Fractured Soul
- February 5, 2015
- Endgame Studios
Get on SteamFractured Soul takes the classic platformers of the 80s and doubles the action! Your unique ability to shift between two parallel dimensions allows you to weave through enemy fire, catch opponents by surprise, and leap over impossibly wide gaps by using platforms in both realities.
PC
Windows
Nintendo 3ds
Reviews
- Fractured Soul offers a unique dual-screen gameplay mechanic that enhances the platforming experience and provides a significant challenge for players.
- The game has high replay value with a robust ranking system, achievements, and speedrunning opportunities that cater to both casual and hardcore gamers.
- The developers are responsive to player feedback, which has led to improvements in the game's performance and overall enjoyment.
- The port has significant control issues, particularly with Xbox 360 controller compatibility, making navigation and key binding frustrating.
- The music and sound effects are often described as bland and uninspiring, detracting from the overall immersion of the game.
- Some players feel that the graphics are underwhelming and do not live up to the expectations set by promotional materials.
- gameplay19 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Fractured Soul" is centered around a unique dual-screen mechanic that requires players to switch between two parallel screens, each presenting different challenges. While the initial learning curve is manageable, mastering the mechanics becomes increasingly complex as players progress, introducing additional elements like wind and gravity. The game is particularly enjoyable for speedrunners and those who appreciate replaying levels to optimize their performance, though its challenging nature may deter some players.
“The combination of the music, sound effects, and unique gameplay all make for a very nostalgic experience.”
“This core gameplay is very solid and the game is very enjoyable, especially if you're the type who enjoys speedrunning and constantly replaying levels in search of a faster route.”
“The innovation behind the dual-screen mechanic is anything but a gimmick.”
“Initially, the gameplay, while razor sharp, will confound most players.”
“The gameplay is mind-bending; it creates a mountain of a challenge that would exclude many people from completing the game until they developed the required skills.”
“While it may not take players much time to complete the earlier stages, the gameplay becomes increasingly complex and challenging as you progress.”
- music12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it nostalgic and well-integrated with sound effects, while others describe it as bland, repetitive, and uninspiring. Although it enhances concentration during gameplay, many feel it lacks the vibrancy and presence needed to elevate the overall experience. Some users noted improvements over previous versions, but still expressed a desire for more engaging and prominent music.
“The combination of the music, sound effects, and unique gameplay all make for a very nostalgic experience.”
“The music is generally quiet and helps you concentrate more on the game than the music.”
“The music does sound a lot better than the 3DS version, though sometimes I do wish the music was a bit louder or a bit more in the 'picture', so to speak.”
“The music is incredibly bland, boring, and uninspiring.”
“The music in the game is repetitive and unimaginative.”
“The music doesn't distract you from the gameplay but it doesn't add to it either.”
- graphics9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are described as a mix of decent 2.5D visuals with a pleasing aesthetic, but ultimately fall short of expectations, particularly for high-end users, due to low polygon counts and minimal visual effects. While some improvements in color and detail have been noted, the consensus is that gameplay takes precedence over graphical fidelity.
“Pretty good 2.5D graphics.”
“I very much like the aesthetic, and the story is nicely told through text between the levels. Fractured Soul is very much about its gameplay.”
“Graphics have definitely improved, and the colors of objects and the general area have improved.”
“The next big problem is the graphics.”
“As someone who's using 2 GTX 980s, this is very disappointing as the game looked very graphically impressive in the trailer.”
“The graphics look low poly and have little visual effects.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Players find the game enjoyable and note its strong replayability, driven by the challenge of achieving five-star rankings and unlocking various achievements on each level, even for those who may not be interested in speed-running.
“I'm terrible at this game and have very little interest in speed-running at all, but it's a lot of fun and has plenty of replay value.”
“The replayability also comes in the form of getting five-star rankings and achievements to unlock on every level.”
- story2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story in "Fractured Soul" is presented through lengthy text passages between levels, which some players find disengaging despite appreciating the aesthetic and the expanded narrative compared to the 3DS version. Overall, the game prioritizes gameplay over storytelling, making the narrative feel secondary.
“While I very much like the aesthetic, the story is nicely told through text between the levels, fleshed out from the brief text of the 3DS version.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has been criticized for being a poorly optimized port, particularly in its lack of compatibility with the Xbox 360 controller, leading to a frustrating user experience.
“A terrible port that has simply not been optimized properly to work with the Xbox 360 controller.”
