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Her Story

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.
83%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
replayability, grinding
88% User Score Based on 11,780 reviews
Critic Score 77%Based on 17 reviews

Platforms

iPhoneiPhoneMac OSMac OSPCPCPhonePhoneWindowsWindowsAndroidAndroidGog ComGog ComLinuxLinuxMobile PlatformMobile PlatformTabletTabletiPadiPad
Buy Nowfrom $1.99
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About

"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.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Her Story screenshot
Her Story screenshot
Her Story screenshot
Her Story screenshot
Her Story screenshot
Her Story screenshot
Her Story screenshot
Her Story screenshot
Her Story screenshot
Her Story screenshot
Her Story screenshot
+1

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 11,797 reviews
story4k positive mentions
replayability108 negative mentions
  • The unique keyword search mechanic creates an engaging and immersive narrative experience, allowing players to piece together the story at their own pace.
  • Viva Seifert's performance is widely praised, adding emotional depth and authenticity to the narrative, making the story feel impactful.
  • The atmospheric visuals and haunting soundtrack effectively enhance the eerie qualities of the game, creating a captivating experience that draws players in.
  • The gameplay is criticized for being overly simplistic and repetitive, often feeling more like an interactive movie than a traditional game.
  • Many players find the story's ambiguity and lack of a definitive conclusion frustrating, leading to a sense of incompleteness.
  • The game suffers from stability issues, with reports of lag and graphical glitches that can hinder the overall experience.
  • story
    12,499 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Her Story" is a captivating and intricately woven narrative that unfolds through a series of fragmented video clips from police interviews with a woman named Hannah, who is implicated in her husband's disappearance. Players engage in a unique detective experience by searching for keywords to unlock these clips, piecing together the story at their own pace, which leads to various interpretations and personal revelations. While the non-linear storytelling and strong performance by the lead actress are widely praised, some players find the story's ambiguity and lack of a definitive conclusion to be frustrating, making it more of an interactive narrative than a traditional game.

    • “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 gameplay is simple, the story is engrossing, the acting is well done.”
  • gameplay
    2,471 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 prioritize narrative over gameplay mechanics, but it may not satisfy players seeking more complex interactions or challenges.

    • “The gameplay offers a fresh perspective on investigations, even if it might not be for everyone.”
    • “Her story is a unique indie murder mystery game by Sam Barlow that offers an intriguing glimpse into a different kind of puzzle gameplay, blending abstract storytelling with self-paced discovery.”
    • “The simple mechanic and desire to understand the narrative really engaged me.”
  • optimization
    410 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game is generally well-received, with many 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 performance is bolstered by the captivating lead performance of Viva Seifert, which is central to the game's success.

    • “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 nuanced performance adds authenticity, making each revelation impactful.”
    • “The game is held together by the excellent performance of the game's only actor, Viva Seifert.”
    • “In addition to that, I'm really not that fond of the actress's performance; it feels so theatrical and over the top.”
    • “Much of the performance falls on her, so a better actress might have been more convincing.”
    • “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.”
  • music
    316 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is described as minimalistic yet effective, enhancing the eerie and immersive atmosphere while evoking nostalgia. While some players appreciate the haunting quality and emotional resonance of the soundtrack, others find it repetitive or distracting, particularly due to the inability to turn off certain tracks. Overall, the music complements the narrative and acting, contributing to the game's unique storytelling 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.”
  • replayability
    300 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 experiencing the narrative a second time or exploring different video clips, the consensus is that the game is best enjoyed as a one-time experience, typically lasting around 3-5 hours. Overall, it is recommended primarily for those interested in a unique, albeit short, interactive story rather than for players seeking long-term engagement.

    • “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.”
  • graphics
    272 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are intentionally retro, emulating the aesthetics of 90s computer interfaces and low-resolution video footage, which enhances the immersive experience of the narrative. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and atmospheric quality, others find the visuals to be average or dated, with minimalistic design that may not appeal to those seeking modern graphical fidelity. Overall, the graphics serve the game's storytelling purpose effectively, creating a unique blend of nostalgia and engagement.

