The Critically Acclaimed Gone Home Is Headed To Nintendo Switch Next Week

Played this on the PC, very good if you like this sort of thing. Can strongly recommend

I really liked this one. I think what makes it unique is that it's kinda set up like a horror story and then becomes less of one as you learn more about what happened.

Agree. If you've got insomnia, this is one to pick up.

The gameplay is fairly minimal, but the story is one of the best in the industry. I recommend it for the most part! My only criticism is you will be paying $15 for two hours of gameplay.

I really enjoyed this one on PS4, played it through a few times to 100% the trophies. If Switch had an achievement system, I'd pick it up again. Highly recommend if you haven't played it!

Really enjoyed it on PS4. I highly recommend it.

Whoever advertises this as a game deserves to get sued

If you like walking around a large empty house while having a teenager talk about not much, then this is for you.

Had it on pc, was a buggy mess on that, once i got it to run. One of the reasons i don't bother with pc gaming anymore. Interested in getting it on switch if it's under a tenner, provided it doesn't render upside down or with the click area miles away from the reticule.

That game is amazing. Played it on PC, but quite a while a ago, so maybe if the price is right, a double dip would be in order!

I played this on PC assuming it was a horror game. Don't go into it with that expectation. It's basically a walking simulator with completely illogical puzzles and a decent story.

I played through the whole thing waiting for a jump scare or monster or something. No such luck, just talking about a relationship and exploring a house with secret rooms and locked doors.

I really don't care about the story a bit. And honestly I was extremely disappointed the first time I bought it because of the marketing the game had (pretending to be a horror game and such. It's basically click bait) but after playing it a little more I found an enjoyment in just exploring, walking around the house itself. Alot of other random things to do in it then to listen to the very predictable teenage voice clips.

One of the best examples of how you can match storytelling and gameplay, in my opinion. This game doesn't reward your exploration with points or perks, but with information about the characters and their stories. Nice to have the chance to enjoy it again on Switch!

No. Just, no.

I equate this so-called "game" with most of the shovelware available on any digital marketplace. I'm being kind.

Awards are meaningless to me, so... /shrug

Seems interesting, at least. I'll likely check out some gameplay footage and figure out if it's something I'd play.

I had this on PS4 and really enjoyed it. Utterly charming - wonderful to explore the house and gaze at endless bits of personal oddities... one sound bite in particular toward the end makes my heart swell. I’ll be picking this up again.

@BladedKnight they were rewarded by the same people who misled what the actual game was.

@cannedpancakes
I agree, the story is awesome. I share the same concern though, especially in Canada, where it'll probably be around $25, because Nintendo. Which in the end, makes this a hard sell to anyone already having a basic PC even with integrated graphic, or probably any other console as it will more than likely be cheaper there.
It's often what prevents me from buying games on Switch. Not that I don't have the money, but the feeling that I'm always getting the worst deal out there, as most multiplatform games are often priced less, mostly everywhere else... and this kind of infuriates me. I know. I may not be normal. lol!

I played a bit of this on Xbox before I found myself dreadfully bored. I'm more likely to pick up Legacy of Fear on Switch than this.

Not sure if something that neither has a failure state, or conflict, can be considered a game, tbh. Better to pick up a "choose your own adventure," book.

The game itself is not bad. It gets a lot of hate mainly due to the collusive nature in which the games press over-rated the game for being socially progressive, rather than review the game, objectively. Also it gets some hate due to incidents of snowflakery involving the developer. Other than that, the game itself is not bad, if you like interactive narrative games. My biggest criticism with the game was that it cost ~$20 when it first came out, and considering how quickly it could be beaten - including stopping to read everything, I felt that was a little too high of a price.

@Medic_alert The game's been out for several years, lol. People who weren't initially drawn in to the "unknown" aspect then aren't going to be drawn in by it now. And saying that the game transforms isn't what I would call a "massive spoiler." It's not like I said "it's okay she was just gay the whole time" or something like that

1. It's not a game
2. It chock full of social justice agenda crap
3. The devs are complete dicks
4. All those 11/10 Polygon game of the year awards only goes to show how utterly corrupt mainstream gaming media is. It got those ratings ONLY because of the narrative it's pushing

I can't think of any 'game' less deserving of your money. Well, ok, Sunset seems like it might be worse but i haven't played that (who has? beyond the 4000 suckers who kickstarted it?)

