Play Biophobia

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 nurturing 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.

Mature Content Description

The developers describe the content like this:

Biophobia explores themes of trauma, death, and the human body through a psychological horror lens. The game contains unsettling imagery, including depictions of corpses, dissection, body horror, and medical environments.

Narrative elements touch on topics such as sexism, loss, and emotional distress. While there are no explicit depictions of sexual acts, the game does include references to gender-based violence and oppressive cultural views surrounding women's bodies.

There are no portrayals of sexual assault, drug/alcohol abuse, or self-harm. However, players may encounter disturbing scenes related to death, vulnerability, and themes of control over the body.

Player discretion is advised.