In a Reactive Sandbox, It’s Fun being a Horrible Goose

Untitled Goose Game Review

Untitled Goose Game Review

Untitled Goose Game focuses on how mischievous you can be as a menacing, horrible goose, and is just the right amount of wacky fun you’d think it would be. It’s exceptionally well designed and a blast in local co-op. NameBrand

I had seen the craze take the world by storm when Untitled Goose Game released, but I never jumped on that bandwagon until it finally came on sale, and then some… All the same, all these years later, I’m happy to report that this game is, indeed, great fun.

I played through the entire game with my wife over the course of two different play sessions, lasting about an hour and a half each, and we had a blast. You wouldn’t think being a dreaded goose would be this much fun, but it is! I think that’s a testament to the reactive design of the tiny town, that’s so perfectly crafted to react to just about anything you could think to do. Some townsfolk won’t entirely mind you, giving just a glance at your ‘honk’. Others will be much more animated and chase you away, or even run from you. This boils it down perhaps a little too simply, but without these thoughtful reactions programmed into each person, the game would absolutely not have been as successful. It makes the game feel alive, and helps me think in terms of: “I wonder what would happen if…” which leads to experimentation and then, usually, joyful discoveries.

I enjoyed crossing off to-do list items and think that they were quite cleverly crafted. Not all were created equal and some stumped me for a bit, but it was never too outlandish, and solving them always felt rewarding. The progression is smooth and assists with this; List items start off being simple, and gradually the tasks get more and more complex. After you’ve experienced how to solve a few “puzzles of mischief” your brain starts to think within the restrictions of the game world, and from that point especially they get a bit easier to solve. Even still, admittedly, some of the puzzles are challenging and require a good amount of tinkering to get right! Which I enjoyed. I thought the difficulty was tuned just right.

Playing entirely in co-op, I thought it was a really rich experience, but could definitely feel some tasks were easier with two horrible geese. If you play in single player, I could see some of these taking much longer to complete.

While I haven’t jumped into the “MORE” to-do list items yet, I do feel the game is a bit short, even at the price I found it for on sale. My general rule of thumb is to play games that cost me about $1 per hour of gameplay, which Untitled Goose Game will definitely not reach. But, I’m not entirely disappointed, and feel the length of the game is apt. Right around finishing the last page of the base game, I felt satisfied with the experience the game gave us. Going back in for the additional to-do list content will be icing on the cake to an already excellent sandbox experience.

A brief note, but an important one: I love the reactive soundtrack. It’s perfect, and very much elevates the game experience, perhaps just as much as any of the townsfolk do. From soft accents of sound, to getting loud or frenetic, it perfectly surmises what mischief you’re currently up to, and makes the game feel that much more alive.

Overall, I really like Untitled Goose Game! It’s fun, unique, doesn’t overstay its welcome, and is the best goose simulator on the market. It may be a bit short, and perhaps a little too expensive, but for the hi jinks you do get to experience alone or with a friend, I consider it to be a great package worth recommending you pick up and play.

Originally published at https://backloggd.com.