Psychoanalysis & Freud... Through a Game - Freud's Bones

"Freud's Bones" is a unique point-and-click adventure that places players in the role of Sigmund Freud's conscience. Developed by Axel Fox, the game combines psychoanalysis with gameplay, allowing players to explore both Freud's personal life and his complex clinical cases. The developer's mastery of the subject matter is evident in the game's quality and depth.

The game unfolds on two fronts: discovering Freud through the analysis of his study, filled with esoteric objects, photographs, and a vast library, and interacting with his patients, who present symptoms linked to traumas that need to be analyzed and diagnosed. For example, you'll need to help a woman who can no longer walk and a narcissistic megalomaniac with haphephobia. During psychoanalytic sessions, you must strategically ask questions to uncover crucial details, formulate accurate diagnoses, and prescribe treatments.

One of the most interesting and enjoyable aspects of "Freud's Bones" is its ability to immerse players in the intricacies of the human psyche. Despite the scientific rigor, which might be complex for those unfamiliar with psychoanalysis, the game includes a mini-encyclopedia that explains fundamental concepts like the Id, Ego, and Superego, making these topics accessible to all. This feature makes "Freud's Bones" not just a game but also an educational opportunity to learn a lot about Freud's life and psychoanalysis.

Sessions with patients require examining medical records, asking questions, and analyzing texts to find key elements for diagnoses and prescriptions. This part of the gameplay is well-integrated and intuitive, allowing players to feel like real psychoanalysts. Additionally, it is crucial to manage Freud's stress with cigars and cocaine, explore his dreams, and face events reflecting his life and the era he lived in.

Simultaneously, the game offers an in-depth analysis of Freud himself. You need to examine objects in his study, manage his stress, and decide how he should behave in various situations. This part is particularly evocative, offering strong imagery and direct references to the realities of his time and his experience as a Jew in a prejudiced, antisemitic world.

"Freud's Bones" is a profoundly immersive and visionary experience that requires players to think and act like the father of psychoanalysis. The game is a fascinating journey into Freud's mind and the principles of psychoanalysis, made accessible and engaging for a gaming audience.