Fall of Porcupine Review (snalahmed)
Fall of Porcupine is a beautifully crafted narrative-driven adventure that immediately caught my attention with its cozy art style and heartfelt themes. Playing as Finley, a young anthropomorphic pigeon doctor navigating the challenges of a small-town hospital, felt both charming and deeply relatable. The game does a great job of capturing the highs and lows of working in healthcare—the camaraderie with colleagues, the pressure of patient care, and the emotional toll of the job. As a doctor, I found many moments strikingly accurate, from dealing with difficult supervisors to feeling the weight of systemic problems beyond my control.
The early hours of Fall of Porcupine were delightful, filled with warm interactions, light platforming, and simple yet engaging mini-games that simulate medical tasks. The game’s soft color palette and cozy, autumnal atmosphere made exploring the town and hospital feel like stepping into a comforting storybook.
However, as the game progressed, the pacing began to drag. The gameplay loop started to feel repetitive, with dialogue sequences that stretched too long and not enough variation in the tasks. The emotional storytelling remained strong, but the slow progression made it harder to stay invested. While I appreciated the deep themes and the critique of healthcare institutions, the lack of meaningful gameplay evolution made the experience feel like it was running out of steam.
Overall, Fall of Porcupine is a heartfelt, charming game that resonates with anyone in the medical field, but it struggles to maintain momentum. If you enjoy narrative-heavy indie games and don’t mind a slow burn, it’s worth checking out. But if you’re looking for something with more engaging gameplay mechanics, it might lose your interest before the credits roll.