20141011:
I played Gone Home for the first time today and it was an atmospheric experience. Unfortunately, I had no idea what kind of game it was and the setting felt a bit scary: the player character is alone in a house and most of the lights are initially off.
The notes that are dispersed throughout the house also increased the game's tension. After some time, I decided I couldn't take it anymore, even though nothing scary was happening.
As a comparison, I wasn't nearly as scared when playing Gone Home as I was when playing Amnesia: The Dark Descent (PC) (2011) (the first time I played Amnesia, I walked around ever so slowly).
After I stopped playing, I went to look up the user-defined tags and it seemed the game is more of an exploration game. On the one hand, it did seem like Gone Home was more like Dear Esther (PC) (2012) than Amnesia, but the story and setting just took over and placed this fear in the back of my mind.
Elaborating, I think there's a spookiness about exploring a house with lights that need to be turned on and doors which need to be opened compared to just walking around an island.
In addition to the setting, Gone Home feels a bit more nonlinear than Dear Esther, and the nonlinear gameplay can feel scarier.
For now, my last words are as follows: this game was fun and well-written, but why did the player character's family have to move into such a big house? (The answer is actually part of the story.)
References:
Some of the visible VHS labels: The Andromeda Strain [1971], Bedknobs + Broomsticks, Ghostbusters [1984] | Labyrinth [1986], Airplane! [1980] | Moonraker [1979], Beetlejuice / Robocop [1987], Blade Runner (Director's Cut) [1982], JFK, X-Files Pilot + [???], X-Files Season One Eps #3.4.5, X-Files Season 1 Eps #6-9, X-Files Season 1 Eps 10-13, X-Files Season 1 Eps 14-17
[20141012][20151023 Edit]
Gone Home (PC) (2013)
Relevant Links:
Gone Home Website
Gone Home (Wikipedia.org)
Gone Home (MetaCritic.com)
Gone Home (Steam Store Page)
I played Gone Home for the first time today and it was an atmospheric experience. Unfortunately, I had no idea what kind of game it was and the setting felt a bit scary: the player character is alone in a house and most of the lights are initially off.
 |
| Look at pictures. |
The notes that are dispersed throughout the house also increased the game's tension. After some time, I decided I couldn't take it anymore, even though nothing scary was happening.
As a comparison, I wasn't nearly as scared when playing Gone Home as I was when playing Amnesia: The Dark Descent (PC) (2011) (the first time I played Amnesia, I walked around ever so slowly).
 |
| Read postcards. |
After I stopped playing, I went to look up the user-defined tags and it seemed the game is more of an exploration game. On the one hand, it did seem like Gone Home was more like Dear Esther (PC) (2012) than Amnesia, but the story and setting just took over and placed this fear in the back of my mind.
Elaborating, I think there's a spookiness about exploring a house with lights that need to be turned on and doors which need to be opened compared to just walking around an island.
 |
| The game pays attention to detail. |
In addition to the setting, Gone Home feels a bit more nonlinear than Dear Esther, and the nonlinear gameplay can feel scarier.
For now, my last words are as follows: this game was fun and well-written, but why did the player character's family have to move into such a big house? (The answer is actually part of the story.)
 |
| Read notes. |
References:
Some of the visible VHS labels: The Andromeda Strain [1971], Bedknobs + Broomsticks, Ghostbusters [1984] | Labyrinth [1986], Airplane! [1980] | Moonraker [1979], Beetlejuice / Robocop [1987], Blade Runner (Director's Cut) [1982], JFK, X-Files Pilot + [???], X-Files Season One Eps #3.4.5, X-Files Season 1 Eps #6-9, X-Files Season 1 Eps 10-13, X-Files Season 1 Eps 14-17
 |
| Open drawers. |
[20141012][20151023 Edit]
Gone Home (PC) (2013)
Relevant Links:
Gone Home Website
Gone Home (Wikipedia.org)
Gone Home (MetaCritic.com)
Gone Home (Steam Store Page)
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