Beautiful and terrifying
UPDATE (8/27): I have finished the first four chapters and have not experienced a single glitch or crash. I would encourage the reviewers who have reported this to ensure that they are playing it on a supported device. The details for this game list those devices. Most older ones will not work with this app.
ORIGINAL: Yes, this game should be classified as horror. It is replete with bloody dismemberments and demonic soul-killing shadows, and no one in their right mind would let a child play this. But if you could ever describe gore as non-gratuitous, this would be the case.
This is the story of a child who has experienced horrible trauma and finds herself in the childrens ward of a mental hospital, surrounded by other boys and girls who have suffered other forms of abuse. There are only two beings left in the world who love her: her aunt, and her lost cat Mr. Midnight. She longs to be with both of them, and this is the tale of her quest. She travels between reality and a very dark world through means that I wont spoil, seeking the people and items that can help her survive. I quickly became invested in her well-being, and the conversations between her and the other patients were incredibly sad but thought-provoking.
From a gameplay perspective, the controls are intuitive, navigation is smooth, and the inventory is easily managed. The graphics are striking and accurately capture the terror that she feels and both worlds. Although the game is released in installments, with each chapter costing $1.99, the first chapter lasted about an hour and a half and I definitely felt this was good value. I have already purchased the second chapter and will start it as soon as I finish this review.
This is a rare gem of a game, and I hope it gets the recognition it deserves. Strongly recommend.
jennifer626 about
Fran Bow Chapter 1, v1.1