The anime/manga-style adventure Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery is currently free for Windows, 100% free to keep, as part of a Epic Store’s limited-time giveaway! Go get it! Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery normally costs US$12.99!
Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery is an indie point-and-click adventure that blends narrative with light puzzles, where players take on the role of an artist whose main goal is to complete paintings by collecting new colors. Developed by Silver Lining Studio, it was initially released on August 25, 2021.
The game combines an anime/manga aesthetic with real paintings and notebook sketches, resulting in a pleasing visual style reminiscent of Studio Ghibli. This pairs well with the instrumental soundtrack, which features piano and violin sounds. Gameplay is simple, involving painting and drawing, but does not require any artistic skills.
Published by Akupara Games and Akatsuki Taiwan, Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Switch, and PlayStation 4. It has been received moderately well by critics, earning a few awards. On digital PC platforms, the game is rated extremely positively, at least as of the time of this publication.
You can get the game here! There’s also a free demo version available!
Trailer
Gameplay
In Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery, you play as an artist close to completing her final masterpiece for submission to an art gallery or school. As the painting nears completion, players slowly unravel an emotional story driven by chance and art. Your daily routine involves painting, breakfast, and preparing a portfolio for art school.
The game is a narrative-driven experience with light puzzles. Its point-and-click gameplay allows players to interact with various objects in the environment and solve simple challenges to progress the story.
Sessions last about an hour, and the game includes elements akin to a visual novel, balanced with straightforward mechanics to create a casual and accessible yet immersive experience.
The main goal is to collect new colors to complete paintings. To do this, players engage in activities such as painting and sketching, with intuitive mechanics that make the process effortless even for those without artistic skills. Chapters are short, with varying puzzle intensity, providing an experience suitable for all ages. While character movement is limited, the camera can be rotated to explore the environment and discover interactive elements.
About the game
Guide your brushstrokes and solve puzzles to help a budding artist complete her masterpiece. As her painting takes shape, you’ll uncover an emotional story about opportunity and talent, revealed through seemingly unrelated but familiar moments.
Behind the Frame is an eloquent and relaxing interactive fiction about an aspiring artist who is close to finishing the final piece of her exhibition.
A tranquil, expressive experience that can be played at any pace. Immerse yourself in a panoramic world filled with vibrant colors, beautifully hand-drawn animations, and a soothing soundtrack.
As a passionate artist, you must find the missing colors to bring your paintings to life, but don’t forget to take breaks to eat or enjoy a cup of coffee, which helps you keep working. Not everything is as it seems, as each painting has a story to tell.
Features
According to the publisher, here are the highlights of the game:
- Paint, draw, and retouch your artwork to complete your masterpiece and memorabilia.
- Explore and immerse yourself in beautiful, hand-animated panoramic worlds inspired by the designs of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli.
- Experience an evocative story through the eyes of a passionate artist.
Trivia
- Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery was developed using the Unity Engine.
- One of the game’s inspirations, Hayao Miyazaki, is among Japan’s greatest animators, known for creating iconic works like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro, which blend fantasy themes with profound messages about nature and humanity. Another influence is Studio Ghibli, co-founded by Miyazaki, celebrated for its hand-drawn animations and captivating stories, setting a global standard for artistic and narrative quality.
- Behind the Frame 〜とっておきの景色を〜 – Product page in Japanese on Steam.
- Behind the Frame: Живые полотна – Product page in Russian on Steam.
- Behind the Frame: 가장 아름다운 경치 – Product page in Korean on Steam.
- 傾聽畫語: 最美好的景色 – Product page in Chinese on Steam.
Awards and accolades
- 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.
- Asia Games Award 2021: Best Overall Game (Winner).
- DevGAMM! 2021: Best Mobile Game (Winner).
- Chainsawf! Game & Music Festival 2021: Best Game Direction (Winner).
- GWB Game Awards 2021: Best Visual Art Design (Winner).
- Asia Games Award 2021: Excellence in Visual Art (Winner).
- Nyx Awards 2021: Mobile Game Best Visual Art (Winner).
- GWB Game Awards 2021: Silver Place (Winner).
- Nyx Awards 2021: Mobile Game Best Indie Game (Winner).
- Nyx Awards 2021: Mobile Game Best Experience (Winner).
- Nyx Awards 2021: Mobile Game Best Storytelling (Winner).
- Indie Arena Booth 2021: Best Game Made with Unity (Winner).
- BitSummit: Media Partners Awards (Winner).
- PGC Digital 2020: The Big Indie Pitch (Winner).
- Independent Games Festival 2022: Excellence in Visual Art (Nominee).
- DICE 25th Annual Awards: Mobile Game of the Year (Nominee).
- Chinajoy x Game Connection 2021: Best Portable Game (Nominee).
- DevGAMM! 2021: Excellence in Visual Art (Nominee).
- Asia Games Award 2021: Excellence in Audio (Nominee).
More info and adventure
Overview
- GET Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery HERE - Download link(s) or store's listing.
- Size: 715 MB
- License: Commercial
- Operational systems: Windows and Mac
- Developer(s) and/or publisher(s): Silver Lining Studio, Akupara Games, Akatsuki Taiwan
- Categories: Adventure
- Views: 1
- Added by: Valewson