Fractured Minds is an immersive artistic short game, exploring anxiety and mental health issues. Embark on a journey through the human psyche to experience the everyday challenges associated with these conditions...

Fractured Minds was winner of the BAFTA Young Game Designers Award. Created by Emily Mitchell, then 17-years-old, with the hope of aiding understanding and awareness of mental illness.

Embark on a journey through the human psyche and experience six atmospheric and thought-provoking chapters, each symbolising a different aspect or challenge associated with mental health issues; from isolation to anxiety, with everyday situations being distorted beyond recognition.

It's a very short game and if you're a puzzle fan this won't hold much of a challenge. The idea behind the young developer's creation is an interesting, not to mention, important one. It's creepy and eerie when it needs to be, and can be a little unsettling at times.

But my biggest issue (and this is a major complaint) is that there's no way of changing the first person camera controls. I like to invert the Y-axis when playing first person shooters (FPS), but there was no such option here, making the game pretty much unplayable for me. I also managed to get stuck a couple of times on different levels. In the end, looking up to the ceiling or down at the floor, while thrusting the controls in every direction, finally freed me.

It's pretty easy to complete and sadly it's not a game you'll get much out of on repeat plays. Still, an interesting little game.

6

Nick Smithson