Framed (video game)

Lore & Background

The story of Framed follows a man on the run from the cops. He barely makes it to an alleyway where he is discovered by the sheriff. The sheriff then tracks down the woman's train ticket and follows her to a secret location, where she is exchanging secrets with the man. The sheriff shoots and kills the man. The player can swap the order of events to change the outcome: the sheriff tracks down the woman's train ticket and follows her to the secret location, where she is exchanging secrets, and the man shoots and kills the sheriff. The man then is on the run from the cops and barely makes it to an alleyway where he is discovered by the woman.

Reader's Guide

Framed is significant for its innovative gameplay mechanic that treats the narrative as a modular sequence of comic panels. Players take control of morally ambiguous characters as they move through dark alleys and buildings to avoid authorities and other obstacles. The goal is to reorganize the panels so that the protagonist is not caught by the police. Players must move frames around to allow the main character to sneak past, avoid, or knock out captors. As of July 2015, Framed received over 30 awards and accolades. Critics praised its 'brilliantly simple idea,' 'pitch perfect' execution, 'subtle story telling,' 'gorgeous visuals,' and 'finger-snapping music.' In November 2014, Hideo Kojima, creator of the Metal Gear series, stated that Framed was his Game of the Year, praising its 'high sense of gameplay, graphic, & sound' and calling it 'my best game in this year without any doubt.'

Did You Know?

• Framed was developed by Australian studio Loveshack Entertainment.
• Framed Collection, a compilation of Framed and Framed 2, was released in 2018 by Fellow Traveller.
• Hideo Kojima named Framed his Game of the Year in November 2014.