Floigan Brothers is a very original idea for a game, it is indeed a very unique piece of entertainment software. You play Hoigle, the short, skinny brains of the two, who has to train and direct your taller, fatter and loveable brother Moigle through a number of tasks to reach the game's conclusion. This aspect is comparable to a simple "virtual pet" - basically, playing games with your brother increases your point scores, and these can be used to teach Moigle new techniques to be used at specific points in the game to aid your progress.The environment is small, limited to just your family's scrapyard. It is, however, beautifully constructed, colourful and very inviting, and you will no doubt want to explore just as much as you want to progress through the game. To get to new areas and events, you have to play mini-games and use Moigle's learned techniques where indicated. The hotspots that mark where to use a technique make it very easy to progress. Some of these ideas are very ingenious - you can utilise Moigle's emotions by treating him in a certain way. For example, calling him names will make him cry, and this is used early on in the game to make an important progression to a new area, but I won't spoil it for you.
I really enjoyed this game, but it has many glaring faults. It is very, very short - I spent a lot of time exploring and going off-task, and it still only lasted at the very most 3 hours. Also, it is very linear - the hotspots mean that only a certain emotion will help you progress, and the techniques are used for very obvious puzzles. This also makes it often too easy, but the cartoon aesthetic suggests that this is aimed at youngsters anyway. Also, the game's secrets and extras that aren't necessary to the main progress - such as some mini-games - don't really add much to the overall bulk of the game, and although the developers suggest that Moigle's emotions and personality is unique to each player depending on their actions, this is not really ever obviously useful or used to the game's advantage.
Despite this, I did really enjoy Floigan Brothers. It is funny, well-written, colourful, and the cartoon environments and characterisation are endearing and just as good as any Disney/Looney Tunes cartoons. The subtitle "Episode 1" suggests there will be new chapters, and although I hope there are, it is now very unlikely.
I would recommend this to any child, and to some older players who want a change from the all-action pseudo-"mature" violent games out today. So, it's flawed, shortlived, but while it lasts is a great slice of cartoon entertainment.
