GRIS

This game is fantastic, much in the vein of Journey, a more story oriented puzzle game with a big focus on design. Gris is a beautiful game and if you're looking for a short and sweet yet powerful story to bite into then I would highly recommend you give this a try.

It takes about 5-10 minutes to finish the first chapter, at which point the gimmick of the presentation is revealed. It was a wonderful reveal. In my opinion, the second and third chapter finales are the most stunning, but there's still a nice sense of peace for completing all six. Definitely adding this soundtrack to my heavy rotation set.

Really nice game with beautiful visuals imo!
Would defenitlely reccomend buying it if you are looking for something to just "experience" in a visual and acoustic sense.

A masterpiece of art

The stages are truly unique, the colors of the game, the art of the game are perfect

first you must bleed
until you are nothing but ash
then you must green
until your roots speak
then you must storm
for all that you lost
until you have nothing left
only then, can you
embrace the night

in darkness
anything is possible
the universe is asking
are you ready
to take the leap
of faith
into the unknown

she has been waiting
calling, saying
I know you
where have you been
for so long

Disclaimer: THIS IS NOT A GAME! I REPEAT, THIS IS NOT A GAME! THIS IS AN INTERACTIVE ARTWORK THAT COULD BELONG IN THE FUTURISTIC LOUVRE!

Also, Gris is a short game, very short. It can be completed within 4.5 hrs, which might be a closed deal for some but please, don't deprive yourself from this audiotory and occulatory masterpiece.

Now that that's out of question, let's proceed with the usual review, shall we?

Story

Of course, I wanted to say I will not give any spoilers. But truth is, there's no spoilers to give. This starts with a girl, a person, losing her voice. Out of grief, I assume. Might be because of loss of a loved one, might be something else. But the truth is, The girl, YOU are grieving. Your world is out of colour, out of songs. Throughout the game, you journey through the five stages of Grief and bring yourself back to life, recovering from the cryptic dark crippling depression (that is sometimes a bird, sometimes a snake, sometimes a girl).

Gameplay

Gris doesn't really SHINE in this department. IMO it doesn't need to, because too many mechanics or complexity could've taken the charm away from the experience. Primarily you can walk and jump. Later you unlock some interesting mechanics with progression (i.e.- breaking weak ground, swimming, bringing life to dead plants ) and I felt like that was enough. Gris focuses more on the experience, and that experience is playing through an ART. There are some simple puzzles involved. They make you think, but are not hard enough to look up on the internet or pull your hair.

Visuals & Audio

OH. MY. GOD. They blew EVERY other game I've played out of bounds with this one. The musical score was enough to bring tears to my eyes sometimes. The Art design is so good every moment it feels like you are playing through an ART PIECE. So many times I put down my controller, and just looked at what I was seeing, listening to the background music. Both my Background and Lock Screen pictures are this game's screenshot now.

When the credits rolled, it said "Thank you for playing Gris".
I'm forced to reply "No, Thank YOU, Team Nevada, for letting me play Gris".

10/10 Recommended. Please experience this firsthand.

Beautiful game with nice music and atmosphere. Probably 5-10 hours long total

Surprising amount of animation locks and progress issues due to having a framerate higher then the game can support running on your system
Was surprised it wasn't mentioned in the reviews more

If getting stuck in an animation, I recommend looking up fixes to it. Alt tabbing during the animation might help

very beautiful art style and soundtrack, albeit with a short game time. definitely looking forward to playing neva next

This game has phenomenal art, music, and a very good message.

But this game is literally a walking sim... It's so boring. Just because one area of the game is top tier does not make up for the lack of effort that was put into making the game FUN. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone unless it's specifically your cup of tea.

Absolutely stunning! The art style is breathtaking, the music is beautiful, and the gameplay is surprisingly engaging. A short but unforgettable experience. Highly recommend!

This is game has some of the most aesthetically magical environments that you will ever encounter.
If you are an artist, this game is for you.
If you are a gentle soul, this game is for you.
If you are looking to restart a curious spark in your soul, play this game and escape in this world.

