Gris
{{short description|2018 adventure-platform game}}
{{About||the painter|Juan Gris|other uses|Gris (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Gris
| image = GrisCoverImage.jpg
| caption = Cover art, showing the game's protagonist
| developer = Nomada Studio
| publisher = Devolver Digital
| engine = Unity
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|macOS|Nintendo Switch|Windows|iOS|PlayStation 4|Android|PlayStation 5|Xbox One|Xbox Series X/S}}
| released = {{Unbulleted list|macOS, Nintendo Switch, Windows|13 December 2018|iOS|21 August 2019{{cite web |url=https://toucharcade.com/2019/08/21/gris-available-now-price-app-store-nomada-studio-devolver/ |title='GRIS' from Nomada Studio and Devolver Digital Has Just Launched on the App Store |first=Mikhail |last=Mandani |date=21 August 2019 |website=TouchArcade |access-date=21 August 2019 |archive-date=2 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202113955/https://toucharcade.com/2019/08/21/gris-available-now-price-app-store-nomada-studio-devolver/ |url-status=live }}|PlayStation 4|26 November 2019{{cite web | url = https://gematsu.com/2019/11/gris-coming-to-ps4-on-november-26 | title = GRIS coming to PS4 on November 26 | last = Romano | first = Sal | date = 22 November 2019 | website = Gematsu | access-date = 25 November 2019 | archive-date = 23 November 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191123081514/https://gematsu.com/2019/11/gris-coming-to-ps4-on-november-26 | url-status = live }}|Android|1 April 2020|PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S|13 December 2022}}
| genre = Platform-adventure
| modes = Single-player
| director = Conrad Roset
| producer = Roger Mendoza
| designer = {{Unbulleted list|Óscar Crego|Daniel Cuadrado González}}
| programmer = Adrián Cuevas
| artist = Conrad Roset
| composer = Berlinist
}}
Gris ({{IPA|es|ˈɡɾis}}, "grease"){{Cite tweet |author=Nomada Studio |user=nomadastudiobcn |number=1068999041567113217 |title=For the people that wonder, GRIS is pronounced "grease" and means GREY in Spanish, French and Catalan. |date=1 December 2018 |access-date=8 January 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210161457/https://twitter.com/nomadastudiobcn/status/1068999041567113217 |archive-date=10 February 2020}} is a platform-adventure game by Spanish developer Nomada Studio and published by Devolver Digital. The game was released for macOS, Nintendo Switch, and Windows in December 2018, for iOS in August 2019, for PlayStation 4 in November 2019, for Android in April 2020, for Amazon Luna in November 2021, and for PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S in December 2022. The game has sold over 3 million copies.
Synopsis
The game follows a girl named Gris,{{cite web |url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/news/715353/What+does+GRIS+mean+We+talk+to+Nomada+Studio/ |title=What does GRIS mean? We talk to Nomada Studio |first=David |last=Caballero |date=4 December 2018 |website=Gamereactor |access-date=27 December 2018 |archive-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403174556/https://www.gamereactor.eu/news/715353/What+does+GRIS+mean+We+talk+to+Nomada+Studio/ |url-status=live }} who wakes up in the palm of a crumbling statue of a woman. She attempts to sing out, but quickly becomes choked up, and the statue's hands crumble, dropping her to the colourless earth below. After landing, she continues walking forward and discovers a number of strange structures that seem to be powered by mysterious points of light resembling stars. Gris can collect these lights to gain new abilities, such as turning into a heavy block of stone and creating new pathways made of constellations.
After reaching a central tower, Gris can travel to four new locations to collect lights and restore colour back to her world at statues resembling the broken one from the beginning of the story. These areas include a desert filled with windmills, a lush forest, underwater caverns, and a world with buildings made of light. Along the way she encounters various living beings, some of which help her on her journey, as well as an inky black monster which manifests as large creatures that threaten to consume her. The final power Gris obtains is the ability to sing again, which brings life to various plants and mechanical animals. In addition, hints throughout the story via other statues similar to the first reveal that the woman that Gris constantly grieves in front of is her late mother.
Gris eventually collects enough stars to form a constellation path to the heavens, but the final pathway is blocked by the creature, who morphs into a monstrous form of herself and swallows her whole. She wakes up in an ocean of toxic black sludge and swims to the surface. As she climbs a tower rising out of the ocean, the creature tries to pull her back. However, Gris begins singing, and her mother's statue begins to reform itself through the power of her voice. Just as she is completely consumed by the black oil, the statue of Gris's mother comes alive and begins singing as well, banishing the creature and the sea of despair. Encouraged by her mother's song, Gris continues to sing and the duet fully restores the world back to its beauty and colour. Gris and her mother tearfully embrace, with Gris giving a farewell kiss and she climbs the final constellation path into the light and the unknown, having accepted her mother's death and moving forward with the knowledge of her mother's love still being with her.
