Her Story

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,890 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • optimization
Her Story Game Cover
An astounding performance by Viva Seifert, immaculate writing by Sam Barlow and a completely innovative concept cement Her Story as one of the most solid and mesmerising releases this year.
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"Her Story" is a crime fiction promising a unique experience, where you search through a database of live-action police interviews from 1994. The narrative unfolds as you piece together a woman's story about her missing husband, using search terms to find clips and uncover the truth. This game stands out with its non-linear storytelling and intriguing format, relying on your attentiveness to the woman's testimony.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Gog Com
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,890 reviews
story1,985 positive mentions
replayability54 negative mentions
  • Unique and engaging narrative experience that allows players to piece together a story through video clips.
  • Strong performance by the lead actress, adding depth to the character and story.
  • Innovative gameplay mechanics that encourage curiosity and exploration of the narrative.
  • Limited gameplay mechanics that may feel tedious and repetitive after a while.
  • No clear ending or resolution, leaving players with unanswered questions.
  • Some clips are very short and difficult to find, leading to frustration in completing the game.
  • story6,243 mentions

    The story in "Her Story" is a captivating and intricately woven narrative that unfolds through a series of police interview clips, allowing players to piece together the mystery of a woman's involvement in her husband's disappearance. The non-linear storytelling approach engages players as they search for keywords to unlock additional video snippets, creating a unique and personal experience that varies with each playthrough. While some players find the story predictable or lacking in depth, many appreciate its twists and the emotional weight carried by the lead actress's performance, making it a memorable exploration of narrative in gaming.

    • “This was much more of an interactive story than a game, but wow did it engross me.”
    • “However, the storytelling is incredible.”
    • “The story, despite being presented as a precise puzzle to be solved, ends up open to interpretation on many fronts, while the search process becomes pretty random, with you just stumbling upon new stuff after trying different words instead of actively following the leads.”
    • “The weak story, lack of traditional gameplay elements, and absence of a satisfying conclusion make it feel incomplete.”
    • “The story itself is arguably the game's weakest point.”
  • gameplay1,235 mentions

    The gameplay of "Her Story" is characterized by its unique mechanic of searching for keywords to unlock video clips from police interviews, creating a non-linear narrative experience. While some players appreciate the innovative storytelling approach, many criticize the gameplay for being overly simplistic and repetitive, often feeling more like an interactive movie than a traditional game. Overall, the experience is engaging for those who enjoy narrative-driven content, but may disappoint players seeking more complex gameplay mechanics.

    • “The gameplay offers a fresh perspective on investigations, even if it might not be for everyone.”
    • “The gameplay consists of searching among videos with keywords and trying to find the truth behind what happened.”
    • “The simple mechanic and desire to understand the narrative really engaged me.”
    • “There pretty much is no 'gameplay', with your actions limited to what you can do with a minimalistic PC in a database, CRT-era.”
    • “The gameplay, however, doesn't ever really evolve past what you meet it at and devolves from piecing together a mostly interesting tale into a half-trial-and-error slog.”
    • “The weak story, lack of traditional gameplay elements, and absence of a satisfying conclusion make it feel incomplete.”
  • optimization204 mentions

    The optimization of the game is generally well-received, with players noting that it runs smoothly even on lower-end systems, allowing for an enjoyable experience without significant performance issues. However, some users expressed a desire for better graphical optimization, particularly for widescreen displays. Overall, the game's success is largely attributed to the captivating performance of the lead actress, Viva Seifert, which enhances the narrative experience despite any minor technical shortcomings.

    • “The core mechanic of choosing keywords to plug into a search engine so you can watch 5-60 second clips of an interview sounds incredibly dry, but the performance is electric and the writing straddles this weird line between police-procedural and fairytale gothic that just works so well on every level.”
    • “Viva Seifert's performance is amazing, and she really brings the character to life.”
    • “The game is held together by the excellent performance of the game's only actor, Viva Seifert.”
    • “The only downside is the detectives are all silent, which I think is a shame, but the lone actress was fantastic and I understand won an award for her performance, which is well deserved.”
    • “It doesn't feel like the actor has put effort into immersing herself into the role of her character, so her performance and delivery doesn't feel genuine at all.”
    • “There were moments when the performance seemed a bit forced and over the top, but I feel this is due to having to carry the story alone.”
  • music158 mentions

    The music in the game is described as minimal yet effective, enhancing the eerie and melancholic atmosphere while complementing the narrative. Many reviewers appreciate the haunting quality of the soundtrack, which includes nostalgic elements and subtle audio cues that align with the unfolding story. However, some players find the repetitive nature of certain tracks distracting and note the lack of options to adjust or disable the music, which can detract from the overall experience.

