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I didn't feel to me like they framed it in a scary environment, it's just that a lot of people are freaked out by being alone in big empty houses and that just happened to be the setting. Complete with all the little creaks and squeaks you can hear when it's deathly quiet. It was more genuine than scary to me.
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Sep 6, 2013 12:25
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It wasn't scary at all to me. Tense at times, maybe. I think a lot of that has to do with video game expectations that something spooky or supernatural is going to pop out at a moment's notice instead of the more realistic and sane conclusion that it's just an empty house at night. All the blurbs from this game read "no combat, no puzzles" and by extension no monsters, and I took the developers at their word. Also, many people are apparently huge wusses?
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Sep 6, 2013 12:40
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It's because you play video games and are expecting something to be scary because that's what happens in these kinds of games. I handed the controller to my wife who occasionally plays on the DS and it didn't even occur to her that she was supposed to be at all scared.
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Sep 6, 2013 12:42
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It wasn't necessarily scary, but there was a strong undercurrent of dread throughout the game. What was interesting was that the dread went in three stages. For the first part of the game, when you are unsure what genre it will turn out to be, there was a sense of dread every time you turned a corner and expected some monster or ghost to come running out at you. For the middle part of the game, by the time you are pretty sure you aren't playing survival horror, you get a different kind of dread, the kind you would get in real life from creepy around an unknown house. They do such an effective job at making the house feel real and lived in, that the simple act of sneaking around in a basement in the dark will freak you out, even if you know there is no such thing as a ghost. The lightning storm and flickering lights do not help. And finally, for the last third of the game the dread is entirely story based. What has happened to Sam? What will you find in the attic?
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Sep 6, 2013 13:27
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Baby Sathanas posted:I didn't feel to me like they framed it in a scary environment, it's just that a lot of people are freaked out by being alone in big empty houses and that just happened to be the setting. Complete with all the little creaks and squeaks you can hear when it's deathly quiet. It was more genuine than scary to me. I think it's disingenuous to say they weren't going for a scary, or at least tense, environment. Besides the obvious fault with the "they didn't want it to be scary, they just picked an enviroment that scares people" argument, they had you walk into a secret passage filled with newspaper clippings and then had the light burn out on you. Hell, your final destination is an attic that's bathed in red light. It is a "spooky basement" horror but saying they didn't go out of their way to make it feel like that is just not true.
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Sep 6, 2013 13:55
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ExtraNoise posted:This is all fantastic, thank you so much.  As for Sam's birthday, I didn't see that anywhere, but the year could probably be estimated by connecting some dots. I'll check that out later. For the pharmacy, I don't remember seeing that, I'll look through my screenshots again. I'd assume it just carried over to the new owner, but I don't know why it would be laying around the house. Did Oscar keep working there after he sold it?
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Sep 7, 2013 01:56
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Dear Mom, Dad, and Sam, I am in the CHUNNEL! This is my second passage though the CHUNNEL! I'm on my way back from London, this time going to Brussels, Belgium. Sorry I didn't write you on the way to London but I was too excited about the CHUNNEL!! London was great. Dad, I know you've always wanted to visit and I think you really should. You'd love it! If you all wanted to come back here as a family sometime I GUESS I could be convinced. Love you all! Katie ---- Mom, Dad, and Sam 1 Arbor Hill Boon County, OR 97141 USA UPC is 5019278900191, because we care about such things in this thread.
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Sep 7, 2013 07:35
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RightClickSaveAs posted:Oh and somebody earlier asked who the hell Uncle Harvey was, who the birthday card was from: Uncle Harvey is in reality Harvey Smith! http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-08-23-behold-gone-homes-several-easter-egg-cameos-by-other-devs
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Sep 7, 2013 12:20
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I have never heard the Channel Tunnel referred to as the Chunnel.