Beautilful and gripping. An experience you won't forget.

This game is a piece of art. Stunning scenery and animation, together with a meaningful plot, symbolism and some problem-solving elements. I hope this will be a game I'll keep coming back to.

My only complaints are that the game was very short, and cutscenes (to my knowledge) can't be skipped.

beautiful game with a very sweet story loved it

Beautiful game with an amazing art style and puzzle mechanics.

At the start it's not completely clear where you should go to go through side areas before going for the main progression, but later it becomes clear they count with you to play it several times, if you wish to fully complete it. I'd never guess what the game is about until I read it after finishing the game, but in my personal opinion, people reflect what they are currently going through while playing the game on that.

I loved the music and over all really enjoyed it, although I must say the brightness sometimes hurt my eyes and while using keyboard, there seems to be issues while double/triple tapping spacebar, maybe due to it's multi-functionality in game.

Finally finished it after buying and starting the game in 2020 and... I don't think it's very good.

'The game is pretty' is probably the only good thing I can say about it without gritting my teeth.

The gameplay is slow and not very engaging for a platformer, I didn't find the story very engaging despite its focus around grief and picking your way out of depression - though I will say that even with the lack of dialogue the game did a decent enough job of conveying its plot without a single line of dialogue - and I found myself yawning at various points as I forced my way through to the ending to finally remove this game from my backlog.

Maybe I've just missed something. Maybe after 4-5 years of not playing I've forgotten the main points of the story and if I remembered I'd think better of the game. Maybe I'm just stupid. I don't know, I just know I didn't find myself enjoying the game much.

If the game interests you, then I'd wait for a sale before buying it, but even then, don't expect much.

it's nice to look at but it's a pretty bad game. you never know what you're supposed to do or even your goal. it's basically just moving art that's pointless and gets annoying after a bit

A beautiful game that is not particularly difficult, but is relaxing and a visual splendor. There are a few times when it is a little difficult to make a particular jump or figure out what the next step in the puzzle may be, but for the most part, this is worth playing because of the unique and creative animation.

the atmosphere of this game is amazing ,this game is so emotional and the soundtracks makes the game even more enjoyable.

bugged out at the end, had to restart it several times.
BUT!
absolutely beautiful looking game, atmospheric af. gave me goosebumps a few times.

GRIS is an experience.
the art is SUPERB with a watercolor and ink asthetic.
the music is SUPERB. it feels reactive.

the gameplay is mostly platforming, no risk of a gameover from the platforming, in fact i dont think theres any way to "game over" in it. overall the platforming is simplistic, with some puzzles, and gimicks to keep it fresh through out.

my one complaint is i wish the story was spelt out a little more in game.
also the game is quite short. i completed it in about 4 hours didnt collect everything in that time. but did get to to credits.

100% achievement time for those efficient would be about 4-5 hours. i took 6.

One of the best games I've tried. Unlike most games, Gris tells its story without a single line of dialogue. Instead, it conveys emotions through movement, music, and color.

Gris is an artistic masterclass. Visually it's nothing short of stunning. With watercolor style, hand-drawn animations, players have the impression of navigating a dreamy, living piece of art. While the design is simple, the attention to detail is breathtaking. Initially the game is devoid of colours, but as players progress, more colours are added to the palette, enlivening the world. Art is integral to the narrative as visual and environmental cues drive the story forward, as opposed to dialogue. Gris is a young woman who is dealing with major sorrow and loss, and as players progress through the game they'll encounter the different stages of grief and figure out how to overcome them. Another standout feature of this title is the soundtrack; emotional, impactful, and fittingly complements the journey. Gris is a short adventure that doesn't overstay its welcome. It's an almost meditative experience and is digital art in its highest form.

"Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions."

GRIS is a platform-adventure game developed by Nomada Studio and published by Devolver Digital.

Story
In GRIS you play as titular Gris, young girl that finds herself lost after suffering a loss of important person in her life. Full of hope, she embarks on a journey across memories to grow up and learn how to deal with aftermath of recent tragedy.

