Fractured Soul

Having played this game incessantly on the 3DS, I jumped at the chance to own this masterpiece on Steam. As with most things of great value, it takes a little time to fully appreciate Fractured Soul. Initially, the gameplay, while razor sharp, will confound most players. The ability to navigate the levels over both screens is one which will take time to grow, but when it does, playing Fractured Soul is an absolute joy. The innovation behind the dual-screen mechanic is anything but a gimmick. With time, one will realize how carefully and intuitively the levels have been put together. While it may not take players much time to complete the earlier stages (particularly on the more forgiving "normal" difficulty setting), Endgame have done a wonderful job in steadily introducing additional mechanics. Just as you begin to feel comfortable with the shifting mechanic, you will have to deal with, amongst others, strong wind, inverse gravity and heat damage. Visually, Fractured Soul looks great (the PC version has a smooth 60FPS), and if you are able to take your eyes off the action, you will appreciate some surprisingly varied and beautiful backdrops. While I very much like the aesthetic, and the story is nicely told through text between the levels (fleshed out from the brief text of the 3DS version), Fractured Soul is very much about its gameplay. The game actually develops a very specific skill set, taking the platforming genre, as trite as it sounds, to a new level. There are really two ways in which you can play this game through to the end. The first is by adequately mastering the shifting mechanic in such a way as to simply complete the levels, using as much health and time as necessary. This will probably be enough for the casual gamer, and will still provide a stiff challenge. The second way is by playing the game to the point where you have intuituvely mastered the shifting mechanic and "understand" the levels, and are thereby able to comple them within the par time, picking up all bonus items, without taking damage. To my mind, this is how the game is meant to be played. This is extremely challenging, but because the game is not "cheap" and the levels are built entirely around the effective harnessing of Entity's shifting ability, a combination of attention, care and persistence will eventually pay off. Fractured Soul is a game which at heart is built around the idea of speed running, and achieving five stars, particularly in later levels, is a truly rewarding sensation. I have recently managed to five star all thirty-one levels on the 3DS, and am looking forward to doing the same on this version. Fractured Soul is a gem of a platformer. Obviously made with passion, it espouses real creativity and intuition without even a hint of pretension. Particularly with the low introductory price, it is a very easy recommendation, but even at full-price it is money well spent. For those who enjoyed the 3DS title as much as I did, it should be a no-brainer. The technical improvements are clear, and through over 100 brilliantly-conceived achievements you will further hone your capabilities and draw even more from this work of art. Fans of tough and true platformers should lose hours on this, and appreciate every second. EDIT: I will echo another review that in order to appear on Fractured Soul's leaderboards, you must choose "view leaderboards" after selecting the corresponding level.

Так и подмывает начать с банальнейшего вступления: Fractured Soul - игра тяжёлой творческой судьбы. Разработка началась ещё в 2010-ом году, выход планировался на портативной платформе Nintendo DS. Потом всё изменилось и вышел платформер уже на 3DS. Затем в марте 2013-го Endgame Studios отправилась покорять Steam Greenlight, больше года промариновала игру в ожидании одобрения сообщества, и только в начале февраля 2015-го та добралась до цифрового прилавка Steam. Первого взгляда на концепт-арт и ролики достаточно, чтобы впасть в депрессию: опять закованный в силовую броню мужик с джетпаком за спиной, снова прыжки по платформам в серых однообразных бункерах и перестрелки с клонированными врагами. Впрочем, есть подвох: главный герой с говорящим именем Entity может попеременно существовать в двух параллельных реальностях и в любой момент переключаться между ними. На основе данной предпосылки построили много-много уровней, на которых вам дают вволю поупражняться в ловкости, скорости и остроте ума. С целью ещё больше запутать игроков, в Endgame Studios практически "в лоб" перенесли систему двух экранов на мониторы компьютеров. Поначалу необходимость мгновенно переключать взгляд снизу вверх и обратно ставит в тупик, быстро утомляет и вызывает в мозгах лёгкую турбулентность - немного похожую на "перелом", когда приходилось рулить двумя братьями в Brothers - A Tale of Two Sons. Но постепенно к механике привыкаешь, одновременно следить сразу за двумя экранами входит в привычку. И в тот самый момент, когда самое сложное, казалось бы, осталось далеко позади, авторы начинают жонглировать ситуациями: то заставят телепортироваться туда-обратно прямо во время прыжков, то вынудят убегать от смертельно опасных силовых полей, то перевернут всё с ног на голову. Однозначно удались уровни, во время которых миры имеют различные физические свойства - к примеру, иногда приходится неспешно плавать под водой и маневрировать между ловушками, или просчитывать каждое действие вплоть до миллиметра, подстраиваясь под направление ветра. Многочисленные "недолёты" и "перелёты" вовсе выглядят осознанным художественным приёмом. Схватки с боссами заставят попотеть, к тому же они выглядят и играются сильно иначе. Проблемы у Fractured Soul ровно две: она заметно устарела, да и общая техническая отсталось даёт о себе знать. Сейчас игра выглядит натуральной серой мышью на фоне конкурентов, способных предложить аналогичную механику. Вот взять Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams: вольный ремейк доисторической игры банально красивее, так ещё предлагает не просто похожий игровой процесс, но и более удачную реализацию переключения между мирами. А у Fractured Soul в запасе многократные самоповторы, однотипные уровни и чудесный электронный саундтрек. Даже историю подают в духе начала 90-х - текстовыми сообщениями на загрузочных экранах. Причём историю такую банальную, что в неё никак не хочется толком вникать. Со вторым пунктом ещё грустнее: "улучшенная версия" может похвастаться облагороженной графикой, но идёт в максимальном разрешении 720p (издержки самодельного движка), прикрученное сглаживание почти никак не влияет на качество картинки. Прибавьте к этому мутные шрифты в меню, которые по неведомой причине никто не решился перерисовать. Разбавляет впечатления необычный локальный кооператив, ради которого однозначно стоит найти себе адекватного, готового к сложностям напарника. Если изначально не ждать ничего фантастического и революционного, то Fractured Soul легко увлекает своей относительно необычной концепцией (если не вспоминать про Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams) и на два-три часа, и на все тридцать-пятьдесят. В конце концов, её просто можно назвать добротным хардкорным платформером, в лучшие свои моменты заставляющим отчаянно материться и желать разбить геймпад о чью-нибудь голову. Но нужно морально приготовиться, что первые радужные впечатления споткнутся о рутину и повторение пройденного. http://www.vgblogs.ru/2015/03/fractured-soul-mnenie.html Дисклеймер: ревью-код

