OneShift

About

OneShift is a single player casual platformer game. It was developed by Mazen Games and was released on August 10, 2018. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

OneShift is a puzzle platformer where the player has the ability to freeze/unfreeze time and shift through worlds to collect blue cubes. But only one world can be active at a time. Later in the game, a world rotating mechanic is unveiled, which makes everything more complex!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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72%

Audience ScoreBased on 265 reviews

gameplay14 positive mentions

optimization6 negative mentions

Interesting concept with unique mechanics involving time manipulation and world shifting.
Offers a substantial number of levels that can be completed in a short time, making it a good casual game.
Some puzzles are engaging and provide a sense of accomplishment when solved.

Controls are often clunky and unresponsive, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
The game suffers from performance issues, including lag and stuttering, especially in later levels.
Level design can be repetitive and lacks variety, with some levels feeling tedious and overly simplistic.

gameplay
63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
72%
6%
The gameplay of Oneshift is a mixed bag, featuring innovative mechanics like time manipulation and world shifting that provide engaging puzzle-solving experiences. However, many players find the execution inconsistent, with issues such as buggy controls, repetitive level design, and a lack of evolving mechanics leading to frustration and boredom over time. While some appreciate the minimalist aesthetic and the potential for creative solutions, others criticize the game for feeling like a chore rather than a rewarding challenge.
- “It's a fun puzzle platformer with some interesting mechanics.”
- “The mechanics of manipulating worlds and time are really addictive, there are many levels, the controls are convenient, and the design is minimalistic but stylish.”
- “Overall, Oneshift is a carefully crafted puzzle platformer that successfully blends minimalist design with innovative mechanics.”
- “The game has a substantial number of levels, and I think that they could've showcased all the game has to offer in a much smaller amount, as there aren't many new gameplay mechanics added along the way.”
- “Just no... hint to developers, if you're making platformers, make sure you actually have good controls and players won't have to keep failing due to poor jumping mechanics.”
- “The main mechanic — switching planes to solve puzzles — has potential but is executed clumsily.”
graphics
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
59%
10%
The graphics in the game are characterized by a minimalistic, low-poly aesthetic that some players find clean and relaxing, while others criticize them as rudimentary and lacking in detail. Performance issues, such as stuttering, detract from the experience, and the graphical options can be confusing. Overall, while the visuals may not be extraordinary, they serve the gameplay well by reducing clutter and providing clear visual cues, making the game accessible for puzzle enthusiasts.
- “The graphics are beautiful.”
- “While the aesthetic may appear simple compared to more graphically detailed titles, it serves the gameplay exceptionally well by reducing clutter and providing immediate visual cues for interaction.”
- “The combination of clean visuals and fluid animations ensures that players can intuitively understand each level’s layout and mechanics.”
- “Oneshift is pretty barebones in terms of visuals and overall experience.”
- “In spite of the rudimentary graphics, the game suffers from performance issues - stuttering and temporary hangs - which can actually cause you to fail levels.”
- “The lack of textures is a method that lazy devs often use to disguise their lack of talent or interest in doing the graphics properly, trying to disguise it under the name of 'art', or 'we made it look bad on purpose', which really isn't something gamers should have to put up with.”
music
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
39%
13%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its minimalist and calming qualities that enhance the puzzle-solving experience, while others find it repetitive or lacking depth. Many describe the soundtrack as good, with a few noting it evokes vibes reminiscent of games like Portal 2, though some players feel it can become annoying during specific gameplay mechanics. Overall, the music is generally seen as a pleasant backdrop that supports the game's atmosphere, despite some criticisms regarding its repetitiveness.
- “When that mechanic clicks, the game delivers some genuinely original moments, supported by a minimalist visual style and a pleasant soundtrack.”
- “Nice minimal parkour puzzle game with a great soundtrack.”
- “The soundtrack provides a calm and unobtrusive backdrop that keeps the focus on puzzle-solving.”
- “The music is a little bad and boring, but the idea of the game is great and you can play it for hours, thinking about how to solve this level.”
- “Graphics are minimalistic to almost non-existent; the music is just okay.”
- “[*][b]music:[/b] poor.”
optimization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
36%
