Reviews

• gamedeal user

  Sep 29, 2021

  [h1][i]Yes, I do understand! It sounds insane![/i][/h1] Masterpiece? Dare I call it that? I first played [i][b]Fran Bow[/b][/i] years ago and this second (and third) playthrough just confirmed to me how great, unique and creative this little point'n'click game is. Even if, by the end, it seemed somewhat convoluted to me before, this time around everything fell into place. I understand it all. It's insane... and it makes perfect sense. [i][b]Fran Bow[/b][/i] is quite Burton-esque in presentation with its dark whimsy and gothic love of the grotesque and weird, but especially with that expressionistic distortion, exaggeration, a feeling of dreamlike unreality, or heightened reality. What immediately attracts attention is juxtaposition with childlike charm and playfulness all reflected in hand-drawn cutesy cartoonish art style. Horrific things are presented through innocent lens in the process heightening the morbidity and freakishness. There's something about how child's mind interprets awful things, how it copes, defends itself, creates illusions and different escape mechanisms that makes it all very sad and disturbing at the same time. It's a human mind in its purest form, unfiltered, not yet set in its ways, seeing things in simple, stripped down terms and therefore... truer? Fran Bow utilises this to the full which makes it its hallmark in a way. Psychedelic and surreal, it's like Alice in Wonderland seen through a hellish mirror. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2614041724 [h3][i]Break the eyes, break the ears! Break the physical limitation![/i][/h3] Little Fran's mind was broken after witnessing her parents being chopped up to pieces that she ended up in an insane asylum for children. Unable to withstand harsh conditions, her goal is to find her kitty and escape, somehow finding her way to aunt Grace. It can be said that Fran Bow is about [b]the journey home[/b], but also about learning what home is. That journey will take some unexpected, crazy turns, but always imaginative and original, because it's ultimately a journey through a disturbed mind, through different stages of unconscious presented as five realities. It's about working through severe trauma, learning to accept pain, to embrace the tears of blood, waking up in darkness to be able to walk in light. That's the game. It's executed thoroughly, top to bottom, with some intriguing insights into insanity. I love how it plays with [b]perception[/b], illusion and hallucination, whoops - different realities... and makes you question which one is more real. When Fran pops a pill, she enters Ultrareality where things take turn for a true horror with dismemberment and dripping 'red milk' galore. Death and pain rule here with sinister black shadows feeding off anguish and suffering. The sudden transition is quite shocking which the asylum chapter cranks up to the max. Even later, when shock and horror subside a bit, the constant unease is always present. But no matter how freaky things become, a lot of it actually hints at the true nature beneath. It's not just shock for shock's sake: animals crying tears of blood in need of a hug, dead babies that nobody loves, abandoned orphans... like Fran. There absolutely is a method to Fran's madness. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2607486615 This perception play is incorporated into the [b]gameplay[/b] as well; in fact it's the most interesting mechanic. Besides the inventory in one corner, Fran has a bottle of psychoactive pills in the other and to solve puzzles and move the story you have to interact with objects and characters in both states. Later, when Fran is equipped with season-changing clock this becomes quadruple. As someone who always investigates everything, this actually wasn't such a chore as you soon learn which objects are worth clicking again. In fact, thanks to eccentric characters and amusing conversations, and Fran's childish, often inappropriate comments, it was a joy to explore. I should add that gameplay-wise Fran Bow is a classic [b]point'n'click[/b], but I wouldn't call it old school. It belongs in that second adventure game renaissance (there is one every decade) and as such is already easier and a bit stripped down. There are no dialogue trees for example, but a simple choice to continue the conversation or cut it. But, this is actually a choices-don't-matter game just like in any other classic p&c. As it is, I quite enjoyed a lot of puzzles, from those fetch-this-and-that quests to use in another quest to the classic puzzles that involve finding a code or carefully reading instructions etc. Oh, can't forget all the key collecting and door opening which play a big part thematically and not just as a puzzle design. This barely needs a walkthrough ("It's very logical", Fran would say) but the slightly reduced challenge is actually excellent for keeping the story flow (skippable mini games notwithstanding). And the game does have excellent [b]flow and pacing[/b]. I don't agree with some common criticism about disjointed mixing of genres through different chapters. To me, that's the strength of epic, imaginative adventuring. I mean, Fran becomes a tree at one point; if that isn't an adventure of a lifetime, I don't know what is. I really enjoyed the part in Ithersta as a welcome calm before and after the storm. It may be less intense, but is the most satisfying puzzle-wise. Not to mention, it opens up Fran's world considerably with intriguing and curiosity-inducing lore about five realities. [h3][i]Death is nothing more than the absence of love[/i][/h3] Despite all the blood and gore, this game is actually quite [b]fun and darkly humorous[/b]. I've always loved bizarre and absurd humour especially one that dips into the morbid, catching you off-guard, creating a whiplash and temporary confusion. It's a great way to alleviate the constant dark oppression, but also to make you look at things with fresh eyes. A lot of weirdness actually works towards building up a rich thematic tapestry... and is also wonderfully entertaining. Fluffy doctor, [i]Palontras[/i], is so much better than that ugly old man. [i]Shiny insects[/i] get stuck on trees and combing their tangled hair frees them from curiosity. Curiosity, like in Wonderland, is good, driving you to the bottom of things (to the Mabuka's heart), but after that you have to just let go and fly away. Fran's imaginary friend, [i]Itward[/i], is a Skeleton, common image of Death, who can only be imagined because he already exists. [i]Deadleeworm[/i] looks like a mini Grim Reaper. Whether Death is depicted as scary or has a friendly face, it always follows Fran. Same as Darkness. Devilish goat-headed monster, slimy black shadows... Also, let's not forget that her beloved kitty, her only companion and comfort, is called [i]Mr Midnight[/i], "dark as the deepest night". https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2614047163 The pinnacle of it all is waking up in darkness, facing death and pain, and choosing happiness (even if it's an illusion... and who's to say it is). It's actually quite hopeful in the end. The ambiguity absolutely works in this story. You're not going to get a little bow on the ending and pedantic explanation. Get over it! Why would you want it? But you're going to get closure. Specific plot points are ultimately irrelevant, just a basic support for the surreal journey. And I'm ok with that. From the gore-filled asylum horror and creepy dolls and twins, through the psychedelic world of vegetative state, then a steampunk Halloween ride, to the nightmarish and cathartic culmination in the heart of darkness - there is a thread, a direction, a composition. It's like a circle. It's perfect. It's insane and it totally makes sense. It's a masterpiece. [h3][quote][b]Curated by [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/40848670-Drugoja-In-The-Dreaming/]Drugoja In The Dreaming[/url][/b][/quote][/h3]
• gamedeal user

