Sometimes it is the simplistic games that can really rock and rule my world. In the case of Fracter, a game that wants to really emphasis the conflict of darkness and light, it is as simple as it is complex.
The game, which I have previewed here with a demonstration video below, is one that doesn’t seem to have a very deep backstory. From what it looks like, you are in someone’s mind, perhaps your own, and you are doing a series of challenges to get to the next level. This is just an estimation on my part, as the official statement is “a veiled young hero who has set out on a perilous quest to dispel the darkness within”.
I played this game on the Switch, and you can see how puzzled I was at the beginning. Part of it is using the side buttons on these levers, but it took me a while to realize that is what I was supposed to do.
Honestly, this really intrigues me, as I believe that issues of mental health being represented in games could be an entirely new genre of its own. Perhaps this is my own personal bias, but a game where a character is trying to free themselves from the dark places in their mind is very appealing to me.
This is one of those games where you are pulling a lot of levers and switches, and in this case, you are turning on the lights to activate triggers which will eventually open doors.
Of course, what would any game be without its share of opponents? Fracter has them, and they are these kind of zombie-like creatures that will rush you and take you over, but they can be beaten with the power of light. Seriously, you can make these light walls which will destroy these creepy guys like a bug zapper.
This is one of those games that requires black and white with a minimal soundtrack. It really works as an indie game, but it seems pretentious with its talk about overpowering darkness and such.
Still, I recommend it, as it is a fun one if you like the puzzle types. It is available for the Nintendo Switch eShop now for $6.99.