Fran Bow Chapter 1

About

Fran Bow Chapter 1 is a single player casual puzzle game. It was developed by Killmonday Games and was released on March 3, 2016. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Fran Bow" is a creepy psychological horror adventure game about Fran, a young girl dealing with a mental disorder, who escapes from a children's mental institution to find her missing cat and return home. The game features a unique hand-drawn art style and requires Fran to self-administer medication to reveal hidden worlds for puzzle-solving. Overall, it's a story-driven game that deals with mature themes of loss, mental illness, and the search for identity.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 350 reviews

story44 positive mentions

The game features beautiful artwork and a compelling story that keeps players engaged.
Puzzles are creatively designed, providing a good challenge while still being enjoyable.
The dark and twisted atmosphere, combined with quirky characters, makes for a unique and memorable gaming experience.

Some players find the puzzles to be too difficult or obtuse, leading to frustration.
The game is divided into chapters that require separate purchases, which some feel is not worth the price for the length of gameplay.
There are reports of technical issues, such as crashes and compatibility problems on certain devices.

story
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
33%
4%
The game's story is widely praised for its compelling and dark narrative, featuring quirky characters and engaging dialogue that draw players in. Many reviewers highlight the beautiful artwork and music that enhance the storytelling experience, while some note the emotional depth and psychological themes that may resonate differently with players. Overall, the story is described as addictive, immersive, and a significant strength of the game, making it a standout in the genre.
- “The story is compelling, the characters and dialogue are quirky, music and artwork are great.”
- “I absolutely adore the story and art; I kind of wish there was a way to buy all the parts in a bundle, but I'm fine with buying all of them!”
- “This game has an amazing storyline and it is so addictive that I couldn't stop for a second.”
- “Mind-numbingly slow storytelling, crackling sound and bad intermission graphics - wouldn't recommend even if free.”
- “A straightforward point and click adventure game with a nonsensical story the developers never really tie up or explain to any extent.”
- “I just purchased the game and it only goes through the storyline at the beginning.”
graphics
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
20%
13%
The graphics of the game have received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many users praising the outstanding artwork, beautiful animation, and unique art style that enhance the overall experience. While some critiques mention issues with intermission graphics and sound, the majority highlight the graphics as a standout feature that complements the compelling storytelling and engaging gameplay. Overall, the visuals are described as both captivating and integral to the game's dark and quirky atmosphere.
- “The graphics are amazing.”
- “Awesome game, beautiful graphics and dark and mysterious story line.”
- “Gorgeous artwork, fun puzzles, and a joy to behold.”
- “Mind-numbingly slow storytelling, crackling sound, and bad intermission graphics - wouldn't recommend even if free.”
- “I understand the work involved in doing hand-drawn graphics and the time to create the story and puzzles, but the price almost kept me from playing the game to begin with.”
- “The graphics make the gore just the right amount of intensity.”
gameplay
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
15%
14%
The gameplay is praised for its engaging 2D visuals and thrilling mechanics, particularly the unique medicine system, which adds depth to the experience. While some players find the gameplay enjoyable and worth the price, others note that it can be tricky and may not appeal to those who are squeamish. However, the overall consensus highlights an excellent story and graphics, despite some criticism regarding repetitive elements and short playtime.
- “The 2D visuals and gameplay designs are lovely and thrilling at the same time.”
- “Amazing! I personally think it's worth the money; the gameplay is great. It's not for the squeamish, but overall it's a good game—tricky, but that's the fun in it.”
- “Excellent story, graphics, and gameplay!”
- “Not just the same mechanics - exactly the same clues, answers, and objects located in the same places.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
60%
The music in the game is highly praised for its captivating blend of dark and sweet elements, complementing the compelling story and quirky characters. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as astounding and a standout feature, enhancing the overall artistic experience.
- “The story is compelling, the characters and dialogue are quirky, music and artwork are great.”
- “I love it! It's one of my favorite games. I love the dark storyline, art, and soundtrack; it's so good, omg!”
- “I mean, it is astounding in terms of story and music.”
- “The music is a strange mix of terrible and delightful; I appreciate the art and music.”
- “The soundtrack feels repetitive and uninspired, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “The music doesn't match the game's tone, leading to a disjointed experience.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The game's atmosphere is a captivating blend of unsettling yet calm environments, with each chapter offering a unique thematic connection. Players praise the impressive graphics, animation, and engaging puzzles, all contributing to a memorable and immersive experience. Overall, the atmosphere is described as powerful and integral to the game's appeal.
- “Don't usually buy game apps but am glad I got this - the creepy atmosphere, great animation, dynamite graphics, and titillating puzzles are top notch; loads of fun.”
- “The chapters give different atmospheres and take place in different environments, but are all connected thematically.”
- “The atmosphere is fairly unsettling yet calm; it would not spook you to death just by looking at it.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its emotional depth, combining beauty and horror in a unique narrative that resonates with players. Many reviewers found the plot to be touching and impactful, with some expressing strong emotional reactions, including tears at the conclusion.
- “This is a fantastic, beautiful, horrific, spectacular, unique, intriguing, and heartfelt game.”
- “I cried at the end and loved the plot.”
- “It was so touching, and so dark and deep.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its dark and wicked tone, blending elements of delusion and reality with a playful yet macabre charm. Players who appreciate dark humor and striking artwork will find the experience both amusing and delightfully twisted.
- “Play it if you love dark humor and great artwork!”
- “It is deliciously dark, funny, and oh, so wicked and adorable.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its exceptional stability, with users reporting no glitches and smooth performance throughout, contributing to an overall positive experience.
- “Amazing game; it had no glitches, works great, and the story is awesome.”
- “No glitches; no regrets.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Users note that while the game has limited replay value typical of puzzle games, it still offers a degree of replayability for those who wish to continue playing.
- “It is also easily replayable if you want to keep playing.”
- “I hardly ever pay for games, especially puzzle games with little replay value.”