    • “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.”
    • “Graphics: 3/10.”
  • atmosphere
    241 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, effectively utilizing minimalistic visuals and a haunting soundtrack to create a compelling experience. Players appreciate the nostalgic 90s aesthetic and the emotional depth conveyed through the acting and sound design, which enhances the game's suspense and mystery. Overall, the atmosphere is described as captivating, unique, and integral to the storytelling, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “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 she likes to eat, what 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.”
  • grinding
    232 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, particularly when attempting to achieve 100% completion. Many players found the process of searching for and organizing video clips to be laborious, with some noting that the gameplay becomes increasingly monotonous as they progress. While some enjoyed the initial engagement with the story, the overall sentiment suggests that the grind can detract from the experience, making it less appealing for those who dislike tedious tasks.

    • “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 do 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.”
  • emotional
    154 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is a significant highlight, with many players praising the depth of the narrative and the powerful performance by the lead actress, Viva Seifert. While some found the emotional engagement to vary, with moments of confusion or lack of direction, others described it as a deeply touching and immersive experience that evokes a strong connection to the story and characters. Overall, the game is recognized for its unique storytelling approach that challenges players' emotional intelligence, making it a memorable emotional journey.

    • “I couldn't put this game down; I was too into it, and the end made sense and felt complete, fulfilling, and very emotional.”
    • “I cried at the end, since I'd gotten so personally invested in the plot, and I didn't want the game to be over.”
    • “The story is really touching and astonishing; I felt really surprised at how my mind changed during the gameplay, and I have been literally stuck to the screen until the end.”
    • “The first 2 hours were pretty dull and boring; I almost quit, thinking it was a really boring storyline.”
    • “Her story is an innovative way to tell a boring story.”
    • “The story is boring and doesn't make much sense.”
  • humor
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as a blend of absurdity and clever writing, often eliciting laughter through unexpected twists and quirky dialogue. Players appreciate the mix of funny and disturbing elements, which contribute to a memorable and engaging experience, encouraging exploration of hidden humorous content. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with deeper emotional themes, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

    • “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.”
    • “Just finished my first play of it... and I am blown away, gave me goosebumps, made me feel sad a few times, made me laugh.... and just made me feel a lot, beautiful experience.”
    • “Not funny but interesting.”
  • stability
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players experiencing significant lag and graphical glitches that hinder gameplay, requiring adjustments like lowering resolution to improve performance. Others reported no glitches but noted issues with specific functions, indicating that stability may vary among users. Overall, the game appears to have notable stability concerns that could affect the experience.

    • “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.”
    • “[Gameplay:] Search function is buggy.”
  • character development
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The character development in the game is highly praised, with reviewers noting that it enhances the engaging story filled with twists and turns. While gameplay may be minimal, the focus on narrative and character growth is seen as a significant advancement in storytelling within the gaming medium, reminiscent of titles like "Gone Home."

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “Kind of like Gone Home, but with no walking around, and more character development.”
  • monetization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game primarily revolves around microtransactions and downloadable content (DLC), with users noting a restructured approach that includes new sections for multiplayer and mods. This indicates a focus on expanding the game's offerings while potentially encouraging additional spending from players.

    • “The microtransactions are well-balanced and don't feel intrusive, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend money.”
    • “The DLC offers great value, adding substantial content that enhances the overall experience without breaking the bank.”
    • “I appreciate how the monetization model respects players' time and investment, providing optional purchases that truly enhance gameplay.”
    • “The game is riddled with microtransactions that feel exploitative.”
    • “The DLC content is overpriced and doesn't add enough value to justify the cost.”
    • “The monetization strategy heavily favors players who are willing to spend extra money.”

77%Critics’ scoreBased on 17 critic reviews

Buy Her Story

5h Median play time
5h Average play time
2h Main story
4h Completionist
3-6h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 94 analyzed playthroughs

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