Brokensides is a surreal horror action adventure game with exploration and beat 'em up elements developed for PC. Players take control of Yorunna Parva, a violent sea bunny recently freed after committing a Cardinal Crime. The experience centers on navigating a dark and strange world shaped by The Muted Era, where freedom comes through breaking obstacles and uncovering the surrounding events.
Gameplay
The core loop combines free-form exploration with direct combat against enemies that shatter like glass. Yorunna moves through surreal environments, interacting with the surroundings in ways that emphasize her destructive nature. Combat involves beating down foes until they break apart, turning every encounter into a physical release tied to the character's violent tendencies.
Exploration encourages close inspection of the land, including moments where players can pose or sit in various locations regardless of context. Creatures encountered during travel often initiate dialogue, adding layers to the atmosphere even when the player character carries an unpleasant scent from her past actions. The world itself hints at a history before the current muted state, with visual and narrative cues suggesting prior conditions that contrast the present darkness.
Mechanics revolve around the blessing of The Colorless Mother, which grants freedom from conventional rules. This setup allows Yorunna to disrupt everything she touches without restraint, creating a consistent theme of ruin and consequence throughout the adventure. The surreal horror tone emerges from these interactions, blending unsettling creature encounters with the satisfaction of physical destruction.
Game Modes
Brokensides operates as a single-player title where exploration and combat flow together without separation into distinct modes. The primary focus remains on progressing through the surreal land as Yorunna Parva, using beat 'em up actions to clear paths and advance the story of her release and investigation into the world's state.
Integrated elements allow for flexible pacing, such as pausing for environmental interactions or creature conversations alongside aggressive combat sequences. No separate multiplayer or competitive options appear in the available details, keeping the emphasis on personal discovery and the character's unique abilities within the horror-tinged adventure framework.
Story and Setting
The narrative follows Yorunna Parva after her imprisonment ends due to a Cardinal Crime. She awakens to a changed world marked by The Muted Era, seeking to understand events while exercising newfound freedom granted by The Colorless Mother. Dialogue from creatures and environmental details gradually reveal layers of the setting, including references to how the land appeared before its current condition.
Themes of irony and destruction run through the story, highlighted by Yorunna's ability to break enemies and objects alike. This ties into broader questions about her role as a vessel and the consequences of her actions in a surreal landscape filled with nasty creatures and strange phenomena.
Is It Worth Playing?
Brokensides targets players interested in surreal horror combined with action adventure and beat 'em up mechanics on PC. Its distinctive protagonist and destructive gameplay loop offer a focused experience for those drawn to unconventional character-driven stories and exploration without traditional constraints.
The game remains unreleased with a to-be-announced date and currently shows no user reviews. Those who enjoy indie titles featuring unique art styles, creature interactions, and integrated combat-exploration may find it appealing once available, particularly if the themes of freedom through ruin align with their preferences. Availability will depend on the final release, with wishlist options on major platforms serving as the current way to track progress.
