FRACTER

[b]FRACTER[/b] is a [b]little atmospheric [i]puzzler[/i][/b], set in a [b]ghost-like, colorless world[/b], that utilizes [b]dynamic lighting[/b] as a thematic medium to explore the [b]idea of the [i]self[/i][/b] - albeit said premise [i]might[/i] be lost amidst [b][i]unnecessarily[/i] obscure wording[/b]. Coincidentally, all [b]puzzles[/b] intently play into this design choice, with most of them being realized by [b]light-emitting devices[/b]; unfortunately, although they evolve [i]slightly[/i] as you clear out levels, most are [b][i]too[/i] plain[/b] to incite a challenge. [b]FRACTER[/b]’s major slip, however, is the [b]implementation of sections in which stealth is required[/b], which prompts a [b]stark disconnection[/b] from the rest of the gameplay, and is only worsened by the [b]character’s lousy movement[/b]. And so, stripped off its [b]light-and-shadow aesthetic[/b] and its [b]thematic execution[/b], [b]FRACTER[/b] as a [i]puzzler[/i] is sadly [i]meh[/i].

the game is very glitchy. get ready to restart some levels several times

Artistically impressive game, with plenty of intense violins.

Creepy but not scary! Fracter is the right level of challenging, without being frustrating. It is the best kind of weird, and reminded me a fair bit of Limbo (which kicks ass as much as this does).

FRACTER === 8/10 !!!!! ;) :) :) :D

Sometimes looks can be deceiving. Not this time, though. What you see here is pretty much what you get: a simple little game with ok puzzles and a great aesthetic. The puzzles are mostly of the move-platforms-to-create-paths and reflect-light-beams-with-mirrors varieties. Once in a while you push a block around or evade a monster. So not exactly revolutionary, to say the least. As for the looks, it's hard to miss with black and white, huh? A zillion film students can't be wrong. To the extent that artsy monochrome has become a cliche, it's because it works. It lets you play around with light and shadow in an elemental way that creates a dramatic impact all on its own. Familiar things suddenly stand out in sharper relief, and the commonplace takes on an otherworldly aspect that catches your eye in fresh ways. This style leads you to believe they're saying something deep here, and you do get the sense that they want us to look beneath the surface. In fact, they pretty much say so in the store description; but if there's something there besides the obvious, I'm not seeing it. Ok, darkness = bad; light = good. I'm with you so far. Anyway, I've got to go with the …