Fractured Core is a tactical cyberpunk-esque JRPG made by Engram Interactive, featuring turn-based combat, corporate conspiracy story, and atmospheric pixel art set in futuristic Germany and Italy. Let’s get right into it!
The World in 2105
Fractured Core will take you into a futuristic world set in Germany and Italy in the year 2105, where skyscrapers and districts hide the dark secret of corporate corruption and dangerous technology.
You play as Michael Jones, a Raven operator from Athena PMC who’s just starting his career. But the missions aren’t ordinary ones, expect high-risk jobs like kidnapping high-value targets, infiltration ops, and eliminating biological weapon experiments.
And the story isn’t just about combat, but also ambition, betrayal, and choices full of consequences. Overall, the world feels alive, even while capturing the bleak atmosphere of a dystopian era.
Tactical Combat
The combat in Fractured Core hits quite hard because of its classic turn-based JRPG system that comes with pretty deep mechanics.
Squad members can have customized builds, from weapons to diverse psionic chips. You can harness elemental powers like Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Light, and Darkness to craft powerful attacks or apply debuffs.
Enemies aren’t mere goon either, you’ll face corporate security forces, robots, and even mecha bosses, which makes every encounter require solid strategy. There’s no such thing as an easy fight here.
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Fractured Core really feels like a traditional JRPG, but with modern vibes that keep it fresh.
Freedom of Approach
Speaking of builds, Fractured Core gives you the freedom to shape your playstyle. Characters aren’t just pre-set NPCs. You can mix different equipment and mods to try unique builds.
While exploring cities, you’ll meet NPCs from all sorts of life, from regular citizens to corporate slaves. Every conversation and decision can affect character relationships, or even reveal huge corporate secrets. This makes exploration feel more than just wandering, it’s about uncovering hidden potential and shaping your squad.
You can either play it seriously and efficiently(boring) or experiment with different builds and team setups. And at the end of the day, it all depends on your own playstyle.
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Authentic Setting and Visuals
The pixel art visuals combined with an isometric POV give off a retro vibe while still fitting perfectly with the game’s cyberpunk theme.
The cityscapes are full of amazing details, from neon lights to dynamic shadows. Even though the art is in 2D pixel style, the atmosphere still feels immersive somehow.
Effects like fire, ice, or weapon blasts during battles look detailed and slightly dramatic. Overall, the visuals set the right mood, paranoid, tense, yet still colorful. Fractured Core nails the authentic cyberpunk feel.
Underrated Gem
One might say that this game is pretty underrated. At a super affordable price, you get a JRPG with deep storytelling, unique visuals, flexible combat, and a vibrant cyberpunk world.
A small local studio like Engram Interactive has managed to create a JRPG experience that feels local yet has global appeal. If you’re into strategy, heavy narratives, and aesthetic cyberpunk vibes, this game will definitely hit just the right spot.
Even if you’re new and know nothing about JRPGs, Fractured Core can be a fresh and anti-mainstream entry point. So, gear up your strategy and dive into this dark, conspiracy-filled world. Download Fractured Core now!