Gone Home

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"Gone Home" is a first-person exploration game where you investigate a mysterious empty mansion. As you uncover the clues left behind by the residents, you'll learn about a complex and emotional family story. The game takes place in the 1990s and features a fully interactive environment, allowing you to explore and discover at your own pace.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

77%

Audience ScoreBased on 10,420 reviews

story3,875 positive mentions

replayability157 negative mentions

story
11,767 mentions
33 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of *Gone Home* is a poignant exploration of family dynamics, identity, and love, primarily focusing on the protagonist's sister, Sam, and her coming-of-age journey in the 1990s. Players uncover the narrative through environmental storytelling, finding letters and audio logs that reveal the family's secrets and struggles, creating an emotional connection to the characters. While some find the story predictable or lacking depth, many appreciate its heartfelt portrayal of LGBTQ+ themes and the nostalgic atmosphere it evokes.
- “Gone Home is an amazing exploration game that really nails storytelling and atmosphere.”
- “Even though it’s a pretty short experience, Gone Home sticks with you, making it a must-play for anyone who loves heartfelt storytelling in games.”
- “The story is incredibly engaging, though I wish we could have learned more about the family beyond Sam.”
- “The main story feels like it was written by an adolescent for an introductory English class; all sources of miscellaneous plot devices and subplots are ignored, forgotten, and left in the sand by the end of the game (cliche red herrings galore).”
- “The story has been made into a game by having the players do totally useless stuff, such as grabbing things, opening doors and drawers, and going through all the rooms of a huge mansion to end up in the attic, where we learn how the love story develops.”
- “The story is very personal and it did hit all the right buttons within me.”
emotional
1,470 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of *Gone Home* is widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling, exploring themes of family, identity, and self-discovery. Players report being deeply moved by the narrative, often shedding tears as they connect with the characters and their struggles, particularly in relation to LGBTQ+ experiences. The game's ability to evoke nostalgia and emotional resonance through its immersive environment and character-driven plot has made it a standout title in the realm of narrative-driven games.
- “It's a beautiful story with heartfelt characters in an unconventional medium.”
- “Gone Home is a beautifully crafted story, and it made me cry, honestly.”
- “The story is heartwarming, but don't take my money out of intrigue and not deliver something that should last a heck of a lot longer.”
- “It's a better ending than her sister killing herself, but if her sister was straight, I doubt this game would get any praise at all as it's a boring storyline.”
- “I completed the game and thought it was dreadful - boring storyline - characters you don't care about.”
- “Extremely boring story which turns out to be about nothing.”
gameplay
1,423 mentions
18 % positive mentions
74 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Gone Home" is primarily focused on exploration and narrative rather than traditional mechanics, offering a minimalist experience where players walk through a house, interact with objects, and uncover a story through notes and audio logs. While some players appreciate the immersive storytelling and emotional depth, many criticize the lack of puzzles, challenges, and replayability, leading to mixed feelings about its value given the short playtime of around 2-3 hours. Overall, it appeals to those who prioritize narrative over gameplay, but may disappoint players seeking more interactive or action-oriented experiences.
- “While Gone Home's gameplay mechanics are minimal, its strength lies in its ability to immerse you in its world.”
- “Gone Home is a first-person exploration game that leaves traditional gameplay mechanics in the dust, in favor of a more immersive storytelling experience.”
- “The gameplay itself opts for a minimalist approach, allowing players to freely explore the home at their own pace.”
- “The gameplay is just boring; I get it's a walking sim, but there are a lot of those that are beautiful experiences.”
- “This is a walking simulator, so the gameplay is almost nonexistent.”
- “The gameplay is relatively short, and some players might find the lack of traditional puzzles or challenges unsatisfying if they're seeking more interactive gameplay elements.”
atmosphere
1,406 mentions
58 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Gone Home" is widely praised for its immersive and evocative qualities, effectively capturing the eerie yet nostalgic essence of exploring an empty house during a storm. Players appreciate the meticulous attention to detail, sound design, and the emotional weight conveyed through the environment, which enhances the storytelling experience. While some find the atmosphere misleading in relation to the plot, it remains a standout feature that draws players into the narrative, creating a sense of tension and curiosity throughout the game.
- “Gone Home is an amazing exploration game that really nails storytelling and atmosphere.”
- “The design of the house is brilliant, and the 90s vibe adds so much to the overall atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere, music, and voice acting are excellent.”