It's an affront to gamers

@BladedKnight Bubsy 3D won the Gold X award. Critics gave DMC had better review scores than Metal Gear Rising did back in early 2013, and would have you believe that Super Circuit for the GBA is the best Mario Kart.

Boring game. Wouldn't recommend it even if it was on sale.

This has always been a highly divisive game, so I knew there'd be some interesting comments here and I wasn't disappointed.

Basically, if your criticism of the game mentions, "social justice" or "pushing agendas" you've already lost. Also, harping on the whole, "it's not even a game" thing just shows you have no actual cogent argument against it. You don't have to like it, but if those are the best complaints you have against it, then dragging them back out every time the game gets mentioned isn't a good look.

@Donald_M So true. I know all about this game and it’s controversy. Personally, a game like this isn’t for me but I don’t have any problem whatsoever with it being made, agenda be damned.

lol.. you can finish this "game" in less than 5 minutes.

Unless it's $5 at most, I'd stick to Telltale or some of the nice indies on the eshop if I wanted an unconventional story driven game. No replay value, massive wasted potential with the setting and atmosphere, and writing that makes Life is Strange hold its awesomesauce. Get The Coma, Celeste, or the Never Alone games instead.

@Donald_M So they're no good because what? You say so? How about you refute those points. Oh wait, you can't. Someone who just declares people with actual arguments as losers, despite not making a single counter argument is not qualified to judge anything

True or false - The entire point of the game is to promote a certain liberal agenda? (I'm trying not to spoil it in case anyone wants to waste their money on it)

True or false - It doesn't have a fail state? If it doesn't have a fail state, it's not a game

The story did not bother me at all. Not amazing, not terrible either. Just a serviceable lesbian love story.
What did bother me was the length of the game vs. the price tag. I finished it and was like "That's it?"
It should have been $5 maximum.
Also I played with developer commentary on and they came across as pretentious.
They should have made an actual game, with real game play, not a lesbian short story masquerading as game.

Got this one for "free" on PS Plus and felt ripped off. Ugly, boring and grossly overrated. I guess it touched a soft spot in those reviewers' hearts and that explains the high scores.

Gone Home is a very touching little portrait of a family and their doings, their problems, and also their good times.

Contrary to popular belief, it isn't made up entirely of hard hitting propaganda about contemporary leftist causes. And by its very nature of not actually being a game, the possibility of completing it in a short amount of time doesn't work against it, and isn't what anyone spending time with it will want to do in the first place.

That would be like "completing" the act of looking at a painting by asserting that your eyes made it from the top left corner to the bottom right. Or completing a book by turning to the last page. Or pulling the emergency lever in an escape room and afterwards going "Haha, I got out!".

Figuring out the intricacies of the relationships and trying to sort out cause and effect between events gone before is what you buy your ticket for.

Many video game enthusiasts go bonkers for this kind of stuff when it exists as an extension of a more traditional genre game, but apparently it deserves only ridicule when served on its own. Could Gone Home as an experience be better within its own set framework? Absolutely. But that's rarely what people bash it for.

I dunno about you guys, but sometimes I have ice cream without having had dinner first. And sometimes, it's not the best ice cream I've had, but not all ice cream can be.

@cannedpancakes No different from paying 15 for a movie ticket. And at the end of the day you still own Gone Home.

I bet this wouldn't get as many negative comments if it didn't have lgbt themes :/

@BladedKnight "DMC was indeed better than MGR"
lol. I actually think DmC is alright, but no. MGR is the better game, hands down.

@May_Nyan No, it just sucks. The negativity is mostly about the collusion between members of the dev team and the major gaming press and them being close friends with eachother. The LGBT themes themselves are quite lazy and unimpressive, "Oh look, this character is actually a lesbian" and having that be the big twist to a game that has nothing else going for it.

This game was a huge disappointment for me.

It keeps teasing you that something big is happening behind the scenes, but the "reveal" (if you can even call it that) is extra lame.

Other people have already mentioned it but a large part of this game's "critical acclaim" was due to collusion between the developer and "gaming journalists".

