This week, we put our App Army's puzzling prowess to the test with the latest release from Glitch Games, A Fragile Mind. This puzzle adventure game combines the classic escape room format with a touch of humor, creating an intriguing mix that our community had mixed feelings about. While some members lauded the challenging puzzles and witty humor, others felt the game's presentation could use some polishing.
A Fragile Mind invites players into a world of intricate puzzles and light-hearted moments. We asked our App Army members to dive in and share their thoughts on the game. Here's what they had to say:
Swapnil Jadhav
Initially, the game's icon led me to believe it might be a bit dull due to its somewhat dated look. However, diving into A Fragile Mind revealed a unique gameplay experience that sets it apart in the puzzle adventure genre. The puzzles are tough yet engaging, making it one of the best puzzle games I've played recently. Without giving too much away, I highly recommend playing this on an iPad or any tablet for the best experience.
Max Williams
This game is a point-and-click puzzle adventure with static pre-rendered graphics. The story, if there is one, remains a mystery to me. Each chapter takes you through a different floor of a building, where you must solve increasingly complex puzzles to advance. Interestingly, you can move to the next floor without solving all puzzles on the current one, and some puzzles require items from later floors. The game breaks the fourth wall with amusing comments, like noting an item's graphic "isn't detailed enough to be important." The hint system is a lifesaver, though perhaps a bit too generous, as it rapidly cycles through hints for unsolved puzzles. I made it to the third floor before relying heavily on hints.
The puzzles strike a balance—obvious once solved, but not overly obscure. The developers, experienced in this genre, clearly know their craft. Navigation can be confusing, especially with rooms looping back to corridors in unexpected ways, but it's a minor issue overall. A Fragile Mind won't convert skeptics of the genre, but it's a solid example for fans. I'll definitely keep playing.
Robert Maines
In A Fragile Mind, you wake up in a garden inside a building, clueless about your identity and surroundings. As you explore, you take photos and find objects and clues to solve puzzles and progress. While the graphics and sound are functional rather than fantastic, the puzzles are challenging enough to require occasional walkthrough consultations. The game is relatively short, with little replay value once completed. If you enjoy puzzle adventures, it's definitely worth a try.
Torbjörn Kämblad
Escape-the-room puzzles have been some of my best mobile gaming experiences. However, A Fragile Mind falls on the lower end of the spectrum for me. The presentation feels muddy, making it hard to distinguish puzzle pieces and sometimes the puzzles themselves. The UI design, with the menu button awkwardly placed in the top left corner, makes accidental taps frustrating. The game's pacing feels off, offering too many puzzles at once, which led me to rely on the hint system right from the start just to navigate.
Mark Abukoff
I usually find puzzle games too difficult for the payoff, but A Fragile Mind pleasantly surprised me. The game offers plenty of audio and visual customization, which I appreciate. The aesthetic and atmosphere are engaging, and the puzzles are intriguing with a helpful hint system that guides you effectively. Though short, it's a worthwhile experience for the price. Highly recommended!
Diane Close
Imagine waking up disoriented in your car at night in front of an abandoned circus with a note directing you to the trunk. You find a feather and a razor blade, then confront a giant elephant at the circus entrance. This scenario captures the essence of A Fragile Mind—a game filled with layered puzzles that you must solve simultaneously to advance. The game runs smoothly on Android devices, especially Google Pixel phones, with a variety of visual and sound options and good accessibility features. It's about an hour long for expert solvers and includes plenty of humor and puns. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
What is the App Army?
The App Army is Pocket Gamer's community of mobile game enthusiasts. We regularly ask them to share their insights on new games, and their feedback is invaluable to us. To join, simply head over to our Discord Channel or Facebook Group and request access by answering the three questions. We'll get you in promptly.
