Pine: A Story of Loss Review – A Game About Working Through Grief

OVERVIEW

In Pine: A Story of Loss players will take on the role of a woodworker struggling with the passing of his wife. Players will help him attempt to remember his late wife and care for himself and his now-empty home.

Developer: Made Up Games
Release Date: Q4 2024
Price: TBA
Platforms: Steam

Gameplay in Pine: A Story of Loss

Screenshot of the woodworking mechanic in Pine.

The gameplay in Pine: A Story of Loss is straightforward to jump into, and players can complete the game within a few hours. While writing down my thoughts on the game, with a few interruptions I was able to complete it in under two hours. I was also able to complete some of the more complex puzzles while multi-tasking, so I can give it the “ChromaGlitch Gaming While Parenting” seal of approval

Mechanics wise Pine can be played with just a mouse. Most interactions players will do involve moving the mouse side to side and occasionally clicking buttons. This really puts a focus on the story.

Screenshot of the husband in Pine watering a garden.

A cool detail with the more minimalist mechanics was how when interacting with broken objects (e.g., a pump), it would get progressively harder to move the icon with the mouse. At first, I thought my mouse was dying, but once I realized it was the game itself, I was impressed with the design choice and frustrated, which was relatable to the character at that moment.

There are several puzzle mini-games during sequences of the story, that do a great job keeping a gameplay session fresh. These puzzles also give players a look at the type of person the wife was in the husband’s eyes and make both characters relatable.

It’s Like Looking At a Storybook

Screenshot of the husband and wife in Pine

The art style in Pine is beautiful, looking at the backgrounds and scenery feels like looking at a painting. Everything feels like it belongs in a storybook.

While Pine is a shorter game, it does not hold back any punches when it comes to impact. There is no dialogue in Pine, however, the visuals and soundtrack perfectly capture how grief can impact someone in their day-to-day life. Pine also does an amazing job illustrating the stages of grief.

There are moments in the game that may make some players tear up, especially anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. When I reached the end of the game, I’m not ashamed to admit I broke down and had to take a walk before working on this review any further. That is how relatable the story is.

Final Thoughts on Pine: A Story of Loss

Overall Pine: A Story of Loss is a beautifully crafted game, that tackles a very complex emotion and mental state. Pine is very story-driven and powerfully uses visuals and sound design. The gameplay is very accessible, and the game can easily be completed in one play session. This is one of those games that can make players cry easily, with how relatable the emotions of the characters are. If you enjoy making yourself cry and playing games like Venba and Behind the Frame, you should wishlist Pine: A Story of Loss and give it a try once it releases.