Gris is one of the most beautiful games I've ever played. Every screenshot I've taken of this game feels like a painting.

That in and of itself isn't terribly surprising. I watched gameplay trailers before purchasing, after all.

What was surprising was how much I liked the game beneath all that visual loveliness. (Light spoilers ahead.)

You see, I avoided playing Gris for a while after reading that it was about death (specifically the stages of grief). While that's a very valid basis for a story, it's also become something of a cliché for indie games. Just off the top of my head, Rime, What Remains of Edith Finch, To the Moon, Dear Esther, Everybody's Gone to the Rapture, Life is Strange and That Dragon, Cancer all explore death and grief from a myriad of angles. While most of those are great games, I can't help but grow a bit weary of the topic after a while.

But Gris manages to succeed as both an aesthetically satisfying exploration of those themes and a really fun game at the same time. The puzzles are a blast, the abilities you gain are really satisfying, and the world feels charming and alive... an enjoyable place to spend your time.

Like Journey and Fez before it, Gris is deep... but the experience remains pleasant and rewarding throughout. I'm excited to play it again!

What a beautiful experience. As I was told by a few friends here. The point of GRIS is not the platforming or the puzzles, but the emotions and feelings that the art, music and design of the world cause in you.

And what a great art, music and design GRIS have! I was absolutely in awe of the scenarios and the soothing melodies helped me relax after a hard day. I never rushed in this game, I just wanted to let the colors and melodies to envolve me. The plot is very surreal, but is not hard to get what is it about.

The only reason I don't give it five stars its because the navigation got me a little confused at first. There are a few collectables that you can get for an extra scene at the end. But most of the times there's not an indication or clue about which one is the critical path and which one is the optional with the reward, and if you choose the main path you probably cannot go back until the end of the game, when the chapter selection is unlocked. I know the exploration is not the main attraction of this game, but I don't like the way it "closes" itself.

This game is a visually stunning and emotionally charged indie platformer, It tells the story of a young woman navigating grief, expressed through a wordless journey across surreal, watercolor landscapes that evolve as she regains strength and abilities. There isn't really much of a plot going on, it is a much more artistic game, more than a regular traditional one that has a mainline story and characters, so don't expect much on this regard.

The game stands out for its breathtaking hand-drawn art and fluid animations, paired with a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that reacts dynamically to the player’s progress. Each area introduces new mechanics, such as turning heavy to resist winds or gliding gracefully, all woven seamlessly into the theme of emotional recovery. The puzzles and platforming in general aren't much of a challenge, though this is really not the point this game is trying to make.

The gameplay is simple and accessible, focusing more on atmosphere and exploration than challenge. There are no enemies, death screens, or complex systems, just gentle platforming and puzzles that emphasize flow and immersion. This makes GRIS feel more like an interactive piece of art than a traditional game.

Some people have praised GRIS for its beauty, emotional resonance, and cohesive design, though some note its linearity and short playtime of around four to five hours. Still, for those seeking a meditative and artistically rich experience, GRIS is regarded as one of the most memorable indie releases of its time. I only recommend this one if you are really into alternative games, and stay away if you are looking for anything that isn't even slightly exotic to any extent.