Some spoilers though out
I finally got to experience this game.....
Its was so much less than ive been told to expect. Its an 8th grade fairy tale love story that has been in a 1000 movies, books, and tv shows. Just because an hour long game made me piece it together myself...but not really since the narration pretty much told me everything anyway....doesnt make it ground breaking or even interesting.
You wander around a house picking random items up, reading left notes, and being nosy. Its novelty is that its set in the 1990's and is flush with references that are mostly forgettable but may on occasion make you smile with a particular remembrance. That trick is relied on to give the game character, but quickly became an afterthought as the obvious and cliche story makes itself clear.
SUPER SPOILERS HERE FORWARD
Sam and Lonnie are angst y teens in a forbidden romance.....we've never heard that one before....The twist? They are both GIRLS!
Maybe if this game came out in the 90's it would have been edgy and worth your time, but in 2014, its old hat.
The ending is a bit obvious, but if you are somehow engaged in the story it will satisfy.
The parents side story is a more subtle tale. You have to put some pieces together yourself to understand their part of this world, but its no more original.
I understand if some people feel an extra connection to the game because it was the story of two girls, but to me, i couldnt care less if it was two girls, two boys, or two aliens, its the same dumbed down version of Romeo and Juliet.
The fact that some reviewers have this on their Game of the Year lists seems ridiculous. There is nothing in Gone Home that is remarkable. Does a slight tug on your heart strings really make an otherwise overpriced mundane game viable, up against the best of 2013?
I dont get it. Gone Home is very much hype. It surely isnt worth 20 bucks to this gamer. I suggest doing a little research before you spend your money on this Lifetime movie of the week in game form. (actually i think the lifetime movies of the week are often better.....and last longer.)
"Disappointing" is the word i will end with....