Fracture just clocked in at four years. It’s the VALORANT map that cleaves the community in twain, just like its very own set of ziplines! Riot Games launched this wild H-shaped trick play in the year 2021, and the reactions back then were genuinely something. And now, after a big-fat four years, all remains unchanged-a bunch of pissed-off players in social media shouting their opinions in very loud voices, not a single one with anything to actually show for it-neither love nor hate, it’s either all or nothing, either the map is the greatest thing since sliced bread or it has to be thrown away in real sunshine. No exaggeration whatsoever.
An anniversary shoutout by the official VALORANT Leaks account has generated a chaotic reply storm. Throwing a grenade into the room would almost be like watching everyone pick a side before the smoke clears-and true to it, HexoArc pretty much captured that general internet sentiment: ‘Fracture is either the best or the worst map in the pool, no in-between.’ Yup, that is exactly it. There is your entire discussion right there-one is either on one or the other side of the fracture with no other way.
And with extreme extremes comes their extreme nature. So that leaves Triumphhhhhh to proclaim it “The best map ever.” Such a declaration is made with utmost confidence. But then again, therein comes Brek_ with “The worst map ever.” Somebody should definitely turn that into a digital food fight of opinions. Passion, man. Passions are real.
But no doubt, some love goes out there. There is that serious bunch who actually mourn that the map isn’t in rotation anymore. Aaron said, “I miss fracture and pearl so much.” Fortu followed it up with another heartfelt, “I miss it.” That’s real sorrow surrounding some players; just imagine how crazy it is for a video game level. That much, those maps have indeed left an impression.
Then you have the analytical type. MQ GH0ST goes into a full paragraph of praise, describing it as “The most unique and innovative map in Valorant.” They say its removal is a blow to the pro scene and frustrated that “every professional Fracture game is always a blast to watch” how teams have to devise unique strategies, especially post-agent nerfs. It is a map that mentally challenged you, and quite a few people really appreciate that sort of creative challenge.
But because the internet is the internet, there had to be some mixing-up. Yak was just bluntly confused by the whole thing, “How has the map been out for 4 years and its still being worked on π” and, while solid, SK Gaming had an existential moment, tweeting, “No way I’ve played this game for over 4 years,” with a crying emoji. The map anniversary made all of us stuck in this cycle face inward for one occasion.
And I mean, man, the memes. We can’t let those memes slip a tiptoe away, oh no. _Aπ½ππΆπ«ππ served up a Batman Two-Face gif with the caption ‘2 sides of a coin.’ Nailed it. Lunnsage has literally gone for a hack, however, replying ‘Burn itβ¦ BURN IT’ with a gif of something burning. The duality of man; that’s it in level form.
It’s something to marvel at. And most game maps are just there. They get launched; people play; maybe they have a favorite. In that third choice: Fracture? Fracture is an experience. It’s a personality. It’s the map you are having a full relationship with. You either love seeing it pop up, or you immediately groan in contempt of possibly dodging the queue. There’s no apathy. With a game of a rotating map pool, its absence is felt deeply by the fans, and its haters are grateful for a break.
And now, four years later, the heat continues to spill upon the map. This one really fired the design world, even if ‘special’ means bipolar. There’s competently serious testament to their design where one map has evoked such raw and lasting feelings from an entire player base. Whether you supported the map with love for ziplines and the split-site chaos or you can never really stomach it, you have an opinion on the matter. And I think that is a win for modern-day gaming that anyone really cares about. So now, can somebody just bring this map back into rotation so we all can argue about it for real? Please?
