Gastón, from Twinfinite, shares some of his thoughts about how the gaming industry can learn a lot from over-criticized innovative games such as Gone Home.
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.
Seriously, what was the big deal about this game? It was cool and all, but nothing special. Unless I'm missing something...
Gone Home is a good game, but lez be honest, it is basically a giant f*cking walkable cutscene.
Comparing that with the titan that is Half Life 2, (even just on a storytelling level,) is pretty blasphemous and could be considered treason if I were the president of some videogame council.
"...its narrative success is based on how every part of the game works together to achieve something."
I severely disagree with this. Gone Home doesn't make the player (or the character they control) feel important. The things you do really don't have a meaning once the credits roll. Some will say "well, that's the point" but doesn't mean that the GOTY praise is justified. It's hollow and the player's impact on the events is near-pointless.
Also, the ending is something that's heavily implied within the first minute of gameplay. The conclusion is so predictable that it makes every other bit of activity that the player has meaningless.
I like the tone, the 90's setting, but calling this an instant classic or even a Game of the Year nominee is ridiculous. It's not a trainwreck, but it has flaws. LOTS of them.
I found it somewhat boring. I've played better Half Life 2 mods.