Her Story

 PC
User Score
6.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 486 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 234 out of 486
  2. Mixed: 121 out of 486
  3. Negative: 131 out of 486

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  1. george_bondo
    Mar 9, 2023
    8
    the same game, in turn, gives you a new gaming experience and makes you feel like a real detective, it's interesting to delve into this, but the story can be made even more intense
  2. klaaz
    Jan 26, 2023
    8
    An interesting experiment that demonstrates the different ways that the video game industry has to tell a story.
  3. BugOnDesk
    Jan 16, 2023
    9
    This game gave me a lot of inspiration both on storytelling and simulator design. The story is mind-blowing and I enjoyed how it unfolds dramatically throw the video clips searching process.
  4. Crypt
    Jan 15, 2023
    8
    O jogo é bom, porém ele não te deixa perder. Você pode ganhar por tentativa e erro e isso é ruim. E faltam elementos para melhor esclarecer a história.
  5. Josle
    Nov 27, 2022
    8
    A unique game, that most people have never seen before. Sam Barlow's games are some of the most interesting games I have seen. In Her Story you go through several interviews and watch clips to find out what is going on. You can change the clips by using the search function, if you search "apple" you will see every time someone says "apple". It is so unique and I love it, ofc it is not forA unique game, that most people have never seen before. Sam Barlow's games are some of the most interesting games I have seen. In Her Story you go through several interviews and watch clips to find out what is going on. You can change the clips by using the search function, if you search "apple" you will see every time someone says "apple". It is so unique and I love it, ofc it is not for everyone, but I think if you like a good story and care more for that than amazing gameplay then this is a game you should check out.… Expand
  6. Tomle1202
    Oct 10, 2022
    9
    A captivating narrative experience built by brilliant storytelling and a strong acting performance.
  7. farscape1789
    May 23, 2022
    8
    This game caters for a particular niche. People who primarily play traditional games don't seem to understand this. Not all games have to be shooters, adventures or platformers. This is basically a modernised text game with videos that will engage your mental faculties. If you're not into that, don't buy it and then bemoan the lack of "gameplay". I, personally, find it absolutely riveting.
  8. memus
    Jul 14, 2021
    8
    I truly felt like a detective playing the game. The vintage art direction reminded me of MS-DOS days and VHS tapes. The acting is great, the story is good (but not great to be honest), the music is fine, the gameplay is closer to the puzzle game (that's why 8 and not 9, they're not my favorite genre per se). A video game equivalent of Bandersnatch episode of Black Mirror.
  9. Karlsruhe00
    Nov 27, 2020
    10
    This is one of the most unique gaming experiences I´ve ever had.
    To the people who think that this is not a game: Seriously? Where is the line? In my opinion, it doesn´t even matter it it´s a game. It´s an amazing storyline that you get to follow, similar to Life is Strange.
  10. nyeven
    Apr 8, 2020
    9
    10/10 Idea
    9/10 for the execution
    The game is an absolute indie masterpiece and I much recommend it! The only beef I have with this game is that it doesn't have a proper ending. It leaves you with the feeling "Wait, that's it?" when you finish the game. At least that's what happened to me. So be prepared for an amazing game with such an ending, and you'll not be disappointed! I    10/10 Idea
    9/10 for the execution

    The game is an absolute indie masterpiece and I much recommend it!

    The only beef I have with this game is that it doesn't have a proper ending. It leaves you with the feeling "Wait, that's it?" when you finish the game. At least that's what happened to me. So be prepared for an amazing game with such an ending, and you'll not be disappointed!

    I recommend watching this video after playing through the game: https://youtu.be/fFveBzbyIVA

    Finally, from the game design perspective, it's not quite clear to the player that the part of the database colored yellow is the video that you're currently watching, meaning you have found that video. Don't let that confuse you at the end if you are aiming for collecting all the video footage. The green parts are all the videos you have collected, red parts are all the videos missing, and a yellow part is a video you're currently watching, meaning you have collected it!    … Expand
  11. KrauserFear
    Mar 15, 2020
    10
    This game way better than your mom and It is must play game it got goty award kinda cool Great classic story Kid dont play it only mature people
  12. Hess201
    Jan 31, 2020
    10
    Cool story bruh...

    Это не совсем типичный геймеру продукт; создатель решил нарезать (русских [нет]) фильмец на маленькие кусочки, передвигаясь от одного из них к другому через слова. Одной из положительных черт можно назвать длительность сего художственного произведения характерная двум часам игрового геймлея. Ни короткий, ни длинный; ни толстый, ни тонкий.    Cool story bruh...

