 2 or so hours first day, and finally got the chance to get back in on Thursday, only to realize I was literally 10 minutes away from completing the whole thing. What a bummer! Seriously, if this game cost 2£ then great. But it was a whopping 8£ with a 50% sale. I have never paid that much for any game that is completable in under 3 hours.. The story was ridiculously predictable as well, I could already predict what was going to the main narrator and her secret friend 20 minutes into playing. I also don't know if it's just me and my machine, but in most rooms I'd get annoying neon-coloured glitchy flashing patches on objects and walls. 4/10… Expand
  91. Emerett
    Dec 3, 2013
    10
    I will start off by saying I am 26 years old. I honestly think if you were born after 1990, this game probably won't do much for you. But if you were... this game will be a revelatory masterpiece, that will provide you with two hours that couldn't be more well spent.

    I purchased this on the Autumn Steam sale, for mac, and let it download while I went out for the day. When I came home, I    I will start off by saying I am 26 years old. I honestly think if you were born after 1990, this game probably won't do much for you. But if you were... this game will be a revelatory masterpiece, that will provide you with two hours that couldn't be more well spent.

    I purchased this on the Autumn Steam sale, for mac, and let it download while I went out for the day. When I came home, I dropped the groceries on the counter and went to see if it was done.

    After everything booted OK, I planned on finishing up bringing things in, but after the first couple of seconds I was drawn in. Three intense hours later, I looked over and my girlfriend was crying, who I had no idea had been watching the entire time, the front door was still open and my ice cream on the counter was all melty.

    This game is one of the most powerful experiences I have ever had, not in a video game, but in any medium.

    Some people say this isn't a game, but who gives a it's 1994.    … Expand
  92. Murther
    Dec 2, 2013
    6
    I liked this game for the most part. It makes you piece together the story yourself, through searching your house and discovering clues as to where your sister and parents have gone. It's a form of storytelling that I think should be in more games. I thought the story was superb... until I got to the end. I left my ninety minute experience angry and disappointed, because this game tricksI liked this game for the most part. It makes you piece together the story yourself, through searching your house and discovering clues as to where your sister and parents have gone. It's a form of storytelling that I think should be in more games. I thought the story was superb... until I got to the end. I left my ninety minute experience angry and disappointed, because this game tricks you into believing something interesting is going on... But it's not... seriously at the end it was a huge let down, and the game tricks you like this on purpose. It's also too expensive, don't pay more than a couple of dollars for this game it's way too short.… Expand
  93. FunkyO
    Dec 2, 2013
    8
    A fresh and incredibly immersive experience.

    From what began as a mod for Amnesia, Gone Home has achieved an honest identity of its own. Despite not being a fully rounded game, and at times reminding you that it is clearly still at the mod level, Gone Home manages to achieve what the majority of games can only dream of. Set in 1995 you discover scraps of information through lone    A fresh and incredibly immersive experience.

    From what began as a mod for Amnesia, Gone Home has achieved an honest identity of its own. Despite not being a fully rounded game, and at times reminding you that it is clearly still at the mod level, Gone Home manages to achieve what the majority of games can only dream of.

    Set in 1995 you discover scraps of information through lone exploration in the form of notes, invoices and voice acted excerpts from a journal to piece together the lives of a family which feel altogether believable. The level of exploration, however, is up to you and although the story can be completed in around 90 minutes the more time you commit to experiencing this world the greater your reward.

    The audio work is what really ensures Gone Home is comfortably seated in a league above where it would otherwise be. The quality of the voice acting is astounding. The performances create characters that you truly care for and, perhaps more importantly, believe, and at a production level which you would normally only expect from AAA titles (and not many).

    Gone Home is a solid exploration experience nodding to a long buried genre which will pull you to the edge of your seat and let you fall into a pit of nostalgic bliss.    … Expand
  94. KwaNilius
    Dec 1, 2013
    0
    This is not a game. This is a scam for money. The programming is so crappy you could glitch the game and finish it in a matter 60 seconds.

