Biophobia
A downloadable game
A woman is violated by a man. In a final act of rebellion to preserve her humanity, she takes control and opens her stomach. Unable to finish what she started she waits for you, and asks you not to look away.
About this game:
Biophobia is an experimental art game that intertwines dissection and gardening mechanics to explore themes of trauma, death and agency. The body becomes a site of decay and creation. You are invited to confront discomfort.
Features:
- Unique Gameplay: Combines a visceral yet delicate dissection with gardening mechanics.
- Artistic Body Horror: Experience unsettling yet compassionate depictions of the human form. No gore, but hauntingly beautiful.
- Sandbox Creation: Choose from a variety of seeds. Shape your own floral expression.
- Experimental Aesthetic: A blend of surreal visuals and symbolic design, challenging traditional game conventions.
- Short, Impactful Experience: Designed to be completed in ~20 minutes.
Cultural references
Inspired by the character Ophelia from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Clemente Susini’s wax figure the Anatomical Venus, and Fuyuko Matsui’s painting Keeping Up the Pureness, Biophobia reimagines historical depictions of women’s bodies through a modern feminist lens. Without text or dialogue, the game speaks through symbolic interaction, haunting visuals, and atmospheric sound.
Biophobia is a game intended for players who appreciate experimental design, symbolic storytelling, and confronting mature themes in an artistic setting. Some audiences may find the content of this game unsettling. Viewer discretion is advised.
Download
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Comments
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Biophobia is a brief experience with a very distinctive identity. Strange, uncomfortable and visually memorable. Somehow beautiful in its own way, almost like a small art piece. Thanks for creating this Charlotte!
Strangely beautiful, but... obtuse. I love the presentation and visual style, it makes me think of Ice Pick Lodges work (The Void, Pathologic, Knock Knock!, etc). But I tried to get past the first stage twice, and couldn't get anywhere. I saw a comment on the Steam page mentioning about needing to touch a particular object to proceed, but I tried that (after pressing several of the white circles on the woman and then hearing the strong wind blowing, which I assume is a trigger/"flag" of some kind being set?) - alas, I still could not progress. Which is really a shame, because I wanted to play through all of this very badly.
If anybody can tell me how I'm meant to proceed, I'd happily hear it, because I really want to finish this!
hey, she is holding a hospital knife in her hand
Is Biophobia coming to Steam?
it already is! Biophobia on Steam
This is so deep.
It didn't really hit me until I saw the fetus. This isn't just about her.
This has me feeling a certain way I haven't in a while.
Thank you for this.
Incredible experience🤍
thank you!
quite the game. i was a little screamish while playing but im glad i made it till the end. the woman and the environment is beautiful. i sympathize a lot w/ the artist statement and what this game represents, it is a necessary game. looking forward to biopsy :]
Thank you!