Fran Bow vs Little Misfortune: Which Dark Adventure First?

If you are deciding between Fran Bow and Little Misfortune, play Fran Bow first—it is the more substantial, story-complete experience, while Little Misfortune is a shorter, lighter prequel that works best as a follow-up. Both are dark adventure games from the same studio, but they differ sharply in length, puzzle difficulty, and emotional tone, so your choice depends on how much time and patience you have.

Formula

The calculator uses the standard pace and speed formulas:

Pace = Finish time ÷ Distance

Speed = Distance ÷ (Finish time ÷ 60)

Where:

• Finish time (t) is in minutes.
• Distance (d) is in kilometers.
• Pace is in minutes per kilometer.
• Speed is in kilometers per hour.

If you use miles, convert distance to kilometers first (1 mile = 1.60934 km) or use the pace result in min/km and multiply by 1.60934 to get min/mile.

Worked Example

Using the default values: finish time = 50 minutes, distance = 10 km.

1. Pace = 50 ÷ 10 = 5.00 min/km
2. Speed = 10 ÷ (50 ÷ 60) = 10 ÷ 0.8333 = 12.00 km/h

The calculator shows an average pace of 5.00 min/km and an average speed of 12.00 km/h. This matches the block output.

Background: Two Games, One Studio

Both games come from Killmonday Games, a small Swedish studio founded by Natalie and Niklas M. The studio first released Fran Bow in 2015, followed by Little Misfortune in 2019. The two share a visual style—hand-drawn, Tim Burton–like characters, and a pastel palette that contrasts with grim themes—but they are separate stories set in the same universe. Little Misfortune is set before Fran Bow and features a cameo of Fran Bow herself.

The studio built a reputation for tackling heavy topics like mental illness, abuse, and death through a child protagonist’s eyes. That signature approach is present in both games, but the execution differs significantly.

How They Play: Puzzles vs. Story

Fran Bow is a classic point-and-click adventure with inventory-based puzzles. You control Fran, a young girl in a mental asylum who escapes into a surreal world. The gameplay revolves around finding items, combining them, and solving environmental puzzles to progress. The puzzles are often obtuse and require trial-and-error, which can frustrate casual players but rewards patient explorers.

Little Misfortune, by contrast, is more of an interactive story with light puzzle elements. You play Misfortune Ramirez Hernandez, a girl who talks to an invisible narrator (voiced by the game’s writer) and makes choices that affect the ending. There are a few simple puzzles, but the focus is on dialogue, exploration, and mini-games. The game is far more linear and easier to complete without a walkthrough.

Length and Pacing

Fran Bow is a full-length adventure, typically taking 8–12 hours to finish. It has five chapters, each set in a different location with its own visual theme, from a dark forest to a twisted version of a Victorian mansion. The pacing is slow, with lots of exploration and backtracking.

Little Misfortune is much shorter—about 2–3 hours. It is often described as an “interactive movie� rather than a full adventure. The pacing is brisk, with frequent dialogue scenes and a few branching choices. The game was designed to be played in one or two sittings.

Story and Tone

Fran Bow’s story is darker and more complex. It deals with child trauma, grief, and mental illness, and the narrative is open to interpretation. The game does not hold your hand; you piece together what is real and what is fantasy. The ending is ambiguous, and many players debate its meaning.

Little Misfortune is lighter in tone, despite its premise (a girl who is told she will die today). The humor is quirky and the narrator often breaks the fourth wall. The choices you make affect the ending, but the overall message is more hopeful and heartwarming than Fran Bow’s. It still touches on dark themes like parental neglect and death, but it handles them with a gentler touch.

How to Choose: Which Should You Play First?

Consider these factors:

• Time: If you have only a few hours, start with Little Misfortune. If you want a longer commitment, go with Fran Bow.
• Puzzle tolerance: Fran Bow’s puzzles are challenging and sometimes frustrating. If you prefer story over puzzles, Little Misfortune is friendlier.
• Story order: Little Misfortune is a prequel, so playing it first gives you a gentle introduction to the world. But since Fran Bow was released first and is the more complete story, many players prefer to start there.
• Emotional weight: Fran Bow is heavier and more disturbing. Little Misfortune is sad but ultimately uplifting.

If you plan to play both, starting with Little Misfortune can ease you into the style, but starting with Fran Bow gives you the full experience before the lighter prequel. There is no wrong order, but most players who finished both recommend Fran Bow first because it sets the tone and world better.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

“Little Misfortune is a sequel.� It is not. It is a prequel, and the connection to Fran Bow is subtle. You do not need to play one to understand the other.

“Fran Bow is too scary.� It has horror elements—jump scares, grotesque imagery, and a constant sense of dread—but it is not a survival horror game. The scares are atmospheric, not action-based.

“Little Misfortune is for kids.� Despite the cute art and a child protagonist, the game deals with death, abuse, and dark humor. It is rated Teen and is not intended for young children.

“The puzzles in Fran Bow are unfair.� Some are, but they are logical within the game’s surreal rules. If you get stuck, using a walkthrough is common and does not ruin the experience.

Cost and Availability

Both games are available on Steam, GOG, and console platforms (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox). Prices vary by platform and sales, but Fran Bow typically costs more because it is longer and newer to consoles. Little Misfortune is often discounted. Both are regularly included in sales, so you can often get them for a few dollars.

Safety and Content Warnings

Both games contain mature themes that may be upsetting. Fran Bow includes depictions of mental illness, self-harm, violence, and child abuse. Little Misfortune includes themes of death, neglect, and mild violence. Neither game is suitable for young children. If you are sensitive to these topics, be aware before playing.

Alternatives

If you like the studio’s style but want something different, consider other dark adventure games:

• DISTRAINT – a short, pixel-art horror game about guilt and morality.
• The Cat Lady – a mature adventure about depression and suicide.
• Yomawari: Night Alone – a survival horror adventure with a child protagonist.
• Oxenfree – a supernatural thriller with dialogue choices and no combat.

These share the atmospheric, story-driven approach but offer different gameplay mechanics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to play Fran Bow before Little Misfortune?

No. They are separate stories with only a cameo connection. You can play either first without spoiling the other. However, playing Fran Bow first gives you a better understanding of the shared universe and the studio’s themes.

Which game is longer?

Fran Bow is much longer—8 to 12 hours compared to Little Misfortune’s 2 to 3 hours. If you want a substantial adventure, choose Fran Bow.

Which game has better puzzles?

Fran Bow has traditional inventory puzzles that are challenging and sometimes cryptic. Little Misfortune has very few puzzles and focuses on story choices. If you enjoy puzzle-solving, Fran Bow is the clear winner.

Is Little Misfortune a sequel to Fran Bow?

No, it is a prequel, set in the same universe but featuring a different protagonist. Fran Bow appears briefly, but the story is independent.

Can I play Little Misfortune if I found Fran Bow too scary?

Yes. Little Misfortune is much less scary. It has dark themes but is more whimsical and humorous. It is a good entry point if you want a lighter experience.

Are the games available on consoles?

Yes. Both are available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. They are also on PC via Steam and GOG.

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in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0
in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0
out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2