FRACTER
- September 5, 2019
- 4L GAMES LTD.
Mixing puzzles, stealth and even mild horror elements, FRACTER is a short, sweet adventure that’s just fun to play.
Get on Steam"Set in a mysterious labyrinth of glowing black architecture, Fracter follows a veiled young hero who has set out on a perilous quest to dispel the darkness within. Players must explore this realm of shadows, discover secrets hidden in the dark and outsmart ominous creatures while solving each meticulously designed puzzle using their only force against darkness: light. Fracter features dramatic l…
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Reviews
- FRACTER features an artistically impressive aesthetic with a captivating monochrome style and dynamic lighting that enhances the gameplay experience.
- The puzzles are well-designed, gradually increasing in complexity, providing a satisfying challenge without becoming frustrating.
- The atmospheric sound design, including intense orchestral music, complements the game's eerie ambiance and enhances immersion.
- The game suffers from glitches and bugs, which can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustrating restarts.
- Some players found the stealth mechanics disconnected from the overall puzzle-solving experience, making certain sections feel tedious.
- The narrative and thematic elements are perceived as shallow or overly simplistic, lacking depth and meaningful engagement.
- graphics12 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stylish and minimalist design, contributing to a dark and eerie aesthetic that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the creative artwork and fluidity of the visuals, which are essential for navigating the puzzles effectively. While the gameplay may be considered simplistic, the appealing graphics and sound design elevate the game's charm for fans of the genre.
“The graphics are good, the sounds and music give the game a very eerie feel.”
“It's minimalist but still has really nice graphics and artwork.”
“The graphical design is stylishly creative and brings a refreshing, modern twist to puzzle/maze games.”
“And so, stripped off its light-and-shadow aesthetic and its thematic execution, Fracter as a puzzler is sadly meh.”
“The fluidity of graphics is important for the experience of the game -- a little lag will make a difference in your frustration when trying to move through levels.”
“The developers were a bit hyperbolic with some of their descriptions on the product page, but Fracter is definitely worth a few bucks for anyone who’s a fan of its dark aesthetic or more casual puzzle games.”
- music11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its high quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, providing an eerie and enchanting experience that complements the player's journey. With a melancholic, orchestral style that adapts to gameplay, it effectively immerses players in the magical elements of the labyrinth. However, some users noted that the volume levels can be jarring at times, particularly for those using headsets.
“Melancholic, orchestral music follows and narrates the player’s journey through the labyrinth.”
“The music is incredibly enchanting and deserving of its award-winning recognition.”
“The music may initially be a little jarring in terms of volume in contrast to its calm design, which may or may not be an issue for players wearing headsets.”
“The music may range from thrilling to innocent depending on whether the player is near a certain obstacle, allowing the player to really get into the magical aspect of the game.”
“The music is very high quality and gentle to the ears.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 88 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as a striking blend of minimalism and dynamic lighting, creating a ghostly, colorless world that enhances the overall experience. While some reviewers note a lack of emotional progression compared to other titles, the game's well-crafted ambiance and sound design contribute to its appeal, making it a worthwhile short play for fans of atmospheric puzzle games. Overall, the atmosphere is praised for its bold presentation and ability to engage players despite the game's brevity.
“Fracter is a little atmospheric puzzler, set in a ghost-like, colorless world, that utilizes dynamic lighting as a thematic medium to explore the idea of the self.”
“It's really well made, offers a great atmosphere, and is definitely worth taking a look at, especially at the cheap price it is being offered at.”
“Sounds are as minimalistic as the rest of the style but create a nice atmosphere.”
“Sure, the puzzles get more complex as you go along, but there's no real progression to the levels, character, or atmosphere—like you see in Limbo, Rime, or NaissanceE, for example—to make it scary, sad, or even especially awe-inspiring on a gut level.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "fracter" features a gradual build-up of complexity through intricate designs and environmental mechanics, but suffers from poorly implemented stealth sections that disrupt the overall experience. While the game offers meaningful riddles, they may feel overly serious for some players, leading to a less memorable experience. Overall, it appeals more to those who appreciate plot-driven narratives rather than pure gameplay mechanics.
“The game slowly builds on itself with more complex designs, environmental mechanics, and elaborate solutions.”
“It does not distract too much from the gameplay experience.”
“Fracter’s major slip, however, is the implementation of sections in which stealth is required, which prompts a stark disconnection from the rest of the gameplay, and is only worsened by the character’s lousy movement.”
“This meaningfulness is not incredibly memorable, since its riddles -- or life lessons, if you will -- may be deemed a bit too serious considering the complexity of the gameplay.”
“Since I am more of a plot-driven kind of gamer, I don’t see myself having any interest in playing Fracter again in the future, though I wouldn’t mind playing more games similar in gameplay experience.”
- story4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's story is characterized as simple and straightforward, lacking the depth and charm some players hoped for. While the minimalist storytelling approach contributes to a bold atmosphere, the overall narrative feels repetitive and underdeveloped, with a short playthrough that prioritizes gameplay over a meaningful plot.
“A full playthrough runs a bit on the short side, but the presentation is bold with lots of atmosphere. The puzzles are simple but fun enough to hold interest, offering a minimalist take on storytelling, and the controls are easy to use.”
“The plot is very simple and straightforward, with an objective that accumulates meaning as the game progresses.”
“I was looking for a story-driven, meaningful puzzle experience, and while the gameplay was repetitive, I appreciated the effort in storytelling.”
“I was hoping the game would have a story-like charm to it, but it didn't.”
“I was looking for a story-driven, meaningful puzzle, but all I got was repetitive gameplay.”
“A full playthrough runs a bit on the short side, but the presentation is bold with lots of atmosphere; puzzles are simple but fun enough to hold interest, resulting in a minimalist take on storytelling.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report issues with stability, specifically noting glitches in reflections during gameplay.
“Your reflection glitches.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it unplayable.”
“I experience constant frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