If all mementos are collected, Gris's childhood is revealed in a secret room. It is nighttime. A child Gris is in the meadows with her mother. Gris's mother encloses a firefly between her hands, then releases it to fly around child Gris. Then under the bright full moon child Gris and her mother embrace.
Development
File:Adrián Cuevas, Game Developers Choice Awards 2019 (cropped).jpg
Gris was developed by Nomada Studio, a Barcelona-based company which was formed after a chance meeting between two Ubisoft employees, Roger Mendoza and Adrián Cuevas, and artist Conrad Roset. The two met Roset while attending a going away party held for Cuevas who was temporarily moving to Ubisoft Montreal to work on Rainbow Six Siege. Roset noted to Mendoza and Cuevas that he was interested in working on video games, at the time the two were interested in creating an independent game but lacked the artistic skills, so the three decided to form Nomada Studio.{{cite web |last1=Handrahan |first1=Matthew |title=Balancing beauty and meaning in Gris |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-01-15-the-beauty-and-meaning-of-gris |website=Ganesindustry.biz |date=15 January 2019 |access-date=13 December 2020 |archive-date=14 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814232317/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-01-15-the-beauty-and-meaning-of-gris |url-status=live }}
Intending the game to be "a mix of Journey and Ori and the Blind Forest", the game was designed with accessibility in mind. As such there are no fail states, a decision that proved to be challenging.{{cite web |last1=Pickard |first1=James |title=Here's why Gris is the best-looking narrative adventure game of 2018 |url=https://www.redbull.com/ng-en/gris-preview-interview |website=Red Bull |access-date=13 December 2020}} Mendoza has described their approach as "If there's a puzzle you can probably finish it at the second or third try. When the puzzle is more complicated, we give the player options." Partway through development the team consulted with a psychologist about the game's narrative themes of grief (especially the five stages of grief) and depression, resulting in gameplay decisions to echo the turmoil of the main character. An example of this is how at the beginning of the game the player is unable to jump which helps reinforce the notion that "something is wrong with this girl".{{cite web |last1=Sanchez |first1=Antonio |title=Recovering Hearts: The Games Challenging Mental Health Stigmas |url=https://egmnow.com/recovering-hearts-the-games-challenging-mental-health-stigmas/ |website=EGMNOW |date=5 August 2019 |access-date=13 December 2020}}
The art style created some unique problems for the developers. Since the game becomes more lively as players progress designing the early areas in an appealing way proved challenging. The team eventually solved this problem by taking inspiration from Iwagumi style aquariums.{{cite web |last1=Webster |first1=Andrew |title=THE ART BEHIND THE GORGEOUS INDIE GAME GRIS |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/20/18148805/gris-nintendo-switch-steam-art-animation |website=The Verge |date=20 December 2018 |access-date=13 December 2020 |archive-date=15 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415071151/https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/20/18148805/gris-nintendo-switch-steam-art-animation |url-status=live }} Another challenging issue was readability, which resulted in several level design and camera angle tweaks during development. Initially the main character's dress was going to change as more colors became unlocked, however this eventually proved impractical due partly to the camera angles. The game's title refers to the name of the protagonist, as well as the Spanish word for the colour grey.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = PC: 84/100{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/gris/critic-reviews/?platform=pc | title = GRIS for PC Reviews | website = Metacritic | publisher = CBS Interactive | access-date = 13 December 2018 | archive-date = 19 December 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181219040023/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/gris | url-status = live }}
NS: 83/100{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/gris/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch | title = GRIS for Switch Reviews | website = Metacritic | publisher = CBS Interactive | access-date = 13 December 2018 | archive-date = 19 December 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181219032918/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/gris | url-status = live }}
PS4: 82/100{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/gris/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 | title = GRIS for PlayStation 4 Reviews | website = Metacritic | publisher = CBS Interactive | access-date = 11 March 2020 | archive-date = 16 February 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220216043623/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/gris | url-status = live }}
| Destruct = 10/10{{cite web | url = https://www.destructoid.com/review-gris-534591.phtml | title = Review: GRIS | last = Moyse | first = Chris | date = 13 December 2018 | website = Destructoid | publisher = Enthusiast Gaming | access-date = 13 December 2018 | archive-date = 3 April 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190403143023/https://www.destructoid.com/review-gris-534591.phtml | url-status = live }}
| EGM = 8/10{{cite magazine | url = http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/gris-review/ | title = Gris review | last = Harmon | first = Josh | date = 13 December 2018 | magazine = EGMNow | publisher = EGM Media, LLC | access-date = 13 December 2018 | archive-date = 14 December 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181214122825/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/gris-review/ | url-status = live }}
| EuroG = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-12-13-gris-review-an-evocative-ethereal-experience-you-dont-want-to-miss | title = Gris review - an evocative, ethereal experience you don't want to miss | last = Blake | first = Vikki | date = 13 December 2018 | website = Eurogamer | publisher = Gamer Network | access-date = 13 December 2018 | archive-date = 13 December 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181213172949/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-12-13-gris-review-an-evocative-ethereal-experience-you-dont-want-to-miss | url-status = live }}
