★★★★★ Florence is life
Wed Jul 04 2018 Bl;ack[tide]8780Right off the bat, Florence captivated me with its art style and somber music. The story is nothing new, but Annapurna Interactive manages to mesh in the right music, character development, and pacing to create a compelling and believable story.
I imagine there will be lots of people who will identify with Florence- those who have been working meaningless full time jobs that make them feel hollow and unfulfilled. To those, Florence speaks that it is worth taking a step back to consider pursuing your dreams and passions- it is never too late.
To those expecting a happily ever after ending, Florence affirms our understanding that despite our best wishes and intents, life doesn’t always go the way that we want it too. People come into our lives, and sometimes they go. But Florence teaches us to not let those experiences tear us down. In having new people come into our lives, we learn new things about them and about ourselves. Meeting new people is an essential part of self discovery that allows us to harness what we learn about ourselves and use that knowledge to shape a happier and better future.
★★★★★ This was beautiful, moving storytelling
Mon Feb 19 2018 fruitsnackpackI was really impressed by how they told such a compelling engaging story in this medium- relying primarily on interactive visuals. It was such creative visual storytelling and a joy to experience this whole arc in florence's life. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The story's format and the tools they used to tell it was really impressive to me because of the skillfulness and partially because it's a novel format. Apps that tell stories artistically are fairly new to me, and fairly new in general! This app did a wonderful job. it seems like a really lovely way to explore a character-focused piece, which I love. it takes creativity to devise methods of communicating the highs and lows in such a clear and precise way... I loved it and thanks to the people who worked on it :-)
To everyone else: I definitely recommend giving it a shot and supporting it if you can. the story itself explores heartbreak but is also very encouraging. 🌱🌿 The music and art and interactive elements all throughout worked together so beautifully.
★★★★★ Beautiful
Sat Mar 10 2018 Blue, love.Honestly this game reminds me of a John Green novel, like The Fault in our Stars, or, the up and coming Love Simon. It has a beautiful tragedy story with an elegant simplicity and after getting your heart torn apart, the game lovingly puts it back together. The emotions this game produces linger even after finishing the game for a few weeks now, giving a lovingly bittersweet forlorn hug to your heart.
One this game was entirely worth the money I paid for it, although the game itself is a little elementary with gameplay, though that was intended. The downside to these easy touch, tap, and drag controls is that the game passes by incredibly quickly and ends very soon. Upon the breakup of the main characters, the healing process the game allows you to progress through is a great time lengthener but all in all the game was still a bit short (but again, the storyline is very well developed and fleshed out).
Overall the game is worth a purchase but the time spent playing will not last long.
★★★★★ Stress reliever!!!
Wed Mar 06 2019 POPPYGRLAt first I couldn’t figure out how to play this, even when the little clues would pop up. But once I figured it out.... (which by then my anxiety was a thing of the past because my mind was somewhere else)...I then continued playing this game and figuring out what each life scenario will be. Whether it’s changing jobs and packing up your personal things from on top your desk into a box or having a new LOVE and packing your apartment up with items to take it to his apartment and then unpacking to put the items from the box and placing them on his tv stand or whatever.
I really do like this app.
It really is a relaxing game with a handful of chapters to go through. I think mine just ended with no more chapters to play I’m not sure yet I’ll find out. Oryou can just start again. Only thing is I believe you will be starting the same game & doing the same thing. I’ll try and write another review after I find out.
★★★★★ Up to your preference.
Tue Apr 10 2018 tikachewsIt captivates you when you see the amazing reviews and it’s a love/life story; perfect for the consumer who wants to inflict waves of emotions for about 10-30 minutes. The artwork and the effort that is put into this game makes it worth the money since I didn’t have to buy any extensions, and rather than wasting my money on other pleasures, I’d thought I’d purchase the game just as one would go to see a movie.
The storyline was predictable. It is similar to every other coming of age and love story combined into one. The true value of the game is in the detail though. While some may find it tedious or want to rush through it, they will not get the smaller details with the mini games.
In summary, definitely a pleasant experience for myself since I was able to catch on to almost every small detail, however, if you are one to rush through games without realizing the purpose as to why everything happens in the order it proceeds in, then this one may not be for you. Loved it.
★★★★★ Beautiful
Fri Jan 11 2019 Cricket_KellyI like puzzle games and I enjoy graphic novels. This app is both of them with a heartfelt storyline that I can be a part of. I had been off and on again with a man for three years thinking it was going to work. I have felt guilty ever since we had stopped talking. I wanted to be an individual and be true to myself and what I wanted. After a while of not having in my life and just now playing this game, I am reassured that I made the right choice and it was for myself. I am a wonderful person with or without another person romantically. I will do what. Want to do and grow from what my previous relationships and friendships have taught me: to love myself and do what I want and need to do.
This game made me cry several times because of how relatable and warm it felt. I appreciate this game and all it is worth. Because it is work a hundred times over in wonder and genuine work.
★★★★★ Short and only somewhat Interactive
Mon Dec 31 2018 AshLEE8488The game is artistically brilliant but I purchased it thinking it would be more interactive and that your choices would make the story evolve in different ways. That is not what you get here. It’s the same story beautifully animated over and over never it changes and is very short. I have a hard time calling this a game, instead it is like an animated children’s book but with an adult theme. The story ends very simply and quickly. I ran through the game twice within a 24 hour period, each time I played it differently and was disappointed that the story doesn’t change or challenge you intellectually. It’s a brief emotional feast and allows you to have a connection to a traditional young couple’s very basic highs and lows. Although the game is beautiful and brilliantly made, I wouldn’t recommend spending money on it. I do see potential for a more evolving and interactive storyline that would take weeks to get through, and that’s something I would spend money on.
★★★★★ An Emotionally Resonant Interactive Narrative
Sat Jan 05 2019 Setho10Publisher Annapurna has released several masterful games this year. From the offbeat humor of Donut County to the innovative beauty of Gorgoa, this publisher has gone out of its way to prove that phones can be a viable platform for interactive art.
While those two titles are also playable on a PC, Florence is a game that works only on phones. It’s use of simple touchscreen puzzles as a metaphor for the stages in a failed relationship is brilliant. There is nothing new about the story told in Florence, but its universal themes of drifting apart with loved ones, finding solace in friends and family, and growing from even negative experiences, are effectively conveyed.
Florence is only about half an hour long, but it’s breathtaking score, painterly artwork, and affecting tale combine to make it not only well worth the asking price, but one of the best games on the App Store. Bravo.
