I am urging everyone with Game Pass to play Norco before it leaves on Wednesday

[noinspiration]

See title. It's an adventure game that takes about five hours that I found to be a triumph of writing and visual aesthetic. Seriously folks, I beat it a few days ago and haven't been able to stop thinking about it. In a year where I played Soma for the first time it might be the video game narrative that sticks with me the most. The characters are messy like literary characters, or dare I say people.

So yeah, I think it's fantastic, and given that basically all the achievements that popped for me were rare, it seems like very few people have played it. It deals with some heavy stuff -- your character is back home to deal with the death of her estranged mother, and the whole game is awash in climate anxiety -- but if you're down with that it has my highest recommendation.

 

[Ratadad]

I'll second that. Played it in early 2023 and I still think about this game on a weekly basis.

Just a sublime experience from start to finish.

 

[ZeroMaverick]

Better yet buy it

 

[vixolus]

I wish I liked this game as much as everyone else seems to. The premise is interesting and right off the bat it's an intriguing atmosphere to it (good pixel art). But I didn't really like the prose, story, how my ending was, or the general gameplay over my 5 hours or so completion time.

But it's also the only game I've played start to finish via xCloud on my phone, so that's something neat

Worth checking out at least if you have a passing interest in adventure text story games. Also play Pentiment (which I liked much more)..

 

[RaySpencer]

I tried to play it, but I guess point and click adventure games just aren't for me anymore. I couldn't get into it at all. ☹️

 

[elenarie]

Game is flipping great!

 

[Dice]

Fourth'd. More people need to play it!

NORCO Review | RPGFan

NORCO is a hauntingly intelligent, artistic marvel that is set in the future yet also somehow nostalgic. Pixely point-and-click adventure games that house

www.rpgfan.com

 

[JustinH]

I tried to start a few day ago, but just keep forgetting to play it. I've heard great things about it from the weekly podcast I listen to, a while ago.

I'm kina dumbfounded by it. Might just play it with a guide, if only for a little bit.

 

[Wyatt+]

I got it in a recent Humble Bundle and have been meaning to get to it. Loved what I had played. Talk about oozing atmosphere.

 

[immy]

I just finished act 2, will complete the game tomorrow

Loving it

 

[gifyku]

Quick and memorable game, the sweet spot for Gamepass as far as I am concerned. Play it or buy it…

Spoiler

Though every time I hear this title, this song keeps playing in my head

View: https://youtu.be/S73zDvMgGmI?si=nb7J4wgbXbLnCTy5

 

[TooBusyLookinGud]

I'd say buy it. Don't rush it and do you can playthrough it again. It's so damn good.

 

[Sabretooth]

I really wanted to do Norco before it left, but I don't want to rush it in 2 days. I'll buy it separately.

 

[Indelible]

I just bought it on Steam, it is on sale right now.

 

[SmittyWerbenManJensen]

Incredible game with some awesome music. Definitely worth playing.

 

[krazen]

Going to cop, thanks for reminding me. One of my fav bands was involved in the soundtrack, Thou (check em out, fantastic progressive politics they wear on their sleeve and lyrics)

 

[Sephiroth]

Buy it on Steam. They aren't getting more money if you play it on GP

 

[Lobster Roll]

It's a truly incredible game. I'll be more than happy to throw my name in there as another person saying to play it.

 

[PJTierney]

Has anyone gone deep into lore analysis for this? I couldn't find much in the way of explainers.

 

[vixolus]

Has anyone gone deep into lore analysis for this? I couldn't find much in the way of explainers.

Click to shrink...

View: https://youtu.be/pNX280h12Mg?si=0woJEuwAz90RmeKr

I watched this when i finished it and it seemed to do an ok job. Its more of like a deep review of the game though instead of JUST lore

 

[Diarrhea Day-Lewis]

Worth full price, GOTY 2022 imo and one of the most transformative game exp for me. The vibes, art, story, characters and music are haunting and stay with me over a year later get on it folks

 

[fourfourfun]

Yeah I really enjoyed it. The combat sections are a bit of a misnomer. They're more narrative devices than something you have to set a team up for. The entire thing has great mood all the way through.

 

[Dogui]

One of the best games i've ever played. This, Signalis and Chained Echoes are enough to put 2022 above 2023 in gaming releases for me.

 

[thankyoumerzbow]

norco is definitely one of the indie goats imo

 

[SpotAnime]

Looks interesting. It's on sale on Steam for $5.99. For that cup of coffee, I bought it.

 

[jonamok]

Just to add, it's an amazing, bizarre and wonderful game. Insanely good writing and a very powerful story.

 

[Woodbeam]

I wish I liked this game as much as everyone else seems to. The premise is interesting and right off the bat it's an intriguing atmosphere to it (good pixel art). But I didn't really like the prose, story, how my ending was, or the general gameplay over my 5 hours or so completion time.

Click to shrink...

I played it when it was announced it was leaving, so just a little while ago, and I also wish I liked it more than I did.

I liked the style of the writing and the basics of the story itself, but in interviews the lead writer talks about how it was written at least partially in a stream of consciousness, and it shows. Elements don't come together in satisfying ways (although the game does very intentionally do quite a bit of "satisfaction through dissatisfaction," that's different). Don't get too invested in what seem like its central mysteries.

Its vibes are incredible, and it has more than just vibes, but still less than you might hope. I don't regret playing it, but I wish it was formed just a bit more, it could've been something really masterful.

