Gris is a video game that tells the tale of a girl lost in her own world. From developers Nomada Studio and publisher Devolver Digital, Gris is a masterpiece that can be compared only to other artistic masterpieces such as Journey and Flower. The beauty of the game lies in the fact that without any text or instruction at all, gamers will be able to play through a puzzle platformer title drenched with artistic flair and style that is deeply rewarding.
In Gris, players will take on the role of a girl clad in a magical flowing dress. As you fall from the sky from a giant’s hands, you land in a black and white world devoid of colour. Players will then travel throughout this 2D world collecting star-like lights which will follow you around and can be used to build light bridges to solve puzzles or reach new areas. The further you progress, the more colour is added to the world and the more abilities you gain via your character’s dress.
Soon you’ll be able to transform yourself into a square block to avoid being blown away or to trigger weight-based switches. There are more abilities that are unlocked throughout the game’s linear progression and these add a valuable layer of complexity to an otherwise quite simplistic puzzle platformer. Being able to double jump and glide is one of the more satisfying abilities to unlock and players will enjoy using this mechanic in solving puzzles or traversing the world.
Gris also features mementos which are collectibles that serve no other purpose other than providing a challenge for players to collect. One minor gripe though is the fact that the game makes it seem as if you can revisit old areas when in reality, you cannot. Players are therefore advised to try collect everything in one go or to just completely ignore the mementos and enjoy the game at a casual pace.
Graphically, Gris is a visual feast for the eyes. Every single aspect of the game is downright gorgeous and breathtakingly beautiful. From the 2D environment to the visual effects and the animal designs, everything is resplendently captivating. Once you start playing the game, it’ll be quite difficult to take your eyes off it and stop playing. This is compounded by the fact that each area of the game instills a sense of wonder in you as you discover more and delve deeper into the game’s world.
The soundtrack used in Gris is great too with orchestral themes that assist in conveying it’s story to the player. This is especially important since the game features no text at all as previously mentioned. Combined with the visuals, the soundtrack is key to getting the game’s crux across. Thankfully, the OST is well crafted and does this quite well.
The gameplay in Gris is fairly straightforward, and casual and hardcore gamers alike will be able to pick up this title and play it with little to no hassle involved. Puzzle platforming sections are not incredibly challenging and while some might require a little bit of extra thinking to traverse, there isn’t ever a point in the game where frustration sets in. This is however a bit of a double edged sword because some gamers may find the game too easy and will complete it in one go. However, we do recommend that you take your time with this game and take in every single gorgeous aspect about it.
Gris is around 4 to 5 hours long and the conclusion is satisfying. Being able to play this title on Nintendo Switch in small bite sized chunks is highly appreciated and the game never stutters or struggles on the device at all. If you’re looking for a highly emotional puzzle platformer with a downright gorgeous art style and aesthetic, Gris should definitely be on your radar and is a highly recommended purchase.
Gris is Developed by Nomada Studio and published by Devolver Digital and is available on PC and Nintendo Switch.
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