Fingerbones

About Fingerbones

Fingerbones is a short narrative horror game by David Szymanski, who later made DUSK and Iron Lung. It is free on Steam, where it came out in August 2015, and is also on itch.io for Windows and macOS at a price you choose.

You begin in an abandoned building, pitch dark except for golden light falling through the windows. You walk the rooms and corridors, find the notes scattered around, and read. The maker says he wanted to give the old indie habit of collecting notes some logic and purpose, and the notes here are the whole story.

The store calls it an experiment in making an intense, horrifying experience through narrative, atmosphere and pacing alone, and warns that it deals with disturbing subject matter. The music changes as you move through the building, and the look pairs pixelated textures with realistic lighting to make the place feel unreal.

It is meant to be played in one sitting, usually about half an hour, and there is no save system. It suits players who like slow, story-led horror such as Serena, which the store names, and anyone curious about where Iron Lung's maker started.

How to play Fingerbones

1. Get it free on Steam for Windows, or from itch.io for Windows or macOS.
2. Set aside about half an hour: the game has no save system.
3. Explore the building with the mouse and keyboard and read every note you find.
4. Follow the story to its end; the game closes itself when it is over.

Tips

• Play in the dark with headphones; the music follows where you walk.
• Read the notes in full rather than skimming, since they are the whole story.
• Do not be alarmed when the game quits at the end; the store says it does this on purpose.

Questions