Familia

About

Familia is a single player casual role playing game. It was developed by MauiGameStudio and was released on December 9, 2019. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Familia" is a single-player fantasy fighting game with an exceptional story. As two anthropomorphic ice cube babes, players journey from the freezer's heights to the vegetable drawer's depths to rescue their meatball boyfriends from a giant hand. The game boasts 100% original animation, art, and music, and offers engaging dialogue, unique two-character gameplay, and a sleek 80s aesthetic.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+14

Skip User Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 44 reviews

story16 positive mentions

grinding5 negative mentions

Familia offers a charming blend of strategy and resource management, with a vibrant design and engaging music that appeals to both newcomers and experienced players.
The game features a unique class system and fast-paced battle mechanics, allowing for tactical gameplay and a sense of progression as players expand their family business.
The developer is passionate and actively engages with the community, continuously improving the game and providing a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic JRPGs.

The game suffers from balance issues, with enemies often being at a higher level than the player, making combat feel unfair at times.
As an episodic game, Familia is currently incomplete, with missing chapters and unresolved plot points that may leave players feeling unsatisfied.
Some players have reported technical issues, such as freezing in fullscreen mode and a lack of clarity in quest objectives, which can detract from the overall experience.

story
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
51%
8%
The story is generally well-received, featuring unique characters and engaging elements, but it suffers from pacing issues, feeling both rushed and slow at times. As the first act of a larger narrative, it introduces intriguing plot points and character backstories that remain unresolved, leaving players wanting more depth and clarity. While the gameplay is enjoyable and the art is praised, the overall narrative is considered serviceable but not groundbreaking, with some players expressing concerns about its brevity and lack of replay value.
- “I really enjoyed cruising around and finding things in the town, the cave was also really fun, the story is unique with likable characters, and the fighting is well balanced.”
- “The music of the game is quite relaxing & the story is engaging while also emotional at the same time.”
- “Sincere, engaging story and fun combat.”
- “The main story thus far is very simple and short, since it mainly consists of an evil empire whose motives we still don't really understand.”
- “Additionally, since this is just the first act, there's a lot of unresolved plot points, like Lono recovering his memory and Sero's backstory.”
- “Not enough backstory on the characters.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The music in the game has received high praise for its quality and fitting themes, with many players noting its ability to enhance the overall experience. Reviewers appreciate the blend of original compositions and DLC tracks, highlighting the emotional and relaxing qualities of the soundtrack. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that complements the gameplay and storytelling effectively.
- “The music didn't need to go that hard... but it was fantastic that it did.”
- “I found myself just sitting back at times taking the music in, which I think speaks volumes of its quality.”
- “All the music in the game fits the game’s themes; nothing felt out of place.”
- “I am not sure how much of it is music from DLC packs vs custom made, but there is very little RTP music being used.”
- “The music of the game is quite relaxing, and the story is engaging while also emotional at the same time.”
- “The music is well placed; while the aspect of random battles is annoying, the fights are easy enough.”
gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
The gameplay of the game is described as basic yet engaging, featuring classic turn-based mechanics and a unique "far east" setting that differentiates it from typical RPG Maker titles. While some players appreciate the quick access to gameplay, it can detract from the story's fluidity. Overall, the game offers a solid experience, though it lacks replay value once completed.
- “So the gameplay itself is amazing, the artwork is amazing, the story is good. Overall, an amazing game at a great price of $5. I hope to see more work from this dev and 10/10 would recommend.”
- “Many of the classic RPGs have western-focused classes and settings, but this RPG has the classic turn-based mechanics and pixel art you love, with a more 'far east' setting!”
- “Like most RPG Maker shovelware, the game features extremely low quality 2D retro pixel art, looks awful, and has even worse gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is extremely basic, at least by the standards of RPG Maker games that I play.”
- “The gameplay draws you in and the dialogue and characters keep you invested.”
graphics
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
33%
11%
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews; while some users appreciate the distinctive art style and detailed visuals that enhance the exploration experience, others criticize the limitations of the RPG Maker engine, particularly its lack of full HD support and graphics customization options. Overall, the artwork is praised for its quality and retro appeal, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere.
- “The graphics and colors are super detailed and it's such a fun world to explore.”
- “Familia has an extremely distinctive art style that has only gotten better over time.”
- “Extremely well done retro game, with pleasing visuals and sound design.”
- “As with all RPG Maker games, the poor quality engine displays badly in fullscreen and doesn't have full HD support or any graphics tweaking options, making this unacceptable for any dedicated modern PC gamer.”
grinding
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find that while grinding can enhance the experience and lead to enjoyable high-energy battles, it can also become tedious, especially due to the lack of shared experience among characters. The game generally maintains a fair balance for the main story, with grinding primarily needed for optional bosses, but some bonus bosses demand excessive grinding, suggesting they may be better suited for post-launch content.
- “Unfortunately, there is no shared experience, so it can be tedious to get everyone strong enough for the endgame.”
- “The game's balance for a vanilla story run is fair, and grinding shouldn't be necessary other than for some of the early optional bosses.”
- “However, there are some bonus bosses that require so much grinding that it feels like they were meant to be postponed until after Act 2 releases.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its art style, contributing to an engaging and immersive experience.
- “I love the art and atmosphere of the game.”
- “The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive and captivating.”
- “The haunting soundtrack combined with the stunning visuals creates a truly unique atmosphere.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Reviews indicate a concern regarding the depth of character development for certain characters, specifically Bedge and Wicks, suggesting that they may lack meaningful growth and serve primarily as background figures rather than fully realized characters.
- “The character development in this game is truly remarkable, as each character evolves in meaningful ways throughout the story.”
- “I love how the game allows for deep character arcs, making me feel emotionally invested in their journeys.”
- “The interactions and choices you make really shape the characters, leading to a dynamic and engaging experience.”
- “Are we going to get any character development for Bedge and Wicks, or are they just there for the headcount?”
- “The lack of meaningful character development makes it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
- “I was really hoping for more depth in the character arcs, but they feel flat and uninteresting.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game's music to be relaxing and the story both engaging and emotionally resonant, contributing to an immersive and wholesome experience.
- “The music of the game is quite relaxing, and the story is engaging while also being emotional at the same time.”
- “Playing the base game was immersive and wholesome, to say the least.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
While the gameplay, artwork, and story are highly praised, many users feel that the game lacks significant replayability, describing it as a "one and done" experience once all content is completed. Despite this limitation, the overall quality and low price point still make it a recommended purchase.
- “I feel there is no replay value; once you complete everything, it's pretty much a done game.”
- “It feels like there is not a lot of replay value for me; it's a one-and-done game.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its witty dialogues and engaging story, reminiscent of classic titles like Final Fantasy Tactics, which adds a lighthearted charm to the overall experience.
- “A friend told me to give this a try, and it definitely reminded me of that Final Fantasy Tactics feel, along with good art and funny dialogues and story.”