Fractured Minds
- November 14, 2019
- EmilyMGames
Get on Steam"Fractured Minds is a single-player, horror-action game that explores the daily struggles of living with anxiety and mental health issues. Offering a raw and honest portrayal, the game aims to provide insight into the experiences of those with mental illness. Designed by a game developer with personal experience of anxiety, Fractured Minds won a BAFTA award for its provocative and thought-provoking journey."
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Fractured Minds delivers a powerful message about mental health, effectively portraying feelings of anxiety and isolation.
- The game is a short but impactful experience, with many players finding it relatable and emotionally resonant.
- Developed by a young creator, the game showcases creativity and a heartfelt approach to serious topics, making it a commendable indie project.
- The gameplay is very short, typically taking only 15-30 minutes to complete, which some players found disappointing.
- Controls are often described as unresponsive and floaty, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- Many players noted technical issues, such as achievements resetting and getting stuck on objects, detracting from the overall experience.
- gameplay44 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Fractured Minds" is characterized by its minimalist design, focusing on simple puzzles and environmental interactions that reflect mental health struggles. While this approach enhances the emotional narrative, it may disappoint players seeking more traditional gameplay challenges due to its rudimentary mechanics and brief playtime of about 30 minutes. Overall, the game serves as a poignant exploration of its themes, though its clunky execution and basic graphics may detract from the experience for some players.
“Developed by Emily Mitchell, this indie game artfully blends minimalist gameplay with evocative storytelling, leaving a lasting impact on players willing to explore its delicate themes.”
“The gameplay in 'Fractured Minds' is minimalistic, utilizing simple puzzles and environmental interactions to mirror the emotions and struggles associated with mental health.”
“In conclusion, 'Fractured Minds' serves as a moving and insightful exploration of mental health issues, utilizing gameplay and symbolism to evoke empathy and understanding.”
“However, the simplicity of the gameplay might be a drawback for players seeking more traditional gameplay challenges.”
“The gameplay is a little clunky and rigid but serves the purpose of the game itself.”
“One thing I would criticize is more gameplay related; the inputs are a bit delayed, so things like jumps are a bit delayed.”
- story32 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's story is a brief yet impactful exploration of themes like anxiety, paranoia, and manic depression, resonating deeply with some players while feeling too abstract or personal for others. Although the minimalist narrative and evocative storytelling are praised, the lack of a traditional structure and short playtime may leave some players wanting more. Overall, it serves as a unique interactive experience rather than a conventional game, appealing to those willing to engage with its delicate themes.
“Amazing short story/horror game depicting the ins and outs of paranoia and manic depression.”
“Developed by Emily Mitchell, this indie game artfully blends minimalist gameplay with evocative storytelling, leaving a lasting impact on players willing to explore its delicate themes.”
“The game's story sticks with me to this day.”
“The lack of a traditional storyline and the abstract nature of the puzzles might also leave some players wanting a more structured narrative.”
“It's clear that this was a personal story that isn't always going to resonate with its entire audience, and that's okay.”
“But overall, Fractured Minds is more like a virtual experience than a traditional game you play for immersion, a dramatic storyline, or challenging gameplay mechanics.”
- emotional24 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
"Fractured Minds" is praised for its emotional depth and introspective exploration of mental health challenges, offering players a poignant and thought-provoking experience. The game's minimalistic design and symbolic imagery effectively convey the complexities of living with mental disorders, encouraging reflection and fostering compassion. While its unconventional approach may not resonate with everyone, those seeking a heartfelt narrative will find it to be a meaningful journey that highlights important societal issues.
“Fractured Minds offers players a deeply personal and introspective journey into the challenges of mental health, creating an emotional and thought-provoking experience that sheds light on the complexities of living with mental disorders.”
“By guiding players through the emotional struggles of someone with mental health issues, the game offers a unique opportunity to experience and reflect on these challenges firsthand.”