    • “The music adds greatly to the atmosphere as well.”
    • “The game's understated visuals and atmospheric soundtrack create an eerie and compelling atmosphere, like a fog-shrouded city at night.”
    • “A compelling narrative, haunting soundtrack, independent film-style presentation, and a fantastic performance by viva seifert make her story worth looking into.”
    • “The music soundtrack is literally a 10-second anxiety-inducing loop that can't be disabled or adjusted in any way.”
    • “My biggest complaint is that the music that plays while you're between videos (in the interface proper) is wildly out of place, and cannot be turned off.”
    • “The music does not add anything to the experience.”
  • replayability150 mentions

    The game has been widely criticized for its lack of replayability, with many reviewers noting that once the story is known, there is little incentive to play again. While some players found value in revisiting the experience after a long break or for completionist purposes, the consensus is that the game is best enjoyed as a one-time experience, akin to watching a movie. Overall, replayability is considered minimal to nonexistent, making it a short but memorable interactive narrative.

    • “Her story offers a unique gameplay experience that's as replayable as a classic puzzle game.”
    • “Love the self-guided story; a lot of reviews say it doesn't have replayability, but I would replay this just like I would rewatch a good movie.”
    • “This game has definitely a replayability because it's like chess; every time you play it differently, although the end is always the same.”
    • “Unfortunately, there is no replay value in this game as once you know the story there's little reason to re-watch it again.”
    • “The only downside I can think of is the lack of replay value.”
    • “No replay value once finished and the mystery solved.”
  • graphics136 mentions

    The graphics of the game are intentionally designed to evoke a nostalgic mid-90s aesthetic, featuring low-resolution visuals and a retro computer interface that enhances the immersive experience. While some reviews note the graphics as average or minimalistic, they effectively contribute to the game's atmosphere and storytelling, making it feel like an old-school text adventure. Overall, the visuals are appreciated for their simplicity and ability to create a compelling, eerie ambiance, despite occasional graphical glitches.

    • “The graphics were stylized in this game – you are looking at an old computer screen from the 1990s, and 'Her Story' did a great job of simulating the old, blocky, ugly software of these bygone times along with the curved glass screen and the horrible reflections they used to give off.”
    • “The graphical style and audio effects really set the scene well and fully sold the illusion of being up late at night on an old police computer, surfing through a database to crack a case.”
    • “The early 90's aesthetic, the fuzzy clip quality, the styles of her clothing, and the computer interface (think early Windows) on which you're accessing the information is likewise excellent.”
    • “The graphics here are fairly average.”
    • “The deliberately outdated visuals may be considered an eyesore by those who favor HD fidelity to good storytelling.”
    • “There are no flashy graphics or powerful soundtrack.”
  • atmosphere120 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique and immersive qualities, effectively combining minimalistic visuals, an atmospheric soundtrack, and strong acting to create a haunting and engaging experience. Players appreciate the nostalgic 90s aesthetic and the eerie, suspenseful tone that enhances the storytelling, making it feel like a genuine investigation. Overall, the game's ability to evoke emotion and tension through its design and sound contributes significantly to its appeal, drawing players into its mysterious narrative.

