Summary

Release Year: 2015
Genres: Indie, Point-and-click, Simulator
Platforms: Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
Developers: Sam Barlow
Publishers: Sam Barlow

Her Story: A Groundbreaking Interactive Movie

Released in 2015, Her Story is a groundbreaking interactive movie game from Sam Barlow, the creator of Silent Hill: Shattered Memories and Aisle. The game revolves around a police database full of live action video footage of a woman named Hannah Smith (played by Viva Seifert) being interviewed by the police about the disappearance of her husband.

Gameplay

Her Story is played by searching through the police database for video clips of Hannah’s interviews. The player can type in keywords to search for specific topics, or they can browse through the clips chronologically. The clips are short, typically only a few minutes long, and they are presented in a non-linear order.

The player’s goal is to piece together the story of Hannah’s husband’s disappearance by watching the clips and paying close attention to Hannah’s body language, facial expressions, and what she says and doesn’t say. The game offers no guidance, so the player is free to interpret the events of the story in their own way.

Story

The story of Her Story is told entirely through the video clips of Hannah’s interviews. The player learns about Hannah’s relationship with her husband, her struggles with mental illness, and her possible involvement in his disappearance.

The story is complex and ambiguous, and there is no one definitive answer to what happened to Hannah’s husband. The player is left to decide for themselves what they believe happened, based on the evidence they gather from the video clips.

Themes

Her Story explores a number of themes, including:

The unreliability of memory
The power of suggestion
The nature of truth and deception
The role of the player in shaping the story

Reception

Her Story was met with critical acclaim upon its release. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, its compelling story, and its strong performances. Her Story was nominated for numerous awards, including Game of the Year at the 2015 Golden Joystick Awards.

Legacy

Her Story has had a significant impact on the video game industry. The game’s innovative gameplay has inspired other developers to create similar games, such as Telling Lies and The Bunker. Her Story has also helped to raise awareness of the potential of interactive movies as a storytelling medium.

Conclusion

Her Story is a groundbreaking interactive movie game that offers a unique and unforgettable experience. The game’s complex story, ambiguous characters, and innovative gameplay make it a must-play for fans of crime fiction and interactive storytelling.

Additional Information

Her Story was developed by Sam Barlow’s studio, Fullbright.
The game was released on PC, Mac, iOS, and Android.
The game’s soundtrack was composed by Jessica Curry.
Her Story has been praised by critics for its innovative gameplay, its compelling story, and its strong performances.
The game has been nominated for numerous awards, including Game of the Year at the 2015 Golden Joystick Awards.

Review Score

9/10

Developer: Sam Barlow

Her Story (2015)