The Grandfather (PC) Preview

By Thom Compton 12.11.2015

Indiegogo campaign The Grandfather is definitely trying to get by on its unique method of delivery. As of right now, there is no simple way to describe the game, as it not only ignores and bends genres with rapid frequency; it also manages to set expectations that are unexpectedly high. For all it is, it isn't something that can be described by comparing it to any other game, as no other game contains everything The Grandfather inhabits.

On one hand, it is a narrative tale of a grandfather who has not been having the easiest of times. It would appear his wife detests him, and thus he is relegated to sleeping alone every night. However, as the intro narration dictates, tonight will be different. The story seems largely esoteric, deliberately handed out in vague and rather microbial segments. One section seems as disjointed to the previous segment as it is connected, and, honestly, it makes the allure a bit more abundant.

Once these short segments end, the player is tasked with moving down a long corridor in first person, getting closer to a light, as though being reborn. They follow this as a body part, slowly rebuilding the grandfather into what can only be assumed a shell of his former self. It's all very deep, watching a man be reborn. However, some of the collision detection on the various body parts is a bit off, meaning the part has to be viewed at exactly the right spot from exactly the right angle. It's a minor inconvenience, especially in a game not in its complete state.

Screenshot for The Grandfather on PC

What follows this rebirthing may very well be the part of The Grandfather that makes it a niche title, if nothing else did. The player is then tasked with completing puzzles that look like they were ripped from a depraved version of Machinarium. Various rooms are explored, as the grandfather's head is dragged around the room, and point-and-click puzzles so bizarre and abstract that old LucasArts gamers would be baffled must be solved. Once this is cycled through, the narrative begins again, and the process is repeated.

The story definitely has potential, and seeing how it comes to fruition during the final release of the game will definitely be interesting. The first person tunnel is such a blip that it hardly seems relevant to discuss in too much detail. The deciding factor for how successful this ends up being really comes down to the point-and-click segments. Some players may find a lot to enjoy in the brief and often absurd puzzles, while others may shun the weird and overly complex nature they bring. The only thing gamers can be assured of now is this: when The Grandfather launches, it will be as divisive as it is weird and surreal.

Screenshot for The Grandfather on PC

Final Thoughts

The Grandfather is definitely a game, there's no mistaking that. It is an experience driven forward by the direct influence of an entity outside of itself - in this case, the player. However, while playing it, it oddly draws similarities to another game, Hatred. The gameplay couldn't be more different between the two, but they both seem to be resting on the laurels of people's responses. While Hatred aimed to shock and disgust, The Grandfather aims to be weird and disjointed. Perhaps this is a sign of a new era of gaming that mimics the grindhouse and exploitation era of cinema, where budget was so low that the visuals had to be shocking enough to attract audiences. Regardless of its intentions, this is a game to keep an eye on, if not for any gamers interested in playing it only to discover what weird rabbit holes it chooses to explore next.