In My Shadow

In My Shadow is a great puzzle game with a rather underwhelming story.

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"In My Shadow" is a puzzle-platformer game where players manipulate shadows to solve levels and navigate through a melancholic narrative. Using light sources, players change the shape and position of shadows to create paths, overcome obstacles, and uncover the emotions of a young girl. The game features hand-drawn art and a reflective journey through memories and self-discovery.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

69%

Audience ScoreBased on 28 reviews

story4 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The shadow-based puzzle mechanics are innovative and provide a unique gameplay experience that encourages creative problem-solving.
The game features charming visuals and a soothing soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere.
The level design is well thought out, with a good variety of puzzles that gradually increase in complexity, making it engaging for players.

The controls can be finicky, particularly with jumping mechanics, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
There are several bugs and glitches present, such as inconsistent hitboxes and collision detection issues that can disrupt the flow of the game.
The story feels disjointed and lacks depth, which may leave players wanting more narrative context to accompany the gameplay.

story
20 mentions
20 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The game's story, while touching and emotional, particularly focusing on themes of childhood trauma, is often overshadowed by its puzzles and gameplay mechanics. Players note that the narrative can feel disjointed and lacks depth, with some moments being impactful but overall presenting a bland experience. Despite its artistic intentions, the storytelling may not be the primary draw for players, who might find more enjoyment in the puzzling elements.
- “In my shadow is a newly released 2D-3D hybrid puzzle platformer with an emotional story about a depressed girl going through childhood trauma.”
- “If you are here for the story you will get a good one.”
- “The story is a nice touch too but the quirky puzzles steal the show!”
- “Also be warned, the story involves a dog dying.”
- “The story is... there.”
- “The still images between levels range from passable to creepy looking, with a bland story and repetitive soundtrack.”
gameplay
10 mentions
20 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a unique shadow-based puzzle platforming mechanic that allows players to manipulate objects to create platforms for the character Bella. While some users find the controls finicky and the overall gameplay basic, the innovative shadow mechanic offers engaging and entertaining puzzle-solving experiences, reminiscent of the satisfaction found in challenging games like Dark Souls. Overall, the game is considered enjoyable, particularly for fans of puzzle mechanics.
- “The shadow mechanic is very fun to play with and it opens up so many possibilities of solving a puzzle, which often leads to unique and entertaining experiences!”
- “Kudos to the developer for the original puzzle mechanic.”
- “I like the concept, but the controls aren't great and it seems like the gameplay mostly consists of finicky jumps.”
- “It's an okay enough vehicle to drive the gameplay, but it's very basic overall.”
- “The gameplay revolves around the player arranging objects in a room so that the shadow of the object can create platforms that will help the shadow of a little girl named Bella cross a room.”
music
8 mentions
38 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as a mix of soothing ambient tracks that enhance the gaming experience, though some users find the background music to be repetitive and unappealing. While a few appreciate the calming quality of the score, others suggest muting it in favor of personal playlists. Overall, opinions are divided, with some praising the innovative concept and beautiful music, while others criticize the limited and sometimes draining soundtrack.
- “Anyways, the 6 tracks of ambient music will keep you engaged with the game. It feels so soothing and smooth... even the menu screen has a lovely aesthetic.”
- “Brilliant and innovative concept with great music!”
- “Beautiful calming music.”
- “There aren’t many soundtracks.”
- “The background music is horrible and draining - easily can be solved by muting it and putting your playlist in the background.”
- “You can overlook cut-scenes, and mute the horrid music and play this gem.”
graphics
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are praised for their impressive 3D touch and high-quality art design, contributing to an overall visually appealing experience without any noticeable bugs.
- “I really like the visuals, and I didn't find any bugs.”
- “The art style of the game is impressive.”
- “The art style of the game is lacking.”
- “The graphics feel outdated and do not meet modern standards.”
- “The visual design is underwhelming and could use significant improvement.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
"In My Shadow" is a 2D-3D hybrid puzzle platformer that explores an emotional narrative centered on a depressed girl dealing with childhood trauma. The game's artistic choices enhance its storytelling, creating a touching experience that resonates with players.
- “In My Shadow is a newly released 2D-3D hybrid puzzle platformer with an emotional story about a depressed girl going through childhood trauma.”
- “The story is an emotional one and the game is meant to be an experience, so creating a lively character to express a story about childhood trauma wouldn’t have fit the experience that the developer wanted to convey.”
- “The story felt touching in moments.”