Gone HomeGame Review
Gone Home is a game that starts by placing you into the body of a young woman named Katie who has just returned to her family’s new house from backpacking around Europe. You are greeted with a surprising, suspicious note from her sister, Sam, which sparks immediate curiosity. The rest of the game is spent searching the 1995 mansion for clues as to what has happened to her sister and parents. We learn many facts about family members and friends as we progress through the house and slowly uncover the mystery
As you search the house, you interact with many items, by clicking on them, which develop the story. The story is primarily based around the struggle of Sam trying to cope with being a lesbian teen. At the start, the story keeps you on your toes with constant new information. However, nearing the end of the game the plot becomes more predictable, boring, and repetitive.
The graphics and gameplay within the game are excellent. Almost every item was interactive, unlike most other games that only allow you to click items necessary to the story. The details make the game extremely realistic, and the realistic photos of the characters add to the game’s realism.
The aspect of the game that made it the most fun to play was the “haunted” feel of the house. The creaky doors and floor boards, the rain and thunder, the flickering of the lights, and the feeling of another presence always kept me excited during the game play. Opening every door was heart stopping and kept my full attention towards the game.
When I finished the game, I was disappointed with the ending. I felt that there could have been a lot more done with the ending that was left untouched. However, after thinking further about my experience with game, I concluded that the game was worth the time put in. Though the ending disappointed me, the early stages of the game were fun and engaging enough to make it worth it. I would recommend the game to someone looking for something engaging, yet warn them that they may be disappointed with the ending.