GRIS

I was never even going to write a review let alone a serious one, just a quick playthrough for the achievements and maybe a funny little review at the end as I do with all the other games i've written reviews for. But for this game I think a more serious review is in order. I bought GRIS on a whim about one year ago and it has been sitting in my libary untouched ever since. And the only reason I even started playing it, was also a whim, as can be seen in the beginning of this review.

But now that I have actually played the game properly once and even a second time in order to get all of the Achievements I think it's safe to say that this is the most emotional and beautiful game I have ever played. The artstyle, music and story just fit together perfectly. The gameplay is very simple and not at all challenging but that just plays very nicely into the aforementioned artstyle, music and story. Obviosly there is not much of a replayable factor once you have collected every Achievement but there is no need for that, as all GRIS is trying to do, is telling the emotional story of a young girl trying to reclaim what she has lost. And this, the game does perfectly.

All this is to say, if you have the money and a few hours to spare, give GRIS a try and see where the story takes you. If money is a problem just wait for the game to go on sale, as it does so regularely and I promise GRIS is going to be worth every penny you spent on it.

GRIS is not just a game to me, it's an emotion made playable. The watercolour visuals are beautiful, the music is haunting, and together they move you towards your ultimate goal; acceptance. You can never defeat grief, but you can learn to live with it... for what is grief if not love everlasting?
GRIS has shown me that grief isn't just sorrow, it is the manifestation of lasting love, it is something that with time can be beautiful instead of painful.
I would recommend GRIS to anyone and everyone, play this game.

Lovely. Great music and interesting mechanics, and I totally did my best to miss the emotional backstory the first time through. I'm kind of goal oriented, I guess.

I particularly loved rebuilding everything, fixing things, and making all the flowers grow. Loved that there was nothing to fight. Loved the grace of the movement mechanics and how each was expressed by the protagonist. For a small, three plus hourish game to just play through, it was dense with fun puzzles and a good building of abilities. The world was complex enough.

The achievements are interesting. A few I'd had an impulse to do on the play through, but didn't want to take the extra effort or time to do some of those things. But there weren't so many that it was a chore when I decided to do the achievements. And the stages made emotional sense. The Anger one was great. A few "memories" needed backtracking, but not ridiculous numbers.

I liked the Memory from getting all the momentos a lot.

Good lord, this game is gorgeous. If you like looking at beautiful and inventive landscapes and environments, if art design is something you care about, then you'll absolutely LOVE this video game. Gameplay is basically just alright, but it's such a strikingly gorgeous game.

It's been a while, but I finally came back and finished this game. It is very pretty, like a watercolor painting in motion.

These days I tend to prefer games that do not require lots of repetition and high challenge, nor a long time to finish. Gris worked in both those categories -- it seems pretty good at pointing you in the right direction, and I only rarely made some useless loops until I found the right way to go.

I think a review said it feels like a game made by someone in mourning, and I can see that. It is bittersweet, but peaceful.

ah puzzle yes my head hurts now


all jokes aside, the visuals and music of this game is amazing. the only difficulty i had when playing was near the last part. overall, would recommend 8/10

Beautiful, emotional ride—pure art in motion. Hand-painted watercolor visuals make every frame stunning. Short, simple, unforgettable.

---{ Graphics }---
☑ You forget what reality is
☐ Beautiful
☐ Good
☐ Decent
☐ Bad
☐ Don‘t look too long at it
☐ MS-DOS

---{ Gameplay }---
☐ Very good
☐ Good
☑ It's just gameplay
☐ Mehh
☐ Watch paint dry instead
☐ Just don't

---{ Audio }---
☑ Eargasm
☐ Very good
☐ Good
☐ Not too bad
☐ Bad
☐ I'm now deaf

---{ Audience }---
☑ Kids
☑ Teens
☑ Adults
☑ Grandma

---{ PC Requirements }---
☐ Check if you can run paint
☑ Potato
☐ Decent
☐ Fast
☐ Rich boi
☐ Ask NASA if they have a spare computer

---{ Game Size }---
☑ Floppy Disk
☐ Old Fashioned
☐ Workable
☐ Big
☐ Will eat 15% of your 1TB hard drive
☐ You will want an entire hard drive to hold it
☐ You will need to invest in a black hole to hold all the data

