How The Game 'GRIS' Transforms Grief Into Gameplay

Exploring the emotional architecture behind Nomada Studio’s hauntingly beautiful platformer.

I had the pleasure of stumbling onto a gem of a game—GRIS. What I expected to be a brief distraction turned out to be one of the most moving gaming experiences I’ve had in a while.

But, what is…GRIS?

The name GRIS means “grey” in Spanish, a nod to both the game’s opening palette and the liminal emotional space its heroine inhabits. As you explore, new colours slowly return to the world, each tied to a stage of healing.

The game is short—around three to four hours—but its blend of elegant mechanics, stunning art direction, and evocative music has made it one of the most acclaimed indie titles of the past decade.

What it’s like to play GRIS

A side-scrolling platformer with no dialogue, combat, or fail states, it’s deceptively simple on the surface. But beneath that surface lies a profound comment on grief, loss, and transformation - delivered through movement, colour and sound.