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Sep 7, 2013 12:22
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Szmitten posted:I have never heard the Channel Tunnel referred to as the Chunnel. Edit: I was doubting if it was a common nickname for the Channel Tunnel in 1995, but apparently it was. Kegluneq fucked around with this message at 13:10 on Sep 7, 2013 |
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Sep 7, 2013 13:04
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Yeah, back while it was still under construction it was commonly referred to as the 'Chunnel' in the media, and the name stuck for a while afterwards. Nowadays it's not really used anymore.
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Sep 7, 2013 13:11
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Polyseme posted:...  Also UPC not found, immersion ruined again
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Sep 7, 2013 16:05
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DoctorTristan posted:Yeah, back while it was still under construction it was commonly referred to as the 'Chunnel' in the media, and the name stuck for a while afterwards. Nowadays it's not really used anymore. I think it's still used more commonly in the US because our only exposure to it was when it was being constructed and in the news.
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Sep 7, 2013 16:06
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RightClickSaveAs posted:Well yeah all THAT part I could read, I'm not blind! I meant I couldn't make out the date, it looks like it may be July something?:
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Sep 7, 2013 16:14
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ja2ke posted:I think it's still used more commonly in the US because our only exposure to it was when it was being constructed and in the news. Yeah, there was even a Seinfeld bit about it. Get with the program, homies!
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Sep 7, 2013 16:20
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I'm still thinking about this game. It made a hell of an impression, that's for sure. It also got me listening to old riot grrrl stuff again.
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Sep 13, 2013 04:56
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Alain Perdrix posted:I'm still thinking about this game. It made a hell of an impression, that's for sure. It also got me listening to old riot grrrl stuff again.
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Sep 13, 2013 05:33
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Speaking of Bikini Kill, I have to assume it was some sort of licensing issue that kept any of their songs from appearing in the game. You just know that Lonnie and Sam had all of their 7inches, albums, singles, 'zines and whatever else they could get their hands on Hell, Rebel Girl could practically be about Sam. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZxxhxjgnC0 And I'm saying it again, if you like the music and want to learn more about that early-mid 90' feminist punk movement read Girls to the Front by Sara Marcus.
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Sep 13, 2013 05:42
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I posted some Bikini Kill stuff earlier in the thread, but for shits and giggles, a kitten, enjoy this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa1c6EU2bY0 I was completely obsessed with alternative rock from 89-94.
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Sep 13, 2013 05:47
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For anyone else who's excited about Kathleen Hanna stuff, here's a reminder that The Julie Ruin just released their debut album a week ago. It isn't bad. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEltsPb8M6Q
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Sep 13, 2013 05:54
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teethgrinder posted:I posted some Bikini Kill stuff earlier in the thread, but for shits and giggles, a kitten, enjoy this: Haha, that drumline is what really does it, makes me wonder if Tobi was a fan. Rebel Girl was probably written somewhere between '91 and '93 so the timeframe fits, wonder if it's just a coincidence, conscious choice, or just an unconscious influence. Alain Perdrix posted:For anyone else who's excited about Kathleen Hanna stuff, here's a reminder that The Julie Ruin just released their debut album a week ago. It isn't bad. Oh wow, that had totally slipped my mind, thanks! I'm not as immediately sold on it like I was Le Tigre, but I'm gonna give the album a buy and see if it grows on me. Edit so it's not just a music post: Fullbright Company posted:http://thefullbrightcompany.com/2013/09/11/updates-ign-fantastic-fest-indiecade-and-initial-sales-numbers/ a kitten fucked around with this message at 06:09 on Sep 13, 2013 |
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Sep 13, 2013 06:07
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I would expect them to have ripped it off and not given a gently caress. I uh ... somehow had no loving idea that Kathleen Hanna fronted both Bikini Kill and Le Tigre. I guess I didn't delve too deep because of the politics, but Le Tigre got me into electroclash. Still love early Ladytron, ADULT., Fischerspooner, and it sort of pushed me toward EBM/futurepop. Some modern electroclash I think is pretty awesome if you're curious: http://betafrontiers.com/album/ep Personally I think the music chat belongs in this thread since it was such an important part of the background of the game. edit: check out Spalding Rockwell too, but they're older and you'll probably have to get them on iTunes. teethgrinder fucked around with this message at 06:16 on Sep 13, 2013 |
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Sep 13, 2013 06:13
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Somewhat related to the PNW feminist electroclash thing: check out Tracy + The Plastics. It was a project (now ended) by performance and visual artist Wynne Greenwood, and she'd perform songs live against a video projection of two women who never appeared in the flesh, but who were her "backing band". Most of the stuff is really funny and it kinda owns. She was also a huge inspiration to Mykki Blanco, funnily enough. I'm wondering what this exciting news The Fullbright Company is talking about might be. I'm trying to imagine a continuation of this game / DLC, but that doesn't seem likely at all.
