Falling Further Down The BrokenLore Rabbit Hole
The best feeling in the world is when you discover a new TV series, start watching it, and realise you’re really enjoying it. Then you find out there are five more seasons waiting for you – heaven.
The same can be said for some game franchises. I reviewed BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW recently and very much enjoyed it. Then I found out there were two previous games before it and another two in development, both due for release in 2026. BrokenLore: FOLLOW is the first of these releases and, instead of being a standalone story, it acts as a prequel to the last BrokenLore game. But is it as good?
A Horror Story Built Around Personal Struggles
This first-person horror experience is a very personal story featuring Anne from the previous game, focusing on her relationship with her mother and her body image while growing up. The narrative centres on episodes from Anne’s younger life, exploring body dysmorphia, self-doubt, and eating disorders. It also examines her relationship with her mother and wider family. It’s a deeply personal story that doesn’t shy away from some heavy subject matter. However, none of it is presented in a straightforward way, as the world is strange, disturbing, and filled with horror.
There are colour themes in each chapter, ranging from green to red, with each colour carrying its own philosophy and meaning related to personal growth. There is also another character called Little Anne, who looks like something straight out of Little Nightmares, appearing from time to time to deliver monologues about self-esteem. The writing is good and meaningful, but there was something about it that didn’t quite connect with me. I think because the last game had a more universal message, this more personal story didn’t resonate quite as strongly this time around.
Memories Twisted Into Nightmares
The game is played in first person, and there is no combat to be had. Instead, you explore a series of levels, from the interior of your childhood home, distorted by memory into a horror landscape, to outdoor locations such as a greenhouse garden and a maze towards the end of the game. Your journey is all about exploration, carefully examining objects, and unlocking memories or thoughts from Anne’s life. Sometimes you’ll collect items that need to be used elsewhere in the environment to progress, but this isn’t Resident Evil and the puzzle-solving remains very light-touch throughout.
Even without combat, there are moments when you’ll need to run from a giant-headed monster, much like in the previous games. During these sequences, you may find yourself completing a series of tasks, such as collecting memories or switching off coloured levels while being pursued. These sections are quite fun and inject a different energy into the slower, exploration-focused gameplay that makes up most of the experience.
Little Anne Steps Into The Spotlight
At the end of each chapter, there is a short gameplay segment that places you in the shoes of Little Anne in a 2D environment. Here, the game feels very much inspired by Little Nightmares, as you run through a small level while being chased by the giant-headed monster. The objective is simple: reach the end and leap into a giant hole without being caught. Why is this here? I’m not entirely sure, but it’s a fun little mini-game, and the option to skip it is available if you find it too difficult. There are also collectibles to find if you’re aiming for 100 percent completion.
Horror At Its Most Beautifully Disturbing
Visually, the BrokenLore games continue to impress, and FOLLOW is no exception. The interiors and exteriors are beautifully designed, with excellent lighting and moody atmospheres throughout. However, it’s the way the environments twist into horror that really helps the game stand out, delivering some memorable set pieces and striking moments.
The sound design is also excellent, featuring a forbidding soundtrack that shifts pace effectively during the more intense sequences. The effects range from subtle to genuinely unsettling, while the voice work from both Anne and Little Anne’s actors is consistently strong.
More Bridge Than Blockbuster
While BrokenLore: FOLLOW is a good horror experience, I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW. That game felt like a larger and more complete experience overall. FOLLOW feels more like an interlude between games than a full entry in its own right.
That said, it still does plenty well. The story, visuals, and sound design are all strong, and I even enjoyed the strange little mini-game that closes each chapter. More than anything, the game has turned me into a BrokenLore fan, and I’m now looking forward to seeing what the next instalment in the series has to offer in the upcoming BrokenLore: DON’T LIE.
Important Links
BrokenLore: FOLLOW Continues A Disturbing Horror Saga On Xbox, PlayStation, PC – https://www.thexboxhub.com/brokenlore-follow-continues-a-disturbing-horror-saga-on-xbox-playstation-pc/
Buy from the Xbox Store – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/brokenlore-follow/9ntv7xc3dlcj
