Status:
No Manual
Playtested
Fracture (PS3) Review
Released: 2008
Developer: Day 1 Studios
Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Fracture is a third-person shooter with a unique terrain deformation mechanic, allowing players to raise and lower the ground in real-time to create cover, solve puzzles, and manipulate the battlefield. While the concept is innovative, repetitive gameplay, a forgettable story, and average shooting mechanics hold the game back from greatness.
What Works
Unique Terrain Deformation Mechanic
- Players can alter the battlefield using a tool called Entrencher, which lets you raise and lower terrain to create cover, access new areas, or crush enemies.
- Adds a fresh twist to standard shooter gameplay.
Creative Weapons
- Aside from standard guns, grenades and explosives interact with terrain in fun ways:
- Tectonic Grenades raise the ground.
- Subsonic Grenades create sinkholes.
- Spike Grenades generate tall rock pillars.
Decent Level Variety
- Environments include deserts, urban warzones, and futuristic sci-fi bases.
Physics-Based Puzzle Solving
- Some levels require using terrain manipulation to solve puzzles and progress.
Multiplayer Had Potential
- Online multiplayer (now defunct) supported terrain-shifting combat, making for unique battles.
What Doesnt Work
Weak & Generic Story
- Set in a dystopian future where the U.S. is divided, but the plot is uninspired and forgettable.
- The protagonist, Jet Brody, is bland and lacks personality.
Repetitive Gameplay
- Despite the cool terrain manipulation, shootouts feel repetitive and uninspired.
- Enemies lack variety, making combat predictable.
Unpolished Controls & Clunky Combat
- Gunplay feels floaty and lacks impact compared to other shooters of its time (Gears of War, Resistance, etc.).
- Melee attacks and aiming feel stiff.
Terrain Deformation Is Underutilized
- While the terrain mechanic is fun, the game doesnt fully explore its potential in level design.
- Most battles dont require creative use of terrain, making it feel gimmicky rather than revolutionary.
Mediocre Graphics & Bland Visuals
- For a 2008 PS3 game, textures and character models look outdated.
- Lacks visual polish compared to other shooters of the era.
Final Verdict
🟡 Final Score: 6.5/10
Fracture introduces a cool terrain deformation mechanic, but fails to build a great game around it. The shooting is average, the story is forgettable, and the gameplay quickly becomes repetitive. While terrain manipulation is fun, it feels more like a gimmick than a game-changer.
Pros:
Unique terrain-shaping mechanics
Some creative weapons
Decent level variety
Cons:
Generic story and protagonist
Repetitive combat and enemies
Clunky controls and stiff shooting
Terrain mechanic isnt fully utilized
Recommendation: If youre looking for a shooter with a unique twist, Fracture is worth a curiosity playthrough, but dont expect a groundbreaking experience.