 

[Zekes]

I wish I liked this game as much as everyone else seems to. The premise is interesting and right off the bat it's an intriguing atmosphere to it (good pixel art). But I didn't really like the prose, story, how my ending was, or the general gameplay over my 5 hours or so completion time.

But it's also the only game I've played start to finish via xCloud on my phone, so that's something neat

Worth checking out at least if you have a passing interest in adventure text story games. Also play Pentiment (which I liked much more)..

Click to shrink...

Yeah, same. It's a game that's worth checking out because it's definitely cool, but when I finished it I wasn't blown away as much I was expecting to be

 

[Biteren]

I pit it on my ps5 wishlist

 

[ManNR]

Yes! Play it.

It may not quite hit things out of the park in regard to the story, but it oozes atmosphere.
I'd even argue the game is less about telling a story and more about painting an emotional picture.

 

[Bonfires Down]

I wish I liked this game as much as everyone else seems to. The premise is interesting and right off the bat it's an intriguing atmosphere to it (good pixel art). But I didn't really like the prose, story, how my ending was, or the general gameplay over my 5 hours or so completion time.

But it's also the only game I've played start to finish via xCloud on my phone, so that's something neat

Worth checking out at least if you have a passing interest in adventure text story games. Also play Pentiment (which I liked much more)..

Click to shrink...

Same. I liked it starting out but then the story gets more and more out there. Not really my thing.

 

[AfterZero]

Easily one of my favorite games or all-time.

 

[Roxas]

Well, y'all are selling me on it, how long is it?

 

[belairjeff]

Well, y'all are selling me on it, how long is it?

Click to shrink...

It's a short one, can be completed in about 6 hours I believe. But definitely one of the more interesting point and click games of recent years. I recommend checking it out.

 

[Stat]

Help me get into it. I tried playing it. Literally couldn't understand the controls or what I was supposed to do at all and eventually gave up with the idea that games need a better tutorial if they want me to engage.

 

[Extra Sauce]

I feel like Norco transcends its medium, which makes me want to recommend it to people who don't even play games. just an amazingly told story.

 

[EVA UNIT 01]

I bought that bish
It's really good

 

[Colasante]

Agree! Loved Norco, definitely recommend anyone who thinks they might have even a passing interest in it check it out.

 

[Roxas]

It's a short one, can be completed in about 6 hours I believe. But definitely one of the more interesting point and click games of recent years. I recommend checking it out.

Click to shrink...

Well, I went ahead and bought it because I don't want the pressure + it's an indie game. Will be checking it out soon! Does it have the old lucasarts style of puzzles that are just overly weird or is it a more narrative affair?

 

[SneerfulOwl]

This game has one of the best pixelated atmosphere. Such a mesmerizing game.

 

[belairjeff]

Well, I went ahead and bought it because I don't want the pressure + it's an indie game. Will be checking it out soon! Does it have the old lucasarts style of puzzles that are just overly weird or is it a more narrative affair?

Click to shrink...

I'd say it relies more so on it's atmosphere and writing. The puzzles are not anywhere near as obtuse.

 

[Vic Damone Jr.]

I took my foot off the gas and barely started. Does the going offline trick still work to keep playing gp games after they're taken down?

 

[Danielsan]

I would urge people to buy it instead. It's excellent.

 

[Brat-Sampson]

Loved Norco, played it when it dropped onto the service and it's one of the most memorable Adventure games I've played in years.

 

[SnakeEater]

Started it thanks to this thread, played for couple of hours. Good so far, atmosphere is thick af, story is intriguing. Thanks again, OP.

 

[noinspiration]

Help me get into it. I tried playing it. Literally couldn't understand the controls or what I was supposed to do at all and eventually gave up with the idea that games need a better tutorial if they want me to engage.

Click to shrink...

Have you played a point-and-click adventure before? It's pretty much one of those. You get to a scene, click on points of interest that are usually looking at something or talking to someone. Occasionally you pick up items, which you then use to solve puzzles. These are basically all about using the correct item in the correct place. Every once in a while the gameplay changes, like there are a few silly turn-based battles, but the above is the gist. It's largely a story game, though if you turn on adventure game mode you can make the puzzles a bit more rigorous. Does that help?

 

[Lamptramp]

Thanks for the recommendation noinspiration this seems to have completely passed me by unnoticed.

I get terrible anxiety and depression so I do tend to shy away from stuff that gets too "real" if that makes sense... however.

After reading impressions and some other stuff, I decided to buy it. Dont want to have to rush it, and I do like to make sure indie devs get the full money if possible.

 

[noinspiration]

Started it thanks to this thread, played for couple of hours. Good so far, atmosphere is thick af, story is intriguing. Thanks again, OP.

Click to shrink...

My pleasure! If I could I would make playing this game a prerequisite for employment or something. But I can't, so I wanted to at least get the word out a little bit.

 

[jungius]

played this in 2022 because it got some prestigious awards and im sold

while I loved the industrial town vibes and ambience of the game the story does not really touch me it felt so mid

 

[noinspiration]

Thanks for the recommendation noinspiration this seems to have completely passed me by unnoticed.

I get terrible anxiety and depression so I do tend to shy away from stuff that gets too "real" if that makes sense... however.

After reading impressions and some other stuff, I decided to buy it. Dont want to have to rush it, and I do like to make sure indie devs get the full money if possible.

Click to shrink...

I definitely get where you're coming from. I didn't play Norco when it came out because the subject matter hit too close to home. For what it's worth, the part I had the toughest time with was the very beginning, when you're alone. Once you start meeting other characters and getting into the plot it eases up a bit.