GAG

About

GAG is a single player action game with horror and comedy themes. It was developed by Joshua Roland and was released on August 7, 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"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

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74%

Audience ScoreBased on 54 reviews

emotional2 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

GAG presents a genuinely creepy atmosphere and tackles the serious topic of sexual abuse in a unique way.
The game includes three additional short experiences that are interesting and thought-provoking, adding value to the overall package.
Many players found the surreal art style and storytelling engaging, making it a memorable experience despite its brevity.

The gameplay is minimal, with many players feeling that GAG lacks interactivity and depth, making it feel more like a skit than a game.
The use of text-to-speech for character voices was criticized for being monotonous and detracting from the overall experience.
Several reviews mentioned that the handling of the sensitive topic of sexual abuse felt tone-deaf and poorly executed, leading to discomfort rather than meaningful engagement.

story
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The game's 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. The narrative is described as a brief experience, with a creepy setting and decent plot, but lacking depth and subtlety. Overall, it appeals to those interested in unique storytelling, though it may not resonate well with everyone.
- “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%
50%
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 that intrigues players. While some find the visuals interesting and thought-provoking, others feel that the overall experience lacks depth despite the appealing design.
- “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 felt too stripped down to be anything but genuine.”
- “I saw the odd graphics and I was interested, but it turns out there is nothing to this 'game'.”
- “Graphics:”
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 may offer chilling examinations through its narrative, players should be aware that the gameplay itself is lacking.
- “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
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The humor in the game has been widely criticized, with users describing it as unfunny and lacking substance, ultimately rendering the comedic elements ineffective and disappointing.
- “There's nothing worse than a comedy game that is unfunny.”
- “It is short, unfunny, and had nothing to say on the subject.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
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 feeling on edge.”
- “I found the atmosphere to be quite unsettling, which detracted from my overall experience.”
- “The atmosphere is more unsettling than immersive, making it hard to enjoy the gameplay.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game emotionally impactful, often expressing surprise at how deeply it resonated with them. While it may not offer a transformative worldview, it effectively evokes the intended feelings, making for a memorable and varied emotional experience.
- “This game is wonderful; I actually didn't expect it to touch me the way it did, but it truly was an experience. All of the four experiences were something different!”
- “Nothing worldview-changing, but it made me feel the way it wanted me to feel.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game has been criticized as subpar, with one track described as a poorly executed parody of sitcom themes, leading to a sense of boredom. Additionally, the unsettling nature of the credits music adds to the overall negative impression.
- “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 doesn't help.”