Gorogoa in IOS

★★★★★

★★★★★ 10 stars if I could....

This is the first time I sought to review and rate a game (the game did not prompt me to rate it). It is easily the most original and unique game I’ve ever played. And the most enjoyable. The game introduces a boy in search of special objects which he needs to collect. The journey of how this boy completes his task, however, is one of a kind. The story unfolds across the game’s 4 panels, almost like comic book panels. These panel images are to be explored, and the way one manipulates and explore these panels to aid in the boy’s search separate this game from any other. Panels can be moved around, and sometimes be pulled apart to reveal layers and portals to other places. They can layer on top of one another to produce passageways or access points for the boy character to proceed to other panels. It can be disorienting at first getting the hang of the game’s design, but it is so so very worth it. Some games can make you frustrated because of being stuck not being able to solve something. THIS game, amazingly, doesn’t evoke that. There are many tasty challenges, and the mind and intuition expand as you play more. The game invites this kind of playful participation and it pays off big time. There is a storybook and a cinematic vibe to the art of the game. The music is wonderful and not intrusive. Truly worth the price and the accolades it is receiving.

★★★★★ Beautiful but Underwhelming

Gorogoa is fascinating in its visual appeal but lacks the complexity and depth of most other “puzzle” games such as The Room series. While Girogia deviates from the other conventional puzzle games in its artistry and mechanics, the price seemed far too high for the overall product. Gorgeous hand-drawn art aside, Gorogoa had a detached plot that did not leave the player with a sense of mystery but rather a sense of bored confusion. Lastly, the music did not enhance the game experience and acted as a repetitive filler giving a convoluted ambience to the convoluted premise. However, I am giving Goragoa four stars because the artwork and game mechanics are truly stunning. I look forward to playing similar games with high artistic value that incorporate a more engaging plot (i.e. The Room series). While I am glad I played Gorogoa, I would not have paid as much as I did for the very short completion time and loose premise the game offers. Overall, Gorogoa relies on stunning graphic art and novel game mechanics to present itself as an empty, overpriced, but beautifully crafted box.

★★★★★ Amazing game- the second time through

I’m a huge fan of puzzle games, my favorites being The Room series. I like having to figure things out. Gorogoa is beautiful in every way, and the concept and flow is spectacular. That said, I felt confused and detached from the story the first time through, because I was focused on trying to figure out what I was supposed to do to get to the next step instead of really paying attention to the story and “feel” of the game. I kept hoping it would become more intuitive as I progressed, but I didn’t feel like I had a handle on it until the last part. I decided to play it again, and the second time through was much more enjoyable because I was able to pay more attention to the beauty of the scenes and the flow of the puzzles. And honestly, it took me quite a while to finish it the first time, so when I played it the second time I had forgotten a lot of the solutions along the way, so it wasn’t like I just blazed through it the second time. Overall, this is a great game.

★★★★★ Short but original and well done

I beat this in roughly 45 minutes, but i really wasnt unsatisfied. I may be bias on the fact that im an artist and have loved art my whole life, but i really found it to be beautiful. And the puzzle mechanics were amazing and not something ive ever come across in a game before. It was relatively challenging ( the books took me a bit to get), it has style, and i loved how everything worked with each other to make the story flow. So all in all, i wasnt bothered by the length of the game when i was actually paying attention to all the detailed artwork that went into it. Ive paid more to look through an art show for the same amount of time. So take your time, for the game has no timers, and really take a moment to look at all the artwork in this game. Creative puzzles and story aside, the art alone was worth it to me.

★★★★★ Don't understand the hype

This game was a huge let down for me. All I've read about is how amazing it is, but the game didn't become intuitive until the last 2 chapters or so. Prior to that, I was just touching and moving things hoping something would happen without having any idea why it was happening. If the whole game had been like the last couple chapters, I'd probably give a 4 star review. It loses one star off the bat because, even with me stumbling through it and using trial and error for 70% of the game, I still finished it in a couple hours. It was too short especially for the cost. I think there was a good idea by the creators, but a lot of it got lost in translation. And I'm a pretty smart person. I don't want to spend money on a puzzle game that requires absolutely no thought or intelligence, but I also want to be able to arrive at conclusions logically instead of by accident. When you're just touching and moving things hoping for a good outcome, the whole purpose of playing a game is lost.

★★★★★ A rewarding experience!

Despite its disappointing length, this is probably the most rewarding gaming experience I’ve had in a long time. The app worked perfectly on my iPad. The music is sensational and generally soothing. The puzzles were challenging, but not debilitating. The game mechanics were totally fresh, a new way to manipulate puzzles, with obvious influences from M.C. Escher in the physics. The artwork is beautifully crafted and the story is interesting and touching. If you don’t like to figure it all out for yourself, don’t bother. There are no instructions and no stated goal. Just play and the story develops around you. My only issue is length. I played it out in less than two hours the first time and about 45 minutes the second time (yes, it was worth a second play and probably a third). More in the same universe with the same mechanics would be great!

★★★★★ The Gold Standard Of Art and Entertainment

Only two games have moved me to write to the developer; Samfrost and Gorogoa. Gorogoa; however, is the only game where I keep coming back (despite knowing better) to see if new levels have been added or a sequel has been added (Coincidently, also the only time I not been wrong...according to my wife). This game sets the bar by which I judge other puzzles of its kind. I’m not sure if this game is considered a psychological or alternate-reality puzzler but, the blend of art, animation and gamification is visually and mentally compelling. In one sitting I completed the entire game. Not to say the game is too short (which it is 😳😳😳...more please) but, it is so good that I couldn’t put it down. Like a fine heroin, this game has got me hooked. “If you don’t play Gorogoa you are wrong!” - Winston Churchill