I’ve always enjoyed games published by Annapurna Interactive, and it’s a bonus that they almost always feature adorable and unique art styles. During Annapurna Interactive’s appearance at Tokyo Game Show, I knew that just about every announcement would have a guaranteed spot on my wishlist. I felt the same way when Demi and the Fractured Dream appeared, especially since it reminded me of how much I enjoy platformers with a fantastical breadth that draws inspiration from classics like The Legend of Zelda and even Rayman.
In Demi and the Fractured Dream, you follow, well, Demi, as a mysterious voice guides them that they’re compelled to follow in a dark yet vibrant world. Not only is Demi hearing voices, but they are also a Voidsent, beings who can harness the cursed powers of the void. How exactly is this like some of the classics we’ve come to know and love? Developer Yarn Owl ensured that there was a perfect balance between attacks, tools, spells, and platforming goodness, so every means of escaping or way to move forward involves a bit of thought. In fact, those are the three skills you upgrade throughout your adventure.
Circling back to the art style, Demi and the Fractured Dream features a gorgeous cel-shaded style that really helps in cementing a fantastical and adventurous vibe throughout. I can’t help but compare many aspects of my experience to titles like The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and Okami, both in terms of gameplay, style, and speed. I very much enjoyed the fast-paced combat, as it required me to slow down at times, focus more on dodging, and utilize different attacks. I can’t describe the number of times I had to try battles again because I was getting too ahead of myself and not paying attention.
Despite the preview being relatively short, I did experience a boss battle that really got me excited for what’s to come when it’s launched. After finishing what was available of the preview, I started it up again. I found I was able to explore a bit and take advantage of the tools I had found to locate secret areas and find additional experience points. I can’t wait to see what sort of sticky situations I’ll need to get out of or fights I’ll need to be strategic about when the full game launches.
I’d highly recommend Demi and the Fractured Dream to anyone who is a fan of platformers or is even looking to get into gaming without the stress of following an existing franchise. It will be available on PC via Steam and the Epic Games store, as well as PlayStation and Xbox. For now, you should add it to your wishlist to be notified of any news, as well as when it officially launches sometime in 2026.