Gameplay
GRIS is a 2D title where you control Gris across her voyage that will take you through multiple areas, with central tower serving as a hub.
It comes with a very simple gameplay core, as most of it is build on platformer sections. You will make your way through locations by collecting star-looking lights that create paths, by utilizing abilities to pass multiple types of obstacles and with simple puzzle every once in a while thrown into the mix. At the start you are only able to jump, but with each area you visit, you unlock new power that expands upon the gameplay and therefore platformic sections, letting you glide or swim! Each area comes with some unique aspect to stand out from one another, whether it is a need to escort a little character or strong winds that are capable of pushing you around, but ultimately gameplay is quite simple.
On your journey you can find side collectibles, secret items called mementos hidden behind slightly more challenging platformic sections!

Playtime and replayability
GRIS takes from 2 to 4 hours to complete depending on your pace and desire to seek side collectibles.
You can give it another go to appreciate visuals and to collect all mementos!

Impressions
From first minutes you spend in the game you can tell what GRIS strikes for: Emotions. Quick and brutal opening to set up the story followed up by first area and reaching the hub shows off what game will be about. Gameplay wise game is...decent, but nothing special. Quite slow paced, with platforming sections not providing much of a challenge though some variety if offers from design of areas is appreciated, while puzzles are very simple. Nonetheless it is not even close to being a must play platformer. I would say the best word to sum gameplay up is "melancholic" to fit into rest of the game.

And that rest of the game is where GRIS shines. In an amazing, minimalistic way may I add. Not a word of dialogue in the game but environmental storytelling does all the carrying so those who will pay even minimal attention to game will know what it's about. Not even in a subtle way, addition (or rediscovery) of colours in the areas, unlocking abilities to explore further sections, first few minutes of the game as mentioned before, the "hub area", it's all perfectly crafted to create narrative of GRIS. I personally believe it's one of the most beautiful games out there if we talk purely about visuals. Usage of watercolours with Art Nouveau style is a great decision, as each area with it's different environment looks absolutely marvelous. To that you have great soundtrack composed by Berlinist that adds up to often calm, melancholic feel of the game, but also provides few different tunes when themes or pace of the game change.

Perhaps nowadays as few good years have passed since release, game might not be considered as good as back then due to increased amount of similar, emotional titles, but I disagree. I believe the simplicity of gameplay, themes and narrative it provides together with wonderful audiovisual side make it still for a perfect game to play for everyone that aged like finest wine, whether you seek something emotional, beautiful, or perhaps a gateway towards more "artistic" titles that gaming industry is full off! Goes without saying I adore this game and I recommend it highly.

Final words and conclusion
You can buy Soundtrack DLC to further support developers!

GRIS is an absolute marvel of a game. Beautiful, minimalistic, emotional tale of rediscovering yourself and finding hope after a tragic loss. Cannot recommend it enough.

Feel free to check out my curator page for more reviews!

Boring as hell. Great art style doesn't make a good game. Just running around collecting dots with unskippable cutscenes. I'm returning this with the other award winning game Neva that I assume is similar. The mainstream will call a game amazing because it looks pretty even though it barely has any gameplay. A lot of people love this but I'm 15 minutes in and falling asleep.

Would very much recommend this game! Its a short adventure, but regardless of the length with such a focused vision and beautiful design direction its something to experience.

The surprising upgrades collected make this more than just walking from point A to point B through a pretty painting. The challenges are never hard and worlds design mostly directs your progression (although some points of navigation can get lost in the environments at one point or another).

Still, in the end this does not detract from the overall journey and its just a really nice time if looking that what you're looking for.

Beautiful game ♥ The art/visuals and sound design are wonderful. Puzzles are well designed and entertaining, you don't ever feel like its a chore. Very emotional even though not a single word is spoken, so good!!

It was a simple, straightforward game, with an great story, and amazing artistic views.

Breathtaking feels like an understatement for this game, for despite its age, the art direction of Gris has been able to withstand and flourish through time. A compulsory experience for all puzzle game enthusiasts.

