Little Misfortune
- September 18, 2019
- Killmonday Games
- 4h median play time
"Little Misfortune" is an interactive story-driven game following 8-year-old Misfortune Ramirez Hernandez on her quest to find Eternal Happiness. With dark and whimsical characters, players' choices impact the outcome of this eerie adventure. Explore surreal landscapes, puzzle-solve, and encounter mysterious creatures, while uncovering the truth of the monster in the woods. Featuring real human voices, original music, and various pets to interact with, the game shares the universe with Fran Bow, immersing players in a unique, haunting experience.
Reviews
- The artwork is beautiful and charming, enhancing the overall experience.
- The voice acting, especially for Misfortune, is engaging and adds depth to the character.
- The game balances dark humor with emotional storytelling, making it a unique experience.
- The story is disappointingly linear, with choices that have little impact on the outcome.
- The gameplay lacks challenge and can feel repetitive, as it primarily involves walking and clicking.
- The game is quite short, taking only a few hours to complete, which may not justify the full price.
- story3,964 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Little Misfortune" is a darkly whimsical narrative that follows an eight-year-old girl on her quest for eternal happiness, guided by a mysterious voice. While the game features beautiful art and engaging voice acting, many players note that the story is linear and choices have minimal impact on the outcome, leading to a sense of predictability. Despite its short length, the emotional depth and dark humor resonate with players, making it a memorable experience, though some feel it lacks the complexity and interactivity of its predecessor, "Fran Bow."
“The story is the main driving point of the game.”
“It is a hauntingly beautiful story that breaks your heart and stays with you long after it ends.”
“The game blends dark humor and unsettling moments with a storyline that is both thought-provoking and emotionally impactful.”
“I found the story disappointingly linear.”
“The game’s storyline, while attempting to be darkly humorous, often comes across as disjointed and lacks depth.”
“While until now I only gave praises I still have to say a very important thing (probably the most important) about my experience: I was very disappointed that, in a choose your own story game, your choices don't actually matter.”
- humor1,546 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Little Misfortune" is a blend of dark, absurd, and sometimes crude elements, often juxtaposing lighthearted moments with heavy themes like childhood trauma and neglect. Many players appreciate the game's ability to evoke laughter through its quirky protagonist and unexpected scenarios, while others find the reliance on potty humor and shock value off-putting. Overall, the humor resonates well with those who enjoy a morbid twist, though it may not appeal to everyone due to its sensitive subject matter.
“Loved the game, very funny yet sad, but I love the dark humor.”
“The humor, though dark, often had me chuckling despite the underlying sadness.”
“Genuinely one of my favorite games - simultaneously hilarious and heart-wrenching.”
“Initially cute and clumsy, these frequent tumbles soon feel unnecessary and unfunny, slowing down the gameplay.”
“Boring, jokes are stupid and not funny at all, and your decisions don't affect anything as they claim in the beginning of the game.”
“This game is not funny (though it tries really hard to be) and it is not fun.”
- graphics1,082 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Little Misfortune" are widely praised for their charming hand-drawn art style, which effectively complements the game's dark themes and narrative. Reviewers highlight the visuals as a standout feature, noting their unique aesthetic that blends cuteness with unsettling elements, creating an immersive atmosphere. While the art style is celebrated, some critiques mention that it cannot fully compensate for perceived shortcomings in gameplay and storytelling depth.
“The visuals are complemented by a fitting soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere, making the experience immersive.”
“The art style, voice acting, soundtrack, and story are all incredible.”
“The game has a unique allure, the vibrant graphics mixed with a macabre undertone make for a haunting vibe that persisted long after the final credits.”
“While the art style is charming, it isn't enough to compensate for the game's overall lack of substance.”
“However, while little misfortune doesn’t stray from the art style and tone of the team's first commercial release it does cut out the point-and-click puzzle gameplay which for me is disappointing.”
“Sadly, this one leans way too far in the artwork direction.”
