The Goose Is Loose

Take a gander at this...

Sometimes, the game with a simple premise can be the most entertaining. Such is the case with Untitled Goose Game( and yes, that is the actual title of the game). Released in 2019 by the developer House House ( also the real name) Untitled Goose Game has a simple premise which also served as the game’s tagline:

It’s a lovely day in the village and you are a horrible goose.

You play as the titular goose, exploring multiple areas of a small village. In each area you are given a To Do List. Your purpose is to cause as much chaos as possible.  The tasks on the To Do List can range from putting a gardener's tools in the lake, to breaking someone's expensive vase. After you complete the majority of the tasks, a new area will be made available to you with a new set of tasks. There's not much of a main storyline and the game itself is relatively short, but it's the mechanics that make this game interesting. The humans around the village will try and stop you from your nefarious deeds and it's your job to explore and experiment to complete your tasks. There are elements of stealth, but unlike most stealth driven games, violence is not present here. Occasionally, you may have to honk at someone or chase them but it's a far cry from the standard fare of larger titles.

A typical list of tasks for an area.

Most of the games I talk about on this blog are story driven AAA titles that take hours to complete. However, I feel that it's also important to focus on indie games from time to time as a lot of them are classified as hidden gems. It's a great feeling when you get lost in a game, but some people simply don't have that kind of time. Shorter titles that can be completed in a day are great for individuals with busy schedules. And just because the game is short doesn't mean it's not fun. This game received great reviews from critics and players alike and was a big hit in 2020 when everyone was stuck inside. Although video games can provide a sense of escapism, simpler titles like this can also help a person relax.

 The clip below shows an example of the goose up to his usual shenanigans.

I would also argue that this game is great for children. The colors are vibrant and the graphics have a softer look to them. The controls are simple, and the use of classical music is a great way to make sure that a child is not overstimulated. The puzzle aspect is also an avenue for kids to learn cause and effect and work on problem solving skills. Admittedly, the goose is a bit of a troublemaker, but there's more mischief to be found in this game than malice.

Sometimes hiding in plain sight is the best option. Confusion is the name of the game.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoy Untitled Goose Game. I think it's wonderful  that developers took a premise that was slightly strange and off the wall and used it to its full potential. There's even a dedicated honk button… how many games can you say that about? Every once in a while, some silly lighthearted fun is just what we need.

This post was written by Vanessa Hart, creator of Deep Dive Gaming.