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Comment on They say word-of-mouth marketing is the most effective form of marketing. What games did you (not) enjoy that came well-recommended by friends to you, and why did they recommend it to you?

caseofthematts@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

The only one I can currently think of is Gris - and I say that because I can’t recall buying a game that made me want to get my money back.

Gris is very highly rated across the board, so clearly there’s something I’m missing as to why. I enjoy walking sim games every now and then, but it’d be hard for me to even call this one a game. People point to the story as being beautiful and deep, but it felt like nothing new and, for me, a bit trite. There was nothing engaging about this game to me. The worst part? It’s like 3 hours long.

Sorry if whomever reads this really likes Gris. I’m glad you could enjoy it. To me, it’s one of the worst recommendations I’ve ever received.

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Dran_Arcana@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago
It was recommended to me not as a game, but like an interactive movie. As more art than game. Going into it with those expectations is probably why I loved it so much. I can definitely see how someone might get a very different experience with very different expectations.

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- captainlezbian@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago
  Yeah I absolutely adored it but I love artsy games like it. I played it by candlelight and it was pure delight
  
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- caseofthematts@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago
  I can definitely see that if you’re not expecting it to be a game, it’d be a lot more enjoyable. It’s been a couple of years, so I think all I really knew about it was that it was highly rated and a platformer.
  
  All I can say is that I’m glad I got it on deep sale, as I’d be even more furious if I paid the local price of $20 for this game.
  
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hornywarthogfart@sh.itjust.works ⁨3⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago
Gris is a hard game to recommend because, while it is a game, it doesn’t really do anything particularly unusual for a game. The platforming is passable and there really isn’t a narrative in the sense of the game telling you what is happening. If you go into it expecting a game it will be disappointing or at least just ok.

Instead, if you go into it expecting a visual and audio journey through the emotional prossessing of grief, and growing to move forward, it is incredible. Especially if you happen to play it while working through your own grief.

People who recommend it need to provide a caveat that it is less the game mechanics and more the emotional journey.

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fulg@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago
I have good memories of Gris, but it is a game about grief. It was kind of janky but I was in the right mood for it I guess, having lost someone earlier. I completely agree that it is not for everyone. I enjoyed it but I certainly did not have fun (what a weird thing to say about a game!).

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jacksilver@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago
I agree with you, the game seems mediocre at everything it does (platforming, puzzles, etc.) and there are much better “games as art” out there.

www.gorogoa.com always comes to mind (although it’s definitely a “harder” puzzle game).

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- CancerMancer@sh.itjust.works ⁨2⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago
  One of the most emotional gaming experiences I ever had was Iji, a freeware game I happened upon while looking for something else. I did not expect that.
  
  Prepare yourself for two playthroughs :)
  
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  - jacksilver@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago
    Oh god, I actually played this year’s ago. Great game!
    
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