Gris | Art in Video Games

Currently there are many works in video games that try to stand out more than anything for their artistic section, and it is not something that happens only in video games, but also in musical compositions, or movies that try to stand out for how they look, and video games that of course pose the question about art.

It can be said that at first glance Gris seems to be in this style of games, but there are works that simply demonstrate the opposite, and this is what Nomada Studios has achieved with Gris. An essential video game that crosses the line of becoming an exponent for Spanish developers, because it is one of the best games of this style.

Gris is not only a nice game, obviously what stands out most about this game is its artistic section. The first moments of the game are impressive, and luckily it's not about those pretentious video games, which show you something nice to hide their meager content. Because Gris is beautiful, and that is his strongest point, but it is more than that.

It's not just a pretty game

It is impossible not to be stunned by its watercolor world and what the studio captured in this rare but effective odyssey. A show of architecture, color and animation that not only impresses in its first minutes. This is a game that impresses you at every turn, and every shot it has is worth watching. Of course, it is not easy at all to maintain that level of quality constantly, much less speaking of an area where many works have already stood out. It is planned as a platform and puzzle game, and going back to where we have already passed will be common, but we will do it in separate areas, with their own color and with some of the skills we have as the protagonist.

Not highlighting that aspect is basically ignoring one of the most surprising points of this adventure, and that is beyond its visual section. In reality, the game does not bother much to get a deep story, it is enough for us to know that we will be looking for stars that will open new paths for us, and that to achieve them we have to use our ingenuity and the possibilities of the character. The main thing is to enjoy the great level design that it has, posing challenges and jumps that are mixed with the powers that we will gradually unlock, this is not just to applaud it, It is also, at least artistically, one of the most beautiful games ever made.

It may be that apart from its visual section it is a somewhat minimalist game, and for this part it is similar to "Journey" or "Ori And The Blind Forest". In this project there is less ambition when it comes to challenge, but living those moments with the “Gris” filter is more impressive than critical regarding the games from which it was inspired.

It is a work that knows what it does

Gris may have fallen into that sin that some video games commit of being just beautiful, not going beyond aesthetics, but fortunately we are talking about a good video game. Its short duration, more or less two hours, which could be lengthened if we try to get the collectibles, is enough to provide an experience with a good rhythm and above all enjoyable.

Although this game challenges you on some platforms or puzzles, especially if we want to explore and collect what is within our reach, it is not a difficult game. There are certain sections that are easy without much difficulty, but also offer those moments of satisfaction when we complete a challenge that requires a little more.

It is a pity that the brightest moments of this game are to impress you and not to demand skill, a necessary feature if you want to maintain the spectacular and not stain the most remembered sequences. It knows how to make you not miss, showing similar structures, but as a consequence they leave the exploration secondary to opt for a linear development.

What in other video games could have been a big problem, here is not the case. Gris wants to tell a story, impress you with its overflowing visual section and that in the end you end up with a feeling that it has been a walk, it is a game that achieves what it proposes and overcame that complicated challenge without problem. Although it has certain shortcomings, as is typical of this style of games, it is to applaud what this Spanish study did, since they not only managed to make a rewarding experience, but also a unique and memorable one.