SIRE

Mi ricordo del giorno in cui ho giocato SIRE per la prima volta in ogni suo dettaglio. Dove ero seduta, con chi ero nella stanza e su quale pc lo stavo giocando. Mi ricordo di due occhi che cercavano di leggere le mie reazioni facendo finta di fare altro. Chiamare SIRE un videogioco è riduttivo di qualcosa che è molto più ampio: è un esperienza, un viaggio emotivo. È arte. Un dialogo. Giocare SIRE è semplice come scivolare in un sogno, ma da svegli, dove tutto è estremamente reale. La scelta delle parole è accurata ed emotivamente affilata e la capacità linguistica di sintetizzare senza mai perdere il contatto con le emozioni è sorprendente. Come le scene sono direttamente collegate ai sensi. All'essere presente nelle emozioni. Ho sentito e risentito le parole del video finale, ancora e ancora, cercando di riportare le emozioni della narrazione in immagini. E quando ho giocato il gioco per la prima volta mi sono emozionata per quelle stesse parole come non le avessi mai sentite. Ed stata un esperienza nuova e completa. Questa è la potenza della narrazione di SIRE. Sono onorata di essere stata parte di questa esperienza. Mat [An anatomic heart]

Intimate, honest and heartfelt dissection of the author's relationship with their late father. Autobiographical games are a rarity, and we ought to cherish the ones we get, especially if they are as well written as this one.

Not usually a gamer but this was fun. Raw, sometimes funny, made me reflect about my own experiences. Went through all of the emotions and felt better for it. Would highly recommend to anyone whether they've experienced loss or not!

Sire has made me laugh many times and cry once. Just half an hour in! But felt compelled to write a review already. Sire has an intuitive and playful gameplay interface. The real treat for me is the v well done writing, which moves and delights. Loving the video in-game content (aka Sire "memories"), each of which I've watched several times over. Sire is a hidden gem. Especially recommended for those who are into books that are beautifully written and have some space for reflection and imagination.

For me, a completely new kind of gaming experience and perspective on the kinds of themes games can explore and engage with. It offers beautiful, intimate storytelling that touches on subjects many people can relate to — and does so with empathy and, at times, a touch of humour. Highly recommended!

Intriguing and honest narrative experience that manages to really capture complex feelings in a poetic yet easily digestible way. Though the themes of the story hit particularly close to home for me, I think it will resonates with the general idea of the relationship one has with their parents for many. I highly recommend it as an short and impactful experience that will make you reflect upon your own relationships and memories!

Playing SIRE felt like being pulled into a living fairytale I didn’t want to stop experiencing. It carries you from childhood memories to present-day travels, exploring themes of love, loss, and the complicated thing called family. The game is creative, poetic, and emotional. Its unlike anything I’ve played before. I especially loved how it blends illustrated art with real video footage, creating a dreamlike and immersive vibe. If you’re looking for something unique, fairytail like, and emotionally touching, I highly recommend SIRE.

Highly recommended for everyone who has dealt - or still deals - with traumatic grief. Gorgeous, vulnerable, courageous. Learn about loss & resilience through a beautiful and creative multimedia game.

Beautifully written, personal, and deeply touching. The contrast between the old-school drag-and-drop mechanics and the fluid, immersive storytelling worked well for me, drawing me deeper into the narrative. It’s full of confronting “oof” moments—emotional punches that never become overwhelming, thanks to the whimsical humor that surfaces at unexpected moments. An artful, intimate game that not only brought me closer to the artist but also to others who have experienced complex loss and grief.

SIRE isn’t just a game—it’s an experience, a raw and unflinching exploration of loss, memory, and the weight of regret. It’s the kind of work that lingers long after the screen fades to black, not because of its mechanics or challenges, but because of how deeply it resonates with the human experience. At its core, SIRE is about losing a father and navigating the messy, painful process of grief. It doesn’t shy away from the ugly, uncomfortable moments—the bad memories, the things left unsaid, the regrets that gnaw at you in the quiet hours. The game’s storytelling is intimate and immersive, pulling you into its world with a harsh realism that feels almost too real, much like the existential dread and self-reflection of Disco Elysium or the quiet desperation of Citizen Sleeper. What sets SIRE apart is its willingness to sit with you in the discomfort. It doesn’t offer easy answers or catharsis; instead, it invites you to confront the complexity of love and loss, to wrestle with the ghosts of the past. The art style, music, and writing all come together to create something that feels more like a poem or a painting than a traditional game. If you’ve ever loved someone deeply, if you’ve ever lost someone, if you’ve ever carried the weight of regret—SIRE will touch you. It’s not an easy journey, but it’s an important one, and it’s a testament to the power of games as a medium for storytelling and emotional expression. SIRE is a work of art that deserves to be experienced, not just played. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful stories are the ones that break your heart.