In Gone Home, players are immersed in a richly detailed environment that reflects the family’s history and individual character arcs through exploration of a multi-story house. Each floor of the house features a diverse array of rooms that contribute to the overall narrative, encouraging players to engage deeply with the setting.

First Floor

1. Front Porch: This welcoming entry point introduces players to the atmosphere of the home.
2. Foyer (Entrance Hall): The central hub from which players can navigate to other areas, setting the tone for exploration.
3. First Floor West Wing:
– Main Hallway: Acts as a corridor connecting multiple rooms.
– Closet and TV Room: Spaces that capture aspects of family life and dynamics.
– Terry’s Office: Offers insight into the father’s character and interests.
– Library: Provides additional lore through books and media.
– Music Room: Highlights the family’s artistic side.
– East Wing Bathroom: A functional space that also adds to the home’s realism.
– Laundry Room & Garage Annex: These rooms reflect everyday activities and the busy nature of family life.
4. Dining Room: Represents shared family experiences and gatherings.
5. Kitchen: The heart of the home, filled with artifacts that tell stories of domestic life.
6. Greenhouse: A tranquil area that juxtaposes the bustling home environment.
7. Basement Entrance Room: Leads to the basement, a significant area for exploration.
– Basement Storage Room: Houses forgotten items and secrets.
– Servant’s Quarters: Adds a historical layer to the home’s narrative.
– Junk Room & Hidden Room under the Grand Staircase: Contains various clues and artifacts essential for piecing together the story.

Second Floor

1. Grand Staircase and Landing: The architectural centerpiece of the home, marking the transition to personal spaces.
2. Sam’s Room and Its Closet: A pivotal area that invites players to uncover Sam’s personal story and identity.
3. Bathroom Across from Sam’s Room: A typical family setup providing accessibility to all inhabitants.
4. Jan and Terry’s Room: Reflects the parents’ lives and relationship dynamics.
– Closet and Bathroom: Additional personal spaces for the couple.
5. Guest Room: Suggests the family’s openness on hospitality.
6. Sitting Room: A gathering spot that may contain personal artifacts and memorabilia.
7. Sewing Room: Not only gives insight into family hobbies but also includes secret passage maps crucial for further exploration.
8. Library and Dad’s Office: These connected spaces encourage players to delve into the father’s character through his work and interests.
9. Attic: Often symbolic in games, this location requires an attic key found in a secret passage, offering further depth to the exploration.

Secret Areas and Passages

Gone Home is enriched by its secret passages, which enhance gameplay and storytelling. These passages, such as the ones connecting the sewing room to the library, add layers of mystery and intrigue as players uncover hidden areas.

Basement and Attic: Access to these areas is carefully designed; the basement can be reached after acquiring a key from Sam’s locker, allowing players to piece together more behind-the-scenes family dynamics. The attic, on the other hand, represents a culmination of the family’s stories, revealing secrets that lead to deeper understanding of the characters’ experiences.

Conclusion

The design of Gone Home serves both as a narrative vehicle and gameplay experience, where players navigate through typical family spaces interspersed with hidden areas that craft a unique storytelling experience. The intertwining of everyday life with secrets and backstories ensures that every inch of the house resonates with meaning, creating an engaging exploration that invites reflection on themes of family, identity, and personal discovery.