Info about Gorogoa:

Official game description:
Winner of Debut Game at the 2018 BAFTA Games Awards, as well as Best Mobile Game and the Innovation Award at the GDC 2018 Choice Awards, **_Gorogoa_** is an elegant evolution of the puzzle genre, told through a beautifully hand-drawn story designed and illustrated by Jason Roberts.  
**UNIQUELY IMAGINATIVE PUZZLES**  
The gameplay of _Gorogoa_ is wholly original, comprised of lavishly illustrated panels that players arrange and combine in imaginative ways to solve puzzles. Impeccably simple, yet satisfyingly complex.  
**GORGEOUSLY HAND-DRAWN GAMEPLAY**  
Jason Roberts created thousands of meticulously detailed hand-drawn illustrations, encompassing the impressive scope of _Gorogoa's_ personal narrative.  
**A NEW KIND OF STORYTELLING**  
_Gorogoa_ isn't just a game - it's a work of art, expressing itself through soulful, charming illustrations and distinguished puzzle mechanics.

Release date: Dec 14, 2017

Categories: Puzzle Solving, Perspective-based Puzzles, Illusion-based Gameplay, Hand-drawn Animation, Atmospheric Horror (Light), Story-driven Gameplay, Non-linear Narrative, Interactive Storybook Style

Feature scans:
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: Needs Improvement in Guidance; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals several key themes. A significant number of users expressed frustration with the need to rely on walkthroughs to progress in the game, indicating a high barrier in understanding game mechanics or solving puzzles. Many users also mentioned the trial-and-error approach to solving puzzles, which, while frustrating, could ultimately be rewarding. Additionally, there was a mix of frustration and satisfaction, with users feeling a sense of accomplishment when solving puzzles without walkthroughs but also experiencing frustration and a sense of missing out on the joy of discovery if they had to use external help.
- Proton/Linux: score 10; verdict: Works Well; summary: The game has excellent compatibility with Linux using standard Proton, with no notable issues reported. The mention of Steam Deck playability does not indicate any specific Linux compatibility problems.
- Steam Deck: score 20; verdict: Good with Minor Issues; summary: The game generally performs well on the Steam Deck, with positive feedback on compatibility and controller support. However, there are some reports of difficulty in playing the game, suggesting potential issues with the user interface or controls.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: The game performs well on hardware with less than 8GB VRAM.
  - Sample size: 26 (1% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (positive, 16 reports): The game runs well on systems with 8GB VRAM and 32GB RAM.
  - Caveats: 26 of 2382 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $3.75 - $7.50
  - Reasoning: The evidence consistently points to a community sentiment that the game is worth purchasing, but primarily when it is on sale. Many users mention that the full price of around $15 is too high given the short gameplay duration, which typically ranges from 1 to 3 hours. The general consensus is that a discounted price, often around 75% off, makes the purchase worthwhile. This suggests that the community considers a fair price range to be significantly lower than the current base price of $14.99.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 1.5h
  - Story completion: 1.5h
  - Session length: 1.5h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provided includes multiple direct references to the playtime required to complete the game Gorogoa. Several reviews mention specific times, such as 90 minutes, 70 minutes, and two hours, which indicate the typical duration for completing the game. Additionally, references to replaying the game and achieving speedrun goals under 30 minutes suggest that the game can be completed in a relatively short amount of time, reinforcing the idea of a concise playthrough duration.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game starts off confusing and tedious but becomes satisfying and engaging once the puzzle mechanics 'click' and players see the progression in difficulty.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Understanding the puzzle mechanics
  - Time to anchor: 0h 30m
  - Friction: Confusing mechanics; Trial and error process; Repetitive nature
  - Unlock drivers: Understanding puzzle mechanics; Seeing progression in difficulty
  - Conditions: Patience to experiment; Willingness to engage with abstract puzzles
- Player Archetypes:
  - Artistic Puzzle Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoyment of the game's artistic and narrative elements.
    - Playstyle: Thoughtful and immersive, focusing on the unique puzzle mechanics and the abstract narrative.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: puzzle lover; art enthusiast
    - Reference games: Monument Valley; Rime
  - Value-Conscious Gamer (sale)
    - Motivation: Getting the best value for their money.
    - Playstyle: Casual, focusing on completing the game and achieving 100% completion.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: budget gamer; sale hunter
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Completionist Achievement Hunter (sale)
    - Motivation: Unlocking all achievements and completing the game fully.
    - Playstyle: Strategic and repetitive, focusing on achieving all in-game goals and unlocking every achievement.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: achievement hunter; completionist
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Challenging and creative puzzles (weight 0.97): The game features a wide variety of puzzles that are both challenging and creative. Players appreciate the unique and innovative design of the puzzles, which are described as clever, well-made, and engaging. The puzzles are designed to be challenging yet intuitive, providing a satisfying experience for puzzle lovers.
- Beautiful and unique art style (weight 0.85): The game is praised for its beautiful and unique hand-drawn art style. Players highlight the artistic beauty, intricate artwork, and the use of color. The art style is described as visually stunning, creative, and memorable, contributing significantly to the overall aesthetic appeal of the game.
- Engaging and innovative gameplay (weight 0.48): The gameplay is noted for being fun, imaginative, and engaging. Players enjoy the exploratory and brain-challenging aspects of the game. The unique and innovative gameplay mechanics, including puzzle-solving and narrative integration, are highlighted as key features that make the game enjoyable and replayable.
- Immersive and atmospheric experience (weight 0.36): The game offers an immersive experience with a beautifully crafted atmosphere. Players enjoy the relaxing and engaging ambiance, enhanced by the soundtrack and visuals. The emotional impact and deep storytelling contribute to a contemplative and immersive experience.
- Original and creative design (weight 0.33): The game is commended for its originality and creativity. Players appreciate the unique concept, clever design, and the high level of imagination put into the game. The combination of artistic design and innovative gameplay mechanics makes the game stand out.

