Back in 2018, the independent gaming world was captivated by a small Spanish studio that delivered an emotional masterpiece. Nomada Studio, based in Barcelona, released Gris to widespread critical acclaim, creating a platformer that transcended traditional gaming experiences. The title features a breathtaking, hand-painted art style reminiscent of watercolor illustrations and an extraordinarily moving soundtrack that guides players through a wordless narrative about depression, loss, and the journey toward emotional healing. For those seeking a deeply affecting experience punctuated by thoughtful platforming challenges, Gris remains one of the most profound games of its generation—and it’s currently available through PlayStation Plus, waiting to be discovered by a new audience.
What makes Gris particularly remarkable is its ability to communicate complex emotional themes without relying on dialogue or text. The protagonist, a young woman dealing with a painful experience in her life, moves through a world that transforms as her emotional state evolves. The game uses color as its primary storytelling device—beginning in stark black and white before gradually introducing new hues as players progress. Each color represents a stage of grief and recovery, creating a visual metaphor that resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced loss or struggled with mental health challenges. The platforming mechanics themselves evolve alongside this emotional journey, with new abilities unlocking that reflect the protagonist’s growing strength and resilience.
A Studio’s Rise to Artistic Excellence
Nomada Studio was founded by former members of Ubisoft Barcelona, who sought creative freedom to pursue more personal, artistically driven projects. Their debut title represented a bold departure from mainstream gaming conventions, prioritizing emotional resonance over traditional gameplay metrics like difficulty or length. The gamble paid off spectacularly—Gris received numerous awards and nominations, including recognition at The Game Awards and BAFTA Games Awards. Critics praised its seamless integration of visual art, music, and gameplay, noting how each element reinforced the others to create a cohesive artistic statement. The game’s composer, Berlinist, crafted a score that has since been performed in concert halls worldwide, demonstrating how video game music has evolved into a legitimate art form worthy of classical venues.
The impact of Gris extended beyond gaming circles, sparking conversations about how interactive media can address mental health topics with sensitivity and grace. Mental health advocates praised the game’s non-exploitative approach to depicting depression, noting that it avoids common pitfalls like romanticizing suffering or offering simplistic solutions. Instead, Gris presents recovery as a gradual, nonlinear process—a message that resonated with players who saw their own experiences reflected in the game’s visual metaphors. Educational institutions have even used Gris as a teaching tool, examining how games can communicate complex ideas through purely visual and auditory means.
Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Experience Gris
The inclusion of Gris in the PlayStation Plus library represents an excellent opportunity for players who may have overlooked this indie gem during its initial release. With the gaming landscape often dominated by blockbuster releases and live-service titles demanding hundreds of hours of commitment, Gris offers something refreshingly different—a complete, self-contained experience that can be finished in approximately three to four hours. This brevity is intentional, allowing the game’s emotional impact to land without overstaying its welcome. For subscribers looking to diversify their gaming diet beyond action-heavy titles, Gris provides a meditative alternative that stimulates different emotional and aesthetic sensibilities.
The game’s relevance has only increased since its 2018 release, as conversations about mental health have become more prominent in public discourse. The COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, brought issues of isolation, grief, and depression to the forefront of global consciousness, making Gris’s themes feel more timely than ever. Players discovering the game today bring new perspectives shaped by collective experiences of the past several years, potentially finding different meanings and connections than those who played it at launch. Nomada Studio has continued developing new projects, including their 2024 release Neva, which explores similar themes through a different lens—the bond between a woman and a wolf. Those who experience Gris now can look forward to exploring the studio’s expanding catalog of emotionally intelligent games.
Expert Opinion: Gris represents a watershed moment in demonstrating that video games can achieve the emotional depth traditionally associated with fine art and cinema. As the industry continues maturing, titles like this pave the way for more developers to explore personal, introspective themes without commercial compromise. Players seeking meaningful experiences should prioritize Gris—its presence on PS Plus removes every barrier to discovering one of the decade’s most beautiful interactive experiences.
