In “Her Story,” the interactive narrative experience hinges on the player’s ability to search through a collection of 271 video clips featuring Hannah Smith’s interviews. This search functionality is grounded in the transcripts of her spoken words. Here’s a more detailed overview of how the search mechanics operate and the implications for gameplay:

1. Search Functionality: Players input keywords in a search bar to find relevant video clips. The search results depend exclusively on the words that appear in the police transcripts of Hannah’s interviews. This design replicates the feel of a 1990s video database system, emphasizing the importance of precise keyword selection.

2. Irrelevant or Non-Existent Keywords: If a player enters a keyword that does not exist within the transcripts, the database returns no clips, resulting in a blank screen without any videos. This absence of results reinforces the importance of paying attention to the language used by the character throughout the interviews.

3. No Penalty for Failed Searches: Unlike some games that impose penalties for incorrect actions or searches, “Her Story” maintains a straightforward approach. When players search for non-existent terms, there is no consequence, no additional messages, and the interface simply does not return any clips. This allows players to experiment without fear of negative repercussions.

4. Result Limitations: When searching for relevant keywords, players may only see up to five results from their search term. This limitation encourages careful consideration of keyword choices to maximize the information gleaned from the available video clips. However, if a keyword does not yield any results, the player does not have to deal with this limitation since there will simply be no results displayed at all.

In essence, the search mechanism in “Her Story” is designed to immerse players in the investigative experience, reinforcing the significance of language and accuracy in piecing together the narrative. The straightforward nature of the search function, with its lack of penalties or complications for irrelevant keywords, aligns with the game’s focus on exploration and discovery. This brings a layer of realism and engagement to the overall gameplay experience.