Facade is a game I have played over and over again. Not because I want to save Trip and Grace's marriage that badly, but because the game is a complex puzzle with a lot of moving parts and each playthrough gives you more insight as to how it works.
What does it mean when Grace asks for white wine instead of water? What happens if I constantly interrupt them? What if I say nothing at all? Which of the topics are fruitful, and which are not? I've gotten to the point where I can get any ending I choose.
I just wish it was easier to like them. They'res a few affecting lines (Grace's "I used to love Christmas Eve...") but 90% of the time they're yelling. They do soften up towards the end. It's especially nice to see it from Trip, since his behavior is borderline sociopathic.
For the curious, this is how to save their marriage. The game basically has two halves, and the dividing line is when Trip or Grace ask a yes or no question. In the first half, your goal is to be a good guest. Don't act rude, don't accuse them of anything, and if one party complains that you're ignoring them, start siding with them more. Talk about Grace's art and Trip's lifestyle (his drinks, his trips to Europe). The second half is when you really want to play psychologist. You want Trip to admit that he's ashamed of his upbringing, and Grace to admit that she wants to be an artist. Grace should also make Trip realize that money won't make the two of them happy. Stay away from topics like their affairs with Maria and Vince, and Trip's manipulative behavior, as well as unproductive discussion ("It's time that Trip finally admits that our marriage..." or "you think this is all my fault!"). If either says "thank you, that should help him/her/us" you're on the right track. Don't bring up topics yourself - let them do it, and agree or disagree with them accordingly.
There's technical issues. Loading takes forever, and you cannot restart the game, only close Facade and run it again. The controls are slippery, and seeing the two phaze through walls is a bit unnerving.
Overall, this is a game that deserves a serious playthough or three before you go screaming "melon" at them. There's very few games that attempt what Facade attempts, and working your way through their wreck of a marriage and the game's mechanics can be fascinating.
A unique puzzle game.
Facade is a game I have played over and over again. Not because I want to save Trip and Grace's marriage that badly, but because the game is a complex puzzle with a lot of moving parts and each playthrough gives you more insight as to how it works.
What does it mean when Grace asks for white wine instead of water? What happens if I constantly interrupt them? What if I say nothing at all? Which of the topics are fruitful, and which are not? I've gotten to the point where I can get any ending I choose.
I just wish it was easier to like them. They'res a few affecting lines (Grace's "I used to love Christmas Eve...") but 90% of the time they're yelling. They do soften up towards the end. It's especially nice to see it from Trip, since his behavior is borderline sociopathic.
For the curious, this is how to save their marriage. The game basically has two halves, and the dividing line is when Trip or Grace ask a yes or no question. In the first half, your goal is to be a good guest. Don't act rude, don't accuse them of anything, and if one party complains that you're ignoring them, start siding with them more. Talk about Grace's art and Trip's lifestyle (his drinks, his trips to Europe). The second half is when you really want to play psychologist. You want Trip to admit that he's ashamed of his upbringing, and Grace to admit that she wants to be an artist. Grace should also make Trip realize that money won't make the two of them happy. Stay away from topics like their affairs with Maria and Vince, and Trip's manipulative behavior, as well as unproductive discussion ("It's time that Trip finally admits that our marriage..." or "you think this is all my fault!"). If either says "thank you, that should help him/her/us" you're on the right track. Don't bring up topics yourself - let them do it, and agree or disagree with them accordingly.
There's technical issues. Loading takes forever, and you cannot restart the game, only close Facade and run it again. The controls are slippery, and seeing the two phaze through walls is a bit unnerving.
Overall, this is a game that deserves a serious playthough or three before you go screaming "melon" at them. There's very few games that attempt what Facade attempts, and working your way through their wreck of a marriage and the game's mechanics can be fascinating.