Family Man
- May 21, 2020
- Broken Bear Games
- 19h median play time
Get on Steam"Family Man" is a story-driven RPG where you must repay a debt to the mob while juggling the needs of your family. Every decision you make has consequences, affecting your relationships and the community around you. Choose your path carefully, as you complete missions and earn perks to suit your playstyle.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features an interesting premise that combines family management with crime elements, providing a unique gameplay experience.
- There are multiple endings and choices that significantly affect the story, encouraging replayability.
- The writing and humor are well-executed, creating engaging and memorable moments throughout the game.
- The game suffers from a strict time limit that can make it feel rushed and limit exploration.
- Many players reported bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including issues with quests and character interactions.
- The gameplay loop can become repetitive, with missions often feeling similar and lacking variety.
- story164 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story revolves around a character who must pay off a debt to the mob while managing family needs, offering multiple endings based on player choices. While some players found the plot engaging and appreciated the character development and moral dilemmas, others criticized it for being simplistic, repetitive, and plagued by bugs that hindered mission completion. Overall, the narrative has its strengths, but many feel it lacks depth and can become tedious, with a mix of fun side quests and frustrating gameplay mechanics.
“The story was very interesting the whole way through and the combination of worrying about the town and your family mixed with having to do quests to pay your debt off had me hooked the entire time I played.”
“This is a game that is unlike anything I've played before and that honors the choices you make and has quite a few surprising plot twists.”
“The plot is a pretty simple one: you owe money to the mob. It's not the first time we've seen this plot device before, but the twist that kicks things off is amazing, and the underlying themes littered throughout the town and its people add an extra layer to the story.”
“The story does not make much sense, and it gives you a false impression that you have a choice over it.”
“This game is not worth it if you only want to play it once because the story is incredibly short.”
“The in-game days feel like an eternity as the overall mechanical movements of the game suck, the storylines of the characters suck, the intro to the game is the best part about the entire game.”
- gameplay62 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Family Man" is characterized by repetitive mechanics and a lack of depth, with many players noting bugs and shallow tasks that detract from the overall experience. While the game features enjoyable side quests and charming characters, the core gameplay loop often feels tedious and incomplete, leading to frustration among players. Despite its interesting concept and multiple endings, many reviewers feel that the gameplay does not live up to expectations, making it less engaging over time.
“The writing is excellent, the characters are charming (in their own special way), the gameplay is simple to get a handle on, the puzzles are fun to figure out.”
“The sidequests for the town's characters are enjoyable, and the core gameplay loop doesn't drag on too long.”
“As for the gameplay, I love it but probably not for the reasons you'd think.”
“It's not terrible, but the ending I got was really dumb and frankly the gameplay for each of the 20 days is exactly the same with no real satisfaction... you just repeat the same stuff over and over.”
“The game is riddled with bugs and some mechanics just seem not very fleshed out.”
“The in-game days feel like an eternity as the overall mechanical movements of the game suck; the storylines of the characters suck, and the intro to the game is the best part about the entire game.”
- graphics28 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming, blocky style reminiscent of Minecraft and Roblox, which some players find endearing despite their simplicity. While the visuals may not be technically impressive and performance issues are noted, many reviewers appreciate the cute aesthetic and relaxing quality, suggesting that the graphics complement the game's overall charm. However, opinions vary, with some feeling that the basic graphics detract from the experience, especially when paired with a lackluster story and gameplay.
“The graphics are cute and there's something relaxing about them.”
“The art style grows on you and after I stopped being annoyed at my ugly kid, I even thought they were cute.”
“The graphics have a cute Roblox charm to them.”
“The first things you'll notice is the simple graphics and the lack of voice acting.”
“This game is not that, the graphics are basic, the story is quite poor and the gameplay offers nothing special.”
“We're dealing with a game that has quite basic graphics and content and yet it's pulled off in such a way that it rivals a lot of AAA games that I've played.”
- music26 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and provide a fitting backdrop to the gameplay, while others find it distracting or mediocre. Many describe it as decent background music that complements the visuals and narrative, though some preferred listening to external sources like Spotify. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as enjoyable but not groundbreaking, contributing to the game's overall experience without being a standout feature.
“The music is nice and there are loads of things to do.”
“The game looks fantastic and the music is really good.”
