Frameland: A Binary Tale
- October 30, 2024
- Frameland Games
- 13h median play time
Get on SteamIn "Frameland: A Binary Tale," explore the pixel art world of Condorra and uncover its past with timed turn-based battles for added tension. Your robot companion Proto assists in digging, grappling, and blasting through obstacles, while airship exploration reveals new territories. Combat requires precise timing and strategy, with customizable characters and remnants for boosting abilities. Immerse yourself in an interactive world full of stories and characters.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Frameland features charming pixel art and a beautiful soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- The game offers a well-written story with engaging characters and surprising plot twists, making it memorable.
- Combat is enjoyable with a unique timing mechanic that adds a layer of strategy, and the game is relatively short, making it accessible for players looking for a quick RPG experience.
- The combat system can feel repetitive due to the same timed hit mechanic being used for all actions, leading to a lack of variety.
- The story can be disjointed and lacks depth, with characters that are often one-dimensional and plot points that feel unresolved.
- Some graphical effects detract from the pixel art aesthetic, creating inconsistencies that can be visually off-putting.
- story37 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its well-written narrative, engaging plot twists, and attention to detail, while others criticize it for being shallow, with one-dimensional characters and a meandering plot. Many appreciate the nostalgic pixel art and humor, but some feel that key plot points lack depth and resolution. Overall, the game is seen as a charming experience for those who enjoy story-driven RPGs, though it may not satisfy everyone looking for a more complex narrative.
“The story is fun, captivating, and beautifully told.”
“A heart-touching story rounds off the game perfectly.”
“The main twist of the story was amazing, and the ending left me broken-hearted.”
“It utilizes nostalgic pixel art combined with modern graphical effects and a somewhat barebones combat system to tell a fairly watered down story.”
“As for its story, I honestly couldn't tell you much of what happens - the characters are so mind-numbingly boring and one-dimensional that I never became invested in their plight.”
“Prime plot points ('I need shelter!') are waved away by a talking robot dog and followed up by a life-or-death trek through a mine which culminates in an encounter with a robot that was causing earthquakes, a plot point which should be a concerning factor for a mine but which got little more than a single line of dialogue after it was over.”
- music14 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and captivating quality, with many reviewers noting that the soundtrack is memorable and enhances the overall experience. Each location features distinct musical themes that contribute to the game's atmosphere, making it a standout element alongside its graphics and storytelling. Overall, the soundtrack is described as a "banger" and deserving of recognition for its excellence.
“The soundtrack is absolutely gorgeous and I had it stuck in my head for days after I'd finished the game.”
“Each place also got its distinct vibe with its own music, etc. Love it!”
“An excellent story pace, plenty of dialogue options with the environment, classic turn-based combat with more rewarding and less punishing reaction mechanics, and an absolutely amazing soundtrack that doesn't need to be ashamed to end up in a playlist alongside its Japanese counterparts.”
“The soundtrack was the first thing that grabbed my attention. When I say give the composer a raise, I mean it.”
“In addition, each scene is enhanced by a beautiful musical atmosphere.”
“An absolutely AAA soundtrack that doesn't need to be ashamed to end up in a playlist alongside its Japanese counterparts.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game feature a blend of nostalgic pixel art and modern effects, which some players find jarring, while others appreciate the beautiful and clear visuals. Overall, the pixel graphics are praised for their charm and character animations, contributing to an enjoyable gaming experience. Despite mixed feelings about the integration of modern rendering techniques, many players find the graphics to be a highlight of the game.
“Beautiful, simple, and clear graphics and character art.”
“The graphics are absolutely gorgeous.”
“I've just started this game and love it so far, the pixel graphics are pleasing to look at, the character animations are fun and the music is an absolute banger.”
“This is probably a personal beef, but the combination of admittedly decent pixel art with modern graphical effects is off-putting at places.”
“There are several effects like this throughout the game, meaning that you're constantly reminded of how this pixel artwork has been squeezed through a modern-day rendering engine and ends up coming out not quite right.”
“It utilizes nostalgic pixel art combined with modern graphical effects and a somewhat barebones combat system to tell a fairly watered down story.”
- gameplay9 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Frameland features a simplistic yet engaging turn-based combat system enhanced by a unique "weakness" mechanic and a timing element that, while criticized by some, adds depth and engagement to battles. Players appreciate the balance of fun gameplay, an intriguing story, and excellent pixel-art graphics, alongside a well-paced narrative and rich dialogue options. Overall, the game successfully combines classic mechanics with innovative features, making it a standout in the genre.
“Where Frameland succeeds is in the core design of a simplistic turn-based combat system with a unique 'weakness' mechanic.”
“The timing mechanic makes the battles more engaging.”
“The turn-based combat system has been enriched with an interesting mechanic that requires some practice, but can be learned and mastered quickly.”
“I would easily give this an 8, maybe even a 9, if it wasn't for the way the timing mechanic works in combat.”
“The timing mechanic in combat is atrociously implemented.”
“Been disappointed with many JRPGs lately - not gameplay-wise, but when it came to story and characters, many fell short of my expectations.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in Frameland is characterized by charmingly written characters and cheesy yet endearing dialogue that often elicits laughter. The game successfully balances serious story elements with lighthearted quips, making it an enjoyable experience for those who appreciate a story-driven RPG with a unique sense of humor. Overall, the humor adds to the game's charm without becoming overwhelming or distracting.
“The characters are good and the dialogue can be quite cheesy at times, but there is charm to it and it has made me laugh.”
“If you're looking for a story-driven RPG filled with details and funny dialogue, Frameland is definitely worth your time.”
“It has an intriguing and unique story, excellent pixel-art graphics, a great sense of humor, and fun gameplay.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game successfully blends a retro gaming atmosphere with modern elements, creating a nostalgic yet fresh experience. Each scene is further enriched by a beautiful musical backdrop, enhancing the overall ambiance.
“A retro gaming atmosphere but with a modern context.”
“Each scene is enhanced by a beautiful musical atmosphere.”
“The retro gaming atmosphere feels out of place in a modern context.”
“While the musical atmosphere is beautiful, it doesn't compensate for the lack of immersive environmental design.”
“The overall atmosphere lacks depth and fails to engage the player.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a heart-touching story that enhances the overall emotional experience, leaving a lasting impact on players.
“A heart-touching story rounds off the game perfectly.”
“The emotional depth of the characters left me in tears.”
“I felt a profound connection to the narrative that stayed with me long after I finished playing.”
- stability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability, particularly on the Steam Deck, with users reporting smooth performance. However, there are minor issues, such as save transfer problems, which the developer is actively addressing by offering solutions.
“Runs great on Steam Deck so far, other than my demo save not transferring to the main game. However, the developer offered to create a save from scratch to make up for it, so I can't beat that.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be engaging rather than tedious, as battles are well-tuned with a timing feature and a diverse set of skills that encourage strategic play.
