Gris
Gameplay 9
Graphics 9
Sound 9

Gris is a beautiful platform adventure with wonderful level designs and interesting puzzles. It is a very serene experience, though, as there is no threat of death or fear of danger. Some players will enjoy this casual experience as they explore the world and engage in light puzzle solving, but others might find it a little too easy and boring.

Gameplay: The game is very easy, but exploring the environments is enjoyable.

Graphics: Gris features a beautiful art style and great animations.

Sound: The audio consists of an incredible soundtrack and great sound effects

Summary 9.0 Outstanding
Gameplay 0
Graphics 0
Sound 0
Summary rating from user's marks. You can set own marks for this article - just click on stars above and press "Accept".
Accept
Summary 0.0 Terrible

Gris

Developer: Nomada Studio | Publisher: Devolver Digital | Release Date: 2018 | Genre: Platformer / Puzzle / Indie | Website: Official Website | Purchase: Steam

It is ironic that as technology improved and 2D platformers mostly got left behind in the 16-bit era, some of the most emotional and beautiful games of all time emerged after the genre’s resurrection at the hands of indie developers. Gris, by Nomada Studio, is without a doubt one of these games, even though its protagonist never utters a word.

In Gris, players take control of a young girl who clearly experienced something painful in her life. The game opens with Gris losing her voice and plummeting to the ground as the statue holding her crumbles. It is a rather bleak opening, and at first, it looks like the game will just be an arty walking simulator as Gris slowly and dejectedly plods forward. However, the world soon begins to open up, and the bleak landscape makes way for more colorful and elaborate surroundings. It never becomes too challenging or complicated, but there is a definite sense of being on a journey where the character is growing and facing her inner demons.

Although Gris is a platformer, it is devoid of the enemies and pitfalls that define the genre. Gris will encounter an interesting assortment of wildlife during her adventure, but none of them are hostile. There are a few “boss” encounters, but even these are resolved without violence or any threat of injury. Some players might find this lack of fail states boring, but it makes for a more relaxing experience where the focus is the journey rather than the obstacles. In addition to some platform jumping, the game also features a couple of casual puzzles. As with the rest of the game, players can take their time without harsh penalties for doing something wrong.

Your primary goal in Gris is to explore your surroundings and discover the sparkling orbs required to create bridges to new areas. The levels sometimes branch off in different directions, but this is not a Metroidvania, so there is no need for a map. Gris has some new abilities to discover along the way, but these help with the path ahead instead of forcing players to backtrack to previously inaccessible areas. In a unique twist, the abilities are all tied to your dress, which can turn heavy for smashing through cracked floors or light for double jumping and floating.

It is usually self-evident what ability has to be used where, so players won’t get lost or struggle to figure out what to do next. There are some optional mementos to collect for players who enjoy going the extra mile, but some of these are actually tricky to find. It is worth the effort, though, as finding everything provides additional backstory for Gris. The game allows players to return to previous levels upon completion, so we recommend leaving the achievement hunting for afterward and enjoying the journey first. The game only takes about four hours to complete, but we enjoyed every minute.

Gris is an exceptional-looking game thanks to the art style, which makes it look like watercolor illustrations come to life. Since players don’t have to worry about lives, health, or an inventory, there is no HUD to obscure the beautiful visuals. Each area in the game is also tied to a specific color scheme, so the desert with its fierce sandstorms is red, the forest area is green, and the underwater caverns are blue. It might sound like the typical cliched platformer levels, but the regions of Gris look unlike anything else. We are not exaggerating when we say it’s impossible to take a lousy screenshot in this game and that every screen would look as beautiful as a desktop wallpaper. The game takes full advantage of this with a camera that zooms out to show how small you are compared to some parts of the world or zooms in for emotional moments. The animations are just as neat, from the graceful way Gris runs and jumps to the shy critters that inhabit some of the levels. The only downside to the lovely graphics is that it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between things in the foreground and background. For example, we were stuck for a bit in the underground caverns because we didn’t realize that Gris could swim behind some pillars that looked like obstacles.

Even with the incredible visuals, Gris wouldn’t have been the same without an equally moving soundtrack, so thankfully, it doesn’t disappoint in this regard. The music is unobtrusive for the most part, but it knows when to soar as something jaw-dropping happens onscreen. For example, the music on the desert level builds into a crescendo as the wind picks up and then reverts as the storm peters out. The sound effects received just as much attention, and during quiet moments, players can hear the sound of Gris’s footsteps or how the sound of rain becomes muffled as she dives underwater. Despite the lack of dialog in the game or even subtitles, the audio perfectly conveys the tone of each area. We played Gris using a controller and found everything responsive and intuitive. Because the protagonist can’t die from falls and no enemies are in the game, even casual players shouldn’t have an issue playing. Later areas require more coordination as they involve leaping and gliding between areas that are mirror images of each other. Still, even these can be conquered easily with some practice.