| GI = 8.25/10{{cite magazine | url = https://www.gameinformer.com/review/gris/not-all-who-wander-are-lost | title = Gris Review - Not All Who Wander Are Lost | last = Kato | first = Matthew | date = 13 December 2018 | magazine = Game Informer | publisher = GameStop | access-date = 13 December 2018 | archive-date = 19 December 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181219022408/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/gris/not-all-who-wander-are-lost | url-status = live }}
| GSpot = 9/10{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/gris-review-seeing-in-color/1900-6417057/ | title = Gris Review - Seeing In Color | last = Mc Shea | first = Tom | date = 13 December 2018 | website = GameSpot | publisher = CBS Interactive | access-date = 13 December 2018 | archive-date = 15 December 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181215070126/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/gris-review-seeing-in-color/1900-6417057/ | url-status = live }}
| IGN = 6.5/10{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/12/13/gris-review | title = Gris Review | last = Crowd | first = Dan | date = 12 December 2018 | website = IGN | publisher = Ziff Davis | access-date = 13 December 2018 | archive-date = 16 December 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181216033029/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/12/13/gris-review | url-status = live }}
| NLife = 9/10{{cite web | url = http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/gris | title = GRIS Review (Switch eShop) | last = Scullion | first = Chris | date = 13 December 2018 | website = Nintendo Life | publisher = Gamer Network | access-date = 13 December 2018 | archive-date = 15 December 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181215110344/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/gris | url-status = live }}
| USG = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web | url = https://www.usgamer.net/articles/gris-review | title = Gris Review | last = Cryer | first = Hirun | date = 13 December 2018 | website = USGamer | publisher = Gamer Network | access-date = 13 December 2018 | archive-date = 16 December 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181216031040/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/gris-review | url-status = live }}
}}
Gris received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.
EGMNow wrote that "with an arresting art style and admirable commitment to minimalist game design, Gris manages to turn a straightforward, often derivative platformer into something that feels far more special and important."
GameSpot stated "Gris understands intrinsically how magical video games can be and continually pushes your imagination until you're almost bursting with joy. The ways in which it reinvents itself as you gain powers and dive ever deeper into this world is truly special, and just as it knows exactly when to pull back the camera or introduce a new song, it's keenly aware of when it's time to say goodbye. Like a comet streaking across the sky, Gris is full of wonder and beauty and leaves you with a warm glow in your heart."
Apple stated "This spectacularly satisfying puzzle-platformer is a soul-stirring work of digital art—one that explores hope, grief and the triumph of piecing a life back together after tragic loss" and awarded it Mac Game of the Year in 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/12/apple-celebrates-the-best-apps-and-games-of-2019/|title=Apple celebrates the best apps and games of 2019|website=Apple Newsroom|language=en-US|access-date=15 March 2020|archive-date=13 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513071331/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/12/apple-celebrates-the-best-apps-and-games-of-2019/|url-status=live}}
=Sales=
Gris{{'}}s sales exceeded 300,000 units by March 2019,{{cite news | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401050645/https://elpais.com/cultura/2019/03/14/1up/1552568866_432289.html | url=https://elpais.com/cultura/2019/03/14/1up/1552568866_432289.html | title=Gris, el gran éxito del videojuego español, nominado a tres Bafta | author=Sucasas, Ángel Luis | date=14 March 2019 | work=El País | language=es | archive-date=1 April 2019 | url-status=live }} one million by April 2020,{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/beautiful-sadcore-platformer-gris-has-sold-over-a-million-copies/ | title = Beautiful sadcore platformer Gris has sold over a million copies | first= Jody | last =Macgregor | date = 19 April 2020 | access-date = 20 April 2020 | work = PC Gamer }} and three million by September 2024.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/two-weeks-before-the-release-of-neva-nomada-studio-celebrates-three-million-units-sold-of-gris-1437853/ |title=Two weeks before the release of Neva, Nomada Studio celebrates three million units sold of GRIS |last=Garrido |first=Alberto |work=Gamereactor |date=26 September 2024 |accessdate=2 October 2024 }}
=Accolades=
{{clear}}
Legacy
In 2021, GQ España named Gris one of the best Spanish-made games ever.{{cite web | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806043054/https://www.revistagq.com/noticias/articulo/mejores-videojuegos-espanoles-historia | url=https://www.revistagq.com/noticias/articulo/mejores-videojuegos-espanoles-historia | title=Los mejores videojuegos españoles de la historia | author=Abadíe, Borja | date=July 29, 2021 | work=GQ España | archivedate=August 6, 2021 | url-status=live}}
See also
- Neva, the studio's next game
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official Website}}
{{Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Character Animation in a Video Game}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Android (operating system) games
Category:Devolver Digital games
Category:Fiction about mother–daughter relationships
Category:The Game Awards winners
Category:Game Developers Choice Award winners
Category:Nintendo Switch games
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Video games about mental health
Category:Video games developed in Spain