This side of TGON is no stranger to macabre topics. A few years ago, we talked about Happymart: A Game about Depression and Relationships. This interactive point-and-click game taught the player about the warning signs of depression. It showcased the difficulty of living with depression and how to be compassionate to our loved ones with it. We also discussed Kena: Bridge of Spirits. That game taught me that there is a bit of beauty in grief. It sounds cliché, but when my Poppy died, that title helped me more than I imagined it would. Today, we will go on a similar journey with grief in the indie title Homecoming Haven. Therefore, without further ado, let’s get into it.
The Plot of Homecoming Haven
Homecoming Haven allows players to take on the role of a trauma cleaner. This is a service that families can use to clean up homes and rooms left by deceased individuals. The player will go throughout the room and pick up items. These can be returned to the family or kept to help grow your trauma cleaning business. While this is a sad storyline, the developers have taken great care to respect the grieving process and have created something special.
Features Unique to Homecoming Haven
- Learn the stories of the deceased.
- As players move about the space, they will gradually reveal more about the individuals who lived there. One’s home environment holds stories, from the good times to the bad. This allows players to learn about the homeowner’s life and experiences.
- Items also tell a story.
- This game’s primary focal point is picking up items within the home. While some of the objects will be trash, many of them will also be treasures. Players can examine these pieces and learn more about the homeowner’s experiences.
- Decisions matter.
- After players clean up a space, there will be time to return some of the items to the family. What you decide to give back to the family will influence the storytelling and show additional narrative elements.
- And so much more.
- This title is currently in development, and I am sure there will be more features to examine upon release.
Thoughts on Homecoming Haven
I have seen others refer to this style of game as cozy. That may be fitting when we consider similar titles, such as Unpacking. However, I have difficulty considering this a “cozy” game. I think of it more as a storytelling game with wholesome moments. Therefore, when I downloaded this title on itch.io, I expected a somber experience. While this was the case, I also felt a sense of peace and understanding.
Since this title is currently being developed, we can only explore one room. This room belongs to Adam, a video game developer who distanced himself from his family before passing. We are brought in by his sister Joyce, who feels awkward entering his private space, especially with that family dynamic. As I progressed through the room, I was able to put pieces together to understand why Adam was distant from the rest of the family. It was heartbreaking but understandable as an outsider looking in.
In conclusion, Homecoming Haven is on track to becoming a unique game. The music fits the theme perfectly, and the art style is charming. The only problem I have with it thus far is the beginning prologue text. It moves a tad fast for me; however, I think this can easily be changed in the future. Overall, if you want a game with a beautiful storyline, great graphics, and fantastic music, I cannot recommend this title enough.
Odds & Ends
If you want to learn more about this game, head over to its itch.io page. I recommend this article on Kena: Bridge of Spirits for those looking for a sad game about grief. If you are experiencing grief, please know you are not alone. The Hospice Foundation of America has a wonderful page about finding support groups.