As much as we’ve enjoyed Gris, we would understand if some players found the game boring. The visuals and audio are breathtaking, but the lack of challenge will lessen the experience for many. It is also a short game, especially for players with no interest in pursuing the achievements. Nevertheless, Gris is one of those games where we frequently stopped to admire the environments and looked forward to seeing each new area. Although the game is built around themes of loss and grief, it is also gratifying to bring color back to a shattered world. Players who enjoy platform games purely for the challenge will appreciate something like the Ori series more, but fans of titles like Journey should not miss out on Gris.

System Requirements

    • OS: Windows 7 or later
    • Processor: Intel Core2 Duo E6750 (2 * 2660) or equivalent / AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5000+ (2 * 2600) or equivalent
    • Memory: 4 GB RAM
    • Graphics: Geforce GT 430 (1024 MB) / Radeon HD 5570 (1024 MB)
    • Storage: 4 GB available space
    • OS: Mac OS X 10.11 (El Capitan) or later
    • Processor: Intel Core i5-4570 (4 * 3200)
    • Memory: 8 GB RAM
    • Graphics: GeForce GT 755M
    • Storage: 4 GB available space

Related posts

BioShock Infinite

BioShock Infinite

While it might not have a multi-player mode and doesn't stray as far from the familiar Bioshock experience as you might think, Infinite is an outstanding game with a lot to offer. With intense combat, an eye opening storyline and unwillingness to back away from sensitive topics, Infinite is a game that should not be missed. Gameplay: Familiar yet fresh, Infinite is a worthy successor to the Bioshock franchise. Graphics: Looks great even on moderate hardware. Sound: Excellent voice acting and a great musical score.

Lode Runner Legacy

Lode Runner Legacy

Lode Runner Legacy takes the addictive gameplay of the classic title and spruces it up with some brand-new voxel visuals. In addition to the 150 original levels, the game also includes brand new adventure as well as puzzle levels along with leaderboards. Best of all, Lode Runner Legacy features editors to help you create everything from your own levels to custom characters, enemies, and items. Fans expecting the newer features introduced in later Lode Runner titles might find the game a little too simple for their taste, but everyone who loved the original is in for a treat. Gameplay: Lode Runner Legacy features Adventure, Puzzle, Classic, and Extra game modes, along with leaderboards and editors. Graphics: The voxel visuals are a perfect match for the style of the game. Sound: The audio is not exactly spectacular, but neither is it too intrusive.

Tennis in the Face

Tennis in the Face

Tennis In The Face has much in common with Angry Birds, but smacking clowns, cops, hipsters, and other foes with tennis balls stays entertaining. The game is easy enough for casual players to have fun, but chasing a high score and completing levels with the fewest shots is also a nice challenge. There is nothing groundbreaking about the game, but when it is this much fun and cheap to boot, it doesn’t really matter. Gameplay: The game offers nothing radically new but still a lot of fun, especially in short bursts. Graphics: Tennis in the Face has nice character designs and bold colors, but the backgrounds are slightly bland. Sound: The music is ok, but the sound effects are very good.

NeXus – One Core

NeXus - One Core

It is tough and unforgiving, but NeXus: One Core is also addictive and very rewarding. The solo mode has enough randomized elements and difficulty settings to keep you busy for a while, but this game truly shines in the co-op mode. If you are a fan of the genre, you should check out the game, but this is a must for players who regularly play co-op titles. Gameplay: The game is challenging, but improving your best times through practice is rewarding. Graphics: The game looks good, but visual distractions are kept to a minimum. Gameplay: NeXus features some great tunes that really complement the gameplay nicely.

Sumire

Sumire

Sumire is a magical narrative adventure starring a young girl and a talking flower. The duo embarks on a journey after Sumire promises the flower a special day in exchange for the opportunity to see her deceased grandmother one last time. What follows is a trip through a vibrant game world that is filled with fascinating creatures and characters. The game is not very long or challenging, but it oozes charm and features more than enough memorable experiences. The inclusion of a karma system adds some replay value, but your first journey through the game will always be the most unforgettable. Gameplay: Simple, yet delightful to play. Graphics: The painterly visuals add to the charm of the game. Sound: The soundtrack is beautiful, and there's plenty of atmospheric sound effects too.

The Mortuary Assistant

The Mortuary Assistant

The Mortuary Assistant is a horror title where players must perform a series of stomach-churning tasks to prepare the deceased for burial. This would have been bad enough if it wasn't for the fact that the mortuary is also home to a demonic entity with its sights set on the protagonist, Rebecca Owens. Unless players can help Rebecca identify the demon and then burn it along with the correct body, she risks possession or worse. However, this is easier said than done when the clock is ticking, and paranormal activity is ramping up around her. Overall, The Mortuary Assistant is a must-own title for fans of the genre and one of the best horror games of 2022. Gameplay: The Mortuary Assistant is short but very replayable, and each shift will leave players on the edge of their seats. Graphics: The visuals are good, and the game knows how to use visual scare tactics well, but squeamish players might not enjoy the mortuary tasks. Sound: The voice acting is decent, and the ambient noises, as well as sound effects, are top-notch.

Leave a comment

4 + twelve =