Like the return of vinyl, Full Motion Video (FMV) focused games have been making a surprising comeback in the last few years of games, from The Complex to Night Book to The Shape-shifting Detective. Adding to this return is an ambitious game in the genre, The Gallery, a unique FMV game that tells its tale from both a male and female perspective, across entire decades. On a rainy, cold Sunday afternoon, I was the decision maker of a well-told story and it was amazing!
Old is new again
The Gallery plays out like a movie made for network television, with a story to tell and actors to portray the plot. Some choices affect a small outcome while others can have big consequences that alter the entire story. The Gallery does present options for tailoring the game for the best possible experience. One option can pause a decision, making it great for players in group with friends, or, of they wish to, have a timed frame to make a choice. Unique to the game are choices that could affect the relation of the hostage taker, and putting that relation in red or green could have beneficial or disastrous consequences respectively.
The Gallery is an intriguing, charming, and suspense filled experience for players. The story is unique in portraying a familiar tale across the two different time periods, as well as the protagonists in each period. The first part of The Gallery takes place in 1981, putting the player’s character in a very different and unfamiliar environment, in a time before smartphones and modern technology. The second half, in 2021, is significantly different as it takes place in more modern times, but remains the same sort of story. Each actor on-screen from the protagonist to the antagonist plays their roles well, and players will be clutching their controllers in white-knuckle anticipation.
The thrill of cinema
The Gallery‘s game play works as intended: Be presented a choice, make that choice within the given time frame, then watch the consequences. Some choices are expected, like different methods of escape. The circumstances are distinct. The uniqueness of The Gallery is that the game focuses within an art gallery in the UK, a very different type of environment for a hostage taking situation. In the genre of thrillers, the concept of being held by a deranged artist in a gallery does provide unique aspects.
Therefore, the context of the choices made, from using painkillers to spike a water bottle to agreeing with artistic opinions of the villian do make for interesting choices that are rather uncommon in the genre.
During both acts, I found myself surprised, shocked, a little angry, and even cheering, much like one would have when watching a good movie. The Gallery is perfect after those long play sessions of fighting monsters and slaying enemies as the team on-screen convey an experience that is simple, yet remarkably charming. It’s a game that is more direct, but still performs the most important part of any game and that is to invite the player to participate and reward them for their efforts.
Final Thoughts
The Gallery is a tense experience that will have you feel the sweat of suspense, but still sends you the reward of a solid, entertaining story. FMV games are back, and we sorely need them in an age of micro transactions and loot boxes. If more games like The Gallery arrive, video games, and the genre, are in for a solid good show.
The Gallery is out now on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4/5, iOS, Android and Steam on PC.
Review key provided by Aviary Studio.
Verdict
While short and familiar, The Gallery is yet another intriguing FMV game with an intriguing premise, solid production values, and the thrill of making story-altering choices. The Gallery is a good time playing solo, but even better with friends.
Good
While short and familiar, The Gallery is yet another intriguing FMV game with an intriguing premise, solid production values, and the thrill of making story-altering choices. The Gallery is a good time playing solo, but even better with friends.
