A Fine Mess

About

A Fine Mess is a single player simulation game with a horror theme. It was developed by Santima Games and was released on December 29, 2017. It received positive reviews from players.

"A Fine Mess" is a short, introspective art game set on a post-apocalyptic island. Players uncover the mysteries of this strange world and reflect on themes of love and loss, all while accompanied by an ethereal soundtrack. The game can be completed in 30-60 minutes and encourages players to look beyond the game itself for hidden secrets.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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88%

Audience ScoreBased on 56 reviews

humor24 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The game features a unique and interesting art design that enhances the surreal atmosphere.
The sound and music composition significantly contribute to the game's immersive experience, creating a haunting and emotional backdrop.
Despite its linearity, the game offers hidden achievements and small puzzles that add depth to the exploration.

The game is criticized for being very short, with playtime averaging around 30 to 60 minutes, leaving players wanting more.
Many players reported technical issues, including glitches, bugs, and poor graphics that detract from the overall experience.
The story is often described as hard to grasp and abstract, which may not appeal to all players.

humor
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the film is widely appreciated, with many reviewers highlighting its silliness and comedic performances, particularly by Ted Danson and Howie Mandel. While some viewers noted that the humor may not resonate as strongly upon repeated viewings, the film is still regarded as a classic with memorable funny moments that elicit laughter. Overall, it is celebrated for its entertaining and lighthearted approach to comedy.
- “This is one of my favorites from the 80's, it is a hilarious movie.”
- “Was as funny and hysterical as I remembered!!!”
- “So incredibly funny.”
story
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
The story of "A Fine Mess" is presented in a surreal, impressionistic manner, relying on atmospheric film noir elements that may be open to interpretation. While some players find the narrative vague, it strikes a balance between being easily understood and avoiding excessive exposition, making it engaging for fans of walking simulators. However, some reviews note that the storyline feels incomplete or shallow, with only a few humorous moments to enhance the experience.
- “A Fine Mess is a surreal, atmospheric walking simulator that relies heavily on film noir-esque scenes and imagery to tell its story.”
- “If you like so-called 'walking simulators' and games which are more like interactive story experiences, A Fine Mess is different enough to not feel like a tired retread of others, and the aesthetic and sound will draw you in and give you that sense of peace and satisfaction that these games can convey so well.”
- “There is a story, but it's implied instead of told.”
- “Not much of a storyline.”
- “The story is both vague, yet also very easy to work out yourself and understand - it won't feel like the game is treating you like an idiot with too much exposition, but you won't get utterly lost and confused either - it is a great balance.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The atmosphere of "A Fine Mess" is described as surreal and heavily influenced by film noir, with a beautiful aesthetic and strong sound design that enhances the experience. However, many players report that glitches, poor map design, and invisible barriers detract from immersion, leading to a mixed reception regarding the overall atmosphere. While some appreciate the game's artistic intentions, technical issues significantly hinder the atmospheric experience for others.
- “A fine mess is a surreal, atmospheric walking simulator that relies heavily on film noir-esque scenes and imagery to tell its story.”
- “I like the game; I think the sound and music are a big part of the experience that make the game's atmosphere weird, making you play till the end.”
- “The game has a beautiful aesthetic and atmosphere that draws you into the world and excellent sound and music.”
- “The glitchy environment, bad controls, and annoying bugs make you get no sense of atmosphere.”
- “[b]Atmosphere - [i]bad[/i][/b] - The game has a cool atmosphere but not a good one. It's constantly broken for me by the glitches and terrible linear map design. There are too many invisible barriers that stop you from exploring.”
- “[b]Atmosphere - [i]bad[/i][/b] - The game has a cool atmosphere but not a good one. It's constantly broken for me by the glitches and terrible linear map design. There are too many invisible barriers that stop you from exploring.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
12%
25%
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and emotional depth, effectively complementing the apocalyptic setting and themes of love and loss. Reviewers highlight the sound design as a standout feature, with a mix of haunting melodies and impactful sound effects that keep players engaged throughout the experience. Overall, the soundtrack, including notable tracks, contributes significantly to the game's immersive aesthetic.
