This could have been a very cool game had the controls not been so atrocious. Unfortunately, they are and it has to be realised that when you can barely make it past the "Menu Screen", never mind the levels, it's not remotely a fair game. It's OK to acknowledge that a good premise has abysmal execution! Gamespot needs to stop underrating one game, and overrating another.
@wizardboyus @CrysisFPS While I agree that reviews must be contemporary to the release, this is not a GTA4 PC Port that we are talking about. This is a game which in my experience only had minor glitches now and then, which I already experience in many other titles.
Another thing, rushing a game is not usually the fault of the developer but rather an impatient publisher. Does that mean we should lump it all the developer? If the game can be easily patched then that must mean that the game isn't THAT badly optimized. Few glitches, yes, but of course that's really all you need as an excuse to give the game as a whole the wrong impression.
While I agree that the optimization was bad and the checkpoint and a few level designs left something to be desired, I honestly think a 5.5 goes far too low. Game performance and level saves can easily be fixed, so it's a wonder why the review goes no more above mediocre mostly for these flaws alone. Disappointing review overall.
The fact that people are are more concerned about a bikini than a mutilated body just basically says it all. I can't believe there are still idiots that are more alarmed by the human body than they are if that same body got ripped to pieces. Regardless of what I think of the actual statue, the developer has no reason to apologise to a bunch of whiners who aren't pleased by anything, unless this was a Publicity Stunt all along.
Here's where I am confused: I have just tried the demo and it does not come across as "hard work" or "shallow", maybe simple and challenging but certainly not Shallow, Hard Work. I personally found the game to be rather beautiful and engaging. Seeing all these reviews I intend to wait for a Specials Sale, but I will definitely buy it before making the final judgement.
@GameYakuza Have you maybe tried 'Thirty Flights of Loving', that game lasts only around 15 minutes yet it cost 5 dollars on steam. I think 'Home' is well worth 2 dollars.
I've noticed some of you have rather negative thoughts over this game, so please let me enlighten you. You are, of course, entitled to your personal opinions, but please listen to why I personally was truly compelled by the game.
While I am in full agreement that Lone Survivor is a technically better title, there are some things about this game which are more superior.
First off, it has a story which gives the basic answers in the end (at least the ending which I received) while still leaving some things free to interpretation. Not only that, but you, in some way, get to create that story through the choices you make. LS gave you many choices as well, but left some plot elements far too vague even for my taste. At least in Home, it wasn't too big a challenge to draw conclusions to my own questions without the game explicitly 'telling' me.
Secondly, this is not a game about striking gameplay, it's about story and atmosphere. Why do you really need more than environment/object interaction, in order to analyse your surroundings as well as solving progressive tasks? If anything that would just destroy the game's subtlety, and experience has taught me that true suspense is not the result of too much happening or too much to do, it comes from steady pace and design without over-doing those stretches.
OK, my essay is over. Like I said, I'm not trying to attack anyone's opinions, I am simply trying to point out the reasons for my opinion, just like others have done their own. I also hope I might have given some people more insight and reason to enjoy this game.
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