Farnham Fables

The first episode of Farnham Fables is not a great start to a series. It's tonally inconsistent, has no real gameplay to speak of, doesn't really look all that good, has an annoying soundtrack, and did a great job making me feel super uncomfortable.

50%Game Brain Score

story, humor

music, graphics

73% User Score Based on 129 reviews

Critic Score 15%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

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About

"Farnham Fables" is a point-and-click adventure game with old school 216-color graphics and a windowed 800x600 resolution. The game features a single EXE file under 10 MB, with simple yet honest design and lots of reading. Players will encounter unique responses for every interaction and be introduced to lizard girls in this short story about King Farnham's three sons.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

73%

Audience ScoreBased on 131 reviews

story7 positive mentions

The game offers a unique and humorous narrative with a variety of interactions, making it engaging for players who enjoy point-and-click adventures.
Despite its short length, the game is charming and provides a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic adventure games.
The low price point makes it an accessible option for those looking for a quirky and light-hearted gaming experience.

The game contains unsettling themes and questionable content, including nudity and interactions that many players find disturbing.
Graphics and overall polish are lacking, leading to a less immersive experience compared to other titles in the genre.
Gameplay is very short and linear, with some players feeling that it does not provide enough content to justify even the low price.

story
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
81%
6%
The game's story revolves around three princes on a quest to save their father, presented through a charming yet brief narrative that spans about 30 minutes. While the storytelling is detailed and features role-playing elements, many players find it simplistic and linear, lacking depth and complexity. Overall, it appeals to fans of point-and-click adventures but may leave others wanting more in terms of plot development and engagement.
- “The story of this game is pretty detailed and actually interesting to read.”
- “It all starts in a castle where the king is telling a story... the story is about the 3 heroes... you can switch in-between the 3 heroes that you are required to do to complete or perform a certain action.”
- “In short, a pretty enjoyable few minutes that has a clear goal and knows exactly what it wants to do - tell an admittedly charming, if short, story and hope that you'll come along for the journey.”
- “Unfortunately, the potential is not utilized and the story itself is very short and very simple, so I recommend only based on the low price and only for people who appreciate point and click story games.”
- “The music is terrible and very repetitive (when it's there at all...), the plot is completely linear and absurdly simple and boring.”
- “The story alone feels like it's aimed more toward younger readers, however visually toward a mature audience, so unsure what target audience they were going for with this game.”
music
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
65%
18%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitive nature and basic quality reminiscent of 90s DOS games. While some found it enjoyable and relaxing, others criticized it for being inconsistent and lacking variety, with significant gaps between musical segments. Overall, players expressed a desire for a more unique and polished soundtrack to enhance the gaming experience.
- “I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- “This game will take you back to the 90s where games are pixelated and soundtracks are always on repeat.”
- “Music is pretty enjoyable (which was surprising) but the dialogue is hit-or-miss (not so surprising).”
- “The music is terrible and very repetitive (when it's there at all...) the plot is completely linear and absurdly simple and boring.”
- “What I was more concerned about wasn't the quality of the music, but the lack of music between the scenes where music was played.”
- “The music is very basic for this style of game; I do wish it was more unique.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
57%
21%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some users criticizing them as "awful" and lacking polish, while others appreciate the retro pixel art style reminiscent of 80s adventure games. Despite the simplistic visuals, many players find the sprite and backdrop craftsmanship to be well-executed and fitting for the game's narrative. Overall, the graphics are seen as a nostalgic homage rather than a modern standard, with some players enjoying the artistic choices despite their limitations.
- “Despite being entangled in the absolutely absorbing narrative and folklore of the game, you will have a hard time neglecting the modern perfection that is the sprite and backdrop craftsmanship, where great time and care has clearly been taken to ensure the fulfillment of the game's aesthetic.”
- “This was a very beautifully crafted piece of artwork.”
- “Nice retro graphic style.”
- “Awful graphics with little polish.”
- “The graphics are okay, looking like an eighties adventure game, and do the job right.”
- “The art style (I refuse to call it graphics for this game) is pretty simple as it can get for an old-school-esque adventure game.”
humor
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
89%
11%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players praising its zany world and clever item interactions that lead to hilarious outcomes. Many reviews highlight the unique and funny dialogues, reminiscent of classic adventure games, while some express disappointment over certain content choices. Overall, the game successfully elicits laughter and joy, making it a memorable experience for players.
- “There must be literally hundreds of funny item/usage combinations.”
- “The world is a bit zany with fairytale elements and everyday life mixed with a bit of humor: 'It would not be wise to attack the bus with the sword; the bus driver has a gun' and normal fare like your southern church-going lizardfolk.”
- “Explore and click stuff and then you will realize how funny and ridiculous the dialogues are!”
- “An awful, unfunny slog with questionable content decisions for a game that seems to be aimed at children.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
The gameplay is criticized for being very short, often described as taking less than two hours to complete, with much of the time spent on tedious item searching rather than engaging mechanics. Players note the low-quality graphics and inconsistent tone, suggesting that the experience feels more like a narrated story than a cohesive game. Overall, while some find value in its emotional impact, many feel the gameplay lacks depth and enjoyment.
- “It is true that the content and the length of the game is very short, but if you notice my gameplay hours, it's quite a lot, isn't it?”
- “I think the best way to summarize my view would be that it seems like a person telling a story rather than a story that flows from a mechanics standpoint.”
- “- Some people might dislike the low resolution and retro-style gameplay.”
- “About 10 minutes of actual gameplay, the rest is pointless click searching for one item.”
- “- short (I finished it in less than 2 hours of gameplay, and I was trying to get as many different reactions as possible).”
- “It's tonally inconsistent, has no real gameplay to speak of, doesn't really look all that good, has an annoying soundtrack, and did a great job making me feel super uncomfortable.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of wholesome storytelling and discomforting moments, creating a unique experience that evokes both enjoyment and introspection. Players find themselves engaged by the innocent yet complex narratives, prompting deeper reflections on morality and human nature.
- “What I do know is that it's weirdly fun watching Andrew Tallini dance 'innocently' around his peccadilloes while telling stories that are almost wholesome.”
- “No, scratch that -- in the main, the stories actually are wholesome.”
- “Above all else, it has scenes that made me feel so uncomfortable that I genuinely believe it's time we have a chat with God about starting over as a species.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is highly praised for its replayability, attributed to its deep content and a wide array of choices that encourage players to experience different outcomes.
- “This game should be applauded for the consistent sprite work, the professionally done story, deep content, plethora of choices, and replayability.”