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"Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions."
GRIS is a platform-adventure game developed by Nomada Studio and published by Devolver Digital.
Story
In GRIS you play as titular Gris, young girl that finds herself lost after suffering a loss of important person in her life. Full of hope, she embarks on a journey across memories to grow up and learn how to deal with aftermath of recent tragedy.
Gameplay
GRIS is a 2D title where you control Gris across her voyage that will take you through multiple areas, with central tower serving as a hub.
It comes with a very simple gameplay core, as most of it is build on platformer sections. You will make your way through locations by collecting star-looking lights that create paths, by utilizing abilities to pass multiple types of obstacles and with simple puzzle every once in a while thrown into the mix. At the start you are only able to jump, but with each area you visit, you unlock new power that expands upon the gameplay and therefore platformic sections, letting you glide or swim! Each area comes with some unique aspect to stand out from one another, whether it is a need to escort a little character or strong winds that are capable of pushing you around, but ultimately gameplay is quite simple.
On your journey you can find side collectibles, secret items called mementos hidden behind slightly more challenging platformic sections!
Playtime and replayability
GRIS takes from 2 to 4 hours to complete depending on your pace and desire to seek side collectibles.
You can give it another go to appreciate visuals and to collect all mementos!
Impressions
From first minutes you spend in the game you can tell what GRIS strikes for: Emotions. Quick and brutal opening to set up the story followed up by first area and reaching the hub shows off what game will be about. Gameplay wise game is...decent, but nothing special. Quite slow paced, with platforming sections not providing much of a challenge though some variety if offers from design of areas is appreciated, while puzzles are very simple. Nonetheless it is not even close to being a must play platformer. I would say the best word to sum gameplay up is "melancholic" to fit into rest of the game.
And that rest of the game is where GRIS shines. In an amazing, minimalistic way may I add. Not a word of dialogue in the game but environmental storytelling does all the carrying so those who will pay even minimal attention to game will know what it's about. Not even in a subtle way, addition (or rediscovery) of colours in the areas, unlocking abilities to explore further sections, first few minutes of the game as mentioned before, the "hub area", it's all perfectly crafted to create narrative of GRIS. I personally believe it's one of the most beautiful games out there if we talk purely about visuals. Usage of watercolours with Art Nouveau style is a great decision, as each area with it's different environment looks absolutely marvelous. To that you have great soundtrack composed by Berlinist that adds up to often calm, melancholic feel of the game, but also provides few different tunes when themes or pace of the game change.
Perhaps nowadays as few good years have passed since release, game might not be considered as good as back then due to increased amount of similar, emotional titles, but I disagree. I believe the simplicity of gameplay, themes and narrative it provides together with wonderful audiovisual side make it still for a perfect game to play for everyone that aged like finest wine, whether you seek something emotional, beautiful, or perhaps a gateway towards more "artistic" titles that gaming industry is full off! Goes without saying I adore this game and I recommend it highly.
Final words and conclusion
You can buy Soundtrack DLC to further support developers!
GRIS is an absolute marvel of a game. Beautiful, minimalistic, emotional tale of rediscovering yourself and finding hope after a tragic loss. Cannot recommend it enough.
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