I had the pleasure of being involved in the beta process of this game for quite some time, so I've done a lot of playthroughs of Family Man in the last few months. Even though most of the surprises are gone for me by now, I still find it incredibly fun. It has a very specific charm to it that keeps me engaged, maybe it's the dark themes wrapped in such a bright and cheery package. The writing is clever, and unlike too many "funny" games, this one has made me laugh aloud several times (there's an absurd image of the sheriff at a certain point in the game I won't spoil that really gets me, you'll likely know it when you see it). I'm engaged and invested in the future of the town, and I appreciate that even when it feels as though your hands are tied into a bad situation, there is always a way to come out in the right.

I suppose my only criticism is that for a game called Family Man, I actually care about the player's family the least out of all the members of the town, likely because you don't get to know them in quite the same way as other characters. There have definitely been strides that have improved that since the first beta: the spouse having a broken wrist to explain their inability to help, being able to play with your kid in the form of making a monster together that sits happily in the hall for the rest of your playthrough like a real child's art project. Actually I think making a little green robot with the child and then seeing it every time I came home endeared them to me the most. I think the spouse could benefit from something like that; a mission that's a relationship builder rather than a Honey Do. There are so many interesting and well developed characters, I wish I were more invested in keeping the family because I want to rather than simply to not lose the game. The family has markedly improved since that first beta, though, and the development team is always making strides to improve.

All in all, I really adore this game. If you're not into character-driven games, then this probably isn't for you, as engaging and investing in the townspeople is really the root of the gameplay. But if you want a unique story-driven game that still has an element of challenge wrapped up in a fun art style, give it a try. I've had a ball!

I had the pleasure of being involved in the beta process of this game for quite some time, so I've done a lot of playthroughs of Family Man in the last few months. Even though most of the surprises are gone for me by now, I still find it incredibly fun. It has a very specific charm to it that keeps me engaged, maybe it's the dark themes wrapped in such a bright and cheery package. The writing is clever, and unlike too many "funny" games, this one has made me laugh aloud several times (there's an absurd image of the sheriff at a certain point in the game I won't spoil that really gets me, you'll likely know it when you see it). I'm engaged and invested in the future of the town, and I appreciate that even when it feels as though your hands are tied into a bad situation, there is always a way to come out in the right. I suppose my only criticism is that for a game called Family Man, I actually care about the player's family the least out of all the members of the town, likely because you don't get to know them in quite the same way as other characters. There have definitely been strides that have improved that since the first beta: the spouse having a broken wrist to explain their inability to help, being able to play with your kid in the form of making a monster together that sits happily in the hall for the rest of your playthrough like a real child's art project. Actually I think making a little green robot with the child and then seeing it every time I came home endeared them to me the most. I think the spouse could benefit from something like that; a mission that's a relationship builder rather than a Honey Do. There are so many interesting and well developed characters, I wish I were more invested in keeping the family because I want to rather than simply to not lose the game. The family has markedly improved since that first beta, though, and the development team is always making strides to improve. All in all, I really adore this game. If you're not into character-driven games, then this probably isn't for you, as engaging and investing in the townspeople is really the root of the gameplay. But if you want a unique story-driven game that still has an element of challenge wrapped up in a fun art style, give it a try. I've had a ball!