Fragments
- January 20, 2021
- codapill
Get on Steam"Fragments" is a single-player mystery adventure game, where you play as Evan, a young man trying to uncover the truth about a serious crime he may have committed. With two detectives closing in, you must navigate through Evan's traumatic memories, making decisions that will affect the outcome of the story. The game features a chilling original soundtrack and two possible endings, making for a unique and suspenseful experience.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Polished and immersive narrative experience with a compelling premise and excellent UI and audio design.
- Intriguing story that explores themes of memories and morality, with multiple paths and endings to discover.
- Short but engaging gameplay that effectively combines sci-fi elements with a minimalist approach to storytelling.
- The story is predictable and lacks subtlety, making it feel underwhelming and generic at times.
- Gameplay primarily consists of clicking through scenes with limited interactivity, which may not appeal to all players.
- The game is very short, leaving some players wanting more depth and complexity in the narrative.
- story42 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story of "Fragments" is a polished, bite-sized narrative that combines mystery and sci-fi elements, offering an intriguing experience with a compelling premise and well-directed storytelling. While some players found the plot predictable and lacking in subtlety, others appreciated its immersive atmosphere and thematic depth, making it a worthwhile choice for fans of interactive fiction. Overall, the game is noted for its engaging storytelling, though opinions vary on its execution and originality.
“If you go in expecting something less like a bells-and-whistles horror game abounding with player choice, and something more in the vein of a suspenseful speculative short story, you'll find in 'Fragments' a well-directed and cleverly minimalist piece of interactive fiction (with an equally understated yet scene-setting soundtrack).”
“But yeah, this was a neat thematic tale and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a good sci-fi little story that has a good sense of direction and intelligent writing.”
“Fragments is a great, short, interactive story with sci-fi/alt-future elements, which appealed to me.”
“The story is pretty 'meh' and incredibly predictable.”
“It had some ideas reminiscent of other RPG Maker story-based titles (mainly the idea of using a character's memories to progress the plot) but it had none of the subtlety or a satisfying ending.”
“By the time I was maybe 10 minutes in, I knew what the ending was going to be and the rest of playing was just waiting to see how that story unfolded - and unfortunately the presentation was underwhelming.”
- music16 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as atmospheric and immersive, effectively enhancing the tension and pacing of the story. Players who typically ignore game soundtracks found themselves engaged and even turning up the volume, highlighting the catchy and original nature of the music. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's suspenseful and interactive experience, making it memorable long after playing.
“Regarding the soundtrack: I typically don't pay much mind to music in games, usually muting background music, but I actually found myself turning up the volume in this game.”
“The music and rumble features of the game work to create a tense atmosphere as the story unfolds.”
“If the idea of seeing alternate endings and dialogue branches aren't enough to keep you coming back to the game, the catchy, original soundtrack might do the trick; you'll be singing it for days after playing.”
“I'm no video game music/sound effects critic, so I can't really explain why it was good, but I really enjoyed it!”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by a well-paced story and an immersive soundtrack, complemented by controller rumble features that heighten tension and make decision-making feel impactful. Players appreciate how these elements work together to create a compelling and engaging experience throughout the game's duration of about one to one and a half hours.
“The music and rumble features of the game work to create a tense atmosphere as the story unfolds.”
“The story is well paced, the game lasts around an hour to an hour and a half (if you want to see everything) and is accompanied by an atmospheric soundtrack and cool features like a controller rumble which really adds to the immersion and makes decision making feel like serious business.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their clever visuals and attention to detail, effectively conveying the intricate and emotional landscape of Evan's mind through flashbacks. This artistic approach enhances the storytelling experience, allowing players to engage deeply with the narrative.
“Through flashbacks and clever visuals, explore the 'prison' in Evan's mind with particular attention to detail and speak your truth.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is enhanced by impressive visual and gameplay effects that effectively immerse players in the tone of each scene, creating a captivating experience.
“This game has some really amazing visual and gameplay effects to help immerse you in the tone of each scene.”
