Originally released for PC back in 2013 for digital storefront purchase, first-person adventure/exploration game Gone Home impressed many. Winner of the BAFTA Video Game Award for both Best Debut and Best Story, the game was driven by both its thrilling narrative and its unusual environments. Starting January 12th of this year, following its tradition of digital downloads, Gone Home will be available for both Xbox One and Ps4 with updated graphics.
Developed the by the creative minds at the Portland-based Fullbright Company (the same team that brought us the Minerva Room in Bioshock 2) the console version of Gone Home is promised to be updated with graphics upgraded from “Unity 4 to Unity 5” as well as “re-engineered specifically for the Xbox One and Ps4.” The game will also come with over 90 minutes of behind the scenes commentary from the developers, which can be played in the background while you play through the game!
Back in Spring of 2015, fans had a short scare when it was announced that the anticipated console release was canceled. However, thankfully, the project was put back on track and we will soon be able to download this eerie, examining experience to our consoles.
Set in infamously already-weird Portland, Oregon in 1995, Gone Home takes place from the POV of young Kaitlin Greenbriar, who has returned to her childhood mansion after a prolonged absence in Europe–only to find her family missing. Kaitlin sets out, searching through rooms in the expansive mansion, hoping to find answers. It is through this set up that game makers reward players who leave no stone–or in this case, items–unturned. Literally. Through interaction with the environment and carefully analyzation objects around them, players are able to find not just clues, but advance to other parts of the mansion.
Gone Home and Bioshock are two very similar games with very specific, similar aspects: the environment contains the story for players to find. Everything, from the state of the room you are in, the objects within it, all drive the plot and gameplay forward. Not to mention, both Bioshock and Gone Home utilize audio tapes for players to listen and further progress their narratives.
Price has yet to be listed, and no mention of a Wii U version. Gone Home will be available for exploration for PS4 and Xbox One owners as of January 12th through digital download.