Heartwarming / GRIS

• Early in the polygon forest, Gris briefly teams up with an apple-loving forest spirit who follows her around. It's the first distinctly anthropomorphic sign of life in the game, and signals that the world isn't quite as devoid of life as it initially appeared.
• In the underwater level, just when it seems like Gris will not be able to escape the maw of the eel and will be swallowed whole, the turtle that guided her into the dark depths reappears as the music hits a crescendo, bringing a ray of hope and banishing the eel.
• The climax. Gris sings even while the darkness begins to envelop her, her voice never faltering as it seems to swallow her whole... then the voice of her mother joins her, chasing the darkness away and bringing vibrance back to the world, as if telling her daughter that even if she is gone, her love will be with her always. Knowing this and having this love reaffirmed, Gris makes peace with her loss, and kisses her mother goodbye.
  • The whole scene tugs at the heartstrings with every detail. The statue weeping for the time between mother and daughter cut short. Gris's subtle shifts in facial expression that tell the audience that even if the sadness of her loss will stay with her, so will the happiness of what came before. The very best kind of Bittersweet Ending, and an artistic accomplishment.

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