    Это не совсем типичный геймеру продукт;
    создатель решил нарезать (русских [нет]) фильмец на маленькие кусочки, передвигаясь от одного из них к другому через слова.

    Одной из положительных черт можно назвать длительность сего художственного произведения характерная двум часам игрового геймлея. Ни короткий, ни длинный; ни толстый, ни тонкий.
  13. PerfectRecipe
    Nov 18, 2019
    8
    On the one hand game-play is very simple without very much variations of actions, but on the other hand it is exiting to follow her story in the game.
    I like this game.
  14. RagingPoet
    May 17, 2018
    9
    Her story is unique experience, story tailored by your own curiosity. It is only 1-3 hours long, but it really hooked me and left searching the internet for additional clues.

    P.S. Make sure not to 'brute force' the solution or you might accidentally ruin most of the fun.
  15. CenkAlp
    Jan 3, 2018
    8
    Hikaye = 9
    Oynanış = 9
    Grafikler = 8
    Sesler = 8
    Keyif = 8
    Atmosfer = 8
    Süre = 6
  16. auditbadger
    Dec 19, 2017
    9
    I think that this is truly a unique game and I would recommend that if you are a fan of this type of genre then I think you should give this game a try.
  17. aditya1101
    Oct 5, 2017
    8
    Super interesting concept - I really loved this game and I felt like I had a really unique experience trying to solve the mystery of what was going on.
  18. PictoPirate
    Aug 15, 2017
    9
    An engrossing experience from start to finish Her Story is a game like nothing you've ever played before. Fantastically acted and written once you sit in the detectives chair you won't be able to leave until you've solved the mystery.
  19. ChoicestGames
    Jul 16, 2017
    8
    If you like FMV games and murder mysteries, what are you waiting for? Her Story ticks all the right boxes. The only criticism I could make is that the game might not be enough of a traditional game to some since it's more of an exercise in exploring videos on an old PC at your own pace. However, I still enjoyed the game and appreciated its strong narrative as well as the nostalgia factorIf you like FMV games and murder mysteries, what are you waiting for? Her Story ticks all the right boxes. The only criticism I could make is that the game might not be enough of a traditional game to some since it's more of an exercise in exploring videos on an old PC at your own pace. However, I still enjoyed the game and appreciated its strong narrative as well as the nostalgia factor (Win 95 represent!).… Expand
  20. BITESCREEN
    Jun 22, 2017
    9
    FMV – da kommt Retrozockern die Galle hoch: Die „Full Motion Video“-Games der 90er waren berüchtigt für eine optisch-spielerische Wegwerfqualität. So war das obskure Genre schnell wieder vergessen – bis jetzt! Denn Silent Hill – Shattered Memories-Game-Director Sam Barlow stampft mit Her Story einen Hammer aus dem Boden: Im interaktiven Krimi klären Spieler über eine alte PolizeidatenbankFMV – da kommt Retrozockern die Galle hoch: Die „Full Motion Video“-Games der 90er waren berüchtigt für eine optisch-spielerische Wegwerfqualität. So war das obskure Genre schnell wieder vergessen – bis jetzt! Denn Silent Hill – Shattered Memories-Game-Director Sam Barlow stampft mit Her Story einen Hammer aus dem Boden: Im interaktiven Krimi klären Spieler über eine alte Polizeidatenbank den Mord an einem Mann auf. Dessen Frau und Hauptverdächtige ist Star in 230 Videoschnipseln, die durch kluge Google-Style-Stichwortsuche die Wahrheit enthüllen. Der Clou: die mit Uralt-Icons und Unterauflösung authentisch dargestellte Retro-Computer-Oberfläche zeigt nur fünf Clips gleichzeitig an, sodass die Geschichte wie ein komplexes Puzzle nur langsam Gestalt annimmt, sich in mehrere Richtungen gleichzeitig entwickelt und voller Twists steckt – in puncto Games-Storytelling absolutes Novum! Für einigen **** sorgen zudem originelle Silent Hill-Psychospielchen wie Chats aus dem Nichts oder irritierende Reflexionen auf dem Bildschirm.… Expand
  21. Antimon13
    Jun 5, 2016
    10
    This is a game like no other. It has been a long time since I played a game through without being able to stop. Also like no other movie, novel, graphic novel or of course game in a long time, I was staring at the end screen for what felt like hours.
    Of course you need to leave behind, what you learned in the last years about graphics, effects and what not and approach it like a    This is a game like no other. It has been a long time since I played a game through without being able to stop. Also like no other movie, novel, graphic novel or of course game in a long time, I was staring at the end screen for what felt like hours.
    Of course you need to leave behind, what you learned in the last years about graphics, effects and what not and approach it like a completely new experience. It's hard to call it a game, or a novel either. It shows instead what depth in any media can be like, if you are willing to open your mind.    … Expand
  22. beardi
    Feb 4, 2016
    9
    Amazed by it. I totally felt like a detective trying to solve a case. It has been a great experience, it felt almost real. A puzzle that step by step shows the whole picture. You must try it!
  23. Tuflaguers
    Feb 3, 2016
    9
    I don't get the negative criticism in this game. Is it that people doesn't appreciate innovation? Is it really that I enjoyed it much more than he average?

