Fran Bow, a creepy point and click adventure, has been three years in the making. It is finally out on Steam.
Fran Bow is a young girl whose parents were slaughtered by a mysterious dark force. With only Mr. Midnight, her feline best friend, she fled to the forest where she was found and taken to an asylum. This asylum is full of strange children, all quite insane. The dark forces that killed Fran’s parents haunt her, looking to make sure she stays insane.
Fran Bow is not afraid. She has the mission of getting back home and nothing will get in her way or stop her from getting there. In order to find the way back to her home, Fran has to take these strange red pills. These pills change her environment from being somewhat normal, to being mysterious and just plain creepy. Dead animals, dead people, weird creatures all appear when she has taken these pills. Instead of being afraid, Fran interacts with them. Her thoughts towards these creepy, frightening things are that of curiosity, sometimes even looking to help them.
Fran’s character develops during the game. She starts off somewhat timid, but mainly headstrong about her quest to go back home. As she progresses through each chapter she grows stronger. Her thoughts and voices are less and less timid, showing how confident she becomes not only in herself, but in the mysterious worlds that she explores.
There are five large chapters to this game, some split into smaller sections. Each chapter is set in a different world; from the asylum to magical lands of trees. In between each chapter, there are optional mini games. These mini games are presented in a variety of graphical styles. One is even completely made out of clay. The mini games add a bit of fun, breaking up the long point and click chapters, allowing your mind to take some rest from puzzle solving.
To be honest, I have followed this game for a long time. I was one of the supporters for its indiegogo campaign. I fell in love with Fran Bow, a fearless girl who had some insane misfortunes. I also fell in love with the development team; Natalia Figueroa voice of Mr. Red, the comical puppet, and Isak Martinsson, a pig-masked mystery man. Previously, they’ve created fantastic jam games with beautiful, unique graphics that I also loved. Fran Bow is a character that I look up too. In a world I find quite creepy, she is able to show me different points of view. The way she takes on this world shows me a side of wonder and mystery that only a child could ever have. It makes me want to be in a place that scares me, just because it may not be as scary as it looks to me. I loved seeing the world through her eyes, seeing her thrive when people thought she was crazy. She is fearless, able to figure out anything, kind and always helping others. She is an extravagant little girl.
This game is easily the best point and click game I have ever played in my life. The story, the meaning behind the game, the content and character development - it is simply amazing. I don’t want to spoil too much, but I would wholeheartedly recommend giving Fran Bow a chance. Play the free demo and see her world for yourself. Just note, the game is so much bigger than the demo, full of so much more adventure.
Play the Demo HERE.
Buy the Full Game, for $14.99 HERE.
I made a video playthrough of the entire game HERE.
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