Frameland: A Binary Tale

About

In "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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

+10

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 49 reviews

story35 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

The game features a well-written story with engaging characters and humorous dialogue, making it a charming experience.
Combat is enjoyable and incorporates a unique timing mechanic that adds a layer of strategy, despite some criticisms.
The game is short and immersive, allowing players to complete it in under 13 hours while still providing plenty of detail and exploration opportunities.

The timing mechanic in combat is poorly implemented, leading to frustration as players must focus on timing indicators rather than the actual combat animations.
There is a lack of meaningful gear and customization options, with limited equipment available for characters.
Some players experienced bugs and felt that the game felt incomplete, particularly towards the end where certain areas and quests were unresolved.

story
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
41%
5%
The story of "Frameland" is praised for its captivating and well-written narrative, featuring surprising plot twists and a balance of humor and serious themes. Players appreciate the attention to detail, engaging characters, and the game's ability to deliver a memorable experience in a concise format, though some critiques mention a lack of depth in character development and certain plot points. Overall, it is recommended for those seeking a story-driven RPG with rich dialogue and interactive elements.
- “Awesome storyline with a love for details and plenty of side quests.”
- “The story is fun, captivating, and beautifully told.”
- “The main twist of the story was amazing, and the ending left me broken-hearted.”
- “Been disappointed with many JRPGs lately - not gameplay-wise, but when it came to story and characters, many fell short of my expectations.”
- “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.”
music
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
56%
11%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many players praising the gorgeous soundtrack that enhances the overall experience and stays memorable long after gameplay. Each location features distinct music that contributes to the game's atmosphere, making it a standout element alongside its engaging story and visuals. Overall, the soundtrack is described as a "banger" and a significant highlight, deserving recognition for its quality and impact.
- “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 absolutely AAA 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 to it. When I say give the composer a raise, I mean it.”
- “In addition, each scene is enhanced by a beautiful musical atmosphere.”
- “A game with a lot of attention to detail, wonderful pixel art, interesting storytelling, and charming in-game music.”
gameplay
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
24%
18%
The gameplay is generally well-received, featuring a classic turn-based combat system enhanced by a unique timing mechanic that adds engagement, though opinions on its implementation are mixed. Players appreciate the fun elements, attention to detail, and the intriguing story, while some express frustration with the timing mechanic's execution. Overall, the game combines enjoyable gameplay with excellent graphics and a strong narrative, making it a standout in the genre.
- “Love the characters, the story, and the gameplay (which surprised me with a few fun elements throughout).”
- “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.”
- “The timing mechanic in combat is atrociously implemented.”
- “I would easily give this an 8, maybe even a 9, if it wasn't for the way the timing mechanic works in combat.”
- “Been disappointed with many JRPGs lately - not gameplay-wise, but when it came to story and characters, many fell short of my expectations.”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
31%
19%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful and clear pixel art, which combines nostalgic elements with modern effects, creating a visually appealing experience. While many players find the character animations and overall aesthetic enjoyable, some express concerns about the integration of pixel art with contemporary rendering techniques, feeling it can occasionally disrupt the visual coherence. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's charm and immersive storytelling.
- “Beautiful, simple, and clear graphics and character art.”
- “The graphics are absolutely gorgeous.”
- “It has an intriguing and unique story, excellent pixel-art graphics, great sense of humor, and fun gameplay.”
- “It utilizes nostalgic pixel art combined with modern graphical effects and a somewhat barebones combat system to tell a fairly watered down story.”
- “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.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by charmingly written characters and cheesy yet endearing dialogue that often elicits laughter. Reviewers appreciate the balance between serious story elements and lighthearted quips, making it an enjoyable experience for those who appreciate a story-driven RPG with a unique sense of humor. Overall, the game's humor adds to its charm and enhances the gameplay experience.
- “The characters are interesting and humorous.”
- “It has an intriguing and unique story, excellent pixel-art graphics, great sense of humor, and fun gameplay.”
- “The balance of serious story progression and funny quips is good enough for it to not get annoying or distracting.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The game successfully blends a retro gaming atmosphere with modern elements, creating a nostalgic yet fresh experience. Each scene is further elevated by a beautiful musical backdrop, enhancing the overall ambiance.
- “The retro gaming atmosphere is beautifully blended with a modern context.”
- “Each scene is enhanced by a beautiful musical atmosphere.”
- “The retro gaming atmosphere is beautifully blended with a modern context.”
- “The retro gaming atmosphere is present, but it feels out of place in a modern context.”
- “Each scene is enhanced by a beautiful musical atmosphere, yet it fails to create a truly immersive experience.”
- “While the game attempts to capture a retro gaming atmosphere, it ultimately lacks the depth needed to engage players.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a heart-touching story that resonates deeply with players, enhancing the overall emotional experience and leaving a lasting impact.
- “A heart-touching story rounds off the game perfectly.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, with users reporting no significant stability issues. However, there is a noted problem with demo saves not transferring to the main game, though the developer has been responsive in 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.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be less focused on prolonged battles, as the combat is designed to be engaging and strategic, thanks to a timing feature and a diverse set of skills. This makes grinding feel less tedious and more dynamic.