Backlog Binge #2 Gorogoa [Review]

Gorogoa was my next game in my backlog project. This was an interactive puzzle/adventure game from 2017 published by Annapurna Interactive. It showcases a unique idea for solving puzzles alongside some gorgeous graphics. Through creating interactions in a 4x4 grid, players progress through a series of nonlinear pictures which showcase moments from the main characters' life journey. This is an ambitious, albeit short piece of work created by one person, Jason Roberts.

Gorogoa

Platforms: Nintendo Switch [reviewed], PlayStation 4, Android, Xbox One,

Genre: Puzzle, Adventure game, Indie game

Gameplay
Gorogoa is an interesting beast. There is no dialogue, no conflict, or really any of the trappings of a traditional game. I was presented with four images in a 2x2 grid, and ended up kinda just clicking on things to see what they do. The different pictures would interact with each other to cause changes that led to the progression through the different scenes. I found the puzzles well-thought-out and interesting to solve, with an appropriate increase in difficulty as the game went on. The whole thing was a very zen and cozy experience, though I got frustrated a few times during the end, partially due to a bug in my copy for the Switch. The game is supposed to save at the beginning of various chapters, which allows you to reset a chapter. At one point I was so lost I needed to reset, but it returned me to the beginning of the game rather than the chapter, and I had to replay all over again. Between that, and issues with frame rate and lag, I do not think the Nintendo Switch is the best way to experience this game.

Story
It’s a little hard to talk about the story. While there is one, it’s not entirely clear what that story is, and lots of it is left to the player to decide. I think the game starts with our unnamed main character seeing a monster in the town as a boy, which motivates him to seek fruit, which leads on a journey for knowledge and enlightenment. Another player might get a different idea from the story. And so forth. The story is really window dressing–it sets the scene, but the real meat of the experience is figuring out the puzzles and enjoying the beautiful art. Talking about which.

Graphics and Sound

I liked the sound effects and music in the game. They delivered and did the job adequately, though not that memorable to me. But the graphics are where the game shines. Playing Gorogoa is like visiting an interactive art exhibit with must see illustrations. The beauty and detail in the pictures are amazing, and make the game worth the price of admission alone. I may not have always known what I was doing or what the game was trying to say, but I sure liked looking at it.

Replayability

There’s not much in the way of replayability here. It’s a one and done sort of deal, and nothing changes between playthroughs. There are some neat achievements you can get that might require multiple playthroughs such as beating in less than a number of moves or one that unlocks after beating it in under 30 minutes. That said, the system I played on (Nintendo Switch) has no achievements. There may be no explicit reason to replay it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I revisit it just to experience it again. 

Pros:

 -Unique and interesting idea for a puzzle game

- Puzzles are fun to solve, and require a fair bit of thought

- Zen cozy atmosphere

- Gorgeous Art

- Can be played in one sitting

Cons:
-switch version has optimization issues

-bug that affects saving

- Story is a little abstract and vague

-Little to no replayability

Rating: 8/10