- gameplay811 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Little Misfortune" is primarily linear and simplistic, focusing on exploration and decision-making rather than complex mechanics or puzzles, which has led to mixed reviews. Many players found the game to be short, averaging around 2-5 hours, and criticized its lack of meaningful choices and engaging gameplay elements, often comparing it unfavorably to its predecessor, "Fran Bow." While the art and story received praise, the overall gameplay experience is seen as minimal, making it more akin to an interactive story than a traditional game.
“The game mechanics are flawless and the story is engrossing every step of the way.”
“Engaging gameplay, a good length and a heartbreaking story.”
“Little Misfortune offers a great combination of story, visual elements, and gameplay that is guaranteed to entertain and captivate players.”
“Additionally, the gameplay itself is quite linear and offers little in terms of challenge or meaningful choices.”
“The gameplay however is very lackluster, you use the A and D keys to move, F to throw glitter, mouse to click on things, and yep, that's the entire controls. There are mini games here and there but most of them just use the mouse really.”
“The actual gameplay is very minimal, but has some replayability.”
- emotional524 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is profoundly impactful, blending humor with dark themes to create a heartwarming yet heartbreaking narrative. Players frequently report being moved to tears by the story of Misfortune, an eight-year-old girl navigating a grim reality, which touches on heavy subjects like child neglect and resilience. The game's artistry and soundtrack enhance its emotional depth, making it a memorable experience that resonates deeply with many players.
“Miss Fortune’s unwavering spirit contrasts with the grim realities she navigates, making her journey both heartwarming and heartbreaking.”
“The conclusion is both poignant and heart-wrenching, leaving players with a somber reflection on the fragility of life and the enduring scars that linger after the credits roll.”
“Little Misfortune is a heartwarming, hilarious child.”
“It's honestly a flat, predictable, and boring story.”
- music385 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been widely praised for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere and emotional depth, with many players describing it as beautiful, soothing, and fitting for the game's whimsical yet dark themes. The soundtrack, often noted for its melancholic melodies, complements the stunning hand-drawn art style and engaging voice acting, creating an immersive experience that resonates with players long after they finish the game. Overall, the combination of music, art, and storytelling is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
“The visuals are complemented by a fitting soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere, making the experience immersive.”
“The enchanting soundtrack weaves a melodic spell, evoking a sense of childlike innocence and poignant longing.”
“The art and soundtrack frankly surpassed Fran Bow, the animated cutscenes were beyond gorgeous and the art and music create a truly atmospheric experience.”
“While the art style and music contribute to the game's atmosphere, they can't compensate for the overall lackluster storytelling and gameplay.”
“Music: forgettable.”
“The animation is cute and the music is okay (could be better for a beautiful art & story like this).”
- atmosphere184 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Little Misfortune" is widely praised for its unique blend of whimsical charm and dark undertones, creating an immersive experience that captivates players. The game's art style, soundtrack, and voice acting significantly enhance this atmosphere, making it both eerie and engaging. While some critiques mention a lack of depth in storytelling, the overall ambiance remains a standout feature that resonates with players, drawing them into its intriguing world.
“The visuals are complemented by a fitting soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere, making the experience immersive.”
“The art style is unique, with a whimsical yet eerie atmosphere that pulls you into its world.”
“Little Misfortune has an amazing atmosphere and the protagonist is relatable, making it a great journey worth enjoying for its visuals and animation style.”
“While the art style and music contribute to the game's atmosphere, they can't compensate for the overall lackluster storytelling and gameplay.”
“I didn't like the atmosphere or the story and I just don't think it's a feel-good game.”
“After the long atmosphere build-up, I expected something thrilling to happen.”
- replayability162 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the impact of choices on the story and the potential for multiple endings, while others criticize its linear nature and limited meaningful choices, resulting in minimal replay value. Many reviews note that the game is relatively short, averaging around 3 hours, which further diminishes its replay appeal unless players are specifically interested in achievement hunting or exploring different outcomes. Overall, while there are elements that encourage replaying, such as choice-based gameplay, the consensus leans towards limited replayability.
“Player choices impact the story, adding depth and replayability.”
“The story is well-done, the humor is spot-on, and the variety of decisions and consequences, as well as the multiple endings, added to the replay value of this short game.”
“The many, many different choices available to you and how they impact events both near and very far down the line in the story make this game super replayable, in addition to the upbeat attitude of the little lady Misfortune herself.”
