Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery

Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery is an adventure game created by Taiwanese developer Silver Lining Studio, and co-published by Akupara Games and Akatsuki Taiwan Inc. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android in August 2021,[1] then for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in June 2022.[2]

Behind the Frame:
The Finest Scenery
Developer(s)Silver Lining Studio
Publisher(s)Akupara Games
Akatsuki Taiwan
Director(s)Weichen Lin
Designer(s)Weichen Lin
Ric Yeh
Programmer(s)Jany Weng
Harrison Chen
Shawn Hsaio
Artist(s)Weichen Lin
Kaguya Huang
Knives Lai
Writer(s)Weichen Lin
Jeremy Jhang
Composer(s)Yuchain Wang
EngineUnity
Platform(s)
Release
25 August 2021
  • Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
  • 25 August 2021
  • Switch, PS4
  • 2 June 2022
Genre(s)Adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Plot

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With an art style reminiscent of Studio Ghibli, the game sees the player as an artist on the verge of finishing 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.[3]

Reception

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The game received an aggregate score of 73/100 from Metacritic, indicating mixed or average reviews.[1] Judith Carl of Eurogamer called the game "magical-looking" and the gameplay calming.[8] Rebekah Valentine of IGN said she never got tired of watching it, calling it "peaceful" and "Ghibli-looking".[9] Pocket Gamer described the game 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".[10] PC Gamer stated that "it's left me with a greater appreciation for the times when people I love want to share something with me, whether that's the art they've made, an outfit they've been coordinating, or just a bit of coffee".[11] Alice Bell of Rock Paper Shotgun called Behind the Frame a "very sweet experience that is incredibly relaxed, at the same time as being a very bright, sunshine-filled thing that really inspired me to go out and create something myself".[12] 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.[13]

Awards

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Year Award(s) Awarded By
2021 Best Visual Art,[14] Best Experience,[15] Best Storytelling, Best Indie Game[16] NYX Awards
Best Mobile Game[17] DevGAMM
Excellence in Visual Art, Best Overall Game[18] Asia Game Awards
The Big Indie Pitch (Mobile Edition)[19] PGC Digital
Best Game Made with Unity[20] Indie Arena Booth

References

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  1. ^ a b "Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2021-10-08. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  2. ^ Romano, Sal (11 May 2022). "Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery for PS4, Switch launches June 2 alongside major content update". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  3. ^ "A Studio Ghibli Style Game By Akupara and Akatsuki Taiwan". 3bit. Archived from the original on 2021-06-21. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  4. ^ "Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  5. ^ Longden, Kristian (August 23, 2021). "A visual treat: Behind The Frame — The Perfect Scenery Review". Gaming Trend. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  6. ^ Orr, Ed (August 25, 2021). "Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery Review". GameSpace. Archived from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  7. ^ Victor, Angelus (August 25, 2021). "Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery Review – A Colorful Canvas of Memories". Noisy Pixel. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  8. ^ Carl, Judith (2021-06-12). "Behind the Frame sieht aus wie ein Ghibli-Film nur als Spiel". Eurogamer.de (in German). Archived from the original on 2021-07-22. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  9. ^ Valentine, Rebekah (2021-06-21). "16 Amazing Indie Games You Missed at E3 2021 and Beyond". IGN. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  10. ^ "Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery review - "A relaxing tribute to art, music, and love"". www.pocketgamer.com. 21 August 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  11. ^ Knoop, Joseph (2021-09-02). "Behind the Frame is a Ghibli-inspired ode to painting that stole my heart". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  12. ^ Bell, Alice (2021-08-27). "TFI Friday: 3 new indie games about art and feelings". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  13. ^ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Behind the Frame". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  14. ^ "You are being redirected..." nyxgameawards.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  15. ^ "You are being redirected..." nyxgameawards.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  16. ^ "You are being redirected..." nyxgameawards.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  17. ^ "DevGAMM Awards Winners". DevGAMM Spring 2021 | May 12-14. Archived from the original on 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  18. ^ Bashir, Dale (2021-10-18). "'Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery' Wins Big At Inaugural Asia Games Awards". IGN Southeast Asia. Archived from the original on 2021-10-18. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  19. ^ "Games Showcase 2021 – The Big Indie Pitch". Archived from the original on 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  20. ^ "All Winners and Nominees Indie Arena Booth Award Show 2021 gameccom | Indie Arena Booth". indiearenabooth.de. Archived from the original on 2021-11-24. Retrieved 2021-12-01.