“A fantastic story-driven, RPG-lite game with moral choices, great art style, and a cracking soundtrack.”
“Also, the soundtrack really didn't match, and was quite distracting.”
“There's also some odd camera jank, and the stock music is pretty bad.”
“I found myself listening to Spotify more often than the in-game music, but that's not to say it's bad.”
- replayability24 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the multiple endings, varied playstyles, and new game+ features that enhance replay value, others criticize tedious gameplay and bugs that detract from the experience. Overall, many find it enjoyable and worth revisiting, despite its relatively short length and some gameplay issues.
“Cute little game that gives nice freedom and moral choices leading to new outcomes. It's a bit short, but it's highly replayable with the different playstyles, 4 endings, and New Game+.”
“The game is relatively short, but because there are multiple endings, I found that the replayability of this game is actually better than average.”
“Very cool game! I did not see the ending coming, but there are 3 more endings I did not see, providing a lot of replayability.”
“Tedious gameplay, no replay value, bugged missions that you can't complete, and it fills up your inventory since it doesn't allow you to drop your mission items. Also, the days are way too short.”
“The game is relatively short, and while there are multiple endings, I found that the replayability of this game is actually below average.”
“Definitely has little to no replay value.”
- humor22 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky and hilarious situations, providing players with a fun and entertaining experience. Many reviewers highlight the comedic elements intertwined with dramatic moments, as well as the charm added by some amusing bugs. Overall, the game is described as a humorous gem that offers a variety of choices, side missions, and funny easter eggs, making it a delightful experience.
“Such a funny and quirky gem.”
“I love the humorous and dramatic situations you find yourself in.”
“The intro prologue is a pretty slickly designed level, the plot is hilarious.”
- stability12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report enjoying the experience despite encountering some bugs and glitches, others find the issues more disruptive. Most reviews indicate that the bugs do not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment, with several players expressing confidence that future updates will address these problems.
“There really isn't a lot wrong with this game. After playing for just over 2 hours, I can't actually think of any issues—no bugs, no glitches—just perfect for me and anyone I imagine. At this moment in time, it's a very good time to get it as it's currently on offer.”
“Wonderful game with a lot of fun and cool stuff going on; that being said, it's really buggy right now and has some limited options.”
“It's clunky, buggy, and not quite the 'choose your own adventure' style game I was expecting.”
“This game is good; it's a pretty simple fun time with a lot of choice and a lot to manage. The only thing is it's a little buggy, as I keep getting stuck in objects. I imagine that'll be hotfixed.”
- grinding8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often citing issues like bugged missions, limited inventory management, and overly short in-game days. While some acknowledge the grind as a necessary part of gameplay, many feel it detracts from overall enjoyment, leading to a lack of replay value and engagement. Despite these criticisms, a few players still manage to find enjoyment amidst the grind.
“Tedious gameplay, no replay value, bugged missions that you can't complete and fill up your inventory since it doesn't allow you to drop your mission items, and days are way too short.”
“It becomes very tedious since the game forces you to maintain stability between both.”
“Even the hardcore mode, which is a complete joke, didn't manage to make this game any more engaging, just slightly more grindy.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game features charming blocky visuals reminiscent of Minecraft, but players report significant performance issues, including frequent stuttering and numerous bugs, particularly in the early stages and within buildings. Overall, while the game is enjoyable, its optimization is lacking and detracts from the experience.
“It's a fun game with an interesting and enjoyable premise, the blocky Minecraft-esque visuals are charming enough, but the performance leaves a lot to be desired.”
“Very good game but absolutely littered with bugs; tons of stuttering in the beginning and in houses.”
“Very good game but absolutely littered with bugs; tons of stuttering in the beginning and in houses.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a wholesome twist on the chaotic nature of "Postal 2," allowing players to engage in a more uplifting and heartwarming narrative. This unique approach fosters a sense of positivity and personal connection, contrasting sharply with the original's darker themes. Overall, it offers a refreshing emotional experience that resonates with players seeking a more feel-good adventure.
“This game is like a choose-your-own-adventure story, but with a wholesome twist that really tugs at your heartstrings.”
“The emotional depth of the narrative makes you feel connected to the characters in a way that is truly unique.”
“Every choice you make impacts the story in a meaningful way, creating an emotional journey that stays with you long after you finish.”