43%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant stuttering and performance issues, particularly in later levels, which can hinder gameplay. While a few users report smooth performance and no noticeable frame rate drops, others highlight that the game suffers from poor optimization, especially as players progress. Overall, the game could benefit from additional polish to improve controls, performance, and level balancing.
- “Oneshift is designed with accessibility in mind, offering full controller support and smooth performance on a wide range of systems.”
- “The game runs smoothly and I have no complaints.”
- “With some extra polish in controls, performance, and level balancing, it could become a much more solid experience.”
- “Level 77 in particular has a massive stuttering problem for some reason, making it so you have to be nearly perfect in order to complete the level.”
- “Took me around 2 hours to get to that level and stayed stuck there for around an hour so far because the stuttering makes you fall off the map more than I would like to admit.”
- “Horrible performance.”
stability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, minor glitches, and frustrating freezes that disrupt gameplay, particularly during critical moments. While some enjoy the puzzles, the persistent stutters and lag during actions like jumping and collecting items detract significantly from the overall experience, leading to a sense of an unfinished product.
- “There are also small stutters and brief freezes that, while not game-breaking, become distracting during the most demanding sections.”
- “A fun game that requires some thought to complete the first levels, but then you have to battle against the freezes that occur with every action (jumping, pausing, collecting...), which in the later levels makes the game very difficult and, above all, frustrating.”
- “Every time you jump, pause, rotate, or collect an orb, the game freezes, and this lag then becomes the hardest part of the game - not the puzzles themselves.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players criticize the grinding aspect of the game as excessively tedious and frustrating, with frequent lag and unpolished platforming mechanics that disrupt gameplay. The requirement to pause time before changing planes adds unnecessary friction, making the experience feel more like busywork than a challenging adventure. Overall, the grinding is seen as a major detractor from the game's enjoyment.
- “Having to pause time before changing the plane adds unnecessary friction and slows down the pacing, making the experience feel more tedious than challenging.”
- “The levels feel tedious, especially those where you already know the solution but the platforming, which is completely unpolished, will mess you up repeatedly.”
- “Just tedious busywork, no skill or real thought required.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The atmosphere in the game is characterized by smooth animations and a well-integrated sound design that enhances the overall experience. While the concept is intriguing and creates a tense ambiance, some players find the gameplay to be limited and repetitive. Additionally, the inclusion of a good soundtrack and diverse puzzles contributes positively to the atmospheric experience.
- “Animations are smooth, and the sound effects blend nicely into the overall atmosphere.”
- “Interesting concept with a tense atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
- “Oneshift features a great soundtrack and a variety of puzzles that enhance the atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players.”
- “Despite the potential, the game's atmosphere is dull and fails to evoke any real emotion.”
- “The environments are repetitive and fail to create a compelling atmosphere that draws you in.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers feel that the game's monetization model resembles that of a free web game supported by ads, which is at odds with its $5 price tag for a short playtime of two to three hours.
- “The game feels akin to a web game that you would play for free with ads, rather than a $5 Steam game you can complete in two to three hours realistically.”
- “The monetization model is frustrating, as it feels like the developers are more focused on making money than providing a quality gaming experience.”
- “I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its clever and amusing concept, particularly noted in the game credits, which feature a tongue-in-cheek anti-piracy warning that adds an unexpected layer of comedy.
- “Funny concept.”
- “The most hilarious part of this is when you go into the game credits (I did to make sure the developer properly credited the sound assets that legally require it, and yeah, he didn't); the credits include an anti-piracy warning.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game offers solid replayability through its Steam cloud integration, allowing players to maintain progress across devices, and features over 100 achievements that encourage mastery and exploration. Players are advised to adjust graphics settings for optimal performance, enhancing the overall experience.
- “Steam cloud integration ensures that players can maintain progress across devices, while the inclusion of over 100 achievements adds replay value for those seeking to fully master the game.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews indicate that the game lacks a significant or engaging story, with some users noting that there is essentially no narrative present.