Fingerbones
- August 3, 2015
- David Szymanski
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Get on itch.io Store"Fingerbones" is a psychological horror game with a focus on storytelling and mystery, taking place in a dark, abandoned building. Players uncover a disturbing tale through notes found throughout the environment. Recommended by gaming journalists for its surreal and disturbing elements. Visit and follow on Twitter at @jefequeso for more information.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game is free and offers a short, engaging experience that feels like reading a creepy short story.
- It effectively creates a chilling atmosphere and explores psychological horror without relying on jump scares.
- The visuals and lighting contribute to a unique and unsettling mood, making it worth a quick playthrough.
- The story is considered mediocre and doesn't delve deeply into its themes, leaving some players feeling unsatisfied.
- The gameplay is very limited, with little interaction beyond reading notes, which can feel pointless to some.
- The lack of direction and frustrating mechanics, such as the absence of a save function and unclear puzzles, detract from the overall experience.
- story40 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 83 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players finding it chilling and effective in conveying psychological horror through fragmented notes and a slow-paced narrative, while others criticize it as mediocre and lacking depth. It often feels more like a self-directed tour of a horror story than a traditional game, leaving some players unsatisfied with the overall experience. Despite its atmospheric visuals, the story's execution varies widely among players, with some appreciating its unsettling nature and others deeming it forgettable.
“There is a story you can piece together from notes left behind, and they grow more uncomfortable as you proceed, giving you insight into a disturbed mind with the horror of finding out what that person did coming closer with every bit of progress you make.”
“It's the sort of horror game where nothing horrible happens; something horrible has already happened, and the game is merely a framework to draw out the experience of finding out the backstory, doling it out in little dribs, drabs, and cryptic fragments.”
“It's more like hearing a campfire ghost story told by a skillful storyteller, who deliberately keeps the pace slow to draw you in before dropping each fresh abhorrent detail.”
“A mediocre story that hits about as hard as a two-year-old with boxing gloves.”
“Decent atmosphere and an effective visual style do not save this game from its story.”
“You haven't spent money expecting gameplay, only to find a mere self-directed tour of a story.”
- atmosphere22 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its ability to evoke dread and unease, utilizing simple visuals and a haunting soundtrack to create an immersive experience. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics that can disrupt the mood, many players appreciate the game's effective use of lighting and gritty aesthetics, which contribute to its eerie and engaging ambiance. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, enhancing the psychological horror experience even in a brief playtime.
“The visuals are 'low tech' or whatever you want to call it, but really well done with lighting, dust, and gritty surfaces creating a style and atmosphere fit for a horror game, and the audio supports the feeling of unease.”
“A dark little game with an eerie atmosphere that draws you in deeper.”
“There isn't much to see here, though it's a testament to Szymanski's skill at producing a dreadful atmosphere with some very simple tools.”
“I found it somewhat irritating rather than moody: if you stand in one place too long trying to figure out what you're supposed to do - which, since you're given very little lead, is going to happen - I found it would just stay on one note, and the irritation that caused would pull me out of the puzzle I was working on, and therefore the atmosphere that the author was trying to build around me.”
“Decent atmosphere and an effective visual style do not save this game from its story.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics are characterized by a low-fidelity aesthetic that some players find charming, effectively creating a gritty atmosphere suitable for a horror game. While the visuals are well-executed with attention to lighting and texture, opinions vary, with some players expressing disappointment over the dated and low-resolution quality. Overall, the game runs smoothly and appeals to those who appreciate its unique style, despite not being universally praised.
“The visuals are 'low tech' or whatever you want to call it, but really well done with lighting, dust, and gritty surfaces creating a style and atmosphere fit for a horror game, and the audio supports the feeling of unease.”
“The graphics were quite nice, the game ran smoothly, and it was a fairly simple game that didn't take long to play through.”
“Was a little disappointed by the dated graphics, as they were a little low res for my liking.”
“The visuals are 'low tech' or whatever you want to call it, but really well done with lighting, dust and gritty surfaces creating a style and atmosphere fit for a horror game and the audio supports the feeling of unease.”
“If you're familiar with Szymanski's work, the graphics will be what you expect; low fidelity yet charming in their own right.”
- music8 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players criticizing it as the weakest aspect, describing the soundtrack as a repetitive ambient drone reminiscent of low-quality horror sound design. Conversely, others praised the soundtrack and atmosphere, indicating a divide in player experience regarding the effectiveness of the music in enhancing the game's suspense and immersion.
“Sick soundtrack and atmosphere.”
“I found the music and sound design to be the weakest point of the game personally, as the soundtrack is basically an ambient drone playing at different pitches, and the sounds sound like they'd have come from a 'horror atmos' sample pack meant to be used in student-level film or similar.”
“The second issue as far as suspense building went was the music.”
“I found the music and sound design to be the weakest point of the game personally, as the soundtrack is basically an ambient drone playing at different pitches, and the sounds sound like they'd have come from a 'horror atmos' sample pack meant to be used in student-level film or similar.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Players express disappointment with the gameplay, feeling that it lacks interactivity and resembles more of a self-guided narrative experience rather than an engaging game.
“You haven't spent money expecting gameplay, only to find a mere self-directed tour of a story.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its emotional impact, delivering a brief yet profoundly touching experience that resonates with players.
“A short but very touching game.”