---{ Difficulty }---
☐ Just press 'W'
☑ Easy
☐ Easy to learn / Hard to master
☐ Significant brain usage
☐ Difficult
☐ Dark Souls

---{ Grind }---
☑ Nothing to grind
☐ Only if u care about leaderboards/ranks
☐ Isn't necessary to progress
☐ Average grind level
☐ Too much grind
☐ You'll need a second life for grinding

---{ Story }---
☐ No Story
☐ Some lore
☐ Average
☐ Good
☑ Lovely
☐ It'll replace your life

---{ Game Time }---
☐ Long enough for a cup of coffee
☑ Short
☐ Average
☐ Long
☐ To infinity and beyond

---{ Price }---
☐ It's free!
☐ Worth the price
☑ If it's on sale
☐ If u have some spare money left
☐ Not recommended
☐ You could also just burn your money

---{ Bugs }---
☑ Never heard of
☐ Minor bugs
☐ Can get annoying
☐ ARK: Survival Evolved
☐ The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs

---{ ? / 10 }---
☐ 1
☐ 2
☐ 3
☐ 4
☐ 5
☐ 6
☐ 7
☐ 8
☑ 9
☐ 10

Just Beautiful. The art direction, the story, the music. It was all perfect. 10/10

Whenever I feel lost, or alone, or scared even, I find myself returning to this game because it feels as if the words to describe what I am feeling are perfectly portrayed in the character in the game. I know people post reviews to compliment the art or music, or critic and point out bugs or controls, but I wanted to say thank you for creating a game where it feels like my feelings were heard. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you <3

Gris is a visually stunning and emotionally powerful game. Its world feels like a painting come to life with beautiful hand drawn art and colors shift as you progress through the journey.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3452002166

The gameplay is simple yet immersive, focusing on platforming, exploration and light puzzles There are no enemies or failure screens making it a relaxing experience combined with a breathtaking soundtrack the game creates a deeply emotional atmosphere.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3452001937

[*]With its unique art, engaging puzzles and emotional depth Gris offers a memorable adventure.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3452002041

Masterpiece

10/10
Beautiful game. From the art style and the soundtrack, to the puzzles and the story. It's absolutely beautiful. A short and sweet adventure which can easily be completed on a Friday afternoon in one sitting. No reason to skip this one!

Gris follows the journey of a young woman who is dealing with deep emotional pain and grief. I think this is more than just a game, but an experience—a masterpiece that, through its stunning artistic visuals and superb music, metaphorically portrays the stages of grief and the struggle to overcome it, taking you on an emotional journey of healing and self-discovery.

The gameplay revolves around exploration, light puzzles, and platforming, all wrapped in a soothing and deeply introspective atmosphere. It’s a game that invites you to feel—to immerse yourself in its world and reflect. Both the soundtrack and art direction work in perfect harmony, elevating the experience beyond mere storytelling into something truly transcendent.

One of the most beautiful games I have ever played. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Yes this game is beutiful, yes the music was amazing, but other than that it was just plain boring the platforming is slow and poses no challenge. The puzzles just feel like chores and finding the momentos made me check every corner of every place i visited because i didnt know that you could go back later and collect any you missed and i like 100% games.
And the story, I barely knew what was going on until halfway through when i got an achievment and realized. But if that didnt happend i would have had no clue since everything is so abstract, and i felt no personal connection to the main character at all, i dont know who she is, what her goals is, why we are where we are. Im guessing she is supposed to be like a blank slate for the playert to project themselves onto, but i never really felt that way while playing.

Over all i would not recommend, but ive seen worse 4/10

It's no wonder a lot of people like this game: GRIS is pretty and its style is unique (even though pairing a detailed head with with minimalistic black stick legs and arms is a questionable desicion).

But there is basically nothing to do. You just walk and sometimes solve puzzles. You press left, right, space, and occasionally you even get to press other keys. Walking is boring, puzzles managed to be frustrating (partially because I fell down a lot, sometimes because I didn't jump far enough, sometimes because for some reason this particular stone couldn't be jumped on, sometimes for some other unintuitive reason). Ultimately, I didn't have fun.

