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Shows a clear mark in the degradation of the video game industry.

Published August 19, 2013
1 out of 5 starsScore: 20/100

This 'game', which can be completed in less than two minutes; has an option to completely remove any challenge present by unlocking all the doors, and is marketed at 20 dollars, is an insult to the very spirit of the industry.

While games such as Dear Esther are also presented as First Person Exploration, DE at least had the decency to be of an adequate length and with stunning visuals and atmosphere to make up for it's lack of gameplay. Gone Home, however, can make no such claims. You are restricted to one tiny environment throughout with mediocre graphics, no player model and an insufferably slow walkspeed (without which, I am sure a less than 20 second completion would be possible.) You solve no puzzles, defeat no enemies, navigate no difficult environments or terrain. Nothing. All there is is the exposé on the story and characters, which might I add, is dime store novel quality at best.

There is nothing that warrants this interactive movie getting anything more than a 1/5 in any sane world.

If you like to listen and read, I would heartily recommend going outside and buying a novel or audio-book. I'm certain you can pick up a decent page turner for far less than $20 and I'm just as certain that it will take you more than two minutes to finish it.

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