Common complaints:
- Puzzles lack logic and design (weight 0.45): Many players find the puzzles either too simple or too difficult, often relying on trial and error rather than logical patterns. This makes the puzzle-solving experience unsatisfying and frustrating.
- Story is confusing and obscure (weight 0.32): The narrative is frequently criticized for being unclear and difficult to understand. Players often find the story vague, abstract, and lacking a concrete narrative.
- Game is too short (weight 0.31): The game's length is a common complaint among players, with many stating that it can be completed in less than two hours. This short duration is often seen as not justifying the game's price.
- Price is too high (weight 0.16): Many players feel that the original price of the game is too high, especially considering the short gameplay duration. The value for money is a significant concern.
- Achievements are pointless (weight 0.1): Players find the achievements in the game to be pointless and requiring multiple playthroughs, which can be tedious and not adding value to the gaming experience.
- Frustration and boredom (weight 0.06): The game often leads to frustration and boredom due to its trial-and-error mechanics and lack of clear guidance, making it less enjoyable for many players.
- Religious metaphors are unclear (weight 0.04): The use of religious metaphors in the game is not well understood by many players, leading to confusion and a lack of appeal.

Gameplay feedback:
- Visual and interactive storytelling (weight 0.59): The game employs visual storytelling through artwork and interactive illustrations, without relying on spoken or written words. The narrative is deep and emotionally resonant, often abstract and open to interpretation.
- Dynamic puzzle-solving mechanics (weight 0.56): The game features a variety of puzzle mechanics involving dragging, zooming, stacking, and rearranging image panels on a grid. Players interact with still images in a 2x2 grid, manipulating and combining illustrated panels to solve puzzles.
- Non-linear narrative structure (weight 0.3): The storyline is presented in a fragmented, non-linear fashion, allowing for multi-perspective and abstract storytelling. The narrative progresses through puzzle-solving and is open to interpretation.
- Game duration and difficulty (weight 0.1): The game has a normal playthrough duration of about seventy minutes, with a full achievement duration of about one hundred twenty minutes. The puzzles have a balanced and progressive difficulty, becoming more complex as the game advances.
- Artistic and hand-drawn design (weight 0.09): The game features a hand-drawn art style with artistic and visually appealing designs. The artwork contributes to the emotional impact and overall aesthetic of the game.
- Similar to Monument Valley (weight 0.08): The puzzle-solving mechanics are similar to those in Monument Valley but offer more challenging puzzles. The game is often compared to a 2D version of Monument Valley.

Performance notes:
- Steam Deck Compatibility (weight 0.05): The game is verified to function perfectly on the Steam Deck, indicating good compatibility and performance.
- Low-Resolution Graphics (weight 0.03): Some players have noted that certain drawings and animations appear low-resolution, particularly on larger screens.

Recommendations:
- Buy on sale for best value (weight 0.27): Many reviewers suggest purchasing the game when it is on discount to get the best value for money.
- Recommended for puzzle lovers (weight 0.26): The game is highly recommended for fans of puzzle games, particularly those who enjoy challenging and beautiful puzzles.
- Highly recommended overall (weight 0.23): Several reviewers strongly recommend the game for its unique style, imaginative gameplay, and overall quality.
- Avoid using guides (weight 0.08): Some reviewers suggest playing the game without guides for a better experience and extra challenge.
- Watch gameplay before buying (weight 0.03): It is recommended to watch some gameplay clips before purchasing to ensure it meets your expectations.
- Desire for more similar games (weight 0.03): Some players expressed a desire for sequels or similar games, indicating a high level of enjoyment.

