Tacoma Reviews
Tacoma, the second game from Gone Home studio Fullbright, presents an intriguing narrative that is bogged down by some glaring technical issues
If you've played games like Gone Home, Dear Esther or Firewatch, Tacoma is instantly recognizable, but it remains distinct by introducing a wildly exotic space setting and a mechanic that keeps the "look and listen gameplay" from ever becoming a bore.
The makers of indie cult favourite Gone Home have created a linear sci-fi title set in 2088 that feels satisfyingly lived in and free from stereotypes
As you step aboard the lunar station Tacoma, magnetic boots thunking to the metallic floor, you would be forgiven for a sense of deja vu.
Tacoma is a beautiful, albeit graphically ascetic, game for fans of the "Walking Simulator" genre and interesting stories, which requires your attention when exploring the environment, listening to dialogue and viewing electronic correspondence. However, it is well translated into Russian, so you'll need just a desire to know the secret of the space station and enough perseverance. And that's not a problem for the project, which takes just two hours from start to finish.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Although Tacoma is short, it does a fantastic job telling the stories of the different characters throughout the game, using the non-sequential AR memory recordings to build emotional ties to each.
Tacoma is worth the time I spent with it, even if it isn't the same holy-crap-what-did-I-just-play experience provided by Gone Home.
With Gone Home representing a key moment in gaming, Tacoma had plenty of potential to suffer from so called "second album syndrome". While it never manages to hit the same emotional highs – or lows – as its predecessor, it still stands out from the crowd, mainly through the implementation of some nicely interactive AR scenes to deliver its key story moments. While there are certainly other complaints you could level at Tacoma – such as its rigid linearity and how it occasionally falls into genre clichés – these can be easily forgotten as developer Fullbright once again proves where its strengths lie: with down-to-earth characters and thought-provoking storytelling.
Tacoma has a heart all its own, exploring a myriad of themes and advocating for the human condition, but the branches that sprout from the tree rarely bear fruit. Still, the growth is wonderful, even without that sweet taste you so long for.
Tacoma is as thoughtful and introspective as you'd hope, effortlessly pairing lofty sci-fi ideas with grounded personal stories and diverse characters. Your time on the Tacoma space station may be brief, but it's undeniably satisfying exploring the station and its interactive AR recordings, and there's enough intrigue to the plot to keep you guessing to the end.
Tacoma's top-notch story and presentation are arranged into an inappropriate structure that will dull the experience, even for fans of exploration games.
Tacoma is a captivating tale that messes with established tropes in a way that Fullbright might become known for. Although it spins its wheels at the start, this slow and methodical journey through the lives of a small group survivors is one with some fantastic twists and turns, and one that should stick with you long after its conclusion.
If you're looking for sci-fi action and alien blasting, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you're in the market for a fascinating narrative and an intriguing space station to lose yourself in, you could do a heck of a lot worse than Tacoma.
Tacoma is a master class in the art of giving you the tools to experience a fascinating place through others' eyes.
Tacoma is a great narrative driven game that puts you in the middle of a mysterious space station. From the creators of Gone Home, this a Sci-Fi experience that you should check out.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Tacoma is a playable science fiction film with exciting ideas, but it is flat in terms of gameplay and emotion.
Review in German | Read full review
"Tacoma's" core appeal comes from watching the characters behave differently as they move between areas and interact with each other.
Tacoma tells a compelling story with a disappointing conclusion.
Tacoma is a rightful heir to Gone Home. Exploration of the station, with the possibility to learn about the crew through holographic projections, makes us feel we are in a very lively place and the main story, that wants us to think about capitalism and I.A.'s future is captivating, even thought the experience is quite short.
Review in French | Read full review