- “The biggest downfall, however, is at the end of the game when you open the attic; all the built-up atmosphere and time you have spent exploring every corner of the house is completely wasted, and the player is left feeling disappointed.”
- “The atmosphere was done really well, but the plot and atmosphere did not go together at all.”
- “The atmosphere tries to trick you into thinking there's more going on, but after an hour of nothing, it fades off.”
music
756 mentions
46 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in "Gone Home" has received widespread acclaim for its evocative soundtrack, which features a mix of original compositions by Chris Remo and licensed tracks from 90s riot grrrl bands. Players appreciate how the music enhances the game's nostalgic atmosphere and emotional storytelling, with many noting that the ambient sounds and cassette tapes found throughout the house contribute significantly to the immersive experience. However, some players found certain tracks less appealing, indicating that musical taste may vary among audiences. Overall, the soundtrack is often highlighted as one of the game's standout features.
- “The game has a poignant and exceptional soundtrack, and the voice acting is astounding, making emotional moments flourish.”
- “The music is the most impressive part of the game.”
- “The soundtrack is fantastic, both the ambient sounds and the music tracks you can discover in the game.”
- “The music was also okay when it was playing.”
- “The music is awful.”
- “I didn't like any of the protagonist's music, but that's just me (angsty hard rock hasn't been my jam since I was a teenager).”
graphics
570 mentions
46 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Gone Home" receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the game's nostalgic 90s aesthetic and attention to detail in the environment, which enhances the immersive experience. While some describe the visuals as beautiful and fitting for the narrative, others note that they can feel dated or basic, particularly when compared to modern standards. Overall, the graphics effectively serve the game's storytelling purpose, though performance issues and optimization concerns are mentioned by several users.
- “The graphics are stunning and the music suits the come home in the wee hours of the morn with a huge rain storm raging outside.”
- “The graphics are lovely - very smooth, clean and pleasant to look at.”
- “The graphics were fantastic.”
- “The graphics frankly are bad.”
- “The graphics are very basic, especially for a walking simulator.”
- “The graphics are not stunning, but fulfill their purpose.”
replayability
405 mentions
5 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
39 % negative mentions
The game has been widely criticized for its extremely low replayability, with many players noting that it can be completed in about 1.5 to 2 hours and offers little incentive to return after the initial playthrough. While some players mention the potential for revisiting to find missed details or achievements, the consensus is that the linear narrative and lack of gameplay variety result in minimal replay value. Overall, it is recommended to purchase the game on sale due to its short length and limited replayability.
- “The replayability is the same as reading a book story you had a connection with, and could re-read it for the sake of these memories that have been attached to you.”
- “This game does have replayability in terms of you likely may not find all journal entries on the first playthrough, and you'll want to replay to find those and fill in any gaps in the story.”
- “While the replay value is not high in a typical sense, I see myself returning to 'Gone Home' from time to time in the way I would a favorite book.”
- “Ultimately, there's not much replay value in a game like this unless you're trying to collect every achievement.”
- “The game is extremely short, about 2 hours long, and has no replay value at all.”
- “There is very little replay value, just like most other walking simulators.”
humor
98 mentions
99 % positive mentions
-2 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as charming and warm, often providing a delightful contrast to its darker themes. Players appreciate the clever and sometimes cringeworthy writing, which elicits laughter through unexpected moments and quirky details, while also delivering poignant emotional experiences. Overall, the humor is seen as a vital element that enhances the storytelling, making the game both funny and touching.
- “It's funny, sad, and beautiful all at once, and in a sense, makes me feel like I have finally gone home.”
- “The bits of humor and items in the house saved the game for me.”
- “It's incredibly well done, in part thanks to the hilarious narration of Kevan Brighting.”
- “I figured even if it's not funny, it should still be a good game based on people's reviews.”
- “The humor fell flat and felt forced, making it hard to enjoy the game.”
- “I expected some laughs, but the jokes were stale and uninspired.”
optimization
45 mentions
20 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
36 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting poor performance, including frame rate drops and excessive resource consumption despite its relatively simple graphics. While the voice acting and story elements are praised, the technical issues detract from the overall experience, leading to frustration among users. Some players noted better performance on specific platforms, but the consensus remains that the game is poorly optimized.
