FRANKEN is a free role-playing game by developer Splendidland, and is a pixel art RPG adventure set in a fantasy world, with a more casual and humorous approach to gameplay and storytelling. In it, players will take on the role of a hero who goes on a dangerous journey across the land to hunt and defeat monsters. 

Would-be hero 

FRANKEN is a retro pixel art RPG that takes inspiration from JRPG classic Final Fantasy IV. It follows an unnamed hero on a quest to save the world from imminent doom, equipped with nothing but a sword. He must go through constant battles with deadly monsters in order to train and grow stronger while trying to collect three magic orbs. 

Combat is turn-based, but it is easy to get into with its simple mechanics and gameplay. The more interesting part of the experience has to do with exploring its fantasy medieval world and meeting a colorful cast of characters. Before diving in, the game was created to be a short experience, lasting about an hour for a full playthrough. 

A fun and charming parody 

To sum up, FRANKEN is a fun and whimsical adventure with a parodical nod to classic JRPGs. There are no complex mechanics, and the combat is simple yet effective. Its main draw really is its world exploration and the chance to meet and interact with its quirky and entertaining characters. If you’re a fan of the genre, this is an easy recommendation and a must-play.