VR Gaming

50 Days Of PS VR #9: 'GNOG' Is A Bizarre Puzzler Filled With Color

, & Jamie Feltham

4 October 2016

50 Days Of PS VR #9: 'GNOG' Is A Bizarre Puzzler Filled With Color

9 days to go until the launch of PlayStation VR! We’re counting down to the release of Sony’s VR headset on October 13th by highlighting one game a day for its anticipated release. Today we’re… well we don’t know what we’re doing with GNOG.

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You probably know most of the games that feature as demos on the disc that comes with PlayStation VR in the US. Everyone knows what Resident Evil 7 is, and most of you will be ready for Driveclub VR. But if you look down the list of around 18 experiences, there is one title that might well get you to pause and scratch your head. That title is GNOG from indie studio KO_OP.

Wait, what in heck is GNOG?

The answer is quite simple, if a little bizarre. GNOG is a cartoonish puzzle game in which you explore the insides of totem-like monster heads. Each of these heads features (thankfully) a face, but by flipping it round with a DualShock 4 you’ll see strange dioramas embedded inside. What you actually do with each of these scenes is sort of the point; in each you’ll drag a cursor around to highlight different objects and try and interact with them. Take a look at the trailer below to get a sense of just how crazy it is.

Through exploring, you’ll hopefully work out exactly what obscure task you need to carry out in order to progress to the next head. After solving a set of heads you’ll unlock yet more puzzles. Each of these challenges is entirely different from the last, making GNOG an unpredictable experience that will constantly be giving you something new. You’ll have to keep exploring and experimenting with everything if you want to make it through.

It’s something of a point-and-click game, then, which explains why Broken Age developer Double Fine Productions is involved. It’s got that same trial and error approach which might be off-putting for some, but will definitely appeal to a certain fan base that isn’t yet being served by the VR industry.

We’ve played GNOG on a 2D screen (which will also be supported at launch), and we’re fully on board to find out more about the surreal project. It feeds an odd sense of curiosity that grows as you hunt around rooms, looking for things to uncover. It would definitely benefit from PlayStation Move support, though that’s sadly unconfirmed for now.

GNOG will be launching in early 2017, though pre-orders for the game are now available. For more, you can also check out the demo disc on PlayStation VR launch day, October 13th.