Fractal Block World
- October 18, 2021
- Dan Hathaway
- 14h median play time
Get on SteamThis is a surreal exploration game. Explore a massive fractal with great complexities. You can shrink infinitely to go deeper into the fractal. Or you can become larger by growing. Inner space awaits you in this infinite world.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a unique and expansive exploration experience, allowing players to shrink and grow within a fractal world filled with secrets and diverse environments.
- Despite its simple graphics, the gameplay is engaging and fun, with a variety of weapons and upgrades that enhance the exploration and combat mechanics.
- Players have reported spending countless hours in the game, discovering new areas and content, making it a great value for its price.
- The graphics and sound design are often criticized as being poor, which can detract from the overall experience for some players.
- The combat can feel basic and repetitive, with limited enemy variety and some players finding the mazes tedious to navigate.
- There are issues with clarity in the game's instructions and text boxes, leading to confusion about gameplay mechanics and objectives.
- graphics28 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players finding them charming and fitting for the game's unique aesthetic, while others criticize them as poor and detracting from the experience. Despite the simplistic and sometimes ramshackle visuals, many agree that the gameplay's depth and exploration compensate for these shortcomings, proving that engaging mechanics can outweigh graphical fidelity. Overall, the graphics evoke an old-school feel that resonates with some players, enhancing their enjoyment rather than hindering it.
“I genuinely love the aesthetic; this game feels like a true 'computer game'.”
“Even the whimsical graphics and sounds don't detract from the overall experience; in fact, I'd say that the silly look is quite charming and enhances the feeling of awe whenever I discover a cool little area or enemy.”
“The graphics have an old-school feel but with smooth controls.”
“The graphics are terrible, and most of the gameplay is uninteresting, but the exploration and discovery the game allows makes up for all of its shortcomings.”
“It's utterly unique, but has terrible taste in sound and visuals that ruin the experience.”
“Granted the graphics are simple and the sound is near non-existent, but if you get sensory overload as easily as I do then those aspects are actually a bonus.”
- gameplay26 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a unique shrinking and growing mechanic that enhances exploration and discovery, allowing players to engage with a vast world filled with hidden secrets and complex puzzles. While the graphics may be subpar and some gameplay elements can feel repetitive, the depth and creativity of the mechanics provide an immersive experience that captivates players for hours. Overall, the game is praised for its content and innovative design, making it a standout in the exploration genre.
“There's an unbelievable amount of content in this game, and the mechanics and principles that comprise it are brilliant.”
“The main mechanic, shrinking and growing, is used in a lot of ways I didn't expect, sometimes gating off areas or making what starts as a single block's worth of space into a battlefield you'll need to race through to access the entrance to something.”
“I love its mechanics, shrinking for exploring more, and if you think about it, you're still exploring in the same place... it makes you think how massive the world of this game is.”
“The graphics are terrible, and most of the gameplay is uninteresting, but the exploration and discovery the game allows makes up for all of its shortcomings.”
“About the gameplay though... be ready for mazes. I'm okay with them, but if you find them boring, beware.”
“This game is basically a spiritual successor to Fez. What I mean by this is that this game has simple mechanics that are later used for complex puzzles, some have been unsolved for years. Granted, the game has been widely unknown for quite some time; nonetheless, this game is not a puzzle game at its core and is more of an exploration game with some complex puzzles.”
- story14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game's story is highly praised for its intriguing and strange narrative, likened to a journey through a surreal, fractal hell world. Players uncover the lore through text boxes scattered throughout the maze, revealing character messages and unexpected twists that enhance the overall experience. The atmosphere complements the story, making it a standout aspect of the game, with some reviewers rating it a perfect 10/10.
“Overall, the atmosphere is this game's strongest point, but for me, the details of the story have made me think.”
“Playing through the story feels like going on a journey to the center of the earth, but if the earth was an incomprehensible fractal hell world.”
“The story and lore are presented by text boxes found in the world, where you can find messages left by the characters.”
- music10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's music aspect has received mixed feedback, with many users noting the absence of ambient music and suggesting players create their own atmosphere by playing their favorite tracks. Some recommend pairing the experience with specific soundtracks, like the EarthBound OST, for an enhanced experience. Overall, the lack of in-game music encourages players to personalize their audio experience.
“Throw on some trippy music while playing and enjoy!”
“The correct way to play is to get really high and put on the EarthBound OST at 2 AM.”
“Was surprised there's no ambient music though.”
“Also, there is no music, so put on your own music.”
“Also, there is no music, so put on your own music.”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly when navigating mazes and dealing with slow movement. The need to grind for resources or upgrades to survive in late-game areas adds to the overall grindiness, making the experience feel prolonged and repetitive.
“It can be a tad grindy, especially if you want to be able to withstand some of the late-game areas without massive reliance on a certain weapon's healing function.”
“When entering a maze that is placed inside a block (which you need to shrink yourself to get into), it's really tedious and long getting through it.”
“Sometimes movement around can get tedious and slow.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely regarded as its strongest feature, effectively immersing players in its world. However, some reviewers feel that the story's details prompt deeper reflection, adding complexity to the overall experience.
“Overall, the atmosphere is this game's strongest point, but for me, the details of the story have made me think.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users overwhelmingly praise the game's replayability, highlighting it as one of the highest they've encountered in any game. This strong emphasis suggests that players find significant value in revisiting the game multiple times.
“I've never seen so much replayability in a game ever.”
