LOS ANGELES, Calif.—First revealed at Summer Game Fest with the tagline “Doki Doki Literature Club meets Silent Hill,” Fractured Blooms is an upcoming game that defies easy categorization, which adds to its allure. Developed by Serenity Forge, this title appears innocent at first, but hides a much darker essence. I got to see its unsettling aspects today during an IGN Live session.
An Unfolding Sense of Dread
In Fractured Blooms, you step into the shoes of Angie, a girl trapped in a time loop. During my demo, I guided her into a tranquil yet slightly dilapidated garden to complete the simple task of picking a tomato. What followed were daily chores like planting and watering seeds before heading inside to cook dinner. It all felt warm and inviting. However, as I progressed through these mundane activities, Angie’s thoughts grew increasingly dark. A sense of discomfort emerged, dripping from her every line.
(Credit: Serenity Forge)
According to Zhengua Yang, Serenity Forge’s founder and CEO—commonly referred to as “Z”—Fractured Blooms is rooted in true experiences.
“It’s not just inspired by my own journey; it’s based on actual events from my family,” Z shared during our interview.
As time ticked away, Angie expressed increasingly negative thoughts about herself. With just 30 seconds remaining, I directed her to bed. Her lament, “Finishing the day felt like swimming up a waterfall,” echoed hauntingly before she drifted off to sleep.
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In Fractured Blooms, carefully managing Angie’s daily activities and her food intake is crucial for maintaining her energy. The more stamina she has, the more she can do each day, allowing exploration of the house, garden, and the mysteries lurking in the shadows.
The next day started anew, but a second voice began to intrude on Angie’s gloomy thoughts, forcing her to plant beets instead of flowers. As her self-loathing intensified, the house morphed around me. I maneuvered Angie back toward the house, now illuminated, when suddenly I felt an unsettling gaze upon us.
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The Horror Within
As I replayed the previous day’s events, the pressure from the second voice’s taunts added to my challenge. The house continued to distort, and after completing dinner, the task of gathering laundry transformed from routine to hazardous with the emergence of menacing, crimson flowers sprouting throughout. The cacophony escalated, and I could feel the anxiety mounting as I rushed to locate the final pair of socks.
Fractured Blooms serves as a metaphor for psychological pain, sorrow, and mental health challenges, showcasing both horror themes and the charm of life simulation games. Despite its heavy themes, creator Z hopes that the game will strike a chord with many players.
“My goal was to create a game that appeals to everyone,” Z shared. “I want people to find something meaningful in it, learn from it, and perhaps reconsider some of their existing thoughts.”
While there is no set release date for Fractured Blooms, horror enthusiasts should stay tuned for this intriguing and promising entry in the genre.
About Zackery Cuevas
Analyst, Hardware