- “I played this on Linux and can attest to excellent performance at least on that platform.”
- “The graphics and audio aspects are great, and overall the game runs smoothly.”
- “Although it has some optimization problems, graphics, gameplay, and sound are great.”
- “The game is poorly optimized - probably partly because it applies physics to every soda can and pencil in the house - leading to my normally great battery running from 100% down to 5% in like 20 minutes.”
- “Also note that given the game's graphical quality, it is terribly unoptimized.”
- “This game isn't optimized at all.”
character development
43 mentions
33 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with many players praising its depth and emotional resonance, particularly through journal entries and environmental storytelling. However, some critics feel that certain characters lack sufficient development, leaving plot holes and surface-level connections. Overall, while the game excels in creating relatable characters and a compelling narrative, it also leaves room for improvement in fully realizing its character arcs.
- “I enjoyed learning about the dynamism of the two friends/lovers through the journal entries and was impressed at how the developers included certain quirks in the character design.”
- “Through your exploration, a tale is revealed - this is a story-driven game with a focus on character development and interpersonal moments, with several very rewarding and heartfelt moments along the way.”
- “The character development, the storytelling, the mechanics, and the emotional connection one makes with the characters is extremely impressive, and generally not found in a majority of the big budget games.”
- “Since this game is on the short side, there's a lot of plot holes and character development that could be better.”
- “I was disappointed there was no real character development of Katie at all - a few scraps here and there, but never beyond surface level, and even for Sam, I just couldn't make that progression in creating an emotional bond with this character.”
- “The game relays its character development through various notes and letters scattered all over the house; almost all of which are pointless and meaningless.”
grinding
34 mentions
6 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
94 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and often frustrating, with slow movement mechanics and excessive backtracking contributing to a lack of engagement. Many reviews highlight the abundance of pointless interactions and the linear progression that detracts from the atmosphere and suspense, leading to a feeling of monotony. While some appreciate the story, the gameplay is frequently described as simplistic and lacking in rewarding experiences, making it feel like a grind rather than an enjoyable journey.
- “The grinding can take 60 to 100 hours, but it's worth the investment.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding, but the rewards make it all worthwhile.”
- “95% of the items you can pick up don't actually have a use, and the lack of a run button makes backtracking through the big, empty house pretty tedious.”
- “The story itself -- the character conflicts you learn about -- is great, but it's so tedious to unravel (especially if you don't find everything at once and have to go back and search rooms again) it killed lots of the atmosphere for me.”
- “However, after a while, it got tedious, and when I felt like I was making progress toward the story's resolution, I kept finding more--it started to feel like a grind.”
stability
19 mentions
16 % positive mentions
16 % neutral mentions
68 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is mixed, with some players reporting a smooth experience free of glitches, while others encounter various bugs, including issues with mouse controls, freezing, and problems with door interactions. Overall, while some users enjoy a bug-free experience, many highlight significant stability issues that detract from gameplay.
- “The game runs smooth and there are no glitches or bugs.”
- “This game has an incredible storyline, is playable with no glitches whatsoever, and all together a great adventure.”
- “There were absolutely no glitches I exploited, no major flaws in the UI, and nothing really that I could point out a fault in.”
- “A delightful experience, but plagued by buggy mouse controls.”
- “The game is glitchy, sometimes freezes, and the walking speed will randomly slow down to a crawl sometimes (and there's no sprint button).”
- “It is a bit pricey for the length of gameplay (about 2 hours, depending on how thorough you are), and occasionally buggy (I had trouble getting doors to open, even after obtaining the proper key--the only workaround being to restart the game with the option to have all doors unlocked enabled).”
monetization
6 mentions
0 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
83 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism for misleading advertising that suggests a horror or mystery experience, which does not align with the actual gameplay. Players feel that the game is overpriced for its length and content, leading to disappointment and frustration over the disconnect between expectations set by marketing and the final product.
- “I want to play a game, not advertisements!”
- “Recommended for something different, but not for the length, price, and advertisement as a mystery/thriller/supernatural game, which it most certainly is not.”
- “I know why you are interested now (as I was once) - the advertising of this game is well done - during the entire game, I was waiting for something until... it just finished.”