Fractured Minds
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the Game
Fractured Minds is an immersive artistic short game, exploring anxiety and mental health issues.
Winner of the BAFTA Young Game Designers Award, Fractured Minds is a game 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.
Raw, emotive and earnest, Fractured Minds demonstrates that video games are capable of communicating vital messages in imaginative ways. It is a game that seeks to encourage empathy and champion support for the millions living with mental health issues.
Wired Productions is proud to support Safe In Our World, a gaming industry charity striving for mental health awareness. 80% of the proceeds will help fund Emily’s career as well as future initiatives from Safe In Our World.
- Take a personal and honest journey through the human psyche.
- Interact with your environment to overcome challenges and puzzles across 6 levels, each inspired by real life obstacles.
- Explore the emotions surround emptiness, anxiety, depression and paranoia.
- Enjoy a rich and immersive soundtrack including “Silence” provided kindly by Kai Engel.
- A thought-provoking experience about what it means to live with mental health.
“Fractured Minds is an immersive puzzle game that uncovers the daily struggles of people living with anxiety and mental health issues. It is designed to give the player a genuine insight into the experiences of those quietly living with mental illness – the feelings of isolation, of being trapped, of everyday situations being distorted beyond recognition.
My own anxiety has been very debilitating and I wanted to create a game that shares my experiences and provokes real discussion about this topic that is often misunderstood and rarely spoken about. It recently won the Young Game Designers BAFTA award (15 – 18 category) and now I’d love for you to play.
I realise the game is provocative and at times uncomfortable – but I felt that it was so important to be honest and true-to-life – confronting mental illness is extremely challenging and uncomfortable.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Fractured Minds. Your energy has helped to elevate support and awareness for mental health.”
— Emily Mitchell
Game Discussion
Steam User 6
Fractured minds is a rather important game, I feel.
Not only does it tackle rather touchy subject matter, but its made by a very creative and talented young girl. This game is the whole reason I love indie horror. I feel more of a connection to these smaller scale, lower budget, more obscure games because there is very obviously a rather human connection with the experience. this is not to say you can't get that with big AAA titles but more often than not, I'll find myself gravitating toward the indie sphere of media as I feel it has more heart.
Fractured Minds is short, I buzzed through it in a cool 35 minutes. There is not really any "game-play" to speak of. There are some light environmental puzzles but the majority of the half hour you'll spend on this is just walking forward and soaking in the ambience and environment. This game has a very simple art-style that still manages to convey emotion in a way that makes me want more. This world and this story is very personal, yet also ambiguous. It very obviously feels like it's coming from the experiences of Emily, while also maintaining an air of comfort, almost telling you "You aren't alone in this"
You can tell this is about her feelings, yet it can be interpreted however you want to, depending on how you're feeling in that moment.
The price on Fractured Minds may be a deterrent for a lot of people, considering there's barely a half hour of content, (one of the achievements only requires you to stand still for 5 minutes), but I don't think price matters here. I will never regret supporting indie devs.
This game talks about important things and its made by one person, cut it some slack and try to understand the gravity of the project we've been given. I'm not going to give a score out of 10 for a game about Depression and the darker times we as humans experience, because it just feels wrong? This isn't something that is inherently "good" or "bad"
It's meant to make you think and I feel as if it nails that.
Thankyou for making this game <3
Steam User 1
Fractured Minds isn't a game that's made to make you feel comfortable or make you enjoy it. I think that as a piece of art, I can understand the intent and emotion behind it, however, with all the games out there about mental illness, depression, and anxiety, I don't feel like this game does the best job at capturing what that feels like while also having something to say. 3/10
Steam User 1
Must get all achievements.
Steam User 1
A Heartfelt Journey Through Mental Struggles: Review of "Fractured Minds"
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
"Fractured Minds" offers players a deeply personal and introspective journey into the challenges of mental health, creating an emotional and thought-provoking experience that sheds light on the complexities of living with mental disorders. Developed by Emily Mitchell, this indie game artfully blends minimalist gameplay with evocative storytelling, leaving a lasting impact on players willing to explore its delicate themes.
The gameplay in "Fractured Minds" is minimalistic, utilizing simple puzzles and environmental interactions to mirror the emotions and struggles associated with mental health. Each level presents players with a unique puzzle that metaphorically represents a specific aspect of mental disorders, such as anxiety, isolation, and self-doubt. The puzzles are designed to evoke emotions and provide players with a glimpse into the internal battles that individuals facing mental health challenges endure.
The visual design of the game is equally minimalistic, utilizing abstract environments and symbolic imagery to create an atmosphere that reflects the emotional states being portrayed. The subdued color palette and surreal landscapes complement the game's intention to convey complex feelings through its visuals.
What sets "Fractured Minds" apart is its ability to provoke empathy and understanding. By guiding players through the emotional struggles of someone with mental health issues, the game offers a unique opportunity to experience and reflect on these challenges firsthand. The absence of complex gameplay mechanics keeps the focus on the narrative and the emotional impact of each puzzle.
However, the simplicity of the gameplay might be a drawback for players seeking more traditional gameplay challenges. The lack of a traditional storyline and the abstract nature of the puzzles might also leave some players wanting a more structured narrative.
In conclusion, "Fractured Minds" serves as a moving and insightful exploration of mental health issues, utilizing gameplay and symbolism to evoke empathy and understanding. Its minimalistic approach and emotionally resonant puzzles create an experience that encourages players to reflect on the struggles faced by individuals dealing with mental disorders. While its unconventional approach might not appeal to all players, those seeking a heartfelt and contemplative experience will find "Fractured Minds" to be a poignant journey that fosters awareness and compassion for the often-overlooked world of mental health. If you're willing to dive into an emotional and thought-provoking narrative, "Fractured Minds" offers a unique opportunity to expand your perspective and engage with an important societal conversation.