Stunning visuals, a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, and a deeply emotional journey make Gris an unforgettable experience. Its blend of puzzle-solving, exploration, and subtle platforming mechanics creates a seamless, artistic adventure. Probably one of the most breathtaking games I have ever played.

Highly recommended! 10/10

So my gaming year 2025 started off great :D

Gris is a visually stunning game that tells a story of a girl experiencing grief and loss. Why you do not know, you can only make your own assumptions. The artwork is incredibly beautiful, with soft, hand-drawn visuals that change as the game progresses, reflecting the emotional journey of the protagonist. The soundtrack is equally impressive—it's subtle but powerful, really enhancing the atmosphere and adding a layer of depth to the experience.

While the themes of the game are heavy, I found that the art and music made it enjoyable to play through. It’s a game that uses its art and sound to convey emotions effectively, and I found myself appreciating the experience more with each passing chapter.

If you’re looking for a game with a calm, emotional atmosphere and beautiful design, Gris is definitely worth a try.

My only criticism would be that there are 4 easily missable achievements that at least in my opinion are very important to further understand the (emotional) journey your character is on. I think they might have been implemented better to not have the player miss this part of the experience.

A thoughtful exploration of mourning, in a smart but accesible puzzle platformer inspired by the stages of grief. Gorgeous artwork based on the style of creative director Conrad Roset that will be familiar for fans of his work (like the beautiful Muses art book), and an emotional soundtrack by Berlinist make this a must play.

art and music are great. as for game play, its pretty simple in a good way. if your looking for a quick, casual platform experience with pretty remarkable artistic flair, then this is a game you will like

Amazing Game!
Essentially a masterclass in the basics of game design and storytelling, from the introduction of mechanics, to the telling of a story without using any words, to subverting normal guidelines for thematic purposes.

The map may seem to offer multiple paths, but there's really only one way forward. So, there's no need to worry too much about getting lost.

A beautiful game about Loss and how Grieving is portrait through the Kuebler-Ross Model.
Thought Provoking, stunning Visuals and beautiful Music.

The only nitpick I have are the small bugs that can softlock you/achievements

An art showcase with some music that's apparently supposed to make you "feel" something... but I must've missed the message or something like that. All I can gather is it has something to do with grieving... maybe... I'm still not really sure. It purports itself a bit too heavily for no reason behind a delicate art style that renders it rather soporific. Most of this game ended up being a simple side scrolling walking simulator through some, admittedly interesting visuals, but really that's all it is. Maybe I'm not "artsy" enough to "get it", but I was mostly just bored for 4 hours.

Artistically, yes I have nothing negative to say about it. The backdrops, some specific visuals, the music and the way the world evolves aesthetically are pretty. A few disquieted moments in the first 2 minutes have a slight emotional impact, there's no real reward beyond a few momentary scenes as you progress. Grief, or dealing with loss and trying to overcome it, like I said, is about the only meaning I could extract from anything. Even that though lacks any real emotional weight behind it.

As a video game, the aspects of it that you play are boredom inducing. It just lacks any sections, beyond one, that are actually that interesting to play through. It's most just a walking simulator with a few button presses with the most obvious clues possible. If you're looking for the most casual experience possible, then this is probably the type of game you're looking for. There's no way to fail or lose, and the puzzles are about as simple as they come. It's an unrelieved experience to play through.

When the art is the best part of a game... it's never a good sign. It generally means the actual game isn't good, and this is a perfect example of that. You'll get a few visuals that are nice to look at, but to actually interact with... it lacks in nearly every aspect.

Beautiful. From the visuals to the game-play itself, so much thought went into this game. Really hits hard, if you happen to be playing while going through a rough time. Can see myself replaying this time and time again. 10/10.

What an emotional experience. I have heard many great reviews about this, but experiencing by myself was something else. No matter how broken I feel, there is always a small part of me that is always moving forward to bring back the colours to me. Poetic. Tears were shed.

