GNOG is one of those totally wonderful and unique games that
comes out of nowhere and reminds you why you love videogames in the first
place. While at first glance GNOG seems like a fancy busy box full of buttons
and noisemakers, the kind you put your baby in front of to keep them occupied
for a while, it is actually a very clever puzzle game with awesome presentation
that is far more complex and interesting than it appears. Solving GNOG’s
collection of puzzles is incredibly satisfying and fun and absolutely worth a
look for gamers who want something fresh and new to sink their teeth into on
PS4. See our full GNOG review for all of the details.
Game Details
- Publisher: Double Fine
- Developer: KO-OP
- ESRB Rating: “E” for Everyone
- Genre: Puzzle
- Pros: Great presentation; clever puzzles; unique and wonderful concept
- Cons: Short and easy
- MSRP: $15
It should be noted that GNOG is a PlayStation VR compatible
game, but can also be played on a normal display, which is how I played it as I
do not have a PSVR. I can happily say it is still a great experience on a
normal display, so don’t hesitate to pick it up if you don’t have PSVR.
GNOG is a puzzle game where you have to solve what are
essentially puzzle boxes in the shape of various robot heads (their “g”noggins,
get it?). Each puzzle starts out as just looking at the outside of a head and
you have to move it around with the analog stick or flip it to the back to try
to find interactive bits that will open it up. Once you open the box the real
puzzles begin.
When you first start each gnoggin it isn’t ever clear what
you’re supposed to do. You just search around with your cursor for anything you
can interact with to see what it does and eventually start putting things into
an order that actually accomplishes something. You might have to open a drawer
to find a lightbulb that attracts a bug that causes a frog to move out of the
way, for example. Or you might have to lower a diver form a submarine to find
hidden puzzles boxes (puzzle boxes within a puzzle box!) which you then have to
use context clues in the environment to solve in order to get at what’s inside.
These are just a couple of examples, but there are lots more.
It sorts of seems at first that GNOG is just mindless trial
and error, but that isn’t necessarily true. You do have to sort of blindly
search around for interactables at first, but the real core of the game is
figuring out how to use the tools you’re given once you’ve found them. The
secret is usually in simply observing context clues in the environment, but
putting everything you see together into a solution that works is incredibly
satisfying and a ton of fun.
GNOG is a fantastic experience that is greatly enhanced by
the presentation. The visuals are bright and colorful and the designs of the
robot heads and their inner workings are are absolutely great to look at. The
soundtrack is also pretty awesome and the victory song the heads sing when you
finish a level is pure happiness.
If you’re looking for a fresh and fun puzzle game, GNOG is absolutely
worth a look. It is unique and clever and incredibly satisfying and the
presentation is just about perfect. It is a little on the short side, and kind
of easy once you get into the rhythm of how the puzzles work, but it is a great
experience that shouldn’t be missed. The $15 MSRP is perhaps a tad steep, but
it is a game you’ll want to show off to others, even non-gamers, which ensures
you’ll get your money’s worth. GNOG is a surprise hit. Buy it.
Disclosure: A review code was provided by the publisher.
