VideoGame 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.
VideoGame Technologically Impressive, But Not That Fun
As of right now, there is no video game out there quite like Facade. It's use of AI goes unprecidented with the way it understands language. Because of this, it's impossible for a serious gamer not to have some respect for this game.
However, it's very limited. Sure, the first couple playthrough's are usually fun, but there is a lot that the game can't do and once you figure out the formula for what order the sequence of events takes place, it starts to feel a bit monotonous.
Another problem is the two main characters. They're both whiny and annoying. It's never a good thing when you technically have an entire cast of scrappies. I mean, they invite their old best friend over just to bitch about each other. I guess it's cool that they managed to replicate being forced to act as a marriage counciler for two whiny bastards who you'd never hang out with in real life, but how exactly is that entertaining. This is why it is for fun to insult them and get them to kick you out.
Overall, this is a very groundbreaking game, but that only holds so much water. After game developers improve on this technology, I see this game suffering from Seinfeld Is Unfunny very quickly.
Rating: 2/4
VideoGame Overly ambitious but unintentionally hilarious
In most games, there's usually a "correct" way to play them- for example, there isn't much to do in Space Invaders besides shoot the aliens- although more complex modern games allow a bit of leeway. Facade is a game that's perhaps most fun when you're not playing as intended, for better or for worse.
In the game, you visit two of your friends who are married, only to find that their marriage is troubled despite their attempts to pretend otherwise. You must get to the root of the problem and work out their issues, which is harder than it sounds.
Unlike most games that feature conversations as a key part of gameplay, there is no dialogue tree here; you have to type in your own statements, whereupon the AI will respond accordingly... or at least it's supposed to. It can often be hard to tell whether any given statement you make has the effect you intend for the couple, especially considering that there are some strange reactions (most infamously, Trip throws you out of the apartment if you say "melon.")
Speaking of the couple, they're both deeply flawed people. They're temperamental, dishonest and almost incapable of accepting responsibility for their poor life choices. You'll have to walk a narrow tightrope to save their marriage without offending either of them enough to kick you out of their home. Considering how poorly they get along, and how their marriage is seemingly built on lies, one has to wonder whether you should even bother saving it.
That said, while a system in which you say whatever you want to is difficult to make work if you're trying to play the game seriously, it provides you practically infinite options for fooling around. You can say the rudest or most absurd things possible, roleplay various scenarios, or do whatever comes to mind until Trip removes you from the apartment.
The production values are so-so at best. The graphics are lackluster, to the point at which I wonder if the game would be better off being purely text-based. The music decently sets the tone, but is rather forgettable. Trip and Grace's voice actors can express their characters' emotions reasonably well, but are fairly amateurish. The ability to put in your own name, and their saying certain names aloud sounds a bit jarring, so I wish they had given the Player Character a Gender-Blender Name like Alex or Chris.
All in all, Facade isn't a bad game, but it's a bit too ambitious, so it's best enjoyed by fooling around in-game; if you want to see the game through t the best ending, it would be best to watch a playthrough on YouTube.