Gris is a very short and simple platformer that tells the story of a girl and her personal journey through pain and sorrow after a personal loss. Every level is dedicated to a particular mental state and feeling, which are beautifully conveyed thanks to a gorgeous graphical hand drawn style and an impeccable soundtrack.

This is more a work of art than a videogame, but nonetheless I was very happy to experience it in my 7 hours playthrough. Don't expect to be challenged by enemy foes or by intricate levels and puzzles, just launch it and enjoy the ride! 7/10 is my personal score!

Gorgeous game, thematically interesting, very evocative, and also very dull to actually play. Unfortunately I enjoyed videos breaking down this game more than playing it itself.

Platformer with some fun gimmicks that's overall mostly an art project. Without a doubt great visuals and very well done music. This very well could've been a film instead but I'd say its gameplay is serviceable with how there was effort to implement to the music and visuals to gameplay or story beats.

Beautiful visuals, a compelling soundtrack, but man was I completely disengaged with the story and the game play. The way the story was told simply wasn't my cup of tea, and the game play annoyed me in many sections. I can see why so many people love this game- I wanted to be one of them, but this just wasn't for me.

I will never cease to be emotionally moved by this game. I play it every time I have to move through something in my life. It's a replay winner year after year. Just buy it. You'll die happy like I have.

GRIS is worth playing once. The game is beautiful, and the platforming/puzzles are entertaining enough after you get through the somewhat plodding opening.

Despite my hour count (which is inflated, for reasons mostly unrelated to the game itself), you should expect a short game without much replay value. There are secrets and collectibles, none especially difficult to find, but GRIS does not give you much room to explore or backtrack. The biggest obstacle to your collecting a secret is often that you've gone slightly too far forward, and are unable to go back. Between this, and the relatively slow movement of the titular Gris, the novelty of the game starts to fall flat when you go secret-hunting on a second playthrough.

But if you go in expecting a ~3 hour piece of visual art, you won't be disappointed.

Amazing storytelling without using a single word. Beautiful scenery and audio.

Visual & audio masterpiece. It is a platformer, but not one where precise inputs are needed. It is, rather, a casual adventure filled with symbolism. You must play it.

I'm afraid I must come down on the side of the people who say this project would have worked better as an animated film. As a game it does not have much actual gameplay, and what gameplay it has is repetitive and at times frustrating. I must confess that I was not even that impressed with it visually; it has only a limited number of visual motifs that it keeps repeating over and over with slightly different color palettes. It's an attractive game but I was not nearly as wowed by it as I expected based on the overwhelmingly positive reviews.

Also, it is not as easy to 100% this game as you might think. Some of the achievements are very annoying and a bit buggy, based on my own experience as well as what others have reported in the forums. If you are thinking of playing this game for achievement hunting purposes then I do not recommend it.

SHORT

A game without words that will leave you speechless. GRIS is beautiful with a sublime soundtrack. It's totally worth it! The total duration is 5 hours (9 hours for completionists). To get the best experience, follow these tips: turn off the screen's night mode, get a good pair of headphones, put away your smartphone, collect all the Mementos and enjoy.

LONG

GRIS is a 2D platform game, designed to be atmospheric and contemplative. The game has no dialogue (spoken, written or narrated), the entire story is told through gameplay and supported by the fantastic soundtrack - which in my opinion, is the most incredible part of this game.

Scattered in secret areas of the levels are Mementos, collectible glowing orbs. When you collect them all, an additional cutscene is unlocked at the end of the game. It's totally worth it! They're not that hard to collect - consult a guide if you need it.

The game is heavily based on colors and music, I recommend that you disable the night mode on your display (if you use it) to experience the colors without any alterations. And also use a good headset.

The difficulty level is low and the game is quite forgiving with mistakes. It took me 5 hours to finish it (plus 4 hours to get the remaining achievements). That said, I recommend that you put your smartphone away and take some time to enjoy this game free from distractions, it will be worth it. :)

This is one of those games that just kind of washes over you as you play it. The art style, the music, the story--the whole thing.

Sit back, relax, and don't worry about winning. Just enjoy the journey.