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Sep 13, 2013 06:26
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I could live with a small expansion or director's cut that filled in a few details here and there, or simply added some more unique and personal items around the house instead of all the stock binders or whatever. The game really doesn't need a sequel and I like that the game ended where it did, so expanding in that direction seems like a bad idea. Either way I'll be lined up to see what Fullbright has to offer next.
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Sep 13, 2013 07:03
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It's been a while so I forget his name, but did they ever elaborate on why Nintendo Boy was creepy? I know he's kind of obsessed with Sam, but was their any more to it? I kind of pictured him as a spergy nice guy, but not as an actual bad person.
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Sep 13, 2013 15:28
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ThatPazuzu posted:It's been a while so I forget his name, but did they ever elaborate on why Nintendo Boy was creepy? I know he's kind of obsessed with Sam, but was their any more to it? Because he liked Sam, Sam didn't like boys, and you're hearing things from her point of view as a teenage girl.
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Sep 13, 2013 15:29
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Crappy Jack posted:Because he liked Sam, Sam didn't like boys, and you're hearing things from her point of view as a teenage girl.
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Sep 13, 2013 17:03
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Okay. Sam put a lot of emphasis on him being weird so I thought there might be more to it than him just having a crush on her.
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Sep 13, 2013 17:13
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I had my friend play this game last night and after watching the credits, he said "This game was made by a bunch of cat people." Then we got the 24th recording, and his response was "Cat people  "He liked the game though. Watching him play it just reminded me how bothered I am by "video game house design" though. I could excuse the useless hallways as products of ad-hoc extensions or something, if the house didn't appear so fixed-up, but really the most irritating thing about Gone Home's house is that there's no ground floor underneath all the second floor. I guess that's to accommodate the secret passages but in my view that just means they should have just thought a little harder.
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Sep 13, 2013 17:26
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ThatPazuzu posted:Okay. Sam put a lot of emphasis on him being weird so I thought there might be more to it than him just having a crush on her. It's not uncommon for teenagers to react against friends from earlier in their childhood, even without the non-reciprocated crush. Once she found a new role model in Lonnie it was a bit too embarrassing to admit that she'd been friends with that nerdy kid from down the road, so she reacts by calling him weird and not spending time with him any more.
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Sep 13, 2013 17:58
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Just got this and played for a bit, stopping just as I got the key to the basement. I think I'm just barely too young to really get hit with full blast nostalgia, having been born in '91 but goddamn if this isn't bringing back memories I never knew I had. I'm also enjoying it in a way that I don't think most other people are: My sister's gay and I got to watch that little journey of self-discovery in real time so I was kind of picking up on Sam and Lonnie a bit earlier than I think the game intended me to. It was really bringing back some fond and not so fond memories for me  I hope it doesn't end as poorly as my sister's first relationship though...Also, why couldn't I watch any of the movies on VHS?! All I needed to complete this nostalgia carpetbombing was to watch some cheesy 80's movie on a low quality recording! Oh and as for scares, I haven't been even remotely uncomfortable, let alone scared. I think it's because I've always thought abandoned buildings were neat so being alone in a big empty house is actually kind of calming more than unsettling. Edit: I'm also really looking forward to finishing the game and flipping through this thread because I feel like there's a million subtle references to things in the 90's that I'm missing and I know you  bastards have probably found each and every one 
InequalityGodzilla fucked around with this message at 07:27 on Sep 18, 2013 |
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Sep 18, 2013 07:20
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Feeble posted:Also, why couldn't I watch any of the movies on VHS?! All I needed to complete this nostalgia carpetbombing was to watch some cheesy 80's movie on a low quality recording! Because that would turn it into the story of how a young woman returned home, found her family gone with no explanation, then sat down for an X-Files marathon.