    My opinion is that it is because people is too attached to the classical definition of videogame, and things that work out different as expected are labeled as "not games". I, personally, enjoyed the game very much, and as a game    I don't get the negative criticism in this game. Is it that people doesn't appreciate innovation? Is it really that I enjoyed it much more than he average?

    My opinion is that it is because people is too attached to the classical definition of videogame, and things that work out different as expected are labeled as "not games".

    I, personally, enjoyed the game very much, and as a game designer I feel that we need more like this. Good job!    … Expand
  24. Marmosette
    Jan 5, 2016
    10
    Spectacular achievement. With the most absolute bare bones of gameplay, you are given complete free reign to explore an interesting, and unpredictable narrative.

    Because you are allowed to explore the entire story as you see fit, but are subtly guided toward making certain investigations so as not to spoil the ending, I think this is a real masterpiece of gaming. A way of allowing    Spectacular achievement. With the most absolute bare bones of gameplay, you are given complete free reign to explore an interesting, and unpredictable narrative.

    Because you are allowed to explore the entire story as you see fit, but are subtly guided toward making certain investigations so as not to spoil the ending, I think this is a real masterpiece of gaming. A way of allowing players to really DISCOVER a story, rather than being told one. Uncovering the story becomes an active achievement on your behalf, not something fed to you.    … Expand
  25. szaboar
    Dec 21, 2015
    8
    Is this a game? Dunno. Dont care. I immensely enjoyed exploring her story. It took me less than 2h to decide that I understand it well enough to stop, though some doubts still lingered (I reckon it must be intentional that you can never completely clarify everything). Probably that's why a week after deleting the local content I keep thinking about it. So the game is pretty short, but IIs this a game? Dunno. Dont care. I immensely enjoyed exploring her story. It took me less than 2h to decide that I understand it well enough to stop, though some doubts still lingered (I reckon it must be intentional that you can never completely clarify everything). Probably that's why a week after deleting the local content I keep thinking about it. So the game is pretty short, but I see myself re-installing it one day and give it a second run, doing a bit more brainwork, trying to find answers to my questions. Or not. Anyway, sometimes it feels good not to kill another alien/ganxta/orc/etc, but to make your eyes and brain do some work instead… Expand
  26. Uygar
    Oct 24, 2015
    8
    Her Story is an interactive movie video game developed and published by Sam Barlow and starring Viva Seifert. The game was released on 24 June 2015 for Microsoft Windows, OS X and iOS.
  27. Floop
    Sep 19, 2015
    10
    At first, you'll be a bit disappointed with the "gameplay" and you'll think a lot of the clips are unnecessary. (Like, 'why is she saying the same thing 3 times!?').
    Then, you'll be blown up by an unexpected twist (well, at least I didn't expect it).
    You'll finish the game ready to put a 6 in your review. But then you stop, and start actually thinking of what just happened. You'll get a    At first, you'll be a bit disappointed with the "gameplay" and you'll think a lot of the clips are unnecessary. (Like, 'why is she saying the same thing 3 times!?').
    Then, you'll be blown up by an unexpected twist (well, at least I didn't expect it).
    You'll finish the game ready to put a 6 in your review.
    But then you stop, and start actually thinking of what just happened. You'll get a lot of questions and no answers. While you're reading discussions online you'll see that not everybody thought the same towards the end of the game, and you'll realize how much exists to interpretation.
    You'll spend more time thinking about the game afterwards than actually playing it. And I personally love that.

