Pure Dead GamingPure Dead Gaming
  • Podcast
    PodcastShow More
    PDG Revisited – Sleeping Dogs
    August 24, 2024
    Podcast 191
    August 23, 2024
    Podcast 190
    August 18, 2024
    Podcast 189
    August 9, 2024
    Podcast 188
    August 2, 2024
  • Reviews
    ReviewsShow More
    Steel Seed review
    KARMA: The Dark World review
    Atomfall review
    Marvel Rivals review
    2024 Game of the Year Voting
    December 22, 2024
  • Classic Reviews
    Classic ReviewsShow More
    Okami HD Review
    Classic Games Revisited + Reviewed – Spec Ops: The Line (PC)
    The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds Review
    April 19, 2024
    Golden Sun Review
    April 3, 2024
    Classic Games Revisited + Reviewed – Yakuza 0 (PS3 / PS4)
    January 20, 2023
  • Editorials
    EditorialsShow More
    Hades II – Hands On
    May 20, 2024
    Need For Speed, where did it all go wrong?
    March 25, 2024
    Biggest Gaming Releases This Week (November 20-24)
    November 20, 2023
    Ghostrunner 2 Hands-on preview
    September 11, 2023
    Summer Game Fest 2023: A Recap of Exciting Game Announcements
    June 9, 2023
  • Shop
  • Contact
Reading: The Gallery Review
Share
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Pure Dead GamingPure Dead Gaming
  • Podcast
  • Reviews
  • Classic Reviews
  • Editorials
  • Shop
Search
Follow US
© Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Pure Dead Gaming > Blog > Reviews > The Gallery Review
Reviews

The Gallery Review

Craig
Last updated: September 23, 2022 12:27 pm
Craig
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

Developer: Paul Raschid / Aviary Studios
Publisher: Aviary Studios
ReleaseDate: 8th September 2022
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam, iOS & Android
Reviewed on: PlayStation 5
▫️ Code provided by the publisher ▫️

Over the last few years, I have played my fair share of FMV titles. Starting with The Bunker back in 2017, right up to the excellent Immortality only a few weeks ago. The debate is always there: are these experiences really games or interactive movies? While an argument can be made on both sides, what isn’t in question for me is their entertainment value. When done right, an FMV title can be extremely immersive and I enjoy seeking out teams trying something a bit different with the genre. Enter: The Gallery.

The unique hook here is that you have the option of playing through for all intents and purposes the same narrative twice, across two different time periods. One in 1981, and the other forty years later in 2021. Both stories are accessible from the start and can be played in whatever order you like.

The 1981 half is set during Thatcher’s reign over the United Kingdom. There is civil unrest and concerns that things may begin to boil over. You are directing the decisions of Morgan Haynes, an art gallery owner who is hoping that securing a highly sought-after portrait of the Prime Minister will mean a huge boost to foot traffic the next day for an exhibition that is being held. Unfortunately, just after locking up, you become aware that you are not alone. A character by the name of Dorian is inexplicably inside the property, and against your better judgement, you entertain this individual.

In the 2021 narrative, the same basic story applies, with a few new side characters providing different wrinkles to the main protagonist. The setting is also the same art gallery in London, complete with different window-dressing to compliment the times. There is a sense that Brexit Britain and the pandemic are leaning heavily on the country and I found the contrast between the same story playing out in two different time periods fascinating.

In the 80’s timeline, Morgan is played by Anna Popplewell, who you may know from the Chronicles of Narnia films. The antagonist, Dorian, is played by George Blagden of Vikings fame. One of the most interesting things the game does is flip the script for the 2021 adaptation, with Blagden taking on the role of the gallery owner, while Anna Popplewell becomes the mysterious and evasive Dorian. It’s an interesting juxtaposition and one that is in keeping with the sense that a lot has changed in the forty years between the time periods.

The acting throughout both stories is solid and the supporting cast does a good job of providing context and motivations for our main characters. For a story built around a hostage situation though, there were times when the writing didn’t convey the level of magnitude that I would have expected. This would have been less glaring if the tone was campier, as is the case in many FMV titles. However, The Gallery plays it pretty straight, and so there was a bit of a disconnect at times.

As is the norm with games in this genre, there are many branching paths and endings to see. Twelve in the 1981 story, and six in 2021 to be exact. This can be tracked at any time during the pause menu as well. Decisions by default are timed, forcing players to go with their instincts, but if you happen to be playing in a group or streaming the game there is also an option that lets you linger on choices and discuss your next course of action.

The platinum trophy isn’t difficult in any way, especially with being able to pause decision-making, but I highly recommend checking out a guide to know which decisions need to be made in order to push you in the right direction of each objective.

Value: With a launch price of just £11.99 this is an easy game to recommend to fans of the FMV genre. Each of the two stories comes in at around 80 minutes, and so putting them together equates to a feature length film. Add in the replayability factor, and you are definitely getting your money’s worth here.

Overall I really enjoyed The Gallery. For a while now I have found the FMV genre a great palate cleanser between bigger, more gameplay-heavy titles. The story here is good, and it plays out with mostly good acting from a recognisable cast. Certain areas of the story can be picked at, and depending on your decisions you may not get the ending that you want, but I think you’ll enjoy the ride.

-Craig

You Might Also Like

Steel Seed review

KARMA: The Dark World review

Atomfall review

Marvel Rivals review

2024 Game of the Year Voting

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
By Craig
Follow:
Craig started gaming at 4 years old on the NES and has been hooked ever since. Trophies and achievements have only made him fall deeper down the rabbit hole. Will play almost anything, although particularly partial to anything involving stealth and silenced pistols. Football game enthusiast. RIP PES.

Latest YouTube Post

X-twitter Youtube Spotify Tiktok Instagram

Random Reviews

Reviews

DISNEY CLASSIC GAMES | PS4 REVIEW

November 13, 2019
Reviews

STAR WARS JEDI: FALLEN ORDER | PS4 REVIEW

November 29, 2019
Reviews

Forspoken review

February 5, 2023
Reviews

Just Die Already review

May 24, 2021
Reviews

Days Gone | PS4 Review

May 13, 2019
Reviews

Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 Review

September 5, 2018

Pure Dead Gaming © 2024

You guessed it. This site uses cookies.
We use non-personal cookies for analytics, and also some social media cookies to allow us to personalise ads. There are also one or two to take care of security. If you click 'Accept' this will allow us to use Analytics and Marketing cookies. You have full control over which cookies may be set by clicking 'Settings'. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Go to mobile version
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?