Fall of Porcupine

Fall of Porcupine has a hard-hitting story beneath its wholesome veneer, with fun mini-games and memorable characters that are as cute as they are well-written.

Fall of Porcupine is a 2D story-driven adventure that can run exceptionally well on the Steam Deck, but needs one tweak to do it.

Fall of Porcupine does capture a small part of the experience of working in healthcare, and it does feel relatable in some respects. The game also explores the complexity of the relationship between people and the healthcare system, as well as the issues that are faced. The story and characters are well portrayed, with the music and artwork also being a highlight. However, there are some bugs that need medicating, along with some more concrete conclusions on some plot threads.

Have you ever thought about working in the medical profession? Does it look like an easy job with incredible benefits? Fall of Porcupine takes you into the world of medicine by showing you the highs and lows of being a doctor. You will see doctors at their best and their worst, along with the often thankless work that they do.

Fall of Porcupine has a lot of potential, but our diagnosis is that it's fallen short. The cute art style and evocative soundtrack are its main drawcards, and while the wide-eyed animals can mask the dark themes of an unhealthy system, they can’t quite cover up the haphazard story or keep players engaged. We felt the game needed either a stronger narrative thread or more involved gameplay to improve its condition. Performance bugs can be treated with patches, but it’ll take more than a band-aid solution to cure the ailments in Fall of Porcupine.

Developed by Critical Rabbit and published by Assemble Entertainment, Fall of Porcupine tells a wholesome story of a newly qualified doctor. Looking like a children's story book, the main narrative follows the more mature topic of an underfunded healthcare service, and the repercussions which follow.