(Important note: Make sure to check the leaderboards to register your speed run times!) <- Has been patched. Times are uploaded automatically. Do you enjoy hardcore platforming while slowly mastering the mechnics in the game? Do you love speed running through levels to get those low times!? Do you enjoy unique takes on the tried and true platforming style? Then this game is for you. As an original 3DS version players, I have to say jumping back into this game felt amazing. I have stated many times on Gamefaqs that this is the best platformer on the 3DS in my opinion. Now let me get to the review. First review ever actually. _-Gameplay-_ The game on the 3DS version span both screen but on the PC, both screen are on one screen essentially. You switch your character accross both screens, both with their own enemies and platforms as well as obsticles. Your only actions are jump, shoot, and warp on the controller. It is you job to get that muscle memory working and be able to not get confused by the amount of "warping" you'll be doing. You'll most likely hate the feeling at first but I insist you stick with it and keep attemping level 1 till you get the warping down and feel comfortable with it. I used to speed run this game a lot and trust me, it took a lot of time and patient to get 5 star rankings on ever level. Added to this version is a 2 player mode where each player takes control of one of the screens. When player one warps, player two now takes control. I haven't tried it with a friend, but it feels it would be fun to butt heads together. _-Sound-_ 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, but sometimes I do wish the music was a bit louder or a bit more in the "picture" so to speak. It's a minor complaint but it's just my likings. _-Graphics-_ Graphics have definetly improved and the colors of objects and the general area have improved. This game isn't the grandest display of GRPHIX POWA but it works and looks clean and simple. You can bump the anti-aliasing up to 8x. In the end, gameplay over graphics for this game. _-Replayability-_ The game has tons of potential for replaying every level if you wish to improve. Every level has a set Par time to beat, crystals (names secrets) scattered all over the levels and a 5 star ranking system. In order to get a 5 star ranking you need to beat the level under par, grab all secrets, and take no damage at all. The game also saves your "any rank" times where you can rush through the level as fast as possible and score a low time as well. As the levels progress, achieveing 5 star ranks will become much harder. There are 25 normals levels ( 2 SHMUP levels, 3 boss fights, and 20 normal levels) and 6 unlockable levels. These unlockable levels will put your skills to the test and unlocked by getting as many stars from the levels (5 star ranking system). The more stars you achieve, the more extra content you get to play. This game also features leaderboards but I seem to be the only person ranked on the game currently so I'm hoping it's online compatable. NOTE: the game now features a "Normal" and "Hardcore" difficulty setting. I have no idea what the difference is but it's there if anyone was curious. ___________________________________ I hope this review pursuades you guys to experience this amazing game and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did back when I got it on the 3DS. I'm still hoping there's a little something extra for us who are double dipping to enjoy but if not, it's cool. Good luck fellow players, I'm going to be shooting for those low times! I give the game a 9/10

