Simplistic nostalgia wrapped in a unique, stimulating world.

Reminiscent of the classic era of JRPGs, Franzen is a short narrative adventure featuring turn-based combat, a larger-than-life plot, and a dark, bizarre fantasy world featuring the signature strokes of the creative auteur Scumhead. While hardly groundbreaking, Franzen delivers an entertaining and immersive experience at a great pace.

The game tells the story of Franz and Lefsa, a married pair of technomancers studying the energy coming off a dark phenomenon known as the Scream. In classic JRPG fashion, a journey that starts with a simple errand soon expands into a globe-trotting adventure featuring powerful foes, unexplored locations, and volatile politics. The plot of the game is largely unremarkable, but the world-building and character interactions are detailed and realistic; character dialogues are kept brief but are overflowing with personality. The game is paced extremely well - although the entire game can be completed in 3 to 4 hours, each scene and level is packed with enough narrative depth to make a completely satisfying story.

Combat mechanics are extremely simple. Characters take turns in combat, and can take actions to attack, perform skills, use items, defend, or change their position on the battlefield, which causes them to deal/take more/less damage. Skills can be used to deal damage, heal damage, raise allied stats, inflict status effects, or remove status effects. As for customization, each character can be equipped with five pieces of equipment, all with very simple effects. There is also an elemental affinity system, but there are only a few elements with basic affinity interactions. There is no level up system, but items can be used to permanently raise the stats of your party. Despite this simplicity, it doesn't hinder the Franzen experience, but engages the player between story scenes.

The artwork in the world of Franzen is metallic, bleak, and in many cases, unnervingly creepy, but that's what's so charming about it. The Gigeresque monsters and allies encountered throughout the game are striking and solidify the unique feeling of the world. The soundtrack evokes nostalgic feelings of classic JRPG titles while still feeling fresh and inspired. The harmony between the character designs, environment art, and soundtrack create a feeling of immersion that can comfortably stand alongside JRPG masterpieces.

Overall, Franzen excels at its mission to provide a quick. unique, and entertaining adventure, though RPG veterans may be disappointed by the lack of depth in its combat system and character customization. I recommend Franzen to anyone who enjoys narrative RPGs and truly unique worlds.

Simplistic nostalgia wrapped in a unique, stimulating world. Reminiscent of the classic era of JRPGs, Franzen is a short narrative adventure featuring turn-based combat, a larger-than-life plot, and a dark, bizarre fantasy world featuring the signature strokes of the creative auteur Scumhead. While hardly groundbreaking, Franzen delivers an entertaining and immersive experience at a great pace. The game tells the story of Franz and Lefsa, a married pair of technomancers studying the energy coming off a dark phenomenon known as the Scream. In classic JRPG fashion, a journey that starts with a simple errand soon expands into a globe-trotting adventure featuring powerful foes, unexplored locations, and volatile politics. The plot of the game is largely unremarkable, but the world-building and character interactions are detailed and realistic; character dialogues are kept brief but are overflowing with personality. The game is paced extremely well - although the entire game can be completed in 3 to 4 hours, each scene and level is packed with enough narrative depth to make a completely satisfying story. Combat mechanics are extremely simple. Characters take turns in combat, and can take actions to attack, perform skills, use items, defend, or change their position on the battlefield, which causes them to deal/take more/less damage. Skills can be used to deal damage, heal damage, raise allied stats, inflict status effects, or remove status effects. As for customization, each character can be equipped with five pieces of equipment, all with very simple effects. There is also an elemental affinity system, but there are only a few elements with basic affinity interactions. There is no level up system, but items can be used to permanently raise the stats of your party. Despite this simplicity, it doesn't hinder the Franzen experience, but engages the player between story scenes. The artwork in the world of Franzen is metallic, bleak, and in many cases, unnervingly creepy, but that's what's so charming about it. The Gigeresque monsters and allies encountered throughout the game are striking and solidify the unique feeling of the world. The soundtrack evokes nostalgic feelings of classic JRPG titles while still feeling fresh and inspired. The harmony between the character designs, environment art, and soundtrack create a feeling of immersion that can comfortably stand alongside JRPG masterpieces. Overall, Franzen excels at its mission to provide a quick. unique, and entertaining adventure, though RPG veterans may be disappointed by the lack of depth in its combat system and character customization. I recommend Franzen to anyone who enjoys narrative RPGs and truly unique worlds.