@jn2002dk agree i got it free on games with gold felt ripped off

Wow! Been wanting to try this!

@jn2002dk
You're right as well. It has a rather inclusive Liberal agenda and it's not a game as much as it is a piece of interactive entertainment. It actually pretty cool as it shows just how mainstream gaming has become. It's not a true gamer's game and there's no problem with that.

@DarkKirby Collusion, eh? Because we all know how rich those indies are.

@jn2002dk Sounds like it's a visual novel, and apparently you don't like those. Some of us do.

@Pod I was completely ignorant on this game, only seeing the huge divide on the comments... Your comment made it all so very clear for me, and I can understand where it's all coming from now (I'm kind of torn between buying it or not now, as I'll probably don't get everything out of it, half knowing what to expect...) Beautifully written, thank you for your insight!

@Orpheus79V Then it's just like what @May_Nyan said, it's because it's LGBT. If it had an overt anti-immigration/pro-life/pro-gun theme and got rave reviews this argument wouldn't be happening.

@kirbygirl the thing with visual novels for me is that it's really hard to know if I'll enjoy it or not... I REALLY liked Oxenfree, but for some reason couldn't get into Night in the Woods (and lots of people tell me the latter is better)... Maybe it was the voice acting, I don't know (does the nonary series count as visual novels? I love those)

I feel like I am one of the few people who loved this heartbreaking experience. When you delve into exactly what happened, it is a gut punch.

Spoilers at link: http://clockworkworlds.com/post/58411117679/the-transgression-you-can-do-better

@Pineapple_Mohawk this isn't a visual novel. You physically walk around and interact with a home.

@RailX It has similarities to a visual novel though in that you play it for the story and not much else. I believe that's how walking sims work. I haven't played them before, hehe.

@RailX ah, right! Like brandonbwii above said, a walking sim then? These genres kind of blend into each other for me, I generally get these (and others) mixed up

@brandonbwii visual novels typically have nearly zero environmental interaction (or even the ability to move around), whereas this experience is told entirely through environmental interaction and exploration.

@jn2002dk I didn't call anyone a loser, that's all on you. Sensitive much?

As to the arguments I supposedly didn't address, I'm not sure how to tackle the one about it not being a game. I mean, er, it is? But clearly it's not the type of game you enjoy and that's fine. As to the, "liberal social agenda" it's pushing, gay people existing in the world is not an agenda, it's reality. I wonder if you realize how claiming otherwise makes you sound?

@kirbygirl That doesn't make it a game

@Donald_M Losers, as in losers of the debate. Reading comprehension much? Also, you conveniently failed to address my questions. Do you have anything to contribute to this topic at all?

@jn2002dk "Do you have anything to contribute to this topic at all?"
Do you?

@BladedKnight It was not "a" plot point. It was the entire and only plot of the game.

If that's your thing then yes, the game could be really good in delving deep into the story and such. But if not, this is really not a game you should even consider playing. It's worth less than a dollar. If you go by enjoyment factor.

There are no puzzles, enemies, or even a form of platforming. There aren't even required story parts to see in order to progress (like in most walking simulators). This game is a joke. And "critically acclaimed", well only by it's small target audience.

@May_Nyan actually, this only got "good" reviews because it HAS. If there was absolutely no LGBT themes in this game, and the rest would've been the same nobody would even consider it. It would've been just another indie game, but unlike others, one without any real gameplay.

@Donald_M I actually did. I described how it's not a game and why it got all those rave reviews. Hopefully it will help people make an informed descision

Now are you going to address my questions or can i safely dismiss you as an average internet fool?

People who seem to get pissed off by this game's very existence may want to ask themselves why. There are a lot of games in the world and plenty of room in it for games to exist that aren't for you. Sheesh.

@brandonbwii You REALLY should look into what went down with this game because it's clear you have no idea. I'm not going through all that but the evidence of collusion was clear as day and it's still out there

@jn2002dk It sounds like you consider yourself a loser because no one else said that. If so that's a flawed way of thinking. I mean, yes, using terms as "SJW" and "virtue signalling" as talking points and critique is pretty much admitting defeat because your not exactly bringing up any fair points about the game nor what is wrong with the agenda.

