FM | Game Brain — video game discovery

About

FM is a single player puzzle game with a horror theme. It was developed by Jordan B Cutler and was released on May 29, 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

FM is a short first-person psychological horror experience with a huge emphasis on narrative and environmentally-based puzzles. FM takes heavy inspiration from and, in some aspects, is intended to be a low-budget spiritual successor to P.T. WARNING: THIS GAME CONTAINS FLASHING LIGHTS AND IMAGES THAT MAY MAKE IT UNSUITABLE FOR THOSE WITH PHOTOSENSITIVE EPILEPSY OR OTHER SIMILAR CONDITIONS. PLAYE…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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72%

Audience ScoreBased on 46 reviews

story11 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features an interesting story and engaging puzzles that keep players invested.
It successfully creates a creepy atmosphere reminiscent of P.T., with some effective jump scares.
The game is relatively short, making it a quick and enjoyable experience for fans of horror and puzzle genres.

The controls and mechanics can be frustrating, with issues like unresponsive clicking areas and slow movement speed.
Many players found the horror elements to be lacking, with predictable jump scares and a bland story.
Technical bugs and awkward gameplay mechanics detract from the overall experience, leading to confusion and frustration.

story
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
39%
13%
The game's story is described as dark and gripping, with a unique premise that unfolds through radio broadcasts as players solve puzzles. However, many reviewers found the narrative to be bland, predictable, and incoherent at times, with slow pacing that detracted from engagement. While some appreciated the immersive atmosphere and storytelling approach, others felt the overall execution was lacking, making it a mixed experience.
- “The game has a great premise, a homicide-suicide story with narrative as you explore a hallway that leads to distant memories of a story beginning to unfold as you progress.”
- “So this was an okay game and I will admit that the story is super dark as well as gripping.”
- “Immersive story that I was quickly invested in.”
- “The story itself was bland and the plot twist was as predictable as it was stupid.”
- “Fm is an indie horror game that is more or less a walking sim, which is cool with me, however, the story elements are very dry, incoherent at times, very slow paced, and the interactive parts aren't compelling.”
- “The story wasn't engaging enough for me to follow it properly.”
gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
Gameplay reviews highlight a mix of straightforward mechanics and technical issues, with some players finding the zooming and focus mechanics awkward and unengaging. While the audio cue system offers some interactivity, many felt the experience lacked depth and excitement, with complaints about excessive walking and insufficient content. Overall, the gameplay is seen as average, with a reasonable price but a need for more engaging elements.
- “The gameplay is straightforward enough (though I must admit it took me proportionally far too long to find the dog!).”
- “The gameplay mechanic the game uses to keep you engaged or to at least have an interactive element to it is that you are to listen to audio cues and hold the right mouse button to look at a corresponding object.”
- “The zooming in mechanic was pointless.”
- “Unfortunately it was really awkward on the technical side... the focus mechanic didn't work unless I stood in a very specific place in the room.”
- “Price to gameplay was reasonable; however, actual game content felt lacking.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its creepiness and dark storytelling, effectively creating a tense environment that avoids reliance on jump scares. However, some users noted a lack of depth in the atmosphere, with elements like upside-down furniture and red lights feeling less impactful. Overall, it successfully establishes a haunting ambiance that enhances the gameplay experience.
- “Been meaning to play this for a while. So far, I've played Act One and I like it; it's very creepy, atmospheric, and I will be making more videos on this game soon. Stay tuned.”
- “Nicely done game with a pretty dark story and good atmosphere.”
- “Sets up an atmosphere rather than relying on jumpscares.”
- “The game sets up an atmosphere rather than relying on jumpscares.”
- “The environment feels lifeless and fails to immerse the player.”
- “Despite the potential, the atmosphere feels flat and uninspired.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the stability of the game is inconsistent, with users reporting various bugs that affect gameplay, particularly in puzzle-solving. While some players found the experience enjoyable despite these issues, others described it as a "buggy mess" that detracted from the overall experience.
- “A buggy mess that's way too dark.”
- “Solving puzzles is buggy.”
- “Some of the examined objects were a little buggy, but ultimately a good creepy experience that I truly enjoyed.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The graphics are highly praised for their ability to create a haunting atmosphere, with dimly lit hallways and eerie visuals that enhance the game's sinister storyline. Reviewers note that the visuals effectively contribute to a chilling experience, making it particularly impactful for fans of the horror genre.
- “The graphics are stunning, creating a haunting experience as you walk down dimly lit hallways and stare into the darkness, waiting for the main antagonist to reveal themselves.”
- “The eerie visuals combined with a sinister storyline will make even the most hardened fans of the genre shiver.”
- “The attention to detail in the graphics enhances the overall atmosphere, immersing players in a truly chilling environment.”
- “The graphics are outdated and lack the detail expected from modern games, making the environments feel lifeless and uninviting.”
- “Character models look flat and uninspired, which detracts from the overall immersion of the game.”
- “The visual effects are underwhelming, failing to create the tension and atmosphere that the gameplay desperately needs.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and slow, with cumbersome clicking mechanics that detract from the overall experience.
- “The clicking areas to trigger events are just tedious.”
- “It's tedious and incredibly slow-paced for an already slow-paced game.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game has received a positive reception, with users rating it 8 out of 10, indicating that it effectively enhances the overall experience and complements the gameplay.