    • “Watching these clips, listening to the game's music, the eerie sounds of sitting on an old PC in some archive, creates a very sad and melancholy atmosphere, and it invokes a lot more feeling than you would expect from tapes of an old police investigation.”
    • “The game's understated visuals and atmospheric soundtrack create an eerie and compelling atmosphere, like a fog-shrouded city at night.”
    • “The atmosphere it manages to create with its straightforward premise is incredible.”
    • “While the story itself is still interesting, it had exactly nil mystery or atmosphere to it for me, which it obviously tried very hard to build with some of the clips hinting and suggesting wildly while not giving away too much.”
    • “That really put me out of the atmosphere, even more of her babbling about her drama-queen life, complete with a lot of unnecessary details about what's she likes to eat, what's her husband likes to do, how he wears his glasses... because yeah, I'm being interrogated for murder, I'd surely talk about petty things like Bob Dylan songs and glasses and stuff.”
    • “There is an option to turn off a lot of the 'old CRT' effects but the game loses atmosphere that way; still if you find it distracting the option is there.”
  • grinding116 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, particularly when attempting to achieve 100% completion. Many players find the process of searching for and organizing video clips to be laborious, with some noting that the gameplay becomes less engaging as they progress. While some appreciate the unique mechanics and story, the overall sentiment suggests that the grind can detract from the enjoyment of the experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “There's also a lot of content that adds absolutely nothing to the game once you get to about 50-75% of the clips, so trying to 100% the game is extremely tedious.”
    • “The story is intriguing and engaging, but it is gated by a very tedious mechanic - typing keywords into a search bar and sifting through videos, which are nonsensically capped at 5 results to artificially create a progression.”
    • “I found this game to be a unique, interesting experience, but I have to point out that much of this experience was mind-numbingly tedious, so I'd imagine more than a few people would probably be turned off from having to deal with it.”
  • emotional77 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the powerful performance of the lead actress, which draws players into a deeply engaging and often touching narrative. While some players found the emotional weight lacking or the story tedious at first, many experienced a profound connection to the character and the unfolding mystery, leading to moments of genuine emotional investment and catharsis. Overall, the game is praised for its unique storytelling approach that challenges players' emotional intelligence, making it a memorable and impactful experience.

    • “I couldn't put this game down; I was too into it, and the end made sense and felt complete, fulfilling, and very emotional.”
    • “The story is mysterious and emotional, the atmosphere is uniquely weird, the direction is good, and the acting performance is excellent.”
    • “This game made me feel nostalgic for the FMV adventure games I used to play as a kid.”
    • “The first two hours were pretty dull and boring; I almost quit because the storyline was really uninteresting.”
    • “Her story is an innovative way to tell a boring story.”
    • “It's a boring story that doesn't make much sense.”
  • humor17 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a blend of absurdity and clever dialogue, often eliciting laughter through unexpected twists and quirky interactions. Players appreciate the mix of funny and disturbing elements, which contribute to a memorable and engaging experience, while also highlighting the absurdity of certain scenarios, such as the outdated technology depicted. Overall, the humor enhances the narrative, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

    • “A little sad; a little disturbing; a little funny; a little story creatively told.”
    • “It was memorable and throughout its duration managed to be interesting, moving, and humorous.”
    • “Funny / crazy / mysterious story brought to you by a unique way of databank commands.”
    • “Not funny, but interesting.”
  • stability5 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant lag and graphical glitches that hinder gameplay, while others report no issues at all. Users have noted that lowering the resolution and playing in windowed mode can help mitigate these problems, but overall, the game's stability appears to be inconsistent.

    • “No glitches that I found anyway; but I'd be surprised if there were any given the nature of the game.”
    • “My 2-hour playtime is actually just time spent troubleshooting.”
    • “For the first half an hour, I thought it would crash every time, but actually it just lags so badly that everything freezes and you have to stop clicking until it unfreezes. Eventually, I had to lower the resolution to 1280x1024 and play windowed to make the lags rarer.”
    • “[b]Gameplay: [/b]Search function is buggy.”
  • character development4 mentions

    The character development in the game is praised for its depth and integration into the narrative, with players noting that it enhances the overall storytelling experience. While gameplay may be minimal, the focus on character arcs and revelations as the story unfolds is seen as a significant strength, drawing comparisons to other narrative-driven titles like "Gone Home."

    • “The story is fantastic on its own with twists and turns and character development as you get closer to the truth.”
    • “I love these kinds of games, and although they may be sparse on actual gameplay, they are forging a new path in the way of storytelling and character development in games.”
    • “Sure, its character development, I get it.”
    • “Kind of like Gone Home, but with no walking around, and more character development.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game primarily revolves around microtransactions and downloadable content (DLC), with users noting a changed structure that includes new sections for multiplayer and mods. This suggests a focus on additional revenue streams while enhancing gameplay options.

    • “The microtransactions in the game are fair and don't feel intrusive, allowing players to enjoy the experience without feeling pressured to spend money.”
    • “I appreciate the DLC options available; they add meaningful content without locking essential features behind a paywall.”
    • “The monetization model is well-balanced, providing players with the choice to enhance their experience without compromising the core gameplay.”
    • “The microtransactions in this game are excessive and feel like a cash grab.”
    • “The DLC content is overpriced and doesn't offer enough value for the money.”
    • “The monetization strategy ruins the overall experience, making it feel more like a pay-to-win scenario.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

73% average critic score

Buy Her Story

Play time

5hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
2hMain story
4hCompletionist
3-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 47 analyzed playthroughs

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