    The critics here are liars, they are paid to the bones to make this game look good. Please steer clear and save the video game industry by not touching anything like this.
  95. shawesomelove
    Dec 1, 2013
    9
    It's hard to look at this as a game, since there is no aspect of winning or losing. There isn't even a dire need to complete the game, but I did. I wanted to read every slip of crumpled paper, turn on every light and learn everything there was to know about this family and the world that they live in. However, the story is primarily focused on one character in particular, which is fineIt's hard to look at this as a game, since there is no aspect of winning or losing. There isn't even a dire need to complete the game, but I did. I wanted to read every slip of crumpled paper, turn on every light and learn everything there was to know about this family and the world that they live in. However, the story is primarily focused on one character in particular, which is fine because it helps build up the story to a fulfilling ending that I never saw coming. But the rest of the stories seem to lack closure. Don't get me wrong. I loved reading about everyone lives, but I think the focus on one story doesn't necessarily justify leaving others without proper endings. I won't go into details, because I would rather not spoil anything from this game and I'm not too full of myself to admit that I might have missed somethings during my play through. I'm just saying that the stories of the other characters seem to be less apparent and more difficult to find.

    Could this story been told through a different medium? I don't think so. The way everything is set is so perfect that being told through chapters in a book or scenes in a movie would probably tarnish the story being told. I am grateful that I live in a world where I am not confined to read or listen to a story but sit down and experience it. And yes, I understand that the majority of the story IS found in pieces of paper and audible diary entries, but there's something to be said for discovering these items on your own and at your own pace.

    I have to point out the mechanics of the game are a bit slow--literally. But I think this was intentional, because if I WERE to sprint through this game, I probably wouldn't be paying attention to the story at hand. There were times when I just wanted to run back to a room to see if I missed something or just get to the next room quickly, but the game forces you to take your time and walk. And you what? With any other game, that would piss me off, but not this one. Besides that particular issue and the occasional frame-rate issues (which speaks more about my laptop than anything else) the game actually looks pretty good. It's not going to blow you away with it's graphics or textures, but it's simple and reminds me of my parents house while I was still living at home.

    Is the game worth $20.00? It's really up to you. Would you pay $20.00 for a good movie or a book? Do you like stories, rooted in an indie setting, that tries it's damn hardest to immerse you in it as much as possible? If you answered yes to both of those questions, then buy this great piece of entertainment. Find some time to sit down, get comfortable and enjoy the small world that is presented to you here. It'll only take a few hours and I assure you, you will not be disappointed.    … Expand
  96. EllyCam
    Dec 1, 2013
    10
    This game was captivating. I sat down and started playing, and before I knew it, the game was over and it was two hours later. The story was so engaging, and the sheer amount of content was amazing. I loved that I just kept finding little things, and that every single part of the house held more clues to the mystery.
  97. Haru24
    Dec 1, 2013
    2
    Great atmosphere, great premise...but turned into wasted potential. The story builds you up over the very brief hour or so of gameplay and drops you with only some of the details of the side plot, which was quite honestly the plot that pulled me in, and a fairly lackluster ending to the main plot. The graphics are enough to get by, but really leave you wanting. I honestly thought this mayGreat atmosphere, great premise...but turned into wasted potential. The story builds you up over the very brief hour or so of gameplay and drops you with only some of the details of the side plot, which was quite honestly the plot that pulled me in, and a fairly lackluster ending to the main plot. The graphics are enough to get by, but really leave you wanting. I honestly thought this may have bee built on the half life 2 engine when first seeing it. This team worked on AAA productions before forming their studio. That they would allow themselves to make something of this quality was really a let down. All in all, the buildup is exciting, but the letdown of the lost side plot and $20 price tag left a horrific taste in my mouth.… Expand
  98. WomZombie
    Dec 1, 2013
    3
    What a mystery! I don't mean the story, I mean why some reviewers have given this game a high score.

