Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery
A point and click adventure about an artist finishing a gallery piece.
Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery is a point-and-click adventure from Taiwanese developer Silver Lining Studio, co-published by Akupara Games and Akatsuki Taiwan Inc. It launched on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android in August 2021, with ports for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 arriving in June 2022. The game’s visual style draws frequent comparisons to Studio Ghibli.
Players take on the role of an artist completing a final painting for a gallery submission. As the artwork nears completion, a layered story of coincidence and artistry emerges, revealing an emotional backstory.
Reviews on Metacritic gave the game a score of 73 out of 100, reflecting mixed or average reception. Critics praised its calming, peaceful quality. Eurogamer’s Judith Carl described it as “magical-looking,” while IGN’s Rebekah Valentine called it “peaceful” and “Ghibli-looking,” adding that she never tired of watching it. Pocket Gamer recommended it as a relaxing experience for winding down after a long day. PC Gamer noted it fostered a greater appreciation for shared creative moments. Rock Paper Shotgun’s Alice Bell called it a “very sweet experience” that felt bright and inspiring. The game was nominated for Mobile Game of the Year at the 25th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.
- Developer
- Silver Lining Studio
- Publisher
- Akupara Games, Akatsuki Taiwan Inc.
- Platforms
- Microsoft Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4
- Initial release
- August 2021
- Switch/ps4 release
- June 2022
- Metacritic score
- 73/100
Lore & Background
The game places the player in the role of an artist who is on the verge of completing the final art piece for a gallery submission. As the painting nears completion, the player slowly uncovers an emotional history backed by chance and artistry. The narrative unfolds through the act of painting and interacting with the environment, revealing connections between the artist's work and past events.
Reader's Guide
Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery received a Metacritic aggregate score of 73 out of 100, indicating mixed or average reviews. Critics frequently highlighted its visual style and calming atmosphere. Judith Carl of Eurogamer called the game 'magical-looking' and its gameplay calming. Rebekah Valentine of IGN said she never got tired of watching it, describing it as 'peaceful' and 'Ghibli-looking'. Pocket Gamer characterized it as 'a relaxing experience you’ll likely want to dive into when you’re snuggled up in bed after a long and tiring day at work'. PC Gamer noted that the game 'left me with a greater appreciation for the times when people I love want to share something with me'. Alice Bell of Rock Paper Shotgun called it a 'very sweet experience that is incredibly relaxed' and 'a very bright, sunshine-filled thing that really inspired me to go out and create something myself'. The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Behind the Frame for Mobile Game of the Year at the 25th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.
Did You Know?
- Its art style has been compared to that of Studio Ghibli.
- It was released for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in June 2022.
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