Freud's Bones-the game
- May 25, 2022
- Axel Fox (Fortuna Imperatore)
Get on SteamFreud's Bones is the first point&click narrative-driven game to pay homage to the birth of psychoanalysis and its founder, addressing the themes of sexuality and neuroses filled with existential doubts.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game presents an interesting and innovative concept centered around psychoanalysis, appealing to psychology enthusiasts.
- The artwork and visual design are praised for their creativity and thematic relevance, enhancing the overall experience.
- The narrative is engaging and thought-provoking, encouraging players to explore complex psychological themes and the intricacies of Freud's work.
- The game suffers from a lack of clear instructions and guidance, making it difficult for players unfamiliar with psychoanalysis to navigate effectively.
- There are numerous technical issues, including graphical bugs and an unpolished interface that detracts from the gameplay experience.
- The gameplay can feel shallow and frustrating, with unclear mechanics and a reliance on guesswork that may leave players feeling lost.
- gameplay14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its innovative approach to psychoanalysis, effectively blending narrative and mechanics to engage players in exploring human nature. However, many users criticize the lack of clarity in gameplay elements and instructions, which can lead to confusion and a feeling of aimlessness. While the game offers intriguing concepts and a unique subject matter, its obscure mechanics and limited interactions detract from the overall experience.
“It's a cool narration that leaves you desiring more sessions, more gameplay, and more reading because this woman clearly has a passion for writing similar to our game's protagonist.”
“I like this game very much for its unusual subject, some interesting and innovative gameplay, the way it presents the player with lore/information/facts and leaves them to interpret it and work things out.”
“Additionally, the combination of play styles across the different sections of gameplay helps to keep things engaging.”
“The game also never states where or when you should go and buy stuff or publish the books, which I must say also don't impact at all on your gameplay.”
“However, the lack of clarity in both the narrative and instructional elements really hinders the enjoyment of the game and results in it feeling like an experience to be fumbled through rather than a coherent set of challenges and mechanics.”
“There is very little clarity concerning important elements of the interface and gameplay - a small example that doesn't count as a spoiler: why can I only leave the room to buy cigars maybe once in the entire game, if smoking cigars is to be a crucial element of managing Freud's mood?”
- graphics6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the unique artwork and concept, while others criticize the quality as subpar and poorly executed. Users report graphical glitches during gameplay, detracting from the overall experience, and some describe the visuals as a cheap attempt lacking in professional quality.
“The idea is brilliant; as a psychology student, the Kickstarter campaign instantly drove me to pay for this project. The artwork is cool, and the whole concept is majestic.”
“I would suggest this to anyone interested in the subject, but also to those who want to enjoy a story-rich graphic adventure and investigative game.”
“The game has graphical crashes when you save and load mid-session; for example, the partitioned mind head will not appear, with only the bone showing and none of the other details.”
“The graphical aspect is describable as horrendous.”
“It's not old school like in 'Papers, Please' or 'Undertale'; this is just a ridiculously cheap attempt by a poor developer with no experience in game development or graphical composition.”
- story4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story is highly praised for its uniqueness and depth, appealing particularly to fans of point-and-click games and narrative-driven adventures. Reviewers recommend it for those interested in engaging, investigative storytelling, highlighting the impressive design crafted by a single developer.
“Loved the story and game design, which was made by one person.”
“I definitely recommend this to people who love point & click games with a unique story.”
“I would suggest this to anyone interested in the subject, but also to those who want to enjoy a story-rich graphic adventure and investigative game.”
“A lingering echo, a story untold.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been criticized for being generic and lacking immersion, with some reviewers comparing it unfavorably to the soundtracks of low-quality flash games. Overall, it fails to enhance the narrative experience.
“The soundtrack is just generic and not even immersive; the sounds are worse than those found in flash games on Newgrounds.com.”
“The music feels repetitive and uninspired, lacking any real depth or creativity.”
“I found the audio to be quite bland, with no memorable tracks that stand out.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers find the humor in the game to be both original and clever, particularly appreciating its playful take on Freudian concepts. The inclusion of humorous elements adds a unique layer to the gameplay experience.
“In my ongoing battle against misinterpreted Freudian dogmas, the mere option to have such a funny 'transfer' is both amusing and original.”
