The Almost Gone
OpenCritic Rating
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
The Almost Gone Trailers
#thealmostgone | The Almost Gone - 2019 teaser trailer
#thealmostgone | The Almost Gone - Teaser
Critic Reviews for The Almost Gone
Like many recent indie games, The Almost Gone isn't afraid to tackle difficult subject matter. And like a lot of its fellow developers, Happy Volcano opts not to get too far into the weeds of the topics it covers. Certainly, there will be players who take the narrative to heart more passionately than I did, but I do find it a curious enough of an experience to recommend to mobile gamers looking for something more melancholy than the newest match-3 puzzler.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Almost Gone's sombre, minimalist story. The puzzles you encounter are hard enough to create a sense achievement but still felt manageable, and referenced the story beautifully, though some elements could have been improved. Due to the often dark subject matter, this game may not be for everybody, however I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone that thinks they can handle it.
The Almost Gone is a relaxing point-and-click exploration game with puzzle solving elements. The story unfolds through investigating the environment, so be sure to pay attention if you want to get answers. It won't blow your mind with the story or gameplay, and it doesn't take long to complete, but it's still worth checking out.
The Almost Gone draws you in with a sinister family mystery, but its aesthetic beauty and strange, succinct puzzles end up carrying it.
The Almost Gone is like a fleeting memory; it's the tragic tale of abuse and loss, captured in a series of blurry vignettes. Its puzzle mechanics, although fairly simple, are refined, even if they aren't explored to their fullest. The two-hour story sits at the forefront of the experience and never overstays its welcome. In fact, The Almost Gone would likely benefit from an extra hour, but what we got is plenty good on its own.
If you’re looking for a puzzle game with a carefully considered supporting narrative, you need look no further. The Almost Gone is a game that demands your attention but never feels overly difficult or complex. Our only major issue is that once you’re done and dusted, there’s very little incentive to go back and start again.
My recommendation is for the mobile versions, as the graphics and the tap-and-swipe controls are clearly optimised for it. It’s a reasonable price on both mobile and PC though, so take your pick of platform.
Beautiful in its simplicity, The Almost Gone is definitely a game that won't appeal to everyone, but for this reviewer, it was a worthwhile experience. Some frustratingly obtuse puzzle solutions aside, the 3D point and click gaming is well-designed, and the minimalist art style fits perfectly. It also packs an emotional punch for anyone familiar with the tragic issues portrayed, which it deals with sensitively and powerfully.
