Gone Home

Nailz

I heard about this game at the beginning of last year and I never thought of giving it a try, somewhat down to price but I think it was mainly to do with laziness.

Now that I am wiser to the ways of Gone Home through actually playing it, I can say that it is such a shame that I didn't play this sooner, disappointed at the thought that I never would've experienced it had I not received it as a free game on PS+.

I won't say much more apart from that I was truly moved by the whole experience. I've rarely been so emotionally attached to a story within a game, and what a fantastic way to deliver a story.

Pac1Man

I was convinced I was going to find a body hanging from the rafters.

Zero-Cool

Pac1Man wrote: »

I was convinced I was going to find a body hanging from the rafters.

I feel like in most modern games,

that's what would have happened. Such a nice change to get a happy(ish) ending.

Nailz

Pac1Man wrote: »

I was convinced I was going to find a body hanging from the rafters.

Zero-Cool wrote: »

I feel like in most modern games,

that's what would have happened. Such a nice change to get a happy(ish) ending.

I think that is what makes Gone Home so unique, interesting, and special.

It totally plays on the players emotions and expectations, and not just through story and how the player pieces it together.

The developers purposefully set the scene for you to think it's going to be horror with the lighting and the ambient sounds, and of course the horrific stories of the houses' history with Oscar and Terry. The difficult life-changing rollercoaster that you learn Sam has experienced is by no means a typical story arc within modern video games, but they still manipulate your expectations to assume the worst. They understand how accustomed people are to traditional storytelling in games, and they use that to their advantage.

I suppose the ending could be described as anti-climactic, but it is actually perfect. If you walked in on a suicide scene then you would've been sickened, but most people would've been prepared for that and would've taken nothing away from the game. How they did it is much more powerful, I've never took away something so different after completing a game in terms of emotion and how it made me feel and think.

TLoU, while a better game overall, wasn't able deliver what Gone Home has. I haven't encountered a story that played with my expectations like that since Red Dead Redemption.

Sorry about the massive block of spoilers! :P

Generic Dreadhead

In a sentence, what type of game is this and what's it similar to?

gimli2112

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORsSxYDmPx8


Can't see me getting into it. Downloaded it from PS Plus but not installed it yet

Retr0gamer

Walking simulator.

However it's a great one. I won't say anymore about the story, best to play it fresh. Takes about 2-4 hours but it's worth it.

If you are watching youtube playthroughs you are just going to ruin the entire experience.

Nailz

Cormac... wrote: »

In a sentence, what type of game is this and what's it similar to?

An adventure exploration game ("walking simulator") that could be described as an interactive novel*, it is similar to Chinese Room games (i.e. Dear Ester and Everybody's Gone To The Rapture), but in my opinion much better.


* I think "interactive novel" may be a bit unfair, it's not as linear as that would suggest.

Generic Dreadhead

Cheers, some of the PS Plus games have been, well a waste of time, and I stick with them for like 90 mins wondering if I'll get it and often I don't

But sometimes, with the likes of Skulls with the Shogun, you're glad you have stuck it out and uncovered a hidden gem

Dunno how this past me by. I love short sweet games.

Encrypted Pigeon

Real gem of a game, really enjoyed it overall, I had it on my radar for a while now but considering the price never bit the bullet. Kinda sad a lot of these short type games get bypassed due to their cost. The price usually isn't that high in the end considering the colossal amount of effort and sacrifice is put into creating something like this.

Maximus Alexander

I had been reluctant to buy this because of price. I wasn't too fond of Dear Esther or the Vanishing of Ethan Carter and I just lumped this in with them. "20 quid for a few hours of probable vague boredom," I thought, but I bit the bullet and picked it up a couple of months ago. I have to say it was one of the most memorable gaming experiences I've had in a while, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

If you think you might like it but are on the fence, go for it. Just don't spoil it by reading too much about it ahead of time.

Links234

Steam Sale tomorrow, and Gone Home has gone for as little as €2.39, so if you're on the fence about it, wait and see what sort of discount it'll get in the sale.

I'd thoroughly recommend it, incredibly engrossing game.

Touching experience.

One thing though, how does the narration throughout fit into it? I feel like I missed something

Zero-Cool

Deleted User wrote: »

Touching experience.

One thing though, how does the narration throughout fit into it? I feel like I missed something

As in..

Your sister Sam reading her journal entries when you pick up specific objects?

Zero-Cool

Zero-Cool wrote: »

As in..

Your sister Sam reading her journal entries when you pick up specific objects?

Yeah exactly. How does that fit in organically? Or is it even supposed to?

The book in the attic was the journal itself? So is it retrospective?

johnny_ultimate

Nothing particularly 'organic' about it, it is simply a stylistic / structural decision to communicate the story without having to actually sit down and read/listen to a half hour of journal entries at the end of the game as Kaitlin has too! Creates a more dynamic rhythm in the narrative and helps everything gel together at the end.

