BrokenLore: FOLLOW Review – A Troubling Prequel

BrokenLore: FOLLOW is a first-person horror experience that serves as a prequel to the previous entry in the series, BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW. While it maintains the series' high standards for atmosphere and design, it feels more like an interlude than a fully realized blockbuster, earning a 3.5/5 score from our review.

A Deeply Personal Narrative

The story follows Anne, a character introduced in the previous game, as it explores her childhood, her relationship with her mother, and her struggles with body dysmorphia and self-esteem. The narrative is presented through a strange, horror-tinged lens, utilizing color-coded chapters—ranging from red to green—to symbolize different aspects of personal growth. A character known as "Little Anne" frequently appears to deliver monologues on self-worth. While the writing is meaningful, the narrative didn't connect as strongly as the more universal themes found in the previous installment.

Gameplay and Atmosphere

As a first-person horror title, BrokenLore: FOLLOW eschews combat entirely. Gameplay centers on exploration and light puzzle-solving, with players traversing environments like a distorted childhood home, a greenhouse, and a maze. The puzzle elements are intentionally light-touch, keeping the focus on atmosphere.

The game breaks up its exploration with "run-and-hide" sequences against a giant-headed monster. Additionally, each chapter concludes with a 2D mini-game where you control Little Anne. These segments, which feel inspired by Little Nightmares, add a different energy to the experience, though players who find them difficult have the option to skip them.

Visuals and Sound Design

Where the game truly shines is in its presentation. The environments are beautifully designed, with excellent lighting that successfully twists mundane settings into something unsettling. The sound design complements this perfectly, featuring a forbidding soundtrack that shifts pace during intense moments. The voice acting for both Anne and Little Anne remains consistently strong throughout.