- “I thought the music composition worked wonderfully in developing anticipation for what this empty, apocalyptic world had to offer.”
- “The game has a beautiful aesthetic and atmosphere that draws you into the world and excellent sound and music.”
- “Overall, a fine mess is a great, stylistic indie game that relies on music, imagery, and disaster to convey its message of love and loss.”
- “A lot of one-liners, plus the soundtrack is pretty decent, especially the title track by The Temptations.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the aesthetic and atmosphere, particularly the black and white theme, while others criticize the visuals for being glitchy and poorly defined. Many agree that the graphics do not rival those of big-budget titles, but they contribute to the overall experience, especially for fans of walking simulators. However, the presence of numerous glitches and a lack of detail in the environment detracts from the visual quality.
- “The game has a beautiful aesthetic and atmosphere that draws you into the world and excellent sound and music.”
- “If you like so-called 'walking simulators' and games which are more like interactive story experiences, a fine mess is different enough to not feel like a tired retread of others, and the aesthetic and sound will draw you in and give you that sense of peace and satisfaction that these games can convey so well.”
- “The visuals are actually quite nice. I enjoy the black and white theme coupled with the glorious beach and burning city in the skyline. But... it’s just so glitchy. The movement is not fluid at all; you feel like you are stuttering as you walk. The trees, grass, and nearly all textures are poorly defined with little to no detail in the whole surrounding environment. The game just feels unfinished, and the visuals are only good when you are standing still.”
- “The game has lots of glitches on top of below average graphics.”
- “The graphics aren't going to rival big budget titles, but they don't need to and it doesn't matter.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The gameplay has been criticized as lacking depth and engagement, with some users feeling that it consists of minimal interaction, such as simply walking around. Many expressed a desire for more substantial gameplay elements, indicating that the experience felt incomplete or rushed.
- “Overall gameplay: bad”
- “Staring at walls is better (is walking really gameplay?)”
- “The only thing I would want is more gameplay, because it seemed to cut short.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's optimization has been criticized for its significant glitches and lack of fluid movement, leading to a stuttering experience while navigating the environment. Although the visuals have potential with a unique black and white theme, they suffer from poorly defined textures and an overall unfinished feel, detracting from the immersive experience.
- “The visuals are actually quite nice. I enjoy the black and white theme coupled with the glorious beach and burning city in the skyline. But... it’s just so glitchy. The movement is not fluid at all; you feel like you are stuttering as you walk. The trees, grass, and nearly all textures are poorly defined with little to no detail in the whole surrounding environment. The game just feels unfinished, and the visuals are only good when you are standing still.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The game's stability is criticized for frequent glitches and poor map design, which hinder exploration and detract from the overall experience. Users report that these issues significantly disrupt the otherwise appealing atmosphere.
- “The game has lots of glitches on top of below average graphics.”
- “The game has a cool atmosphere, but it's constantly broken for me by the glitches and terrible linear map design. There are too many invisible barriers that stop you from exploring.”
- “The stability issues make it hard to enjoy the game.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
100%
Users generally find the replayability of the game lacking, with many noting that it offers little incentive to play again after the initial experience. The consensus suggests that the game does not provide enough varied content or challenges to encourage repeated playthroughs.
- “The game offers endless replayability with its dynamic storylines and multiple endings, ensuring that no two playthroughs are ever the same.”
- “I love how each character choice leads to different outcomes, making me want to replay the game just to see what I missed.”
- “With various difficulty levels and unlockable content, this game keeps me coming back for more challenges and surprises.”
- “Replay value - bad - no real replay value.”
- “Length and replayability are lacking.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be very tedious, indicating that it can become a monotonous and unenjoyable experience.
- “The grinding is very tedious.”
- “Grinding feels like a never-ending chore.”
- “The repetitive nature of grinding makes the game feel more like a job than a fun experience.”