Gris is on its way to new platforms, ensuring modern gamers have one less reason miss out on experiencing the indie darling. Its release date means that besides making a potentially great gift, it could provide welcome respite during the busy holiday shopping season.
Originally released on PC, PlayStation 4, and Switch in December 2018, Gris is a 2D platformer adventure from Barcelona-based newcomer Nomada Studio. Published by Devolver Digital, the title presents a soothing world with manageable puzzles that potentially make it a great game to help with anxiety.
As promised in a new trailer, Gris is now scheduled for release on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PlayStation 5 on December 13, 2022. The expanded availability could help the game shift additional units. That's not to say the title needs a lot of help in that regard; Gris sold more than one million copies across Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC.
Writing about the game's original release, critics at the time commended its willingness to shy away from action, much in the vein of a digital peer such as the enduring walking simulator Journey, while comparing it favorably to that beloved title because of the level of engagement offered. Visual and aural appeal are also common points of attraction, with the developer's site crediting artist Conrad Roset and musician Berlinist, respectively.
Besides potentially offering an aesthetically pleasing experience that avoids producing frequent anxiety, Gris explores modern psychological and social issues. Using gameplay elements, the game walks players through the five classic stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and finally, Acceptance. As they experience the journey, players may find they have learned a little something about a process many people will encounter and endure themselves at some point.
The video game medium has recently seen a wave of remasters and ports that seeks to find new success for older games both recent and ancient, but there is genuine value in the approach. Not everyone who might pick up a controller today has convenient access to older hardware, even an option such as the Switch that has sold more than 100 million units. Additionally, the forthcoming versions mark the first time Gris will be playable on Microsoft console hardware. Those who have already experienced the games for themselves suffer no damage, with hundreds of other options releasing each week, while those new to the scene have one more option that is no longer gated off by the unceasing march of technological progress. That counts as a win for nearly everyone.
Gris is available for PC, PS4, and Switch. PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X ports release on December 13, 2022.
