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

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 89 reviews

story23 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

The game features a beautiful art style and a touching narrative that explores themes of grief and loss in a heartfelt manner.
Puzzles are engaging and well-designed, providing a satisfying challenge without being overly difficult, making it accessible for casual players.
The soundtrack and sound effects enhance the overall experience, creating a cozy and immersive atmosphere that complements the story.

Some players found the controls to be finicky and frustrating, particularly with the movement mechanics and interaction with objects.
The story, while emotional, may feel lacking or simplistic to some, with moments that don't fully develop character relationships or plot points.
The game is relatively short, which may leave some players wanting more content or depth in both gameplay and narrative.

story
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
63%
4%
The game's story revolves around themes of grief, loss, and moving on, presented in a sweet and emotionally resonant manner that many players found comforting. While some appreciated the charming characters and the integration of customization into the narrative, others felt the plot lacked depth and coherence, particularly in its later chapters. Overall, the story is described as touching and beautifully illustrated, though opinions vary on its emotional impact and narrative execution.
- “A well thought out story about moving on and to never stop caring about yourself and others.”
- “The story was deeply emotional and handles grief in a way that was comforting.”
- “It is a really touching story and it is told so cleverly and so powerfully in ways only games could.”
- “The story fell short in comparison, although I still could see some relation with the theme from time to time.”
- “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 kind of 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.”
gameplay
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
53%
12%
The gameplay is characterized by unique and evolving mechanics across 16 chapters, offering a blend of engaging puzzles and smooth movement that enhances the overall experience. While many players appreciate the colorful level design and satisfying challenge, some find certain mechanics frustrating or repetitive, particularly in later chapters. Overall, the game is praised for its creative approach and charming presentation, making it a delightful experience for those who enjoy puzzle-solving.
- “I found the level design to be quite pretty and colorful, and the general gameplay to be smooth.”
- “The art and sound design are both stunning, and the gameplay and core mechanics of its design are not only unique but also genuinely fun; completing each level feels extremely satisfying.”
- “Some really sharp puzzles too, just the sort of thing that makes you go 'oh damn, I wish I thought of that' basically with every evolution of a new mechanic.”
- “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
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
35%
15%
The game's graphics are widely praised for their charming and creative art style, featuring a beautiful color palette and a simplistic yet detailed design that evokes a children's pop-up book. Players appreciate the visuals for enhancing the overall atmosphere, contributing to the game's themes of loss and grief, while the combination of lovely aesthetics and a soothing soundtrack creates a relaxing experience. Overall, the graphics are considered extraordinary and integral to the game's identity, despite some players finding the gameplay repetitive.
- “The game’s visuals are amazing, with a beautifully crafted color palette.”
- “The art style is charming - almost childlike and fits well with the overall mood of the game.”
- “The graphics and the soundtrack are adorable, the puzzles are creative and fun, and the story is heart-wrenching but beautiful!”
- “The visuals look simplistic at a glance, although the gradient of the objects and the lush grass provide many details.”
- “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, and nothing here hooked me enough to keep going.”
- “The game's aesthetics, featuring paper doll illustrations and a pastel color palette, evoke the feeling of a children's pop-up book, gently guiding players through the complexities of grief.”
music
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
30%
15%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers highlighting its soothing and charming qualities that complement the visuals and narrative. The soundtrack effectively sets the mood, transitioning seamlessly between calm and engaging tones that align with the story's progression. Overall, the combination of lovely music, beautiful visuals, and a heartfelt story creates a memorable and immersive atmosphere.
- “This game has a strong identity that is brought forward by its amazing soundtrack, its good sound effects, and its simple yet gorgeous visuals.”
- “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.”
emotional
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its calming soundtrack and deeply touching narrative that explores themes of grief, death, and acceptance. Players find the experience heartwarming yet bittersweet, often leading to tears, particularly towards the end. The combination of simple yet creative gameplay mechanics, wholesome art, and powerful storytelling creates a memorable and affecting experience that resonates with many.
- “The story was deeply emotional and handles grief in a way that was comforting.”
- “It is a really touching story and it is told so cleverly and so powerfully in ways only games could.”
- “Beautiful, heartwarming, and bittersweet to complete.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
57%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a gentle and soothing ambiance, enhanced by pleasant visuals and a calming soundtrack. Despite addressing heavy themes of life and death, it maintains a light-hearted and serene environment, inviting players to engage in reflective storytelling. The attention to detail in ambient sounds further enriches the cozy and immersive experience.
- “The game's visuals are pleasant and the soundtrack soothing, which contributes to its relaxing atmosphere.”
- “Instead, the atmosphere is one of calm and serenity, where the departed's friends and family gather to share stories and memories.”
- “I was particularly captivated by the attention to detail in ambient sounds, which contributed to the game's cozy and immersive atmosphere.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, with some describing the controls as awkward, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “The achievements feel overly grindy and unfulfilling.”
- “I've found the controls to be awkward and the levels tedious.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a charming blend of humor through its engaging soundtrack and heartfelt character narratives, enhancing the overall experience of its simple yet beautiful puzzles.
- “A simple, beautiful puzzle with soulful character stories and a funny soundtrack <3”

Buy How to Say Goodbye

How to Say Goodbye
$12.99
See offer on Steam

3h Median play time

3h Average play time

2-3h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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How to Say Goodbye

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