We’ve been keeping tabs on the release of Forgotten Fragments, a new pixel art puzzle platformer from developer Binary Phoenix and publisher Assemble Entertainment. The game is out now on Steam, priced at $12.99, and we’ve played through the first few hours to bring you our thoughts on this delightful puzzler. Forgotten Fragments‘ story is based around a young girl, Enid, who has forgotten why she ended up in a strange community. After waking up, an elderly lady sends Enid on a journey to uncover some fragments that will give Enid her memories back.
To get the memory fragments back, you’ll need to complete a series of levels, each broken down into single-screen puzzles that form the main gameplay mechanics. The overworld for each level is great, as it becomes a giant platforming level with its own little sections to conquer. Every few platforming portions, you’ll reach a new puzzle and enter through a door. Once inside, you can see the entire area and will have to start figuring out what to do. To beat each puzzle in Forgotten Fragment, you have to get blue crystals into chambers. It sounds simple, but things ramp up quickly.
The first few puzzles act as an introductory course to the basic mechanics in Forgotten Fragments. After you know the basics of how to control Enid and interact with the items, switches, and those all-important crystals, you’re set to start working out the puzzles. Failing on the level can happen in many ways, from falling into water, not depositing a crystal in time, or touching traps such as spikes. As soon as you fail, you’ll be warped back to the start and can have another go. Once the puzzle is complete, Enid is sent back to the main overworld level and can progress.
The puzzles in Forgotten Fragments are devilishly difficult, but also fair. While some puzzles will be cracked quite quickly, some require not just good lateral thinking, but precision platforming. This mix of clever puzzles and well-designed platforming is where this game really shines. Both gameplay aspects are of a high quality, and there is a real satisfaction to finishing a puzzle, especially if you’ve died multiple times. Also, due to how quickly you can restart each section, the trial-and-error style of gameplay doesn’t leave you feeling frustrated at any point.
It’s not just brilliant gameplay mechanics that make Forgotten Fragments a winner. The controls are also tight, although there is the odd time when the precision platforming aspect does feel a bit harsh, and we’d prefer a little slack, but overall, this plays well. Another standout aspect is the beautiful pixel art that is not only charming but detailed, colorful, and at times jaw-dropping. Every level, every puzzle, and every cutscene is excellent, as is the delightful soundtrack that complements the aesthetics well.
Overall, Forgotten Fragments is a well-designed puzzle platformer that exceeds its price point, especially given the level of attention in the presentation. The puzzles become increasingly difficult, the artwork never lets up, and the general pleasurability of slowly grinding through keeps you coming back. Anyone who enjoys a tough challenge and beautiful pixel art will get a lot of joy from this one, as will those who just love cracking hard games with ingenious mechanics.
