How to Say Goodbye

About

"How to Say Goodbye" is an introspective narrative game where players navigate difficult conversations and emotions surrounding the death of a loved one. Through choices in dialogue, players shape the story and come to terms with their own grief and loss. It's a poignant exploration of the human experience in the face of tragedy.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 66 reviews

story20 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Beautiful art style and soothing music that enhance the emotional experience of the game.
Engaging and simple puzzles that gradually introduce new mechanics, making them enjoyable without being overly challenging.
A touching narrative that explores themes of grief and loss, resonating with players on a personal level.

Controls can be frustrating and finicky, particularly with the conveyor belt mechanics, leading to moments of annoyance.
The story, while heartfelt, may feel underdeveloped at times, lacking depth and nuance in character relationships.
Some players found the gameplay repetitive and wished for more complexity or challenge as the game progressed.

story
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
49%
7%
The game's story is generally praised for its emotional depth and beautiful presentation, exploring themes of loss and grief through charming visuals and music. However, some players feel the narrative lacks depth and coherence, particularly in later chapters, leading to a sense of rushed character development and missed opportunities for a more engaging plot. While many appreciate the cozy, storybook-like quality, others criticize it for not fully addressing its serious themes, resulting in a mixed reception regarding its overall impact.
- “Great art style, fun puzzles, nice music, & a nice story about loss and grief.”
- “A quaint, simplistic puzzle game that takes a difficult subject and turns it into a warm story without over-romanticizing.”
- “It is a really touching story and it is told so cleverly and so powerfully in ways only games could.”
- “However, around chapter 5, the story seemed to lose direction with the introduction of two new characters.”
- “At the beginning, there's a warning about the theme of death and dealing with it, but the story doesn't really delve into this topic or develop a strong enough plot to warrant the warning.”
- “The way the story assumes that they have you completely invested in a character that has very little by way of personality is kinda amateurish and that's really disappointing, because the other elements in this game are very strong, but that thread of plot falls apart and detracts from the overall experience.”
music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
25%
19%
The music in the game is widely praised for its soothing and charming qualities, enhancing the overall experience with its ability to match the emotional tone of the story and gameplay. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's effectiveness in creating a relaxing atmosphere, while also noting its dynamic shifts that capture attention at key moments. Overall, the combination of lovely visuals and a beautiful soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
- “The game's visuals are pleasant and the soundtrack soothing, which contributes to its relaxing atmosphere.”
- “The music is repetitive but a bit kind and charming.”
- “The attention to mood and how the music would fade into a quiet track that sunk into the background or come blaring at you into the foreground and fully grab your attention is phenomenal.”
- “In combination with the story's progression and where you are or what you are doing, the music always matched the tone the scene required in the best way possible.”
gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
36%
21%
The gameplay is characterized by creative and easy-to-learn mechanics that primarily utilize mouse controls, offering a mix of engaging puzzles and a touching narrative. While many players appreciate the unique movement mechanics and the balance of challenge, some find certain aspects frustrating or repetitive, particularly in later chapters. Overall, the game is praised for its charming art style and enjoyable experience, though it could benefit from smoother mechanics and less repetition.
- “A sweet, touching, short 3-4 hour game with easy-to-learn but creative game mechanics that only require a mouse.”
- “The gameplay mechanics were one-of-a-kind for me and figuring out how to rotate the characters along the looping squares (you'll know what I mean if you play it) was challenging.”
- “Really cute - a short, sweet game with satisfying puzzle mechanics, lovely art, and a poignant narrative.”
- “I say get this game if you have more patience than me, but I found the game mechanics headache-inducing by the last few chapters.”
- “Regardless, I ended up dropping this again later anyway because while the art style is pleasing and I can tell there's at least a moderately interesting story at play, the gameplay is extremely repetitive (granted, I only played the first 7 chapters), and nothing here hooked me enough to keep going.”
- “I really hope the team behind this has more projects together in the future because presentation-wise this is a masterclass, but the technical issues, the story, and the actual moment-to-moment gameplay could definitely use some work.”
graphics
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
15%
23%
The game's graphics are widely praised for their charming and extraordinary art style, which evokes a childlike quality and enhances the overall atmosphere. Players appreciate the beautiful visuals and soothing soundtrack, which contribute to a relaxing experience, although some found the gameplay repetitive. Overall, the aesthetics and narrative are highlighted as standout features, creating a captivating and emotional backdrop for the puzzles.
- “The game's visuals are pleasant and the soundtrack soothing, which contributes to its relaxing atmosphere.”
- “The visuals are incredible and give off a risograph impression, and the music is lovely.”
- “Regardless, I ended up dropping this again later anyway because while the art style is pleasing and I can tell there's at least a moderately interesting story at play, the gameplay is extremely repetitive (granted, I only played the first 7 chapters), and nothing here hooked me enough to keep going.”
- “It is impossible to ignore the fact that this game's art style is extraordinary.”
- “Lastly, the aesthetics are also very special.”
emotional
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartwarming and touching narrative, complemented by charming graphics and a delightful soundtrack. Players find the story to be both bittersweet and powerful, creating a heartfelt experience that resonates deeply. Overall, it is recommended for those seeking a short yet impactful emotional journey in gaming.
- “Beautiful, heartwarming, and bittersweet to complete.”
- “It is a really touching story and it is told so cleverly and so powerfully in ways only games could.”
- “The graphics and the soundtrack are adorable, the puzzles are creative and fun and the story is heart-wrenching but beautiful!”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game features a relaxing atmosphere enhanced by pleasant visuals and a soothing soundtrack, reminiscent of the themes found in Scandinavian literature, particularly in its exploration of life and death. Overall, players appreciate the immersive and evocative ambiance that complements the narrative.
- “The game's visuals are pleasant and the soundtrack soothing, which contributes to its relaxing atmosphere.”
- “Love the atmosphere and the visuals.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players have noted that the grinding aspect of the game can feel tedious, with some citing awkward controls that contribute to a frustrating experience.
- “I've found the controls awkward and the levels tedious.”
- “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “Progression is painfully slow, and the grind becomes a chore rather than a challenge.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game features a charming blend of humor through its engaging character stories and a delightful soundtrack, enhancing the overall experience while solving puzzles.
- “A simple, beautiful puzzle with soulful character stories and a funny soundtrack <3”
- “The humor in this game is spot-on, making even the toughest challenges feel light-hearted.”
- “I couldn't stop laughing at the witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions!”