Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery

Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery could have been a touching and evocative story supported by interesting puzzle gameplay. It could have been, were it not for one thing: the main’s character’s narration. Every scrap of narrative or gameplay information is accompanied by her gesturing at its greater meaning. It robs the product of any satisfying feeling of deduction when the answer isn’t obvious, and when the answer is obvious, it just comes off as insulting. The finale somewhat redeems the experience by demonstrating that the developers understand “show, don’t tell” and just aren’t confident enough to implement it consistently. The cozy atmosphere should be another major selling point, but it, too, is inconsistent. The art, audio, and environment design are absolutely gorgeous, but the pleasantness is interrupted by a late-game chapter that’s surprisingly creepy. Then again, that chapter is the only one where things happen without being patronizingly spelled out for the audience.