Briareos H on 18/8/2013 at 19:17
Quote Posted by Jason Moyer
Calling it a Dear Esther clone is kind of insulting, though.
When I wrote that you can think of it as a Dear Esther clone except good, it was as a way of setting expectations about how narration unfolds and the general nature of what the player will get out of it, which are just about the only things that should be spoiled if you're like me and like to be surprised. It's also a way to weed out false expectations: someone who doesn't get anything out of DE, not even enjoying the potential behind doing an interactive story in that way, that person will never be able to enjoy Gone Home.
But anyway, you can just pirate the game and play the first five minutes, then decide. It's one of those things where you can indeed tell instantly whether you'll love it or not.
PigLick on 18/8/2013 at 23:33
Well I went and got it anyway lol. Will post my impressions once I have played through it tonight.
Kuuso on 19/8/2013 at 01:48
Well, I thought this game was absolutely fantastic. Haven't had such a emotional reaction to a game in ages. Funnily enough, I haven't played a game in ages without knowing at least something about it beforehand and I think it really worked for it's favour here. I'll spoiler the rest: I had no idea what I got into, so the first few minutes I was scared shitless there's going to be ghosts or something like that (you returning home, where something is amiss). The talk of Oscar etc. really drove it further. I presume they meant it that way, because the story slowly unfolded to a totally different direction.
The story itself is very cliché. By a combination of things, it still manages to hold together and work. First of all, setting it in the nineties works very well. Secondly, the building of the characters, the family and their relationships is paced spectacularly well. The game flows very naturally, letting YOU find stuff out and work it out in your head. Finally, the writing is just really good. All the little things, like how Daniel is portrayed, is just superb.
Of course, the game has next to none replay value, but that is ok. I would have liked, if the story would have had more edge to it. Now it veers a tad too much to the stereotypical side. Then again, how the game slowly unwraps the whole idea of sexuality (or in more general sense: growing up) as the main focus is amazing. Besides, stereotypes are grounded in reality and picturing the situation that the game has happening in real life is completely plausible. Sometimes life is cheesy.
All in all, the game was thoughtprovoking and introspective. I haven't played other games like this (Dear Esther?) so it's easy to say that not many games come to par with invoking such strong feelings. Then again, the subject matter hits close to home albeit me being happily in relationship with a person of the opposite sex atm.
PigLick on 20/8/2013 at 05:17
Well that was pretty damn cool, I didnt want to leave such a well-realised world. Story certainly went in ways I didnt expect.
Muzman on 20/8/2013 at 09:45
If it annoys people who use 'feminist' as some sort of implied slur it must be good.
faetal on 20/8/2013 at 10:02
Don't talk to it!
This is the person who was saying recently that the only people who enjoy female companions in games "arnt getin layd lol".
Yamatotakeru on 20/8/2013 at 12:57
Well, this game does seem pretentious (like most super-hyped indie games), but it also seems interesting enough to play. I like the 90s vibe.
It is a bit too expensive for me though...