While the idea of flipping from one universe to the next isn't new. Endgame Studios uses it quite effectively! Making this game a Platformer fan's delight. With tight controls, and plenty of levels. Speedrunners will enjoy the challenge this game has to offer. To keep things from getting repetitive. They throw in some vicious Shoot-em up/Bullet hell style levels. Where you face an onslaught of enemies and bosses. Fractured Soul is not for the faint of heart and those who hate dying. You're going to die, many, many times. I made a video review to show off some of the features and gameplay of this game! http://youtu.be/UMUeq5Px7k4 I hope you enjoy! Martyr

[h1]A mirror world in which, one element can change our way forward [/h1] In short, the gameplay is that the screen is divided into two halves. On one of them runs our ghost - which is misguided by enemies, etc. - on the other screen we run. Both screens are parallel to each other - the same thing happens on them - BUT sometimes on one side there is an element that is missing on the other side - this is where the gameplay starts - you have to switch between these screens to go further. Sometimes it will be platforms where every other platform is on a different screen - and we have to jump and switch between screens at the same time - sometimes it will be finding a card to the door. Fractured Soul - makes very good use of this mechanic and really tries to use it to the maximum - there are many ideas. It was a great game for me, even though I played alone, and supposedly the game gains even more potential in co-op - I can only recommend it, especially since it will surely be in a bundle someday. I give 7 stars [★[★[★[★[★[★[★[☆[☆[☆]

中文名好像叫碎魂，为一好友相赠的platform游戏，之前没有耳闻，但既然接收了自然不能枉费人家的好意，于是试着玩了一下，谁曾想出乎意料的好玩。本来想等通关后写推荐，但今天玩到的新关卡创意太惊艳了，忍不住要先来一发！ 游戏操作洗尽铅华上下左右加AB，没有道具，没有集气，没有技能，FC超级玛丽操作没有任何有毒有害添加剂。但是一个切屏键就瞬间把游戏立意拔高了2个档次都不止，简直是浓汤宝来的，白开水立马变高汤。简单来说游戏主屏被分割为上下或左右2个同步界面，一个切屏键，就可以让玩家在2个屏幕里瞬移。这里就产生质变了，屏1已是悬崖峭壁，屏2里依然康庄大道，切；屏2前方有电网，屏1没有，切，这是我能想到的最简单的举例，最直观就是看一下商店trailer来了解。但我想说的是，制作组不仅仅是利用双屏来玩些切换跳跃，打时间差的把戏，还充分利用了减速，加速，浮力等来创造一种极致的游戏体验。尤其是现在玩到的镜像关卡，真是惊艳一枪！回想起来，只有在初玩braid里时间倒流，portal洞洞穿越等寥寥几款游戏的时候，才会发出“我X，原来游戏还能这么个玩法”的感慨。听朋友说游戏本身是掌机独占的，现在登陆steam但好像没做啥宣传，这里强推一下，喜欢platform, retro游戏的赶紧撸一个来玩吧，国区好价还等什么;) P.S: 成就党更是往这碗里瞧一瞧看一看，102个成就绝对超额值回你的票价~

Best game on the DS finally comes to Steam!

The core gamplay is built around platforming in levels that are split between 2 screens. (Note: This game was originally released for the 3DS but I never played the game on a 3DS) As you progress and get a better grasp of the game mechanics, you can start to complete levels in more creative ways by making use of the split screen. This core gameplay is very solid and the game is very enjoyable especially if you're the type which enjoys speedrunning and constantly replaying levels in search of a faster route. The replayability also comes in the form of getting Five Stars ranking and achievements to unlock on every level. Some points to note: - You can change the key bindings. - The ONLY video option you get is Anti-Aliasing of up to 8x. - The sound effects are very nicely done but the music is on the flat side in my opinion. The music doesn't distract you from the gameplay but it doesn't add to it either. (That song you hear in the trailer, Planet by Bitrok is NOT the in-game music)

[b]Есть ли у Fractured Soul шансы стать популярным платформером? На мой взгляд, вполне. Ведь Fractured Soul в равной мере сочетает в себе всё, что только может предложить современный платформер, который не старается быть люто хардкорным, как к примеру, SuperMeatBoy или Geometry Dash. Я говорю и про необычный геймплей с перемещениями в различные измерения, и про бросающие вызов головоломки, и про разнообразные миссии с отличными друг от друга персонажами, и про дико сложных боссов, и про наличие кооператива, пусть и локального. Единственное, пожалуй, что может не понравиться игрокам – довольно несовременная картинка, с невозможностью её настроить. Всё-таки приставочное прошлое даёт о себе знать. Но как бы то ни было, Fractured Soul – необычный, и от того довольно интересный проект, который способен подарить немало часов как фана, так и адского хардкора. И при всём этом, за довольно скромные 6,99 вечнозелённых. И как итог, игра окупает их сполна.[/b]

it was nice to play this game again on pc i just wished that more people knew about it