Other player notes:
- Quick completion time (weight 0.03): Players can complete all achievements in approximately 2.5 hours, indicating a short gameplay experience.
- Small game size (weight 0.03): The game has a compact download size of only 630 MB, which is appreciated by players with limited storage.
- Received as a gift (weight 0.03): Several players mentioned receiving the game as a gift, which may influence their perception and reviews.

Emotions:
- Enjoyment (weight 0.14): Players derive enjoyment from the game's creative and unique puzzle mechanics, which are both challenging and engaging. The beautiful and charming art style, along with a pleasant soundtrack, enhances the overall experience, making the gameplay visually and auditorily appealing.
- Admiration (weight 0.12): Players admire the game's unique and exquisite hand-drawn illustrations, which contribute to its artistic quality. The game's creativity, originality, and the developer's craftsmanship in storytelling and gameplay are highly praised.
- Joy (weight 0.11): The game brings joy through its fun and innovative puzzle mechanics, which are both enjoyable and satisfying to solve. The beautiful visuals, great soundtrack, and overall engaging experience contribute to a sense of happiness and enjoyment.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.09): Players feel satisfied with the game's unique and challenging puzzles, which are balanced in difficulty and offer a rewarding experience. The short but complete playtime, along with the engaging plot and replayability, adds to the sense of accomplishment.
- Awe (weight 0.08): The game's deep and meaningful narrative, combined with its artistic and philosophical depth, leaves players in awe. The beautiful and intricate visuals, along with the profound emotional impact, contribute to a sense of wonder and admiration.
- Frustration (weight 0.06): Some players experience frustration due to the game's illogical puzzles and lack of guidance, leading to a trial-and-error process. The challenging gameplay and tedious aspects, such as hidden puzzle pieces and difficult achievements, add to the frustration.
- Disappointment (weight 0.05): Disappointment stems from the game's short length and high price, making it feel not worth the cost. Some players also find the puzzles cryptic and not well-designed, leading to a less enjoyable experience.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.05): The game evokes nostalgia through its art style reminiscent of childhood books and memories. Players recall personal connections and past experiences, such as playing similar games or using a kaleidoscope, enhancing the nostalgic feeling.
- Excitement (weight 0.04): Players are excited by the game's unique and well-made puzzle mechanics, which are both impressive and addictive. The detailed imagery, animations, and stimulating gameplay contribute to a sense of excitement and engagement.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Players appreciate the game's beauty, depth, and the high-level harmony in its elements. The hand-drawn art style, emotional impact, and innovative gameplay are highly valued, contributing to a sense of appreciation.
- Curiosity (weight 0.02): The game's philosophical themes and narrative spark curiosity, prompting players to desire multiple playthroughs for a deeper understanding. The clever scene design and well-crafted puzzles also piques interest and curiosity.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Some players feel confused due to the game's unclear story and complex narrative. The lack of a unifying story and difficult-to-understand content contribute to this confusion.
- Fascination (weight 0.02): Players are fascinated by the game's unique puzzle mechanics and spiritual journey. The emotional journey, unique level design, and creative puzzle mechanics contribute to a sense of fascination.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): The game's innovative gameplay mechanics and unique storyline presentation come as a pleasant surprise to players. The unique puzzle-solving aspects and initial gameplay experience add to this sense of surprise.
- Reflection (weight 0.01): The game's impactful storytelling and symbolic meanings prompt players to reflect on their own life and experiences. The philosophical and reflective story, along with the emotional journey, encourages introspection.
- Amazement (weight 0.01): Players are amazed by the game's fantastic art and fascinating concept. The unique mechanics, atmospheric presentation, and the game's flow and transitions contribute to a sense of amazement.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Players are enthusiastic about the game's puzzle mechanics and addictive gameplay. The unique art style and the recommendation for puzzle game lovers add to this enthusiasm.
- Relaxation (weight 0.01): The game provides a meditative and relaxing experience, with its calming music and pace. Players find the gameplay relaxing and enjoyable, contributing to a sense of tranquility.
- Inspiration (weight 0.01): The game's philosophical themes and narrative inspire players, prompting them to reflect on deeper meanings. The idealism behind the game and the story of a boy's journey contribute to this sense of inspiration.
- Interest (weight 0.01): Players are interested in the game's engaging puzzles and the dual-line narrative. The philosophical meaning and the game's unique aspects piques their interest and curiosity.}