It Steals

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,246 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • atmosphere
It Steals Game Cover
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In "It Steals," players navigate through a dark, eerie town as they uncover the truth about stolen memories. The game features a unique mechanic where memories are stored in physical objects, which can be found and collected throughout the environment. As players delve deeper into the mystery, they must avoid being caught by the elusive "It" that steals their memories. The game combines atmospheric exploration with intense stealth gameplay, creating a suspenseful and immersive experience.

Play Modes

Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,246 reviews
gameplay40 positive mentions
story5 negative mentions
  • The game is genuinely terrifying, with a unique concept that flips the traditional horror formula by having the monster hide from the player.
  • Each game mode offers a distinct experience, keeping gameplay fresh and engaging with clever mechanics and a strong atmosphere.
  • For its low price, the game provides a high-quality horror experience that is both fun and challenging, making it a great value.
  • The game is relatively short, which may leave players wanting more content after completing all modes.
  • Some players find certain modes, like Living Halls, to be tedious and less enjoyable compared to others.
  • The difficulty can be frustrating for some, especially in modes where the monster's behavior feels random or unfair.
  • gameplay105 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its unique mechanics across multiple modes, offering a fresh take on classic arcade horror elements reminiscent of Pac-Man. Players engage in tense, atmospheric experiences that require strategic thinking and adaptability, as each mode introduces distinct challenges and monsters. While some find the core mechanics simple, the overall execution and variety keep the gameplay engaging and replayable, making it a worthwhile experience for horror fans.

    • “This is essential gaming: a stylish mini-anthology of mechanics-based arcade horror experiments, and a fresh take on the Pac-Man formula.”
    • “The atmosphere is intense, and the gameplay keeps you on edge with its clever mechanics and unforgettable monsters.”
    • “Unique and engaging game mechanics is what truly makes this a fun roller coaster ride.”
    • “The gameplay loop is really dull and repetitive.”
    • “I just don't feel motivated to play now that I've experienced the novelty of the horror elements, and the gameplay does not feel very replayable, either.”
    • “I'd say the only problem I have with this game is that the mechanics feel a bit simple and have little to no nuances, although the fear more than makes up for it.”
  • graphics36 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a unique, low-poly art style reminiscent of PS1-era visuals, which effectively contributes to its eerie atmosphere and horror elements. While some players appreciate the nostalgic aesthetic and its ability to create tension without relying on jump scares, others find the simplistic graphics less appealing. Overall, the visuals are praised for their atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the game's unsettling vibe, making it stand out in the indie horror genre.

    • “Amazing visuals and audio design, knows how to make you scared effectively.”
    • “The graphics give it a unique unsettling vibe that sets it apart from other horror-esque games I've seen.”
    • “The art style fits so well with the theme and it's genuinely scary at times.”
    • “Wouldn't recommend if you're looking for graphics.”
    • “Unless you really want that low-resolution, PS1-graphics look, I didn't find it enhancing to the experience at all.”
    • “The low-poly creepy PS1-like graphics, the pixel filter that doesn't let you clearly see what really is going on, the maze appearances and designs, the 'easy' Pacman-like gameplay, the AI, the surreal sound design, and, of course, the monsters.”
  • atmosphere31 mentions

    The atmosphere of "It Steals" is widely praised for its intense and terrifying qualities, effectively combining sound design, art style, and gameplay mechanics to create a deeply engaging horror experience. Players appreciate the game's ability to maintain a creepy ambiance without relying on cheap jump scares, making it both fun and frightening. Overall, the atmosphere is described as oppressive yet captivating, ensuring that players remain on edge throughout their playthroughs.

    • “The atmosphere is intense, and the gameplay keeps you on edge with its clever mechanics and unforgettable monsters.”
    • “I've never seen a game have such a terrifying and oppressive atmosphere yet be so incredibly fun at the same time.”
    • “The first time I played it, the atmosphere was creepy enough to make me leave the game before I even saw the monster.”
    • “The brilliant sound design amplifies the already petrifying atmosphere by a solid order of magnitude.”
    • “A game with a very scary atmosphere where you will die a lot.”
  • story15 mentions

    The game features minimal to no story, focusing instead on delivering a raw horror experience through atmosphere and gameplay. Players are thrown directly into the action without context or lore, which some appreciate for its simplicity and intensity. Overall, it is recommended for those seeking a short, immersive horror experience rather than a narrative-driven game.

