85
Grow Home is an interesting surprise from a publisher who get used to mismanaging his own IP's. This platformer like no other has everything going for you and for a very low price tag. You can easily give it a try.
95
A beautiful, emotionally engaging, artfully crafted game, completely centered around exploration and telling a mature story through interaction.
75
A story that will move some and alienate others.
4
[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
0
Gone Home is the video game equivalent of that friend who corners you at a party to "share their truth" for two hours straight—except you paid for the privilege and there's zero payoff. You play as a prodigal daughter returning home to... wander around an eerily empty mansion picking up sticky notes and diary entries like the world's most tedious scavenger hunt. No enemies, no puzzles worth solving, no actual gameplay. Just atmospheric walking and **** much-hyped "narrative masterpiece" boils down to a very 2010s coming-out story told through environmental storytelling that feels less like clever discovery and more like unpaid emotional labor. By the time I reached the underwhelming conclusion, I wasn't moved—I was annoyed that this glorified tech demo had the audacity to call **** your time (and money). Just read a short story instead. At least books don't pretend to be revolutionary for letting you open drawers.
10
Beautiful story in this interactive work of art. Enjoy the world and the story it tells.
Gone Home
Released On:
Aug 15, 2013
Metascore
Generally Favorable
86
User score
Mixed or Average
5.5
My Score
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
86
88% Positive
49 Reviews
49 Reviews
13% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Aug 30, 2013
100
Its unconventional, non-violent subject matter and gameplay also skilfully and confidently prove that not all games need an "attack" button to be enjoyable and interesting -- and given the growing sense of weariness a lot of us have been feeling with super-violent experiences, that's something that should be celebrated.
Aug 19, 2013
95
Gone Home is the video game equivalent of those movies that nobody knows about, but the originality of which overturns the concept of cinema and pierces the big blockbuster movies like a small but sharp sword.
User score
Mixed or Average
5.5
42% Positive
979 Ratings
979 Ratings
21% Mixed
486 Ratings
486 Ratings
38% Negative
894 Ratings
894 Ratings
Jun 2, 2026
10
Beautiful story in this interactive work of art. Enjoy the world and the story it tells.
Jul 27, 2024
10
Succeeds immediately on mood, with an eerie atmosphere that opens many possibilities on what the plot will ultimately reveal. The result ends up being moving, a masterclass in pacing, with story details slowly portioned out in each room before a hopeful ending closes out a melancholy tale.
Sep 12, 2013
90
Dear Katie, when you arrive at home, you won't find me. But I've left plenty of messages for you to get to know me better, and even more. You'll find yourself amused. Your sister, Sam.
Aug 16, 2013
90
Gone Home does only one thing but does it superbly, telling a touching story solely through exploration that makes it well worth experiencing.
Aug 15, 2013
85
Gone Home's crisscrossing threads, like any good short story, are sure to have your mind racing as you try to unravel what's going on. This heavy sense of mystery is mixed with a dose of nostalgia that might have you head-banging.
Aug 26, 2013
80
The delivery may need a little work, but Gone Home’s story is one that’s well worth being a part of. It’s dense, rich, striking and moving; few games this year will leave quite such a mark, and despite a few missteps, it could well prove a watershed moment for interactive storytelling.
Aug 15, 2013
60
As a statement of intent, Gone Home is laudable; as a technical exercise in game narrative, it's compromised, but it definitely has its strengths and is worthy of study. But you can't escape the sense that Gaynor, Zimonja and Nordhagen started on this project with grand designs for games as a storytelling medium, yet without a story they desperately wanted to tell.
Jan 14, 2024
10
Short game, can be completed within 2 hours but the story is what matters the most. Great music, really good voice acting. I was curious about the game. Amazing atmosphere, well written story. I was on the edge of my seat and wishing all ends well.
Jun 21, 2025
7
Peak 90's vibe. Loved it from the start to a somewhat unexpeted finish to say the least. Had to play it in one go. Story is a pleasant journey through the lives of....(can't say, because I would spoil it). Take your time and explore I would ****-in-all just a good game. Without spoiling a single thing, the subjects combined with the overall storyline is very well done and an absolute plus for this particular game.
Oct 27, 2024
7
Excelente atmosfera, pensé tres cosas antes de lo que en verdad sucedió. Recomiendo.
Nov 7, 2025
4
Insignificant game with an utterly dull and predictable plot, railroaded exploration, and an extremely short length.
SummaryThe eldest daughter of the Greenbriar family returns after a year abroad. She expects her parents and sister to greet her. Instead she finds only a deserted house, filled with secrets. Where is everyone? And what's happened here? Find out for yourself in Gone Home, a first-person game entirely about exploration, mystery and discovery.... Read More
Platforms:
- PC
- PlayStation 3
- Xbox 360
- Wii U
- Nintendo Switch
- iOS (iPhone/iPad)
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox One
Initial Release Date:Aug 15, 2013
Developer:
Publisher:
