Fractured Minds is a first-person, puzzle solver designed to bring awareness to mental health, and the various challenges associated with it. The game is inspired by developer and winner of the 2017 BAFTA Young Game Designers award, Emily Mitchell’s personal experiences with severe anxiety, and was created in an effort to help those with anxiety, or other mental illness.

Story

The story of Fractured Minds is left to the interpretation of the player. While it was designed after Mitchell’s struggles with anxiety, the themes and ideas that are presented can be applied to most any other mental illness. The game takes the player on a journey through a day in the life of someone who suffers from severe anxiety, highlighting any obstacles or complications that person is forced to overcome on a daily basis.

Gameplay

The controls are very simple, and therefore easy to pick up, as the game only requires you to use both joysticks, the right bumper, and the “A” button (Xbox). The gameplay is also fairly straight forward, as your only objective is to gain access into the next room. Players are required to tackle their objective by solving various puzzles, across six chapters that differentiate from room to room. Each room represents a different chapter, while each puzzle highlights a different aspect of mental illness.

Visuals

The visuals were simplistic, but that is to be expected from a solo developer. I was pleased by the selection of music that was used to build the atmosphere, and setting of the game.

Audio

The soundtrack was both calming and unsettling at the same time, which I feel adds to the experience of walking through the human psyche.

What It Could Have Done Better

The only thing that I would suggest be changed, is the lack of settings to customize the controller. The default sensitivity is very sluggish, and although it did not hinder my experience ultimately, I feel it would have been a nice quality of life improvement. I did not experience this issue myself, but the ability to invert the controls would also be helpful, as I know multiple people who play on an inverted control scheme, and have griped about this issue.

Verdict

Fractured Minds was not built to stump you at every corner with intense, complicated puzzles, or to impress you with with innovative gameplay. The game was made to spread awareness about mental health, and to help those that suffer through the obstacles of everyday life, associated with mental illness. I firmly believe it accomplished just that, at-least in my case. I highly recommend that everyone pick up Fractured Minds. The game is available across all platforms at the low-low price of $2, and delivers a powerful message. 80% of proceeds from the game are split between Emily Mitchell for her future career and the video games mental health charity, Safe In Our World.