  Dec 28, 2021

  "Your heart is pure gold, but your mind has been tormented by your demons." Please, don't die! And don't kill others, or you'll end up hurting yourself! “Seconds, minutes, hours, and days. i forgot to understand you, and to give myself some love.” "Death is nothing more than the absence of love." "Oh, all in my head you say?... Then I may be able to control IT "Between guilt and fear. I choose happiness." I Love These Quotes
• gamedeal user

  Jan 31, 2022

  child on drugs
• gamedeal user

  Apr 9, 2022

  this game was a big part of my childhood, and im glad im finally able to experience and play the game myself :)
• gamedeal user

  Apr 22, 2022

  10/10 Highly Recommend This game has stuck with me since I played it, especially the characters. I loved the whimsical yet spooky storytelling and the separate "worlds". It touches on some very dark subjects so I will include a trigger warning at the end of this review. ⸸ PUZZLE DIFFICULTY ⸸ 🔲 Easy 🔲 Normal ✅ Possible to get stumped 🔲 Hard 🔲 Dark Souls ⸸ GRAPHICS ⸸ 🔲 Bad 🔲 Okay 🔲 Good ✅ Beautiful 🔲 Masterpiece ⸸ MUSIC ⸸ 🔲 Bad 🔲 Not special 🔲 Good ✅ Excellent 🔲 Best ⸸ STORY ⸸ 🔲 No Story 🔲 Bad 🔲 Average 🔲 Good ✅ Very Rich ⸸ PRICE ⸸ ✅ Perfect price 🔲 Cheap 🔲 Could be cheaper 🔲 Overpriced 🔲 Complete waste of money ⸸ LENGTH ⸸ 🔲 Very Short (0 - 5 hours) ✅ Short (5 - 20 hours) 🔲 Average (20-50 hours) 🔲 Long (50-100 hours) 🔲 Extremely long (100+ hours) 🔲 No ending ⸸ FUN ⸸ 🔲 Would rather watch paint dry 🔲 It is OK 🔲 It is Fun 🔲 A lot of fun ✅ I had a blast! ⸸ REPLAYABILITY ⸸ 🔲 Hardly playable now 🔲 Only for achievements ✅ After a bit of time 🔲 Definitely 🔲 Infinitely replayable ⸸ BUGS ⸸ ✅ Never heard of 🔲 Minor bugs 🔲 Can get annoying 🔲 Almost unplayable 🔲 Ark: Survival Evolved ⸸ WORTH BUYING ⸸ 🔲 No 🔲 Wait for sale ✅ Yes ⸸ TRIGGER WARNING ⸸ [spoiler]✅ sexual abuse ✅ self harm ✅ suicidal tendencies ✅ r*pe ✅ pedophilia ✅ gore[/spoiler]
• gamedeal user

  Aug 18, 2022

  Fran Bow is a psychological horror Point&Click game with a good story. You play as Fran, a young girl who's been happy with her parents, who gifted her a cute cat. One night she wakes up and finds them dead. The girl was taken to an asylum due to her hallucination. The story gets darker and gory as she starts to take pills which shows her 'another dimension' where she can see demons and everyone is almost dead, it looks disturbing. Her first mission is to leave the asylum and find her cat and on her journey, she'll meet many friends and enemies. The artwork is unique and nice, there are good details, I like the weird character's design. I enjoyed the puzzles, they vary from easy to difficult but nothing is complicated. the game length is good as it has multiple chapters, five in total. Pros: +Interesting well-written story. +Nice artwork and locations. +Good game length. (Five chapters) +Good soundtracks. +Manual save. +Steam achievements. Cons: -No voiceovers. -F12 screenshot not working. I couldn't take screenshots as F12 doesn't work for this game, there is a workaround but I didn't bother. I honestly enjoyed the game fully. Highly recommended to people who enjoy psychological horror, jump scares, and puzzles. Other Reviews: Little Misfortune Review 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤𝑠 𝑐𝘩𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑚𝑦 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑝𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝐹𝑒𝑒𝑛𝑎'𝑠 𝐶𝘩𝑜𝑖𝑐𝑒
• Mrmljov

  Nov 27, 2022

  Genuinely enjoyed this game.
• gamedeal user

  Dec 4, 2022

  Cute and a wild ride for anyone interested in point and click adventure games.
• gamedeal user

  Dec 5, 2022

  david lynch for kids
• M1ssWannaD1e

  Dec 23, 2022

  i barely played but shes just like me fr