It Steals
- April 3, 2020
- Zeekerss
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreIn "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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- gameplay210 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its unique mechanics across five distinct modes, each offering a fresh take on the classic maze-running formula reminiscent of Pac-Man. Players engage in tense, atmospheric experiences that require strategic thinking and adaptability, as the AI monsters actively seek them out rather than simply chasing them. While some modes may feel repetitive or gimmicky, the overall design and execution provide a compelling and engaging horror experience, making it a worthwhile purchase for fans of the genre.
“This is essential gaming: a stylish mini-anthology of mechanics-based arcade horror experiments, and a fresh take on the Pac-Man formula.”
“The gameplay loop and atmosphere combine into a one-of-a-kind horror experience.”
“Unique and engaging game mechanics is what truly makes this a fun roller coaster ride.”
“The gameplay loop is really dull and repetitive.”
“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.”
“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.”
- graphics72 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of this indie horror game are characterized by a unique, low-poly art style reminiscent of PS1-era visuals, which effectively contributes to its eerie atmosphere and tension. While some players appreciate the simplistic yet atmospheric design, others note that it may not appeal to those seeking ultra-realistic graphics. Overall, the visuals are praised for enhancing the game's horror elements without relying on cheap jump scares, creating a genuinely unsettling experience.
“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.”
- atmosphere62 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative 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 game is considered a must-play for horror fans, delivering a unique and oppressive atmosphere that keeps players on edge throughout multiple 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.”
- story30 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game features little to no story, focusing instead on delivering a raw and immersive horror experience. Players are thrown directly into gameplay without context or lore, which some appreciate for its simplicity and creepy atmosphere. Overall, it is recommended for those seeking a short, intense horror experience rather than a compelling narrative.
“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.”
- humor24 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as quirky and entertaining, featuring absurd elements like a "funny leg monster" and silly scenarios that provide comedic relief. While some reviewers find the humor overrated, many appreciate its originality and the fun it adds to gameplay, making it suitable for humorous video moments. Overall, the game is seen as a lighthearted experience that balances its challenges with a playful tone.
“Really fun and is very underrated and very good for funny moments in videos if you are interested.”
“Good orbs, funny monster, and now I need to replace my pants.”
“A very silly game about running away from a funny leg guy.”
- replayability22 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game offers a mix of high replayability through unique mechanics and varied levels, making it enjoyable for achievement hunters and speedrunners. However, some players feel that once the novelty of the horror elements wears off, motivation to replay diminishes, leading to a mixed perception of its overall 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.”
- music12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music and sound design in the game are praised for their quality, enhancing the overall experience, particularly during intense moments like chases. Players have humorously noted the juxtaposition of upbeat tracks with horror elements, creating a unique and engaging atmosphere, even as they tackle challenging achievements. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's appeal, despite some players expressing frustration with the gameplay itself.
“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 playing purposely 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.”
- emotional12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a profound emotional impact from the game, describing experiences of genuine fear and sadness that linger long after playing. Many express a love-hate relationship with the game, indicating that while it evokes strong feelings and memorable moments, it also leaves them emotionally drained and hesitant to return. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to elicit deep emotional responses, comparable to classic horror experiences.
“This game made me cry.”
“10/10, scary as hell, will play more once I've emotionally recovered.”
“This game made me feel genuine fear again.”
- grinding8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative 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 considered particularly monotonous, leading to the sentiment that extensive grinding may require an excessive time commitment.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“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).”
- optimization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its strong optimization, featuring impressive graphics and engaging game modes. Players find the challenge of achieving 100% completion to be demanding, as it tests their performance to the limit. Overall, the performance is regarded as very good.
“Very good game, well optimized, cool graphics, and cool game modes and concepts.”
“Also, 100%-ing is quite a tough challenge, since it pushes your performance to its fullest.”
