Or perhaps Charm at its most Morbid level. It's all a matter of perspective when it comes to this game. I stumbled upon this game during the end of a sale, and instantly fell in love with the artwork, and simply had to play it because the tone and aesthetic were right up my alley. As I played, I came to love it from the perspective of a Psychology Major in addition to the viewpoint of an artist and horror fan. I won't spoil with the details, but just reading the children's psych/medical charts in the hospital told me that this game is not afraid to bring up very disturbing themes. It doesn't pull its punches, but it never does so in an edgy, try-hard shock-value manner. Instead, the themes are represented in a humanistic manner, and much of the fantasy and horror of the game are creative metaphors for real things that most ignore. Though the game is still not for the squeamish or sheltered. There are moments of genuine, serene beauty, but the nightmare is still around the corner. If you're the type that prefers "Return to Oz" over "The Wizard of Oz", then this game is for you. Fran Bow is what would happen if Monkey Island were made by the Addams Family, and it is beautiful. The game took me over 10 hours to complete because I took my sweet time appreciating the art, atmosphere, and music. Shortly after playing the game my first night, I did research and watched videos from Killmonday Games, and was simply awestruck by the level of passion for the development of this title. All the core development was done by only two people, with additional help from a few dedicated supporters and Indiegogo backers. This is the Little Demon-Engine that Could, and Natalia Figueroa in particular is so amusing and inspirational on a creative level. I just kept finding entirely new ways to love this game. It's been a long time since a Point & Click kept me this captivated (perhaps Gabriel Knight), and I am so happy that this tale has entered my life.
I loved this game immensely on the N64, and I'm loving it all over again with this release! After playing Turok 1's remaster, I was fully confident in NightDive for Seeds of Evil. It runs so nicely with proper Mouse & Keyboard (no more C-Buttons!), the updated interface is a welcomed touch, and best of all, the lack of fog means I can actually see the world of the game beyond a few meters! It's enough of a remaster to give it a solid, modern stability & reliability, and plenty has been left untouched to preserve the classic feel of the game. I've been looking forward to this one for a good while, and I'm happy and grateful for the results. NightDive definitely knows how to handle with care. This has always been an old favorite of mine, due to the exploration of levels, the memorable monster variety, and the plethora of fun weapons! It's because of games like this that made me dislike corridor shooter campaigns where you have 2 or 3 weapons at most. No such limitations for Turok! Where do you keep all those wonderful toys when you don't even have a shirt? Who CARES, it's FUN! That's why these old shooters still hold up.
