No Longer Home

“No Longer Home is a short-lived but compelling experience about "home" being someone and not just somewhere.”

“Despite having a very short story, No Longer Home manages in this short game time to convey all the experience and melancholic sensation that changes can cause in our lives. If you identify in any way with the proposal of the narrative, you will probably feel extremely touched when playing it.”

“No Longer Home is less of a game and more of an introspective experience. This minimalist narrative adventure explores themes of uncertainty, identity, and separation. While the dialogue is heartfelt and authentic, the slow-paced exploration and abstract visuals may not resonate with everyone. At roughly an hour long, it feels more like reading a personal diary than playing a traditional game.”

“No Longer Home is a short, narrative experience about two people who care a lot about each other and who are struggling with what comes after college. Many of the topics I couldn’t relate to but some did get me thinking back on my past experiences and it will likely be the same for many other players.”

“No Longer Home wishes to retell a point in two people's lives that impacted them both. Its minimalistic style and thoughtful writing carry the day hands down, even with its odd control choices. Even if point-and-click games aren't your thing, I still highly recommend giving No Longer Home a shot.”

“Net of a poor technical sector, especially on Switch, No Longer Home is one of the most touching experiences of the year. Independent to the core, Humble Grove's game tells the dramas of everyday life in what is a semi-autobiography of its two authors, stuck in one of the most confused and difficult moments of their post-adolescence. It is a very short work, which can be completed in a single session of just over two hours, but capable of touching deeply.”

“A point-and-click, dialogue-driven adventure that tackles themes from the heart, that won't resonate with everyone.”

“I loved this game. It felt so incredibly personal that I could feel the emotions of Bo and Ao. They are both great characters, and I fell in love with the little apartment that they were so attached to. Also, you can pet the cats in this game. There is nothing I love more than to pet animals in any game! Overall, I really liked this game, and I think it’s worth a try for anyone, gamer or not, who loves vibrant stories.”

“No Longer Home is a short game. To be honest, I expected it to be a bit longer given the price, and I felt a bit frustrated that I barely scratched the surface in terms of finding out who Ao and Bo actually are. My favorite part is right at the start. In the prologue, you get to see Ao and Bo having their first proper (drunken) conversation. It is exactly like watching yourself in your twenties – going from ‘I barely know you’ to ‘let’s have an incredibly deep philosophical conversation about the meaning of life’ in about thirty seconds. You get to see them click together, a fledgling friendship right at the start. And it’s really nice to watch. Do their conversations become a bit pretentious and self-centered? Well, yeah, sometimes. But then again, I think I remember being like that in my early twenties, too. Overall, it was a surprisingly emotionally complex game, but a lot shorter than I’d liked. Still, I’d recommend giving it a go if you’re after a new indie game for the Switch.”

“No Longer Home is about two recent college graduates on the verge of the next chapter of their lives, but that's just the backdrop here. The real heart of the story lies in the flow of unique emotions that occur in situations like this. The story illuminates the thoughts beneath the surface (the ones we keep to ourselves, even though we know it would be better to share them), and it does it really well.”

“Contemplative games are always a bit tough to review as I've found that where you are in life and what challenges you're currently facing (or have faced in the past) tend to drive the appreciation of the stories and ideas they're trying to share...”

“No Longer Home, like Gone Home before it, proves the adage “you can’t go home again” remains as true as ever.”

“A deeply personal two-hour meditation on saying goodbye that invites you to channel your lived experiences and walk alongside its characters. It's a little sparse on the details, but No Longer Home still gives players plenty to chew on.”

“Witness (or relive) the final moments of moving out of a student flat and into the throes of adulthood in No Longer Home. Pick through boxes, pallets, plus last conversations and goodbyes in this relaxing and relatable visual novel.”

“Overall, it was hard to care for Ao and Bo’s story. The dialog was a slog. The character’s perspectives often changed too fast. And while going over their dilemmas, again and again, I found myself not wanting to play anymore. I’d rather just go out for a beer and talk to them in person and let them know life is going to be okay. High school and college are but footnotes in hopefully a long healthy story of yourself. In the end, if you find yourself at this particular time in life, it might be worth experiencing their story. But if you’re past it, you may not find much here to resonate with.”

“In terms of would I recommend the game… that's not easy to answer. Given the length of "play time"I would certainly start by suggesting waiting for a sale. If you are after a lot of interaction then I'd say avoid it. If you quite like choose your own adventures or indie theatre performances then this might just be up your alley. If you feel non binary or just overwhelmed at what life has in store for you while studying or after completing study… this might be the familiar voice you want to hear. It's far more an experience than a game so if that's your thing then give it a try, if not then look elsewhere.”

“No Longer Home is a short, sad story about coming to terms with growing up and saying goodbye to college life, friends, and the family we create along the way. Although Ao and Bo must leave their uni flat and the happy memories they’ve created within those four walls behind, they’ll cherish every precious moment spent together. If you’re looking to experience the pain of parting while taking solace in the fact that home is truly where the heart is, No Longer Home will scratch that melancholy itch.”

“No Longer Home is an authentic and often unsettling story about the process of moving out and moving on. Of course, every player will take something different away from their experience playing, but it is an experience that I highly recommend. With beautiful designs, excellent characters, and a great soundtrack, No Longer Home is well worth picking up.”