App Army Assemble: A Fragile Mind - \"Will this puzzler leave you scratching your head?\"

This week, we challenged our App Army's puzzle-solving skills with the newly released puzzle adventure game, A Fragile Mind, developed by Glitch Games. The game, which combines classic escape room mechanics with a humorous twist, garnered a mixed reception from our community. While some members appreciated the challenging puzzles and the game's humor, others felt that the presentation fell short of expectations.

Here's what our App Army had to say about A Fragile Mind:

Swapnil Jadhav

Initially, the game's icon led me to believe it might be a dull experience due to its outdated look. However, after diving into the gameplay, I discovered a unique and engaging puzzle adventure. The puzzles are tough yet captivating, making it one of the best puzzle games I've played. I recommend experiencing this game on an iPad or tablet for the best experience.

Max Williams

A Fragile Mind is a point-and-click puzzle-solving adventure with static pre-rendered graphics. The storyline, if there is one, remains elusive to me. Each chapter represents a floor in a building, and you must solve increasingly complex puzzles to progress. Interestingly, you can advance to the next floor without solving all puzzles on the current one, as some puzzles require items from higher floors. The game breaks the fourth wall with humorous comments like "isn't detailed enough to be important" when inspecting items. The hint system is helpful, though perhaps too generous, allowing rapid progression through hints. I reached the third floor before relying heavily on hints.

The puzzles are logical and well-designed, reflecting the developer's experience in this genre. However, navigating between rooms and corridors can be confusing, though this is a minor issue. Overall, A Fragile Mind is a solid example of its genre, and I plan to continue playing.

Robert Maines

In A Fragile Mind, you awaken in a garden within a building, amnesiac and disoriented. As you explore, you must take photos and uncover objects and clues to solve puzzles and advance. While the graphics and sound are functional rather than exceptional, the puzzles are challenging, often requiring a walkthrough. 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 favorite mobile gaming experiences. However, A Fragile Mind falls on the lower end of the quality spectrum. The presentation is somewhat muddy, making it difficult to distinguish puzzle pieces and the puzzles themselves. Additionally, the UI design, with the menu button in the top left corner, is prone to accidental taps, which can be frustrating. The game's pacing feels off, with too many puzzles available from the start, leading to confusion and reliance on the hint system from the beginning.

Mark Abukoff

Typically, I find puzzle games too difficult for the payoff they offer. However, A Fragile Mind pleasantly surprised me. The game offers a variety of audio and visual options, and I appreciate the aesthetic and atmosphere. The puzzles and clues are intriguing, and the hint system is well-implemented, guiding you through challenges and offering solutions when needed. Despite its short length, it's a worthwhile experience at a reasonable price. Highly recommended!

Diane Close

Imagine waking up in your car, disoriented, in front of an abandoned circus with a note directing you to the trunk. Inside, you find a feather and a razor blade, and as you approach the circus entrance, you're confronted by a giant elephant. This scenario captures the essence of A Fragile Mind. The game layers puzzles like a giant Jenga tower, requiring you to solve multiple puzzles in each room to advance the story. Taking in-game photos and physical notes is essential.

The game runs smoothly on Android devices, particularly Google Pixel phones, and offers numerous visual and sound options, along with good accessibility features. Expert puzzle solvers can complete it in about an hour, and the game is peppered with humor and puns, making it an enjoyable experience.

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The App Army is Pocket Gamer's community of mobile game enthusiasts. We regularly seek their insights on the latest games and share their feedback with our readers. To join the App Army, simply visit our Discord Channel or Facebook Group and request access by answering the three questions. We'll get you in promptly.