How to Say Goodbye

About

How to Say Goodbye is a single player casual puzzle game with drama and mystery themes. It was developed by ARTE France and was released on November 3, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"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

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 110 reviews

story30 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

How to Say Goodbye offers a gentle and emotionally resonant experience, beautifully exploring themes of grief and letting go through its narrative and puzzle mechanics.
The hand-drawn art style and soothing soundtrack create a calming atmosphere that enhances the storytelling, making it feel like a heartfelt illustrated poem.
The puzzles are thoughtfully designed, gradually increasing in complexity while remaining accessible, allowing players to feel a sense of accomplishment without frustration.

Some players found the dialogue and narrative delivery to be overly simplistic or childish, which may detract from the emotional weight of the themes being explored.
The controls can be finicky at times, leading to frustration during puzzle-solving, particularly with the sliding mechanics that may not always respond as intended.
The game is relatively short, which may leave some players wanting more depth in both the story and gameplay, as it lacks replayability and complex challenges.

story
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
66%
3%
The story of "How to Say Goodbye" is a poignant exploration of grief and loss, presented through a charming, storybook-like aesthetic and minimal dialogue that emphasizes emotional resonance over explicit narrative. While some players found the storytelling to be simplistic or lacking depth, many appreciated its subtlety and the way it evokes personal reflections on loss, making it a deeply moving experience for those who connect with its themes. The game effectively combines its narrative with contemplative puzzle design, though some felt the puzzles could be more thematically integrated with the story.
- “The story unfolds not as a sequence of plot points, but as a collection of moments and realizations that gradually coalesce into a coherent emotional arc.”
- “The story is about loss, and it handles grief in a way that is comforting and deeply emotional.”
- “While a short game in terms of content, 'How to Say Goodbye' packs its short playtime full of impact, emotions, and a story that will absolutely have you in tears.”
- “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
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
69%
8%
The gameplay is centered around unique grid-based puzzles that gradually introduce new mechanics, creating an engaging experience that balances simplicity with depth. While the mechanics are easy to learn and the puzzles are generally accessible, some players found them occasionally repetitive or finicky. Overall, the harmonious integration of gameplay, narrative, and artistic presentation contributes to a thoughtful and emotionally resonant experience, though some technical issues and a lack of challenge may detract from its appeal for certain players.
- “Gameplay centers on grid-based puzzles where the world itself becomes the primary object of interaction.”
- “As the game progresses, additional mechanics—such as switches, locked paths, and interacting characters—are introduced gradually, building complexity in a way that feels organic rather than overwhelming.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
emotional
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "How to Say Goodbye" is characterized by its gentle and resonant storytelling, which thoughtfully explores themes of grief and acceptance through a series of reflective moments rather than a traditional plot. Players appreciate the game's understated approach, which allows emotional revelations to unfold naturally, creating a lasting impact despite its brevity. The combination of charming visuals, a soothing soundtrack, and heartfelt narrative elements contributes to a deeply moving experience that resonates with those open to its emotional depth.
- “How to say goodbye is a gentle, emotionally resonant puzzle experience that treats its subject matter with uncommon care and restraint.”
- “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.”
graphics
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
51%
10%
The game's graphics are characterized by a charming, storybook art style that employs a pastel color palette, creating a visually appealing and emotionally resonant atmosphere. Players appreciate the simplicity and clarity of the visuals, which enhance puzzle-solving while effectively conveying themes of grief and letting go. Overall, the graphics are described as beautiful, cute, and creatively designed, contributing significantly to the game's relaxing and immersive experience.
- “The art style is gentle and symbolic, perfectly matching the theme of letting go.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “The visuals look simplistic at a glance, although the gradient of the objects and the lush grass provide many details.”
- “It's visually appealing, with a simple, coloring book aesthetic focusing on pastel colors reflecting the tone of the scene.”
music
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
39%
13%
The music in the game is widely praised for its minimal, ambient compositions that enhance the overall atmosphere, creating a relaxing and introspective experience. Reviewers highlight how the soundtrack complements the visuals and story, effectively matching the emotional tone of various scenes while contributing to the game's identity. Overall, the music is described as soothing, charming, and integral to the gameplay, making it a standout feature that many players appreciate.
- “The game's visuals are pleasant and the soundtrack soothing, which contributes to its relaxing atmosphere.”
- “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.”
- “The music leans toward minimal, ambient compositions that create a sense of quiet introspection without dictating how the player should feel.”
- “The music is repetitive but a bit kind and charming.”
- “Holy sh*t the music.”
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.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The game "How to Say Goodbye" offers limited replayability, as it does not feature challenging mechanics, branching outcomes, or difficulty scaling. While enjoyable for its brief duration, it may not leave a lasting impression like more replayable titles, making it more suitable for a one-time experience, especially when purchased at a discount.
- “I probably won't be thinking about it for ages the way I did with Elden Ring or RDR2, but it was a game that was very enjoyable for the short time I spent with it. I'd recommend it to anyone, particularly on a deal, given the short playtime and lack of replayability.”
- “Once you finish the game, there's really no incentive to go back. The story doesn't change, and the side quests feel repetitive after the first playthrough.”
- “The lack of different endings or meaningful choices makes it hard to justify replaying. It feels like a one-and-done experience.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a rollercoaster of emotions, blending laughter with moments of sadness and relatability, often resonating with players' personal experiences. The combination of a simple yet beautiful puzzle design, soulful character narratives, and a humorous soundtrack enhances the overall entertaining experience.
- “It's funny, entertaining, and it's kind of a rollercoaster of emotions: sometimes it makes you laugh, sometimes it makes you sad, sometimes it feels relatable, sometimes it leads you to memories... depending on your own story.”
- “A simple, beautiful puzzle with soulful character stories and a funny soundtrack.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, with awkward controls contributing to a frustrating experience. There are no notable achievements to offset the grind, making it feel even more laborious.
- “The achievements feel overly grindy and unfulfilling.”
- “I've found the controls awkward and the levels tedious.”

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70%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews

How to Say Goodbye review - A kind journey - Prima Games
At the end of the day, How to Say Goodbye does what it sets out to do, only with a bit of clunkiness.
Pcinvasion.com
70%

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3h Median play time

3h Average play time

2-3h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to Say Goodbye is a casual puzzle game with drama and mystery themes.

How to Say Goodbye is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac OS, Phone and others.

On average players spend around 3 hours playing How to Say Goodbye.

How to Say Goodbye was released on November 3, 2022.

How to Say Goodbye was developed by ARTE France.

How to Say Goodbye has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its replayability.

How to Say Goodbye is a single player game.

Similar games include The Last Campfire, Assemble with Care, The Gardens Between, GRIS, When The Past Was Around and others.

How to Say Goodbye

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