@jn2002dk I've heard it before though. It's that SJW boogie man I always hear people talk about. Just like the Zoe Quinn fiasco which was debunked. Sometimes you don't have to play a game to understand where people are coming from. I am a fair man, though, so I'll google it.

I edited my comment from a while ago to address your points, but you must have missed that so I'll say it again:

Yes it is a game. It's not a type of game you enjoy. That's fine.

Acknowledging that gay people exist in the world is not an agenda.

@brandonbwii Debunked? You're completely delusional and i don't argue with mentally ill people. Peace out

@Donald_M No, it's not a game and giving a walking simulator GOTY just because it has gays in it is insane in a way only leftwing fanatics would do

Good god. They been rehashing this game since 2013.

Just make something new already

@brandonbwii When someone is all, "SJW this" and "SJW that" I typically tune out because it signals that they nothing of significance to say. Some people just can't accept that not everything is for or about them.

@Agramonte They did make a new game. Old games are often re-released on newer platforms. Not sure why you're upset. You get angry about every re-release or is there something about this particular game?

@jn2002dk Uh huh. I can't speak to why anyone would give Gone Home a GOTY nod, opinions are personal things. You caring that a game that apparently doesn't interest you in any way was highly rated by some game journalists is a bit odd. Oh yes, it was a conspiracy, therefore SJWs and pushing agendas and virtue signaling. yawn

@Agramonte Tacoma, anyone?

Disgustingly overrated game. It belongs in a category with The Witness for most pointless experiences.

@jn2002dk So your not going to supply me with any facts? You're just going with the whole "I don't have to prove to you anything" excuse?

@brandonbwii Well, admittedly it hasn't gotten as much attention as Gone Home did five years ago, this despite also having gay people in it! I liked Gone Home well enough myself but not to the degree some did and you know, that's okay. As I said before opinions are personal things. Nothing in this hobby of mine mystifies me quite so much as people getting endlessly angry over the opinions of others. Like what you like, don't like what you don't like, it's cool. It's okay, it's a big world, there are games out there for everyone.

A very short walking simulator with rough controls and a somewhat boring story about two girls that just happen to be lesbian.

@brandonbwii Were you expecting logic? That's the thing about conspiracy theories, they're not about logic or facts. Maybe there's something that passes as evidence in a certain light, maybe there isn't but ultimately such things are taken on faith because they line up with your pre-existing worldview, not because they actually make sense.

@Realnoize You are not the only one that feels like that. Until Wii U I thought we got decent deals on Nintendo but now everything seems more expensive on Switch than on any other console, including digital games. Better to have another console for multiplatform games.

@brandonbwii
@May_Nyan
People don't say that the game is bad because of the lesbian story but because the developers used the lesbian story to make a lacklustre game look like a gem, not to mention that they said that it was a horror game and talked conspiracy theories against the game because of its story. Even if you are gay it's cringeworthy.

This is a bad game that nobody would ever talk about if it wasn't for the controversy. There are good games with gay characters and there is no controversy surrounding them. That's all you need to know.

@brandonbwii Let me just say, for what it's worth I think you're a pretty cool guy. You don't care for this game, but you're okay with it existing and have no problem with the fact that some people enjoy it. I don't think that's actually such a rare thing, but if you frequent gaming sites it sure does seem like it sometimes.

@Donald_M The whole controversy and GamerGate types all come from basic theories that don't have a clear basis in reality. It's all a maybe/maybe not scenario. The excuse for the hate when it comes to games like this tends to be high review scores which I always found odd. Maybe the themes of personal tales like this really speak to a lot of reviewers. But no, it's all part of some huge SJW conspiracy or someone sleeping with the right people etc. etc.

Note that people are talking about the game and the excuses made by the developers. Nobody here has a problem with gays or lesbians but with the quality of the game and the arrogance of the developers. Gay people are as good or as bad as straight people. That doesn't change anything.

I played this game when it was free with Gold and I was extremely disappointed by everything including the plot and the awful soundtrack, and I am glad that I didn't pay anything for it. If you want stories or gay stories there are much better books, films and even games. I recommend watching "Love, Simon".

@BlueOcean Fair enough, but I feel pretty safe in saying you are wrong at least in regard to the one guy bringing up "SJWs" and "leftist agendas".