Zero-Cool

Yeah, just a way for Katie to catch up with what has been going on while she was away. Really clever mechanic and made the story/game so much better imo, especially hearing the devs say how most people come across the items in the correct order. They said most gamers who are given a house like map will

go left first which I did before hearing that from the dev. Anyone break the mould and try go to the east wing or up the stairs first?

I went straight for the attic at the first mention of it. It was locked of course.

Zero-Cool

Deleted User wrote: »

I went straight for the attic at the first mention of it. It was locked of course.

When I made it upstairs and

started getting a gist of what might be in the attic, I came to the corridor, saw the sign about the red light.....and turned around to explore the rest of the house. Didn't even know it was locked until I found the key. I was enjoying the story too much and thought I would fast forward the whole thing if I went up too early

sweetie

I've a free key for this in the the steam gifts thread, ending monday night.

coolisin

I really enjoyed this "walking simulator" first one I have played.
But I did want to play it just wasn't sure if I'd enjoy it. Glad a free buy on ps plus made me.

I don't know I kinda really wanted the cliché after playing through.

Maybe as I was really searching for the ghost/the physco house.

But I did enjoy the ending and It was an emotional roller coaster.
Only a couple of journal entries short on one play through.

Doodleking

Good game, but LGTBT and sexism issues for the game???? I don't know... Games should be entertaining!!!

Zero-Cool

Zero-Cool wrote: »

When I made it upstairs and

started getting a gist of what might be in the attic, I came to the corridor, saw the sign about the red light.....and turned around to explore the rest of the house. Didn't even know it was locked until I found the key. I was enjoying the story too much and thought I would fast forward the whole thing if I went up too early

I wanted to test the structure of the narrative. I guessed that the attic is probably the last place you go but can I skip straight there.

Links234

Doodleking wrote: »

Games should be entertaining!!!

Games should be whatever they want to be, and the scope of what a game can be is ever widening. Hell, just look at Papers Please, a game about stamping passports at a border control in a fictional eastern european city during the 80's, the prospect sounds like the least entertaining thing going, yet it is one of the most remarkably engrossing games I've played recently.



As well as that, different things can be entertaining in their own way. There are bleak, depressing games like This War of Mine, and all sorts of games that aren't 'entertaining' in the typical gaming sense, yet people derive no end of entertainment out of them. And hell, if you think LGBT themes can't be entertaining, there's a whole load of cinema and music and art and culture that'll disagree with you.

Maximus Alexander

Such an inane critique did not deserve such a thoughtful response.

Star Lord

Links234 wrote: »

Games should be whatever they want to be, and the scope of what a game can be is ever widening. Hell, just look at Papers Please, a game about stamping passports at a border control in a fictional eastern european city during the 80's, the prospect sounds like the least entertaining thing going, yet it is one of the most remarkably engrossing games I've played recently.

http://papersplea.se/img/Shot11-Jorji.png

As well as that, different things can be entertaining in their own way. There are bleak, depressing games like This War of Mine, and all sorts of games that aren't 'entertaining' in the typical gaming sense, yet people derive no end of entertainment out of them. And hell, if you think LGBT themes can't be entertaining, there's a whole load of cinema and music and art and culture that'll disagree with you.

Damnit Jorji, no means no!

Links234

Star Lord wrote: »

Damnit Jorji, no means no!

He eventually came back with a valid passport, I was happy to stamp it for him.

Star Lord

Links234 wrote: »

He eventually came back with a valid very well made fraudulent passport, I was happy to stamp it for him.

FYP! I stamped it too, as I could find nothing wrong, but I've no doubt that it was just a very good fake!

Doodleking

Links234 wrote: »

Doodleking wrote: »

Games should be entertaining!!!

Games should be whatever they want to be, and the scope of what a game can be is ever widening. Hell, just look at Papers Please, a game about stamping passports at a border control in a fictional eastern european city during the 80's, the prospect sounds like the least entertaining thing going, yet it is one of the most remarkably engrossing games I've played recently.



As well as that, different things can be entertaining in their own way. There are bleak, depressing games like This War of Mine, and all sorts of games that aren't 'entertaining' in the typical gaming sense, yet people derive no end of entertainment out of them. And hell, if you think LGBT themes can't be entertaining, there's a whole load of cinema and music and art and culture that'll disagree with you.

Please, don't make an LGBT hater!!!! That wasn't my point!!!! I do respect LGBT community, just don't think that these kind of topics should be touched in gaming field, that's all. I don't think LGBT issues should be GAME issues. But it's just MY opinion!!!! But if million of people think it's great, then it's great. I'm happy if they're happy.

johnny_ultimate

Our little hobby ain't going anywhere as an artform if games don't start broaching these sort of topics, to be honest

sweetie

Doodleking wrote: »

Please, don't make an LGBT hater!!!! That wasn't my point!!!! I do respect LGBT community, just don't think that these kind of topics should be touched in gaming field, that's all. I don't think LGBT issues should be GAME issues. But it's just MY opinion!!!! But if million of people think it's great, then it's great. I'm happy if they're happy.

hmmm

Links234

Doodleking wrote: »

Please, don't make an LGBT hater!!!! That wasn't my point!!!! I do respect LGBT community, just don't think that these kind of topics should be touched in gaming field, that's all. I don't think LGBT issues should be GAME issues. But it's just MY opinion!!!! But if million of people think it's great, then it's great. I'm happy if they're happy.