I really didn't like Journey either and found it frustrating for all the same reasons. It's okay for games to be different, not everyting needs to be an action adventure that I prefer. I guess this genre just isn't for me and I should avoid it in the future.

Beautiful watercolors art, superb music. I'm happy this game serves as a platform for these outstanding creators, but otherwise, it's an experience you might as well watch on YouTube. I bet GRIS is great on recreational substances, but there are free alternatives that fulfill the same overall aesthetic effect, like Mandagon. I regret to admit I found GRIS overrated. At least I tried.

First playthrough review time.

GRIS is a beautiful platformer game that offers a unique experience. You play as Gris, a character exploring a world .

The gameplay focuses on exploring, not fighting enemies, allowing players to fully experience the world and story. The hand-drawn art and music create a strong atmosphere, telling the story without using any words. Plus, this game can run very easily on low-end PCs, making it accessible to a wide range of players.

In conclusion, its a game with its stunning visuals, deep themes, excellent level design, and the game offers a different take on platformers.

Beautiful, sad, almost therapeutic. I think this is a game for grieving people. Find a few hours and play through it without rushing, just let the beautiful and melancholic art style take you for a ride, the ending is heartwarming and uplifting.

I hope everyone can find their solace.

I really loved this game!! I have no words to describe how much I enjoyed playing GRIS. The scenery is beautiful, filled with a lot of details, the soundtrack is peaceful, and the gameplay is excellent since you have to figure out everything by yourself. It's exactly the kind of game I love!! Totally worth it!!

Excellent game, the journey of a young girl Gris, journey to overcome sadness, a must play who appreciate great artstyle and music

It's a little masterpiece. One of the most beautiful and emotional games I've played. Mechanics is very pleasant, while puzzles are not too hard but interesting.

A dreamy, watercolored vision of the five stages of grief. An absolutely beautiful platforming experience with an incredible soundtrack that, in my opinion, sadly lacks a bit in diversity and direction but makes up for it with little puzzles and collectibles.

Stunning watercolor visuals and hauntingly beautiful soundtrack pull you into a world of loss, hope, and transformation. The platforming is simple, almost meditative, but that’s the point—this isn’t about challenge; it’s about feeling. Every new ability, every shift in color, every moment of quiet beauty adds to the emotional weight of the journey.
Sure, it’s short, but it lingers with you long after the credits roll. If you’re looking for fast-paced action, this isn’t it. But if you want something deeply moving and visually mesmerizing, GRIS is absolutely unforgettable.

Incredibly beautiful game!
great level design, not too easy, not too hard and beautiful design with the colours. Absolutly loved it.
10/10 recommend!

Gris is an emotionally captivating journey that I wholeheartedly recommend playing twice to fully appreciate its depth. For the first playthrough, simply immerse yourself in the game—let the narrative, visuals, and music carry you through to the end. Afterward, take some time to delve into the story’s nuances and themes; perhaps research its symbolism and artistic intent. Then, on your second playthrough, revisit the game with a fresh perspective, paying close attention to the subtle hints and signals that might have slipped by the first time.

Overall, Gris is a beautifully crafted experience. Its stunning artwork and masterful use of color breathe life into every frame, making it not just a game but a visual masterpiece. It's a fine piece of art that lingers with you long after the credits roll.

The game, without words, with the help of music, images and interaction, tells the story of a young girl named Gris, who is struggling with a painful life experience. What serves as the plot of the “story” is also the central theme of the entire game as an experience. Without giving too much away, I will say this: the game manages to find a way to audiovisually and mechanically depict the mental state of a person in such a situation and all the moods, situations and steps that go with it. Given the given theme, it will appeal to anyone who has ever struggled with any major suffering. Most likely, those who have been forced to confront some serious illness.

GRIS is a bit of a medicine... a reminder that each of us carries deep within us a source of great strength, thanks to which we have the potential to rise from the dust again and again. 15%

wow
i was playing this game to relax and enjoy visuals+music and only when the final cinematic began it stuck me. Didn't realise there is such a deep story in this game until it hit me...hard.
Great game, 100% recommend

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.