Journal Log of my experience w/ Grace & Trip

Sep 16, 2013 by bganter

With some minor hacking, I finally got Facade to work on my Mac. The comments and reviews of this game range from, “groundbreaking!” to “knee-slappingly bad.” So I’m excited to see what is so damn polarizing about this game.

I’m invited into Grace and Trip’s eerie yuppy apartment, and welcomed by their arguments about wine glasses and prosciutto. A framed wedding photo hangs on the wall, a mounted shelf full of porcelain ornaments, one a pineapple, another that looks like a phallus. More arguing.

 

… (a time lapse)

 

It’s not exactly fun, but it’s certainly an interesting experiment. Aside from the poor graphics, limited dialogue responses, and difficulty, there is at least excellent characterization. It’s not a saving point, but, hey, it’s a silver lining. I can’t help but admire how real their fight feels — so monotonous and ridiculous, and hopeless. These people have issues, for real. I really want to help these poor robots but I end up coming off like Dr. Phil’s stoned brother-in-law.

 

…(another time lapse)

 

After a 2 hour binge of Facade I’ve learn much about Grace and Trip. Grace hates her job in advertising and resents Trip for convincing her to give up her dream of becoming an artist. Trip grew up poor and hides his insecurity with expensive wine and furniture. Grace finds Trip superficial and materialistic. Trip had an affair with someone named Maria. Grace believes her life has been controlled by first her parents and then Trip. Trip hates Grace’s art. Etc., etc., it’s all very nauseas and I actually feel kind of ill now. I’m convinced that nothing good comes out of this cocktail party. I’m either forced to leave, or Grace/Trip leaves. Why, oh, why did Trip invite me over when their marriage is dancing on a tightrope above an inferno of Pinot Noir and post-modern furniture collections. It’s a miracle no one’s stuck their head in the oven, yet. I feel like I’m trapped in a pixely, Cheever-ish dream world where people mask their sick thoughts with domestic trivialities, like vacation photos and homemade porcelain ornaments. Ugh, I’m gonna go to take a cold shower and play BioShock.

 

Oh, a rating out of 10 — I guess I’ll give Michael Mateas and Andrew Stern an E for effort.