Matthew Sawrey, Thunderbolt writes:
The Fullbright Company’s Gone Home whipped up something of a storm last month, both because of the story it told and how it told that story. Set in a vacant family home, the game relies entirely upon environmental storytelling to spin multiple tales about ordinary people with relationship issues – a topic notable simply because it’s scarcely touched upon within the medium.
Whatever your thoughts on Gone Home are (mine are here), it’s unarguable that Fullbright’s interactive story has sparked some vibrant and impassioned conversion of late, which is always a good thing.
I caught up with Steve Gaynor, one of the founding members of Fullbright, to gain an insight into some of the design decisions that came to define Gone Home, and to see how he feels now that the dust has settled.
Dave writes: "If you’re a fan of walking simulators, then the name probably sticks in the throat, but let’s ‘own it’ and chuck the best and mightiest of the genre into a bear pit and let them have at it! Hoo-rah! As with most genre lists, there’s some controversy about what does or doesn’t constitute a walking simulator. Dialogue and navigation is preferred over puzzles and more intensive interaction like combat or QTEs. Jumping/crouching is positively frowned upon. Strap on your hiking boots and let’s ramble!"
Starting today, Drawful 2, Gone Home, Hob, and Totally Reliable Delivery Service are free at Epic Games Store. The free game offers run until April 9 at 10 AM. Once you claim them, they’re yours to keep.
If you're a fan of the narrative-driven walking simulator genre, then these titles really need to be in your Switch games library.
It's a cool story, but did it really need to be a game? Didn't feel like there was much to it other than the singular story it told. The house was kind of interesting, but there just wasn't enough going on aside from the audio.