Sparks Within Ourselves – A “Florence” Game Recommendation

It takes but a chance encounter to find someone – and in the process, maybe yourself.

During the interview for Spooktober Game Jam, Vimi (a writer, game developer, and content creator) recommended Florence as one of his favorite visual novels. The focus on simple interactions and minimal dialogue drew my attention, so I decided to give it a chance.

I think Florence is a wonderful example of how much can be done with less. Fewer words, fewer descriptions. But no less care, clearly. It’s a game made with a lot of dedication, and it shows.

We follow the life of a woman named Florence, moving through different phases of their life. Through a series of emotional vignettes and simple minigames, we get to learn about her, her partner, and her passion for the arts.

I don’t want to spoil the story, since it’s the game’s focus and it’s very short. I completed it in less than an hour. This might deter some, but I think it’s well worth it for such a well-crafted piece.

With each scene, we get to learn a bit more about Florene. The things she likes, the things she does. We lose ourselves in her quotidian life and get to feel her routine. Soon enough, we see how a chance encounter changes her life and prospects, and enjoy with her the ups and downs of what comes next.

It’s a very human depiction of someone. Eager to emphasize the feel of every moment with wonderfully thought interactions. Even menial conversations seem to turn into a sort of game.

It really speaks to the small joys of life, the ways we interact with things day to day as life passes around us. But above all, it speaks to the way people and circumstances can rekindle things we thought lost.

While life remains unpredictable and sometimes merciless, we’re still able to make an impact on others and take what others gave us to better ourselves. Even a rocky ending can be worth it if we take the things we gained with us.

I think Florence explores the plights of an artist wonderfully. The subsumed desires for self-expression and doubts about one’s self-worth. Through every little interaction, we get to see the way our protagonist interacts with the world. 

And I think that makes it all more wonderful when, at the end, your playful, joyous side is there, on display, for you to be proud of.

It’s a small but meaningful game, and I feel happy to have played it. If you get the chance, give it a shot!

You can buy Florence on Steam here. It’s also available for Switch, Android, and iOS.

And you can read more of our games coverage here.

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