Her Story is an adventure game developed by Sam Barlow that places players in front of a simulated 1990s police database filled with live-action video footage. The experience centers on seven interviews conducted in 1994 with a British woman named Hannah Smith regarding her missing husband. Through keyword searches on transcribed dialogue, players uncover short video clips and assemble the narrative in any order they choose.
Gameplay
The core loop involves typing search terms into the database interface to retrieve relevant clips. Each clip shows Hannah responding to off-screen questions, and the player must interpret context while building connections across the footage. There are 271 individual clips in total, and progress is tracked through a visual checker that marks viewed segments. Players can also assign custom tags to clips, which then become searchable terms for further exploration. A secondary desktop feature includes a simple strategy minigame called Mirror Game, modeled after Reversi, that serves as an optional distraction during investigation sessions.
Controls remain minimal and focused on the keyboard for searches, with mouse interaction limited to selecting and replaying clips. The non-linear structure means the full picture emerges only after multiple searches reveal overlapping details about relationships, events, and motives. Sessions typically last a few hours as players refine queries and revisit the database with new keywords derived from earlier footage.
Game Modes
Her Story offers a single continuous narrative experience without separate modes or branching campaigns. All gameplay occurs within the same database interface, and the story unfolds through the same set of 271 clips regardless of search order. The design emphasizes replay through different keyword approaches rather than distinct game types or difficulty settings. No multiplayer components or additional scenarios exist.
Narrative and Presentation
Live-action performances by Viva Seifert form the entire visual and audio content. The interviews capture natural speech patterns and emotional shifts that reward attentive listening. The 1990s desktop aesthetic includes period-appropriate file explorers and text documents that provide subtle guidance on mechanics without breaking immersion. Sound design stays restrained, relying on the interview audio and minimal interface clicks.
The story explores themes of identity, memory, and truth through Hannah's varying accounts. Players piece together timelines and contradictions at their own pace, which suits those who enjoy detective-style deduction over action or resource management.
Is It Worth Playing?
Her Story appeals to players interested in narrative-driven adventures and interactive storytelling. Its unique database-search mechanic delivers a focused mystery that rewards curiosity and careful observation. The game runs well on modern PCs with no ongoing updates required, as the content remains self-contained from its original release. Those seeking traditional action sequences or competitive elements will find little here, while fans of FMV titles and non-linear plots often cite its originality as a standout feature. Availability on PC makes it accessible for anyone with a keyboard and interest in short, thoughtful sessions.
