I just finished Gone Home, and I'm anxious to play it again. Unfortunately the reason for doing so is because I can't help but think I've missed something in the experience.
Don't get me wrong, the game (if you can call it that) isn't bad, but I'm not sure why it's received so much praise. Said story is interesting but when I was expecting some sort of big "reveal" at the end and didn't really get one. I suppose it's written in a way that "forces" you to look around and piece clues together, as the last "part" doesn't make much sense unless you've done some exploring. However I'm not sure how different the experience is if you just try to advance the story as opposed to exploring, as I felt like I ripped apart everything in the house in order to advance the story. There's a subplot as well about the previous owners of the house, but it felt like there wasn't much of a payoff to that as well. Finally, I wasn't a big fan of the characterization. Although you play as older sister Kaitlin, this is really the story of Samantha, the younger sister. Kaitlin is basically a silent protagonist, which isn't illegal but I think it would have helped if they had Kaitlin comment as well. I mean, it's like 2am and she's come home to a cryptic note on the door from her sister and absolutely no one in the house. I suppose some of my questions could be answered by the newly added director's commentary, but I may try that on a third walkthrough. I think the fact that I've mentioned I'm considering playing this a third time is a credit to said game. Still, $20 is still rather steep for any game, especially one with such a short runtime. I feel the $10 I paid was fair, but I wouldn't hold it against anyone unwilling to dive in unless it's in the $5 range.
Still waiting on Batman: Arkham Origins. Unsurprisingly the reviews has been rather mixed, considering it was just a separate company adopting the Rocksteady work and engine. Most seem to complain that it's uninspired and that said story doesn't feel like an origins story at all, which seems like a pretty big misstep if you ask me with such a name. I'm most worried about the fact that the game seems to have a case of the gremlins with many people complaining about various bugs, almost to the point of destruction. Hopefully they'll release a patch soon, but I'm not holding out much hope that it'll be done before I get the game.
Don't get me wrong, the game (if you can call it that) isn't bad, but I'm not sure why it's received so much praise. Said story is interesting but when I was expecting some sort of big "reveal" at the end and didn't really get one. I suppose it's written in a way that "forces" you to look around and piece clues together, as the last "part" doesn't make much sense unless you've done some exploring. However I'm not sure how different the experience is if you just try to advance the story as opposed to exploring, as I felt like I ripped apart everything in the house in order to advance the story. There's a subplot as well about the previous owners of the house, but it felt like there wasn't much of a payoff to that as well. Finally, I wasn't a big fan of the characterization. Although you play as older sister Kaitlin, this is really the story of Samantha, the younger sister. Kaitlin is basically a silent protagonist, which isn't illegal but I think it would have helped if they had Kaitlin comment as well. I mean, it's like 2am and she's come home to a cryptic note on the door from her sister and absolutely no one in the house. I suppose some of my questions could be answered by the newly added director's commentary, but I may try that on a third walkthrough. I think the fact that I've mentioned I'm considering playing this a third time is a credit to said game. Still, $20 is still rather steep for any game, especially one with such a short runtime. I feel the $10 I paid was fair, but I wouldn't hold it against anyone unwilling to dive in unless it's in the $5 range.
Still waiting on Batman: Arkham Origins. Unsurprisingly the reviews has been rather mixed, considering it was just a separate company adopting the Rocksteady work and engine. Most seem to complain that it's uninspired and that said story doesn't feel like an origins story at all, which seems like a pretty big misstep if you ask me with such a name. I'm most worried about the fact that the game seems to have a case of the gremlins with many people complaining about various bugs, almost to the point of destruction. Hopefully they'll release a patch soon, but I'm not holding out much hope that it'll be done before I get the game.
