Boxes: Lost Fragments
Review
A bit of brain power required
by Howie Howard
reviewed on PC
Brain Power Versus Fast Twitch Muscles
Boxes: Lost Fragments can be described as being a point and click puzzle adventure game where the game player is required to use brain power in place of fast twitch reflexes. This mechanical box filled brain teaser is developed by Big Loop Studios with SnapBreak publishing. Your assignment should you choose to accept it is to portray a legendary thief tasked with solving a series of box related puzzles located in a mysterious grand mansion. Complete the grand mission and you will accomplish escape from virtual imprisonment in this puzzling adventurist affair!
Is It Just A Box Of Fragments In The Room?
No, not really, but it certainly is similar to the 2012 released The Room box puzzle game. Boxes: Lost Fragments contains five rooms, each with a mechanical box that requires the puzzle solver to work through a series of four parts of each room centred around mechanical boxes. You accomplish your task by rotating gears, sliding latches, unlocking things and performing other mechanical actions. After working the puzzle in the proper manner and sequence, a mechanical part, such as a key or other such item, is unlocked. This part is then used elsewhere in the puzzle to complete the level thus advancing to the next room or level with its new mechanical box contained within.
The first box puzzle sequence is essentially a tutorial which teaches and indicates the manner in which the mechanical boxes need to be manipulated and solved. The puzzle solving is accomplished by performing various cursor related actions, which in reality requires a lot of clicking all over the screen. If you get stuck with any of the puzzle parts, there is a hint option that when used will point you to the proper screen. However, the hint doesn't indicate the action required to solve the puzzle. If you were able to get yourself to the last accomplished part of the sequence, then the hint really isn't of much help. With that said, if the hint is of no help, then you could be just plain old stuck and frustration could set in. So don't give up, you will need to keep thinking.
A Minimalist Story But With Great Puzzles!
Boxes: Lost Fragments, like its predecessor(s) is a three-dimensional puzzle game and the 3D graphics are extraordinary both visually and in mechanical design. The accompanying sounds of locks clicking and mechanical parts being moved and rotated is also excellent and very well presented. The game contains a minimal story line in that during the opening chapter you find a note from a person named Aurora. Aurora informs you that your services are required so that something very important can be obtained. Obtaining "this very important something" will be discovered upon making your way through the rooms by completing the puzzles.
As puzzle games go, Boxes: Lost Fragments can't be considered to be overly difficult, that is if you aren't a puzzle game playing dimwit like I am. I experienced a few, shall we say difficulties, but I kept at it and eventually made my way through. With that said, sometimes the solution is not present on the screen you are presently working on. In fact, you might want to try rotating the entire box in a different fashion which might expose or give a clue so that progress can continue. That's the beauty of this puzzle game because it requires you to be able to think out of the box so to speak.
A Puzzling Conclusion?
Not really all that puzzling because the main drawback to Boxes: Lost Fragments isn't about its value as a puzzle game, it's about something else. More likely it could be the confusion in how close the game resembles The Room in both look and gameplay. Since the original publisher of the 2012 iOS and android The Room, Fireproof appeared to be "working with limited finances while providing art assets to other publishers" they could have been encouraging other indie developers to continue their work because they couldn't do it themselves. If that is indeed the case, then kudos to all of the people past and present that have worked on this game; because all I can say is that Boxes: Lost Fragments is a winner! At least where boxes with puzzles are concerned it is an excellent experience!
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9.0
fun score
Pros
May take anywhere from three to six hours to complete, but will be a joy to play no matter how long it takes you
Cons
Very similar to The Room, making it appear to be either a knock off or an unofficial sequel