    It's too basic, lacking action, not scary at all, very short, and the story will likely only strike a chord with teenage girls going through sexual identity issues. Perhaps this is the reason why some reviewers have been kind, because it gives you a kind of "creepy house game" with some    What a mystery! I don't mean the story, I mean why some reviewers have given this game a high score.

    It's too basic, lacking action, not scary at all, very short, and the story will likely only strike a chord with teenage girls going through sexual identity issues. Perhaps this is the reason why some reviewers have been kind, because it gives you a kind of "creepy house game" with some "notes on young lesbian lovers". It's a strange mix, seemingly forced together, but is awkward as a result.

    There's some enjoyment to be had with exploring, but soon it becomes apparent that there's nothing much happening with this "game" and that it's basically just a boring story told via a simple "pick up this key"... "walk upstairs"...."open door"... the end.

    Anyone who describes this game as "art", either doesn't get out enough, or doesn't know what games are capable of, or has an agenda to push this game for whatever reason. This game could have been a lot more. It feels like level one. Now, where's the rest?    … Expand
  99. Mariokata
    Nov 30, 2013
    6
    I DON’T RECOMMEND THIS GAME AT FULL PRICE

    BUY ONLY AT 75% OFF. Gone home is a first person exploration game. Well maybe it’s not a game but more of an experience. There are no puzzles, no challenge and nothing to put your game skills to test here. This “game” is all about exploring a house, looking at items and basically learning more about the people who live in the house and their    I DON’T RECOMMEND THIS GAME AT FULL PRICE

    BUY ONLY AT 75% OFF.

    Gone home is a first person exploration game. Well maybe it’s not a game but more of an experience. There are no puzzles, no challenge and nothing to put your game skills to test here. This “game” is all about exploring a house, looking at items and basically learning more about the people who live in the house and their background. Without spoiling the story because this is the meat” of the game I will have to say that it tries to create an emotional connection with the user but the problem here is that THIS connection is hard to be established on all people who play the game and it depends on their own norms/values. That is also the reason that some people like the game and others dont. Furthermore this game is full of Easter eggs. If you were born in the 80’s just like me you will find a lot of references here. Some items will bring back memories from your childhood. The “game” is all about creating nostalgia but nonetheless it covers a very sensitive topic.

    Personally the story for ME was not very touching and to tell the truth I enjoyed exploring the house and finding those 80’s and early 90’s easter eggs more. The main story was average and predictable to say the least.

    Pros: beautiful environment that looks and feels like a real house, lots of Easter eggs, 80’s nostalgia is everywhere, good voice work, the soundtrack is excellent and the music fits with the tone of the game

    Cons: main story it’s predictable and boring, there is no real gameplay here, no replayability, the game is only 2 hours long and it’s also very expensive for its duration.

    FINAL SCORE: 6.5/10    … Expand
  100. Wracky
    Nov 30, 2013
    8
    Not a traditional game, but good atmosphere, and good story telling. If you're looking for action or difficult puzzles, don't pick this up. If you like exploring, piecing the story together, and enjoy personal stories, definitely pick it up. Took me around 2 hours to finish.
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Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Best PC Game of 2013
11
#11 Most Discussed PC Game of 2013
3
#3 Most Shared PC Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 56 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 56
  3. Negative: 0 out of 56
  1. JeuxActu
    Feb 10, 2015
    85
    Grow Home is an interesting surprise from a publisher who get used to mismanaging his own IP's. This platformer like no other has everything going for you and for a very low price tag. You can easily give it a try.
    Read full review
  2. IGN Italia
    Jan 5, 2014
    95
    A beautiful, emotionally engaging, artfully crafted game, completely centered around exploration and telling a mature story through interaction.
    Read full review
  3. RPG Fan
    Dec 2, 2013
    75
    A story that will move some and alienate others.
    Read full review
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