The latest indie game to shake the gaming world is undoubtedly 'Horses', a narrative horror experience that has become an unlikely darling of the community. Despite being banned from Steam and Epic Game Store, it has taken on a life of its own, becoming a bestseller on GOG.com.
As I delved into the game, I found myself torn between laughter and bewilderment. The developers' attempts to inject humor throughout the experience were initially well-received, with moments like the obligatory 'if dog, must pet' scene making me chuckle out loud. However, as the days passed and the narrative's brutality escalated, those laughs began to feel forced.
The game's use of FMV action, lofi graphics, and animations that were once considered revolutionary now transformed those moments of horror into comedy. It was as if the developers had put a veil of irony around the more disturbing elements, creating an emotional distance between me and the game's intended message. When every new day brought with it a fresh wave of brutality, it felt like watching a tired joke wear thin.
The lack of player agency in 'Horses' is perhaps its most significant flaw. The game's design forces you to make choices that are predetermined by its code, leaving you feeling powerless and disconnected from the experience. A more engaging game would have given me the freedom to make my own decisions and live with the consequences, rather than being led down a predetermined path.
In the end, 'Horses' is a complex experience that left me questioning its true intentions. While it has undoubtedly generated a lot of attention and sparked conversations about art, censorship, and the nature of humor in gaming, I couldn't help but feel that it ultimately fell short of its potential. Still, if you're looking to appreciate games that do better what 'Horses' failed to do, then this might be worth a visit – just don't say I didn't warn you.
As with any game, there's no denying the impact of 'Horses' on the gaming community. Its ban from Steam has led to its ascension onto other platforms, where it will likely fade into obscurity once the attention dies down. While this might be a tragedy for those who want to see more games like it, I'm just glad that I got to experience it – and perhaps even laugh at some of its unintentionally hilarious moments.
If you're ready to wade into the weird world of 'Horses', then it's available now on GOG.com, Humble, and itch.io.
As I delved into the game, I found myself torn between laughter and bewilderment. The developers' attempts to inject humor throughout the experience were initially well-received, with moments like the obligatory 'if dog, must pet' scene making me chuckle out loud. However, as the days passed and the narrative's brutality escalated, those laughs began to feel forced.
The game's use of FMV action, lofi graphics, and animations that were once considered revolutionary now transformed those moments of horror into comedy. It was as if the developers had put a veil of irony around the more disturbing elements, creating an emotional distance between me and the game's intended message. When every new day brought with it a fresh wave of brutality, it felt like watching a tired joke wear thin.
The lack of player agency in 'Horses' is perhaps its most significant flaw. The game's design forces you to make choices that are predetermined by its code, leaving you feeling powerless and disconnected from the experience. A more engaging game would have given me the freedom to make my own decisions and live with the consequences, rather than being led down a predetermined path.
In the end, 'Horses' is a complex experience that left me questioning its true intentions. While it has undoubtedly generated a lot of attention and sparked conversations about art, censorship, and the nature of humor in gaming, I couldn't help but feel that it ultimately fell short of its potential. Still, if you're looking to appreciate games that do better what 'Horses' failed to do, then this might be worth a visit – just don't say I didn't warn you.
As with any game, there's no denying the impact of 'Horses' on the gaming community. Its ban from Steam has led to its ascension onto other platforms, where it will likely fade into obscurity once the attention dies down. While this might be a tragedy for those who want to see more games like it, I'm just glad that I got to experience it – and perhaps even laugh at some of its unintentionally hilarious moments.
If you're ready to wade into the weird world of 'Horses', then it's available now on GOG.com, Humble, and itch.io.
. On one hand, I love how it tackles dark themes and the way it uses humor to break the tension. Those early moments when you're laughing at the absurdity of it all are really special 
. But, as you said, it's like they're trying too hard to be irreverent and that's when the jokes start feeling forced 
.
. Still, it's an important conversation starter about what art should be and who decides what's acceptable 
. If you're curious about games like this one, GOG.com is a great place to start - just don't expect it to stay with you forever 
.
. Sometimes you gotta leave some things unsaid or implied, rather than hitting you over the head with 'look at me, I'm edgy!' 
.
- it kept me on my toes! The humor and horror combo was a bold move, but I'm not sure if it entirely paid off for me. Those lofi graphics and FMV action are still pretty trippy 
. Still, I appreciate its willingness to push boundaries and spark conversations about art and censorship 
. If you're a fan of weird games, 'Horses' might be right up your alley 
. But if you're looking for a more traditional gaming experience, maybe pass on this one 
. And yeah, lack of player agency is a major bummer – it's like you're just along for the ride 
.
. I mean, what's considered "good" or "bad" is always gonna be subjective, but I do hope that devs take away some valuable insights from this whole ordeal 
.
... it's not for everyone! 
It's like the devs took all the lo-fi elements they liked from old games and just went with it. But at the same time, I feel bad for anyone who played on Steam and got banned 
.
. Otherwise it's just a big ol' soap opera and I ain't having it 
.
...
and I'm still trying to process my emotions 
. The game's attempt at humor fell flat for me 
, but the horror elements were genuinely unsettling 
. Lack of player agency is a major letdown 
. It felt like I was just along for the ride 
. If you're into weird and awkward, 'Horses' might be your thing 
. I'm not sure if that was intentional or not, but either way, it's definitely a conversation starter 
.
. If you're curious about the whole 'Horses' phenomenon, I say go for it! Just be prepared for some wild emotional whiplash 
. The fact that it's become a bestseller on GOG.com despite being banned from other platforms is just wild 
.
– but at least it's trying to do something different, you know? And hey, if you're looking for a game that'll make you laugh and cringe at the same time, then 'Horses' is definitely worth checking out 
. Just don't say I didn't warn you 
.
at the end of the day, it's just another game that's trying to be "art" but ends up being kinda meh 
. On one hand, I think it's cool that the devs took a risk and created something so unique, even if it didn't quite work out as planned 
. But on the other hand, I'm like "yeah, no thanks, I don't wanna play a game where my choices are predetermined" 
. And I know some ppl love how it's all ironic and stuff, but for me, it just came across as kinda shallow 
But at the same time, I'm glad I played it just because of all the hype and stuff... it's like, I want to see what everyone's talking about, you know? 
. And what's up with all the drama? It's just a game