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Sep 18, 2013 10:13
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Just finished it. I didn't cry but goddamn if I didn't come really close. I thought I'd be saying The Last of Us had the best story in gaming this year but that's over now. Gone Home all the way. You can add that to the list in the OP. gently caress, I can't stop smiling, why can't I stop smiling? And I'm really glad I went into this completely blind with no more knowledge than the steam page provided. Goddamn... I'm almost certain I missed a lot of material on the former owner of the house, Oscar(?). Last thing I found directly related to him was the letter in the safe that I think was about him pleading with a relative to let him come back into the family and stop being a pariah which I definitely think I missed some context on, and the hidden room by the foyer steps with the candles and pentagram and his photo and nametag... Yeah, I definitely missed some context on that cuz I don't know what the gently caress? I'd replay it and try to find what I missed but I feel like going through it all again would just...ruin it for me. I'm gonna look through the thread now, hopefully that'll answer some questions but if anyone wants to chime in it'd be appreciated. Edit: Right now I really, really want to try and get my sister to play through this now but she has zero interest and gaming and always has but she's also a big softie and I know she'd end up bawling by the end and aaaargh! I'm kind of tempted to, like, duct tape her to a chair or something and force her to play it. Oh for gently caress's sake, now I'm crying. This game, goddammit, this game... VVVVV InequalityGodzilla fucked around with this message at 02:31 on Sep 19, 2013 |
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Sep 19, 2013 02:13
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Feeble posted:
Spoilers obviously. It's kind of subtle intentionally, the developer talked about that on a podcast that was linked a few pages ago. I wouldn't have picked up on it if I hadn't read about it online.
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Sep 19, 2013 02:23
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DoctorTristan posted:Because that would turn it into the story of how a young woman returned home, found her family gone with no explanation, then sat down for an X-Files marathon. Muttering "Thank Christ" under her breath, the protagonist changes into her pajamas, grabs a beer, and sits down for some "Filez" without her bratty little sister or pain-in-the-rear end parents to interfere.
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Sep 19, 2013 02:49
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DreamShipWrecked posted:Muttering "Thank Christ" under her breath, the protagonist changes into her pajamas, grabs a beer, and sits down for some "Filez" without her bratty little sister or pain-in-the-rear end parents to interfere.
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Sep 19, 2013 04:15
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I have located the true flaw and immersion breaker in Gone Home.  Look over at the 10:30 time slot. Channel 33 is showing Cleghorne! the sitcom starring former SNL alum Ellen Cleghorne. HOWEVER This page shows the date of Februrary 15, 1995. Cleghorne! did not premire until September 10th of that year. [citation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleghorne! ] Game destroyed 
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Sep 19, 2013 05:54
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Uncle Wemus posted:I have located the true flaw and immersion breaker in Gone Home. There's a good chance this will be fixed if you tweet it at them. They fixed the dice earlier.
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Sep 19, 2013 10:24
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I'm just impressed that there was any three-month period in which Cleghorne! existed at all.
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Sep 19, 2013 14:15
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Osmosisch posted:There's a good chance this will be fixed if you tweet it at them. They fixed the dice earlier. What was wrong with the Dice?
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Sep 19, 2013 19:35
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