Framed 2

Gr 8 Up—Part noir spy caper, part puzzle, and part animated graphic novel, this prequel to Framed defies easy categorization.The protagonist is a mysterious silhouetted man with white shades and a briefcase. He's on the run, and viewers must keep him alive as he races through a shadowy urban landscape, across rooftops, up and down fire escapes, along lengthy piers, and through twisting alleyways. Although his destination is not clear, his intent to reach it is, despite the many obstacles in his path: cops with guns, attack dogs, crumbling architecture, and other dangers. Two silhouetted characters from the original Framed add to the mystery—a young woman with a flowered hat and a man with a mustache who appears to be chasing them both.Each of the 23 levels in Framed 2 is displayed as a page from a graphic novel illustrated with a series of mildly animated scenes in individual frames. The trick is to find the best way to sequence the frames so that the mystery man can make it through them to the next level without meeting his demise. This is where the visual puzzle game comes in.It takes a while to realize that the panels may need to be reordered, reused, or rotated to make each sequence work and keep the protagonist alive. Not only that; with different combinations, a variety of actions can happen in any given frame. Although this can be frustrating at times, the cartoonish mishaps of the silhouetted man can be quite entertaining. While there is no dialogue, the story progresses nicely from one action-packed sequence to another. The artwork is gorgeous with touches of rich detail, fluid pastel colors, and evocative animated elements such as the occasional rippling of water. Among the highlights of the app are the carefully chosen sound effects and sultry jazz soundtrack that map perfectly onto the narrative, seamlessly adding tension and drama.