Horror author Lanzen from Fextralife reviews the PC title "Homesick", and delves into what makes a "Walking Simulator" appealing.
"The first time I recall seeing the phrase “walking simulator” used was in relation to Dear Esther by those not convinced by its experimentation in game design and its unusual approach to narrative. Apparently, it’s now an entire genre, inhabited by the likes of The Vanishing of Ethan Carter and Gone Home, although considering fans are more prone to use the term “environmental experience puzzle game” rather than “walking simulator;” I imagine use of the latter is still intended to be derogatory."
BacklogCritic: "Games with strong focus on story and less focus on gameplay mechanics usually leave a strong impression despite the lack of action. Cutting back on action sequences leaves space for dialogue, exploration and emotional experience. Listed here are six games in this style that we enjoyed, in no particular order."
wow, I thought Tales From The Borderlands was better than The Wolf Among Us, shhh even batman was better than that. I don't see Beyond two souls OR Heavy Rain on here that's crazy this list is crazy. Life Is Strange & What Remains of Edith Finch are the only good picks.
SteamFirst: Homesick is a beautifully designed puzzle game developed by Lucky Pause through Kickstarter with a huge emphasis on exploration with some slight horror undertones. It places you in an overly sunny apocalyptic world and tasks you with exploring a worn, old sun bleached building through puzzles and wit. The stunning musical score, exquisite visuals and mysterious game play piece together to make one of the best indie games I’ve had the privilege to review.
Chalgyr's Game Room writes:
Homesick is just one of those hauntingly beautiful titles that caught my eye almost right out of the gates. It is a title built around telling a story, and allowing you the player to immerse yourself in said tale. It is not always a perfect game, but it is still an engaging experience.