Gorogoa

One of the most relaxing puzzle games I've ever played. The puzzles were never frustrating due to how intuitive the images are. This is a game that must be experienced to truly appreciate. It could be said that it is a bit short but for myself it was just right. A complete experience that doesn't overstay it's welcome.

Really good, really short game. I finished it in around 90 minutes but it was really well put together.

Gorogoa is a great example of a game as art. The core mechanic involves a 2x2 grid containing story panels that the player can move or zooms in/out on to solve puzzles that (almost) seemlessly advance the game's narrative. There are sound effects and thought bubbles with images, but no dialogue. The heart of Gorogoa, however, is the hand-drawn panels that evoke thought and emotion the way a piece of fine art might. Themes such as loss, regret, and the search for meaning are all explored in the imagery. I found the puzzles to be just the right amount of difficult for those with only a casual interest in puzzle games. Many will require some creative thinking to solve, but they're generally not so unintuitive that you'll need to frequently run to a guide for the answers. Frustrated players are the downfall of any puzzle game, and Gorogoa fairly successfully avoids that. The one negative about this game for me was that it was lacking in entertainment quantity. The first playthrough will take most players 1.5 to 3 hours. Once one knows the puzzles it can be completed in less than half an hour. I agree with the sentiment that Gorogoa represents the type of creativity we want to encourage and support, but I also understand those who believe they didn't get enough for their entertainment dollar. If you enjoy puzzle games, it's absolutely worth playing, but like any game, you should keep in mind what you're paying for.

The artwork, sound track and game mechanics are superb. A truly enjoyable experience. I have replayed it several times now just to experience it again and again.

This is truly a beautiful game, with organically entwined gameplay and presentation. I still haven't decided what I think the ending means.