“While its unconventional approach might not appeal to all players, those seeking a heartfelt and contemplative experience will find Fractured Minds to be a poignant journey that fosters awareness and compassion for the often-overlooked world of mental health.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a simple yet emotionally evocative art style, characterized by a subdued color palette and surreal landscapes that enhance its themes. While some players note the blocky and primitive models reminiscent of a "student project," others appreciate the clean presentation and eerie atmosphere, despite occasional glitches. Overall, the visuals effectively contribute to the game's exploration of complex feelings, though they may not impress everyone.
“The subdued color palette and surreal landscapes complement the game's intention to convey complex feelings through its visuals.”
“Nice simple graphics with an eerie atmosphere, dedicated to images of a suffering mind; this one is interesting.”
“On a more serious note, I did see some interesting visuals; some spooks gave me chills and the musical pieces were well put together.”
“The graphics and models are blocky and primitive, and the gameplay is rudimentary, but if you can get past the whole, 'student project' level of quality, it's still an entertaining and fun (well, for a horror game themed around mental illness) game with some varied mechanics and a short but sweet play duration.”
“The graphics are clean and well presented, but that's it.”
“Game is simple overall, with its message, its graphics, and its puzzles.”
- music14 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to evoke deep emotions, effectively complementing the themes of isolation, anxiety, and mental health struggles presented throughout the levels. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as both calming and immersive, enhancing the overall atmosphere and experience, despite some criticisms regarding gameplay controls. Overall, the music is considered a standout element that significantly contributes to the game's emotional impact.
“Great experience, nice soundtrack, quick and easy to finish yet still really fun, unsettling and comforting at the same time, and in my opinion brings across certain feelings really well.”
“These levels are based entirely on themes such as emptiness, anxiety, depression, and paranoia, with each level inspired by real-life obstacles. The slow and calming soundtrack creates a truly immersive tone and atmosphere.”
“It perfectly shows the feelings of isolation and anxiety, along with other mental issues. The way the game is designed is beautiful, and the music is amazing.”
“It's a shame since the story, art, and music are all well done, but when the controls feel uncomfortable and floaty to use while also getting stuck on collision to the point you need to restart, it just ruins the experience.”
“These levels are based entirely on themes such as emptiness, anxiety, depression, and paranoia, with each level inspired by real-life obstacles. The slow and calming soundtrack adds a tone and atmosphere that is truly immersive.”
“On a more serious note, I did see some interesting visuals, some spooks gave me chills, and the musical pieces were well put together.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is deeply immersive, effectively capturing complex emotional states such as anxiety, depression, and paranoia through minimalistic visual design and abstract environments. Players appreciate the haunting soundscapes and symbolic imagery that resonate with personal mental health experiences, although some feel that the experience could be enhanced with additional hidden messages and a more stable achievement system. Overall, the game is praised for its bold approach to mental health themes and its ability to evoke a sense of shared struggle.
“These levels are based entirely on themes such as emptiness, anxiety, depression, and paranoia, with each level inspired by real-life obstacles. The environment is something that people who suffer can relate to, complemented by a slow and calming soundtrack that creates a truly immersive atmosphere.”
“Nice simple graphics with an eerie atmosphere, dedicated to images of a suffering mind. This one is interesting, but I feel it's let down by the achievements resetting. A game like this makes you feel rewarded for the trophies you unlock, serving as a little reward for experiencing the level, but they reset if you leave and go back later.”
“The visual design of the game is equally minimalistic, utilizing abstract environments and symbolic imagery to create an atmosphere that reflects the emotional states being portrayed.”
“I think more work could go into particularly, hiding varying messages around the room that builds more upon the atmosphere.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game features appealing graphics, but users have reported occasional glitches that detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the game remains enjoyable.
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is perceived positively, as players are drawn to it due to its association with a good cause, suggesting that the game's financial model is well-received when linked to charitable efforts.
