By: Zabcarno
FRACT OSC is exactly what I imagine life is like inside a dance musicians mind. The Tron-like world crafted by developer Phosfiend System pulses with sound and light like a midnight club. The symphonic aesthetic of the game is intertwined with and enhances each puzzle you solve. Generally it's the level design that hampers the experience the most, and the only time you won't be enjoying the musical atmosphere is when you're stuck on some geometry or running into another empty dead end. Though the sounds and imagination of the world can be impressive, it is more often amateurish and aggravating.
The game starts without a hint of where to go or what to do, though you will eventually find the many puzzles contained within. The puzzles themselves are fused with music, and once completed it will wail with drums and harmony. The starting three oscillator puzzles can get a little repetitive but there is enough variety to keep you interested until you finally unlock the sequencer through a series of puzzles that will make you realize you're playing a simpler Myst as envisioned by sound engineers. Eventually music becomes your path to the goal and you are rewarded with a decked-out studio in which to finally make your own music.
Though the visuals are sometimes impressive you will often find yourself caught on some protruding piece of the environment or slope that's one degree too steep. The world is large and mostly empty of anything interesting, and really could have at least used some tightening up. I found myself stuck in inescapable holes more than once, but fortunately the game has a fast travel system that you can return to at any time. Despite this fast travel system the game remains somewhat difficult to traverse, possibly due to the lack of landmarks or the general emptiness. It's even possible to complete the green oscillator puzzles completely out of order by reaching an elevator that probably shouldn't be accessible until later. Though the game is full of these sorts of issues it never truly inhibits it, though some particularly bad falls can cost you time. Many objects in the game will flick into place based on your proximity, but instead of any intended grace it tends to just look glitchy.
In spite of the glaring flaws in world design the focus is on the music. And the music is very good. All the more impressive is that it remains good even after you've tampered with everything. Seeing the building you were in light up to the beat like a spaceship on a Boston album cover after you solve a tough puzzle is satisfying beyond doubt. The collection of synths you finally unlock are fairly robust, though presenting only a modest drumkit. The FRACT development team is obviously passionate about their work, and while this game isn't as great as I would have hoped it's exciting to see what this team might do next. If you like IDM, Dubstep, or any kind of Electro music and also love puzzles you will love this game.
FRACT OSC is available on Steam.