    • “Overall, it's a very good game. I highly recommend this for those who like a short horror experience with a unique style and tone, with minimal story.”
    • “The latter are so simple, no backstory or anything, yet their simplicity, alongside the weird, surreal sounds they emit, really makes them creepy and original.”
    • “However, I do recommend this game if you're after a night of spooks and gameplay rather than a compelling story or atmosphere.”
    • “There is no story, no context; it just throws you into this game that is pure, unfiltered, raw horror.”
    • “There's no lore or story to be found here, so if that's what you're looking for, wrong game.”
    • “Little to no story but a great horror experience.”
  • humor12 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a standout feature, with players appreciating its originality and comedic elements, such as the quirky "funny leg monster" and amusing interactions like wacking a pumpkin for a laugh. While some reviews express skepticism about the game's overall quality, many find it entertaining and suitable for creating funny moments in videos, highlighting its lighthearted and silly nature. Overall, the humor is seen as a significant draw, contributing to the game's charm and enjoyment.

    • “Unlike other games which fail to scare you after many years of milking FNAF or some Sonic EXE nonsense, this game is original fun and has some of the best hand animations ever. This game even has humor.”
    • “Good orbs, funny monster, and now I need to replace my pants.”
    • “A very silly game about running away from a funny leg guy.”
  • replayability11 mentions

    Overall, the game offers a mix of high replayability due to its unique mechanics, varied levels, and engaging gameplay modes, appealing to players interested in achievement hunting and speedrunning. However, some users feel that once the novelty of the horror elements wears off, the motivation to replay diminishes, leading to a more mixed perception of its long-term replay value. Despite this, many still find it a fun and terrifying experience worth revisiting.

    • “An excellent short horror experience with replayable game modes.”
    • “Genuinely the best horror game I've played; very fun, very scary, and very replayable.”
    • “The different levels and how each one is played differently gives it so much replay value, especially when achievement hunting or speedrunning.”
    • “Extremely good horror game with some very unique mechanics, decent replayability too.”
    • “I love how arcade-like it is, which adds some replayability to it.”
  • music6 mentions

    The music in the game is described as engaging and well-designed, enhancing the overall experience, particularly during intense moments like chases. Players have mixed feelings about the juxtaposition of upbeat tracks with horror elements, often using their own music choices to cope with the game's challenges. Despite some frustrations with gameplay, the soundtrack remains a notable highlight.

    • “Sound design and music is fantastic as well.”
    • “The songs I listened to were: 'Thriller' by Michael Jackson, 'Cotton Eye Joe' by Rednex, 'Paint It Black' by The Rolling Stones, 'Pilgerfahrt' by Stimmhorn, and finally beat it while 'Baby I'm Yours' by Breakbot played.”
    • “Listening to the chipi chapa song for hours while doing the 'deaf' achievement does something to you.”
    • “The game wants to convince me that blasting Bo Burnham is 'the reason I haven't gotten past Shutter yet' and that 'I'm a coward for purposely playing loud and relatively upbeat music while playing a horror game.' But when you break it down, I'm really just doing a power move that I don't even need to hear legs skidding. Anyway, do not buy this game; I would refund it, but my ego does not allow me.”
    • “Beat the 'deaf' achievement while listening to music because it told me to.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    Players report a profound emotional impact from the game, describing experiences of genuine fear, sadness, and a lasting sense of unease. Many express a deep love for the game despite its emotional toll, indicating that it evokes strong feelings reminiscent of other intense gaming experiences. Overall, the game leaves players emotionally affected, often requiring time to recover before revisiting.

    • “I am never touching this game again; I love it... but my heart will never feel the same.”
    • “10/10, scary as hell; will play more once I've emotionally recovered.”
    • “This game made me cry.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mix of tediousness and enjoyment, with the pursuit of leveling up numerous perks and abilities providing a sense of accomplishment. However, some modes, like living halls, are particularly criticized for being excessively tedious, leading to comments about the time investment required for completion.

    • “Hundreds of thousands of perks, abilities, stats, and whatever to level up through years of grinding (because today if you don't have an RPG system, you are nobody).”
    • “My least favorite is living halls - it is the most tedious mode to play (at least for me).”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Overall, the game is well-optimized, featuring impressive graphics and engaging game modes. However, achieving 100% completion presents a significant challenge, demanding peak performance from players.

    • “Also, achieving 100% completion is quite a tough challenge, as it pushes your performance to its fullest.”
    • “Very good game, well optimized, with cool graphics and interesting game modes and concepts.”
    • “Also, 100% completion is quite a tough challenge, as it pushes your performance to its fullest.”
    • “Performance issues severely hinder the overall experience.”
    • “The optimization feels lacking, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy It Steals

Play time

5hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
3-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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