@Donald_M I think that he means that the developers and their friends on gaming websites were using the LGBT theme to benefit the game and the studio plus all the conspiracy theories talked by the developers against people criticising the game.

If the story was written in the beginning of the 20th century I would praise the authors but it was released at a time when that self-indulgence is not justified.

I personally love reading / watching gay stories and I found Gone Home to be a huge disappointment even after getting 100%. The rough controls, flat gameplay and awful soundtrack didn't help.

Of course, I respect people that like the game but I find that time has told the truth about a game -or interactive story- which was hyped and overrated, like many others for different reasons.

I for one am interested to finally play this. I'm not expecting perfection, and no one ever should. Some art has value even when--or especially because--it's flawed. YMMV whether you care to spend your time and money, but calling it shovelware is either intentionally trolling or just plain ignorance.

@BladedKnight Firstly, when did I say that the characters should be straight or that I have any issues about them being lesbian? I couldn't care less. It's a boring story anyway.

Secondly, this is literally the first time I use the word LGBT on Nintendo Life so you are absolutely wrong and confused. I don't care if you are L, G, B or T. I judge people for what they have in their brain and heart and I just recommended a gay film in case you can't read well. Do you even know if I am gay or straight?

@BladedKnight You have serious understanding problems. Alll my comments? What comments about LGBT in a negative way have I made? Stop lying and defaming and quote them.

@BladedKnight You have been reported for homophobia (a crime where I live) accusations. I won't talk with you again.

@BlueOcean
The game wasn't even advertised as an lgbt game on the store page... so they really weren't promoting it that much.
I think the story was fine and it's always nice to see more lesbian representation in games, it made me happy to see, anyway.

@May_Nyan I understand what you mean, but I can think of much better examples. Just wanted you to understand that the game isn't criticised because of the lesbian characters. Look how many games:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_games_with_LGBT_characters

@CCore28 Homophobia is a crime in UK and EU, I am not trolling anybody. Educate yourself:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/hate-crime/sexual-orientation-and-transgender-identity-hate-crime/

@BlueOcean There are a lot of things on that list, but many of them are small things, like one npc or side character... it's good to have games that are more focused on the lgbt characters in a bigger way like this one too.

@May_Nyan Yes, that's correct, although some do focus on lesbian characters like The Last of Us Left Behind (the whole story is about the two girls and it's quite enjoyable). Actually, I think that there are more lesbian love stories than gay love stories in video games. I can't remember any gay love story in a video game.

It's always ironic when people like @jn2002dk try to push their social agenda because their feelings got hurt. I'm guessing he was a proud member of Gamergate.

@Agramonte They DID make something new, a year ago. Tacoma is pretty rad.

I really enjoyed Gone Home too. Good game!

@brandonbwii

Do you not know the story? Some of the people on sites like Kotaku giving this game it's glowing reviews that earned it it's critical acclaim were personal friends of the developer. They wrote these reviews without disclosing that there was conflict of interest involved. That was where the collusion was.

Only after they were called out on it did they add a footnote to the reviews to mentioned they were personal friends of the developer.

@DarkKirby Alright, if true that’s fair I guess.

@jn2002dk HEAR HEAR YESSSSSSS

@BladedKnight Sure there are puzzle elements, but none block you from progressing.

Okay one: the way you have to find the key to unlock the front door.

@BladedKnight
To beat the game:
1. Get the key to the front door.
2. Open the front door.

SPOILERS:

Less than five minutes, since there is no running in the game.

@jn2002dk @brandonbwii Can you two just... stop?

@BlueOcean @BladedKnight That includes you two as well.

I'm sure it's a great story and all, but after giving Oxenfree a try, beating it in a couple hours and not having any reason to replay such a short story, I don't see myself ever purchasing a game like this ever again, don't think it's worth my money. Maybe I'll look for a walk through of it on Youtube, hopefully by a commentator that isn't obnoxiously talkative.

I finished this by accident in about 30 minutes- I couldn’t believe what had happened. I can’t believe there isn’t some sort of fail safe to prevent it happening.

@BladedKnight er sorry not true- I just commented on this- I found said door about 20 mins into the game. I literally was dumbfounded when the credits came up after 30 mins.

@BladedKnight Just because I have a different opinion from you doesn't mean I;m trolling.