“Limited replayability: due to its linear nature and the limited number of meaningful choices, the game offers little replay value.”
“My only downsides would be that it is quite short - and has limited replayability.”
“Replayability value is 0 (some achievements try to support it, but I can't honestly imagine playing this again just to complete some remaining achievements).”
- grinding42 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Players consistently note that grinding in the game is a significant and often tedious aspect, requiring substantial time investment for achievements and replaying. Many find the repetitive nature of the gameplay—primarily involving clicking through dialogue and minimal interaction—excessively monotonous, leading to a sense of boredom during multiple playthroughs. Overall, while some enjoy the narrative, the grinding element detracts from the experience for many.
“Time for grinding will be required.”
“You'll be grinding a lot.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“One particularly annoying scene involves repeatedly pressing a button to help Misfortune gather the courage to stand up after a fall, which feels excessively tedious.”
“It gets very tedious, as the game is basically just walking and clicking whereupon Little Misfortune will talk... again and again and again - this can get very boring very easily.”
“Replaying to get a missed achievement can be tedious because most dialogue cannot be skipped.”
- character development35 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is perceived as limited and inconsistent, primarily due to its brief playtime, which restricts deeper exploration of themes and character arcs. While the character designs and artwork are praised for their charm and creativity, many reviewers feel that the narrative lacks significant growth or challenges for the characters, resulting in a repetitive experience. Overall, while the aesthetic elements are celebrated, the depth of character development falls short compared to previous titles by the same developers.
“This game is amazing and nothing less; the character designs are wonderful as well as the voice lines.”
“Between the sound effects, art style and animation, voice acting, story, and adorable character design - it's hard to say what makes Little Misfortune one of my favorite games.”
“The character designs are unique and simply adorable, as are the environments you travel through.”
“The brief playtime limits character development and the exploration of themes, which could have been delved into more deeply given a longer narrative.”
“A beautiful example is that when Misfortune is escaping Benjamin's house, she climbs through a painting where her pants drop to show her cheeks and she toots a few times (we felt very uncomfortable) and then in the next room she falls over like she has done many times before and has this dramatic 'you can do it' moment like she's going through major character development (which she isn't because nothing has changed) and you can't really do anything but tap your keyboard as fast as you can so you can get the weirdly placed almost cringe scene over with as quickly as possible.”
“Fran Bow was amazing and filled me with wonder, but this game was so repetitive, ends randomly, and has no character development or challenges.”
- optimization10 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its smooth performance and well-executed animations, contributing to an overall enjoyable playthrough. While the voice acting, particularly Natalia Figueroa's portrayal of Misfortune, is praised, some players found her voice to be occasionally grating. Overall, the optimization is solid, enhancing the game's artistic and auditory elements.
“Runs smoothly.”
“Playthrough is fine, the characters and backgrounds are well drawn and animated, and the game runs smoothly.”
“I enjoyed the art style, I think it fits the tone of the game nicely, the music was well thought out, as usual, and the voice acting was pretty good, the lines were delivered well.”
- stability8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players report experiencing bugs and glitches, others have found the game to be well-made with no issues.
“Buggy.”
“All that said, it was a well-made game and I didn't experience any glitches or issues.”
“No glitches.”
- monetization8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game has been criticized for misleading advertising, with users feeling that the promotional materials misrepresent the game's features and quality. Many reviewers express disappointment over the game's incomplete state relative to its price, suggesting that it does not deliver the value expected from a fully developed title. Overall, the sentiment indicates a lack of trust in the game's marketing and a feeling of being misled.
“Incomplete game with the advertising and price tag of a completed game.”
“I had purchased this game thinking it was not possible that the creator would spoil nearly every single cut scene (note: I say cut scene and not 'game mechanic') within their first trailer for advertising, and the images shown made me think 'that seems great, the ability to make a shield around yourself in some kind of other realm, wouldn't that be a wonderful interaction in a game?' I felt fairly confident that this game had more to offer due to its price tag and the background of the creator having pushed out games that can last 6 to 9 hours or more.”
“They are advertising a false feature!”