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Grief like a stray dog

Grief like a stray dog Game Cover
62%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
atmosphere
100% User Score Based on 13 reviews

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Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5Playstation 4XboxWindowsPlayStation
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Grief like a stray dog Game Cover

About

Grief like a stray dog is a single player action adventure game. It was developed by Rayonist and was released on January 29, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

An isolated Russian village, 1942. Men leave one by one, along the winding forest path painted crimson by distant fires, and do not return. Yong Nadia becomes a part-time postwoman filling in for her sick mother. She is now a messenger of hope and of trouble.

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Grief like a stray dog screenshot
Grief like a stray dog screenshot
Grief like a stray dog screenshot
Grief like a stray dog screenshot
Grief like a stray dog screenshot
Grief like a stray dog screenshot
Grief like a stray dog screenshot
Grief like a stray dog screenshot
Grief like a stray dog screenshot
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100%
Audience ScoreBased on 13 reviews
story8 positive mentions
  • The game features stunning artwork and a unique art style that effectively conveys the emotional weight of the story.
  • The narrative is deeply moving, based on real experiences from WWII, which adds a layer of authenticity and emotional depth.
  • The gameplay, while short, is immersive and impactful, with moments that resonate strongly with players, often evoking tears.
  • The game is very short, which may limit players' ability to connect with the characters and fully engage with the story.
  • Translation issues can detract from the emotional impact of the dialogue, making some interactions feel less natural.
  • Some players felt that the writing could have been more nuanced and less formal, impacting the overall storytelling experience.
  • story
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Grief like a stray dog" is deeply rooted in real experiences, primarily following Nadia, a young postwoman in WWII-era Russia, as she navigates the emotional landscape of delivering death notices in her village. The narrative, inspired by the developer's grandmother, combines authentic letters from soldiers with beautiful, hand-painted visuals, creating a compelling and emotional experience, though some players noted that translation issues occasionally detracted from the story's impact. Overall, the game is praised for its poignant storytelling and artistic presentation, making it a moving exploration of grief and resilience during wartime.

    • “The thing is, very little of this game is a work of fiction - Nadia's character is based on the developers' grandmother's own experiences as a young postwoman on the outskirts of Rzhev, and the characters in the story are direct experiences from people who were around during that period, all who had their own brush with a funeral notice.”
    • “Finishing the game brought the revelation that the story is based on a real person's memories, and listening to her speak brought tears.”
    • “I played this game in English and could tell that some of the poetry of these letters and of the story got lost in translation.”
    • “Overall I enjoyed the experience; whenever you would use more of that animation/visual storytelling, the game and the atmosphere worked a lot better for me, but again sometimes I felt I was being told what could have been shown instead.”
    • “It's a deeply human story about the absolute suffering wrought by war and famine.”
  • graphics
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's graphics are characterized by a stunning, hand-painted art style that combines elements of children's drawings, Soviet animation, and expressionism, creating a unique and emotionally resonant visual experience. Players appreciate the deliberate craftsmanship and the way the visuals enhance the narrative, particularly in conveying themes of grief and tragedy. While some animations stand out as highlights, the overall aesthetic is praised for its beauty and ability to evoke deep emotions, despite minor issues with dialogue translation.

    • “The artwork is sparse but beautifully done, every marking made deliberately with a skilled hand.”
    • “Its art style is nothing short of stunning.”
    • “The game uses a combination of art styles that, when put together, create a gorgeous backdrop for the tragedy of the story.”
    • “Rather, this is an art style that reflects children’s drawings, Soviet animation, and expressionism to create a spartan sketch of a world.”
    • “Unfortunately, some developers try to obtain a similar aesthetic through filters, but it looked to me like the game was manually animated, so overall I enjoyed the presentation; some of the parts looked very unique.”
  • emotional
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its beautiful and emotional storytelling, effectively addressing heavy themes related to World War II in Russia. While it delivers a poignant experience that resonates deeply with players, some feel that the emotional impact is somewhat diminished in the English translation due to the loss of nuance in the dialogue. Overall, it is regarded as a short yet powerful emotional journey worth experiencing.

    • “Absolutely beautiful, emotional storytelling.”
    • “It's hard to play a game like this without getting emotional, especially knowing the tragedy that World War II was for everyone and the real impact it had not only on the people who went to war but also on the families they left behind.”
    • “It’s a short, sweet, emotional ride for under $5, and simply huge props to the team behind it.”
  • music
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is a disconcerting yet effective soundtrack that enhances the subtle horror of the world, skillfully heightening emotional moments when needed. While it remains mostly unobtrusive, its powerful composition complements the art and narrative, resonating deeply with players and effectively capturing the gravity of the game's themes. Overall, the soundtrack is praised for its fitting and impactful presence throughout the experience.

    • “Paired with this art is a disconcerting soundtrack that does an incredible job building the subtle horror of the world.”
    • “The soundtrack is great throughout the game, but during those scenes, man, it really hit me.”
    • “While it’s a mostly unobtrusive soundtrack, at the moments when it’s needed to heighten the emotion of the scene, it absolutely delivers.”
    • “As much as the writing might struggle to capture the horror of war, that horror still resonates in the combination of art, music, and the knowledge that the stories are all true.”
  • atmosphere
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is described as immersive and engaging, enhanced by gripping characters and intriguing gameplay. While the visual storytelling effectively contributes to the overall experience, some players feel that certain elements could have been better shown rather than told. Overall, it appeals to fans of short, atmospheric, and artistic games.

    • “The characters are gripping, the atmosphere is immersive, and the gameplay is intriguing.”
    • “I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys short atmospheric and arty games.”
    • “Overall, I enjoyed the experience. Whenever more animation and visual storytelling were used, the game and the atmosphere worked a lot better for me.”
    • “Overall, I enjoyed the experience. Whenever the game utilized more animation and visual storytelling, the atmosphere improved significantly for me. However, there were times when I felt I was being told what could have been shown instead.”
    • “The atmosphere felt flat and uninspired, lacking the depth and immersion I was hoping for.”
    • “Despite some interesting concepts, the overall atmosphere was disappointing and failed to draw me into the game world.”
  • gameplay
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized by engaging characters and an immersive atmosphere, creating an intriguing experience for players.

    • “The characters are gripping, the atmosphere is immersive, and the gameplay is intriguing.”
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Frequently Asked Questions

Grief like a stray dog is a action adventure game.

Grief like a stray dog is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

Grief like a stray dog was released on January 29, 2025.

Grief like a stray dog was developed by Rayonist.

Grief like a stray dog has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its atmosphere.

Grief like a stray dog is a single player game.

Similar games include What Comes After, That Dragon, Cancer, INMOST, Venba, Firework and others.