COMPLETE Gris Game Walkthrough + Review for Cozy Gamers

If it’s emotion you’re looking for GRIS cuts to the deepest part of you and wakes you up through its haunting score and breathtaking artwork.

When art and music combine, they form a harmonious dance that transcends the boundaries of imagination and touches the very essence of the human spirit. No other indie game has been able to capture the gut-wrenching experiences of grief as poignantly as GRIS.

GRIS will leave you breathless.

Released back in 2018, GRIS takes you on an emotional journey through a mesmerizing hand-drawn landscape complemented by an original score by Berlinist.

You’ll encounter light puzzles in this atmospheric platformer and experience the 5 stages of grief. Whether it’s your first time playing the game or you’re revisiting to uncover more secrets, “GRIS” promises to tug at your heartstrings.

I have included the complete walkthrough, so you can enjoy the game to its fullest extent.

The Story Behind GRIS

Gris is a young girl filled with hope but lost in her own world, grappling with a profound and painful experience in her life.

As she embarks on her poignant journey through sorrow, her dress becomes a powerful manifestation, bestowing upon her new abilities to navigate through her faded reality with grace and resilience.

In the opening scene, you witness Gris trying to speak but hearing only silence.

I saw this as a symbol of how hard it is for us to express, with words, how we are feeling. Sometimes your emotions are so strong that you can’t describe them and it can leave you feeling incredibly isolated and alone.

Her movements were sluggish as if every step for her was simply unbearable.

Later on, I’ll go into more detail about each stage and the symbolism behind them but for now, I won’t spoil it for you if you haven’t played the game yet.

Gris won numerous game awards in 2019 including Best Art Direction (The Game Awards) and Best Visual Design (Etna Comics International Film Festival).

Coziness and Emotive Power

My constant pursuit in games is to feel a deep connection to something meaningful, that’s what truly matters to me. And Gris isn’t just about visual charm; it possesses an emotive power that resonates deep within your heart.

Playing Gris is like experiencing a deeper poetry that acts as a kind of guide through change and transformation.

As Gris, a young girl navigating the stages of grief, you experience a raw and relatable emotional journey. The absence of explicit dialogue fosters a profound connection, allowing you to interpret her experience as if it were your own.

Through cleverly designed gameplay and hauntingly beautiful music, Gris has become more than just a game for me. It’s a therapeutic experience.

The game’s ability to evoke empathy and introspection has had a lasting impact on me personally and I still come back to my Berlinist Spotify playlist whenever the world feels too heavy.

You won’t encounter any imminent threats or enemies.

The main challenge lies in mastering the movement system and abilities to progress.

It’s worth noting that there’s no fail state; you either succeed or simply don’t finish the game. As a result, Gris offers an enjoyable gaming experience with minimal consequences, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the beautiful watercolor world of the game.

GRIS Game Walkthrough Guide

WARNING This walkthrough contains spoilers for the game.

I highly recommend playing the game at least once before going back to get the achievements as they are easily accessible via the chapter selection upon completion.

I’ll walk you through the five stages of grief symbolized in Gris, their significant meaning, and the challenges you need to finish to complete the game.

The complete tutorial I used to finish the game can be found here.

Basically, to move to a new level you’ll need to collect stars to make bridges and the puzzles are relatively straightforward.

But there are 5 optional achievements you can collect which are worth doing if you’re a fan of the game.

1st Stage of Grief – Denial

Once you’re on your feet you’ll notice that movement is slow and restrictive, the world around you is void of color. 

• Stage Color – Grey
• Ability Gained – Run and Jump
• Five Stages of Grief Challenge – Go left as soon as you’re able to stand
• Temple – After receiving the Red Achievement you’ll move towards the temple (the game’s hub) an area you’ll return to after each level.

2nd Stage of Grief – Anger

Face a fierce wind as you fight to find shelter in the storm. The world feels harsh and unfriendly as red tinges everything in touches.

• Stage Color – Red
• Ability Gained – Heavy (Your dress turns into a weight)
• Five Stages of Grief Challenge – In the grey shadow realm you need to destroy ALL 3 statues rather than smashing the floor 3 times.

3rd Stage of Grief – Bargaining

Explore the forest floor with a friendly creature who loves apples. Experience the brief serenity as this stage is a metaphor for self-discovery, growth, and the unwavering resilience of the human spirit.

• Stage Color – Green
• Ability Gained – Double Jump
• Five Stages of Grief Challenge – Stand beneath the crying statue and try to sing (‘B’ on Xbox)

4th Stage of Grief – Depression

Emerge from Darkness. The deep caverns of the underground play with light and shadow to create a sense of fear and try to confuse your senses with masterful puzzling. 

• Stage Color – Blue
• Ability Gained – Swim
• Five Stages of Grief Challenge – From the central area hug the wall on the left and you’ll find a hidden tunnel that leads to a statue.

5th Stage of Grief – Acceptance

Hope bubbles up to guide you to the light. This stage is brimming with color and feels like a new beginning.

• Stage Color – Yellow
• Ability Gained – Sing
• Five Stages of Grief Challenge – Sing to the statue laying on the tomb after swimming out of the darkness.