Everybody loves a good coming-of-age story. With a relatable, meaningful twist to it, No Longer Home is a short but sweet experience. Available on PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox X|S, this semi-autobiographical game is sure to hit home for many.
PLOT
In an artistic narrative, No Longer Home tells the stories of two queer, non-binary students, Ao and Bo, and their surrounding friends. Soon to be graduating from university, the uncertainties and insecurities of what is to come is weighing heavily on them both.
GAMEPLAY
No Longer Home serves as a simple point-and-click game. With a short playtime, and very little exploration within the flat, players shouldn’t expect much actual gameplay. A lot of what the game is intent on telling a story. Players are not only able to decide what to say in response to a conversation, but also which character is responding.
As the player walks around the set environment, you’re able to click on certain objects to learn more about the story. No skill is needed for this game, but you have to be invested in the story to continue to hold on. A lot of the time, the time spent within the flat is simple and known to many of us; having late-night game nights, enjoying time with friends, or even just conversing over homework.
PROS
No Longer Home touches on a series of topics that aren’t typically seen or handled as well in other games. Witnessing these two characters traverse the topic of gender identity is both emotional and relatable to many.
The “magical realist” art style and atmospheric soundtrack are a perfect accomplice to the storytelling. I think taking it any more advanced would be sacrificing the actual plot, as the sentiments are what the main focus is.
CONS
While I perceived the short playtime to be an intentional move on the creators’ part, it still feels a little short-lived. While I was finally becoming truly attached to the characters and their stories, the game ended. Due to the short playtime and slow build-up, I feel it was a detriment to the overall story. While I also understand this was a deeply personal project, this felt like more of an art project than a fully fledged out game.
VERDICT
No Longer Home is a beautiful, touching game. While so many things were done so right, others seemed to fall a little short. If you’re interested in slower-pace, cozy games, this would fit perfectly into your game library.