Let me see if I understand you correctly. You've got nothing against LGBT folks, but you think that games as a whole, from huge AAA developers to even the smallest indie devs, should not even touch any LGBT themes in their games? Do I have that right? That you want the entire gaming industry/artform/hobby to blanketly refuse to acknowledge the existence of LGBT people? Because that doesn't exactly sound great.

Or let me ask you this. Why do you think games shouldn't even touch LGBT themes?

Zero-Cool

Robert ninja

There's no subject I don't think games can't handle. But a lot of games developed just for messages related to LGBT or whatever are pretentious and uninteresting at best, or a crude disgrace at worst. Games are already art and inclusive games certainly aren't the ones making it any more so.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA9N8NEqS9E

johnny_ultimate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnZ-xACeuLA

Anyway, Gone Home is an articulate, thoughtful piece of interactive storytelling that addresses its themes and characters with impressive fluency and care. A few years later, very few games have offered a designed space as satisfying and believable - a house that certainly has its very gamey elements and flourishes of poetic licence, but also feels like a believable home. The art design and audio design helps enhance the house's believability, but also builds a sustained tension and cleverly toys with our expectations learned from many a horror film and game. It is less an LGBT game than a great game that just happens to address LGBT themes, and indeed can be held up as an excellent example of a game where the artfulness of the delivery ensures it not merely a crude, lecture-y attempt to address 'issues'

In conclusion, I always have to check whether it's Gone Home or Grow Home we're talking about. They're both great.

Doodleking

Robert ninja wrote: »

There's no subject I don't think games can't handle. But a lot of games developed just for messages related to LGBT or whatever are pretentious and uninteresting at best, or a crude disgrace at worst. Games are already art and inclusive games certainly aren't the ones making it any more so.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA9N8NEqS9E

!!!!!!!!!!

Doodleking

sweetie wrote: »

Doodleking wrote: »

Please, don't make an LGBT hater!!!! That wasn't my point!!!! I do respect LGBT community, just don't think that these kind of topics should be touched in gaming field, that's all. I don't think LGBT issues should be GAME issues. But it's just MY opinion!!!! But if million of people think it's great, then it's great. I'm happy if they're happy.

hmmm

It seems like the first thing you should have done, is to google the definition of the word you are trying to call me. Putting my post and yours together looks pretty much ignorant of you ;-) Btw, has anyone heard anything of GONE HOME's developers new game- Tacoma???

Gone Home is a "coming of age" story first and foremost

kunst nugget

Links234 wrote: »

Let me see if I understand you correctly. You've got nothing against LGBT folks, but you think that games as a whole, from huge AAA developers to even the smallest indie devs, should not even touch any LGBT themes in their games? Do I have that right? That you want the entire gaming industry/artform/hobby to blanketly refuse to acknowledge the existence of LGBT people? Because that doesn't exactly sound great.

Or let me ask you this. Why do you think games shouldn't even touch LGBT themes?

I heard gayness rubs off on people so if I'm playing a game with gayness in it, it's going to end up being transmitted through the controller into my totally fine with the LGBT community but totally straight body right up into my brain and soon I'm going to be daydreaming about a skimpily-clad Burt Reynolds going down on me and I don't think that's fair on either me or Burt.

Doodleking

kunst nugget wrote: »

Links234 wrote: »

Let me see if I understand you correctly. You've got nothing against LGBT folks, but you think that games as a whole, from huge AAA developers to even the smallest indie devs, should not even touch any LGBT themes in their games? Do I have that right? That you want the entire gaming industry/artform/hobby to blanketly refuse to acknowledge the existence of LGBT people? Because that doesn't exactly sound great.

Or let me ask you this. Why do you think games shouldn't even touch LGBT themes?

I heard gayness rubs off on people so if I'm playing a game with gayness in it, it's going to end up being transmitted through the controller into my totally fine with the LGBT community but totally straight body right up into my brain and soon I'm going to be daydreaming about a skimpily-clad Burt Reynolds going down on me and I don't think that's fair on either me or Burt.

LOOOOOOOOOL

Links234

So can you tell us why you think games shouldn't touch LGBT themes?

Kenjataimu

Zero-Cool wrote: »

When I made it upstairs and

started getting a gist of what might be in the attic, I came to the corridor, saw the sign about the red light.....and turned around to explore the rest of the house. Didn't even know it was locked until I found the key. I was enjoying the story too much and thought I would fast forward the whole thing if I went up too early

Managed to get around to playing this today.

Did the exact same as above.

I searched downstairs first, then upstairs.
Once I saw the glow of the red lights, I left it to the end.
Didn't even check if it was locked.


Also, why does the family have so many ring binder folders?? :pac: