Three Fourths Home is one of the most unique and special games that you can find on the PlayStation 4. The text-driven visual short story is one about family, about disability, and about a girl trying to find her way. It's not a time-sink by any means, but it is a title worth your attention.
You'll play as Kelly Meyers, a down-on-her-luck, college-aged girl who's come back home to small-town Nebraska to sort things out after being away in Minnesota. For the story, you'll spend your time driving through a storm while choosing different dialogue options in a conversation with Kelly's Mum, Dad, and brother. We won't dive too deep into it for fear of spoilers – especially considering that the story is what makes this release so special. Just know that it's a tale that many people, whether in college or away from home, can relate to.
It helps if you think of Three Fourths Home as a colouring book. The outline is there for you in the form of an ever moving conversation, but you fill in each section how you wish with the details. Did Kelly get the job that she just interviewed for? Does she want to connect with her old friends now that she's back in town? They're mostly small things, sure, and the end stays the same regardless – but each time that you make a conversation decision, you'll feel like you have a part to play in the Meyers' lives.
It'll only take around an hour for you to complete the main story and epilogue, but you may want to dive back in a second time around to peel back some layers of the Meyers' family dynamic. On a second playthrough you could find out more about an accident that sent Kelly's dad into an alcohol-infused depression – or maybe why her parents took her brother, Ben, out of school. But maybe you find these things out the first time around and have different questions you want answered. Sometimes you may never be satisfied with what you find, though – the beauty is that many things are left open to interpretation.
Accompanying the narrative are beautiful aesthetics. The rain tappers off the road as you drive, the thunder cracks loudly in the sky, and lightning flashes wildly in the distance. The sound creates an atmosphere that, with a good pair of headphones, can make it feel like a storm is happening outside your window. This comes coupled with a distinct black and white colour scheme that highlights the endless rows of growing cornstalk, spinning wind turbines, and corroded silos that nail a Nebraskan vibe.
Of course, this isn't a game for everyone. In fact, some people may not call it a "game" at all. We're not here to argue a side, but there certainly isn't much to "play" as long as you keep the car moving and the conversation flowing. Whatever you call it, though, skipping it solely because you don't think that it's a "game" is robbing yourself of something special.
Conclusion
For a $5 price of admission, Three Fourths Home is a must buy for those looking for a unique experience. After three playthroughs, we're still thinking about the Meyers family and have questions that we want answered. Those looking for an actual game to play, though, should know that this may not be an experience for them.
Comments 8
Sounds absolutely fantastic. Can't wait to play this. Thanks for the review, Michael!
its possible i would have pass this by if not for this review! think ill head on over to the psn store...
Wow. I didn't know this game existed and now I really need it. Thanks for, again, a wonderfully written review.
>In fact, some people may not call it a "game" at all. We're not here to argue a side, but there certainly isn't much to "play" as long as you keep the car moving and the conversation flowing
In defence of this game and games like it, whether I personally like them or not, people do try to use the word "play" in such a limited way when talking about games. I mean, you "play" a CD and that involves pressing a single button and then sitting there for an hour (just like playing MGS4, am I right? huehue.)
For some reason some people try to co-opt the word "play" to mean a very specific thing which it has never, ever meant. Same for "game". Kids "play house" where they just pretend a plastic cooker is a real cooker, and pretend that plastic eggs are real eggs. That's a kind of playing, a kind of game, that pre-dates Space Invaders by centuries (okay, not with plastic props but you know what I mean). Actors play a role, musicians play a guitar, someone may play with their hair.
Anyway, this doesn't seem to be on the UK PS Store yet and is actually $6.20 (equivalent) on Steam. It sounds really interesting but then there's a lot of stuff like it for free on interactive fiction sites (then again, there's a lot of games for free on iOS and Google Play but that doesn't stop people buying games in general, I guess).
@Kidfried Definitely a game worth more attention. Glad you liked the review!
@Matroska Wasn't going to argue either side as it would have taken up too much of the review, and IMO it's irrelevant anyways. I'm the type of guy who leans towards most things being a "game." I believe Three Fourths Home is a game, just like I think Gone Home is a game and others like it. Just in case you were wondering .
Although the story may not be for me I'll definitely be playing this at some point
Hmm im interested.
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