    The only thing I didn't like was the absence of a closure, more than just a couple of texts. I didn't want all the answers spilled to me in a final video, but I did expect something at least different, because it just finishes by telling you "you're done".

    Even though, that's not enough to not absolutely love this game.

    Spoiler: I find the twist quite similar to the twist the creator also did in "Aisle". But that didn't stop me from being surprised.    … Expand
  28. fartheststar
    Sep 6, 2015
    8
    This game is memorable and I do recommend it. The game consists of the player learning the story in a fragmented, disjointed, and non-linear way because the story is chopped up into video fragments ranging from a few seconds to up to a minute or two, and you only see fragments of the story that contain the words in your search. The videos themselves are of interviews in a murderThis game is memorable and I do recommend it. The game consists of the player learning the story in a fragmented, disjointed, and non-linear way because the story is chopped up into video fragments ranging from a few seconds to up to a minute or two, and you only see fragments of the story that contain the words in your search. The videos themselves are of interviews in a murder investigation.

    I personally found this a fun way to see the story develop, and the technique lets you feel as if you are picking up a "cold case" and looking into inverviews from a long-ago crime to try to find out what happened.

    I won't go into detail of the story itself, but I'll just say the acting was excellent, and the story was "rich". Very well done. In my view, the game leaves room for multiple interpretations - and I don't see that as a negative - although a part of me wishes things were tied up a bit tighter because I still had questions. But the videos are all you have to go on, so it'll keep you thinking until the end.

    Anyhow, good game. Recommended. I honestly don't understand negative reviews. It was an entertaining 3-4 hours for me. Way better than watching a TV crime show. Just approach it honestly and logically, like you're trying to understand what happened, and I think you'll enjoy how the story is revealed to you.    … Expand
  29. Yirg
    Sep 3, 2015
    8
    This is a rather unusual game, where the entire gameplay consists of watching old clips of a woman being investigated by the police, across a period of a few weeks in 1994. The player cannot hear the questions, but can type search keywords, as all videos are full text indexed. The interface is pretty limiting and deliberately made to look like some archive software from that era. Up to 5This is a rather unusual game, where the entire gameplay consists of watching old clips of a woman being investigated by the police, across a period of a few weeks in 1994. The player cannot hear the questions, but can type search keywords, as all videos are full text indexed. The interface is pretty limiting and deliberately made to look like some archive software from that era. Up to 5 results per search terms can be accessed and you can keep bookmarks but can’t delete them. You can also add your own keywords.

    Watching the clips tells a non-linear story, and the ability to understand it depends directly on the search term the player comes up with. The story gradually becomes clearer the more videos you watch, but even if you manage to watch all of them there’s more than one possible interpretation. If you’re looking for chewed up ending, you’re not going to get it here, but there is closure (or at least that’s how it felt to me).

    The game is great for “over-the-shoulder co-op”, where two or more people consult about the story, try to think together about new search terms and exchange theories about what happened. Needless to say, only one person needs to actually type the keywords. It’s also advisable to write down findings and revisit the more hard to interpret clips with these additional findings in mind.

    The game may not sound so interesting and the screenshots sure aren’t appealing, but the interesting story and the great acting by Viva Seifert turn it into something very unique and captivating. Highly recommended.    … Expand
  30. stubenzocker
    Jul 27, 2015
    8
    Are there any game designers left? Sid Meier, Al Lowe, Will Wright. But who creates the new Assassins Creed? Sam Barlow is still there and Her Story gives me good old Silent Hill feelings. For some bucks you get a really interesting "game" worth playing. See also www.stubenzocker.net
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Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best PC Game of 2015
40
#40 Most Discussed PC Game of 2015
55
#55 Most Shared PC Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 50 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 50
  3. Negative: 1 out of 50
  1. RPG Fan
    Jul 13, 2020
    86
    If you are on the hunt for a traditional adventure game, you may want to look elsewhere. But if you want one of the best live-action performances in video game history, a fabulous presentation, and an intriguing mystery to unravel, Her Story deserves your time!
    Read full review
  2. SpazioGames
    Oct 21, 2015
    85
    Brilliantly fragmented, avant-garde, and quite compelling, Her Story is an innovative adventure that we utterly recommend. A well written, well acted, and well thought game.
    Read full review
  3. CD-Action
    Sep 18, 2015
    55
    Her Story met with extremely different reactions among our staff (from “this trivial babble makes no sense at all” to “the story captivated me and is still in my head”). [09/2015, p.49]
See all critic reviews »