The FMV genre of video games is perhaps the least loved, and least cherished of them all. Sure, there have been titles such as Dragons Lair and Night Trap that have provided a bit of fun and amusement, but they have almost never had any games that have been critically acclaimed, or use the technology as anything more than a gimmick.
Her Story, is completely different.
When the game starts up, you are fronted with an old CRT monitor from the 90’s, with a number of files on the screen and a database. The first thing I did, and many others will do, is read the ‘readme’ files on the desktop. These briefly explain the mechanics, in front of you is a database of clips taken at what seem to be police interviews with a lady, and the way you search through these clips is by entering a phrase into the search bar, and you will be presented with up to 5 clips that contain that term somewhere in the clip. It’s clear from these opening moments that FMV was not only the best way to make this game – it was crucial to create the atmosphere.
This is the bulk of the game. You watch a clip, slowly start to piece together the story in your head like any good detective, and move on to another clip. If you notice something different in the clips that you want to follow, then you just enter that search term and up it comes. It’s a very strange way of telling a story – but it is fantastically effective. The speed at which you become immersed in this random girls story is incredible, you slowly begin to piece things together in your own head about what could have happened, what crime took place, who was guilty and what leads you think you may pursue. This is a true detective game in the sense that it is all down to you how you put together this story and the way in which you discover it is entirely down to your own theories and mindset when watching the clips.
To further the immersion, there is no objective system, no hints, no convenient notes. It is simply you, your head, and the clips. At first, you begin to wonder if there will come a time when you are asked to present your evidence, and whilst I will not give anything away about the later game, the simple fact you are thinking about all this is one of the games absolute strengths. There’s little more I can say about the game, other than the way it made me feel. There were moments playing this when I was scared, laughing, upset, had goosebumps, and more. This title was designed to immerse the player in its story and have you feel it – and it’s done that to perfection.
So no, it’s not really a video game. In it’s purest sense it’s simply another way of telling a story – a damn good story, that is almost impossible to put down in the two or so hours it takes to beat. Currently, the game is selling for around £7 on Steam – and I would snap that up. I’ve played many 20 hour action games over the past year, but after I’m done with them, I usually forget about them. This is a game I will not forget, and for that experience, I can’t recommend it enough.
