GAG

About

"GAG" is a psychological horror drama game featuring New York comedian Andy Barr and friends, with mature themes including sexual abuse. The game is interactive and dialogue-based, offering a unique and chilling experience. The Steam edition also includes the previous games "BOX," "CRASH," and "FLUE" as additional downloads.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

75%

Audience ScoreBased on 53 reviews

graphics3 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game presents a genuinely creepy atmosphere and explores the serious topic of sexual abuse in a unique way.
Includes three additional short games that offer interesting and unsettling experiences, making the overall package worth the price.
The art style and surreal presentation contribute to a memorable and thought-provoking experience, despite the game's brevity.

The main game, Gag, is criticized for being too short, lacking depth, and having a poorly executed story that feels insensitive.
Many players found the gameplay minimal, with little interactivity and a reliance on dialogue that detracts from the overall experience.
Some of the additional games are seen as underdeveloped and lacking in substance, leading to disappointment among players.

story
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
57%
21%
The story has received mixed reviews, with some praising its unconventional and mysterious elements, while others criticize it for being poorly executed and insensitive, particularly regarding serious themes like sexual abuse. While some players found the narrative engaging and creepy, others deemed it simplistic and lacking depth, leading to an overall impression of a short, gimmicky experience.
- “I thought the guy who made this did a good job on the story, making it almost a mystery you need to figure out yourself.”
- “Worth a buy if you're at all interested in non-conventional storytelling or horror as a topic.”
- “I really enjoyed the story.”
- “The story is so god awful and insensitive that it was almost comical.”
- “Like, no effort was put into the story and it's obvious that the writer has no idea on how to write about a subject like sexual abuse.”
- “It's a 15 minute game with a simple and dull story.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
17%
33%
The game's graphics are characterized by a unique and stripped-down aesthetic that evokes a sense of genuineness, complemented by an uncanny art style. While some players appreciate the interesting visual design and thought-provoking concepts, others feel that the overall execution lacks depth. Overall, the visuals contribute to the game's quirky charm, despite its brevity.
- “This game also comes with a few other very short games, which each had a short and surprisingly thought-provoking concept paired with an aesthetic that felt too stripped down to be anything but genuine.”
- “I love the weird art style design; it's an interesting concept.”
- “Rather short indie game, but I really enjoyed the odd visuals.”
- “The graphics are odd and initially intriguing, but ultimately, there's nothing substantial to this 'game'.”
- “The aesthetic feels too stripped down to be anything but genuine, which may not appeal to everyone.”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The gameplay in "gag" is minimal, primarily consisting of walking between locations with little interactive content. While the experience offers chilling examinations through its narrative, players should be aware that the gameplay itself is quite limited.
- “While there isn't much in terms of gameplay, Gag and Joshua Roland's other works in this package make for a chilling examination.”
- “Gameplay-wise, though, there's not much there, so be warned.”
- “There's no gameplay to speak of in this game.”
- “You do have to walk from location to location, but that's about as far as the gameplay goes.”
- “While there isn't much in terms of gameplay, the other works in this package make for a chilling examination.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The humor in the game is largely criticized as being short and unfunny, with many reviewers feeling it lacks substance and fails to deliver any comedic value.
- “It is short, unfunny, and had nothing to say on the subject.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report that the game effectively evokes intended emotions, providing a surprisingly touching experience that resonates deeply. While it may not alter worldviews, it offers a unique emotional journey across its various segments.
- “Nothing worldview changing, but it made me feel the way it wanted me to feel.”
- “This game is wonderful; I actually didn't expect it to touch me the way it did, but it truly was an experience. I mean, all of the four experiences were truly something different!”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
The atmosphere of the game is noted as a strong point, described as unsettling and engaging; however, it is significantly undermined by poor text-to-speech and writing quality.
- “+ unsettling atmosphere”
- “The game has an unsettling atmosphere that leaves you on edge.”
- “I found the atmosphere to be quite dull and uninspired.”
- “The lack of immersive sound design really detracts from the overall atmosphere.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game has been widely criticized, with one track described as "pure garbage" and likened to an ironic parody of sitcom themes. Reviewers found it boring and pointless, with the credits music noted for its unsettling quality.
- “The one music track is just pure garbage and really feels like an ironic parody of sitcom shows.”
- “Crash is the most boring and pointless, and the unsettling music in the credits only adds to the experience.”