Ratshaker
- October 31, 2024
- Sunscorched Studios
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam"Ratshaker" is a single-player Horror Action game that offers a good plot with plenty of humor, creating an amazing atmosphere. As the ultimate solution to rat problems, players take control of the rat-shaking device and enjoy the satisfying experience while ensuring a pest-free space. The game also guarantees fun and effective results with its unique squeak-free technology.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a unique blend of humor and horror, providing an unexpectedly deep narrative experience.
- Players find the rat shaking mechanics both entertaining and therapeutic, often leading to laughter.
- The atmosphere and sound design effectively create tension, making the game engaging despite its short length.
- The gameplay can become tedious due to the repetitive mechanics of shaking and squeezing the rat.
- Some players feel the story is predictable and lacks depth, leading to disappointment.
- Technical issues, such as crashes and performance problems, detract from the overall experience.
- humor100 mentions
- 93 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as quirky and dark, often blending absurdity with horror elements, leading to a mix of laughter and unease. While many players found the rat's antics and dialogue amusing, opinions varied widely, with some enjoying the comedic aspects and others feeling the humor fell flat or overstayed its welcome. Overall, the game is characterized by its unique ability to evoke both laughter and tension, making it a memorable experience for those who appreciate its bizarre charm.
“The game's quirky humor and engaging gameplay have provided me a much-needed escape from daily stresses, allowing me to laugh and unwind.”
“A funny and silly horror game; if you enjoy weird random horror games, then this is perfect. Amazing art style and the voice acting is just top tier.”
“Equal parts horrifying and hilarious, with rats that squeak in Dolby Ratmos.”
“I get the meme, but it's just not funny to me.”
“Generic, boring, annoying, uninspired, ugly, no aura, no sauce, no rizz, no huzz, nothing going on, unfunny, unserious, and repetitive.”
“Not even an hour of playtime (my playtime is longer because I AFK'd for a bit), and it's not funny at all.”
- story63 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is a mix of morbid themes and humor, featuring a significant plot twist that some players found predictable while others appreciated its depth and environmental storytelling. While the narrative is relatively short and can be pieced together quickly, it engages players with its quirky elements and emotional undertones, leaving a lasting impression for many. However, some reviewers criticized the story for lacking depth and gameplay, suggesting it may not satisfy those seeking a rich narrative experience.
“The storyline is intriguing and keeps you guessing.”
“This is such a weird and amazing little story!”
“The story line is so fascinating and the subliminal messages and otherworldly dialogue used to continue to engage you through this story was unbelievable.”
“There's no depth to the story.”
“So, the story just is not good, and given there is almost no gameplay, the experience and story is what is supposed to matter.”
“The payoff is supposed to be a revelation of the story, and that's an immediate fail for the core purpose of the game.”
- gameplay40 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Ratshaker™ is a mixed bag, with some players praising its quirky humor and unique rat-shaking mechanics as a source of entertainment and self-discovery, while others criticize it for being tedious and lacking depth. While some find the gameplay engaging and innovative, others feel it lacks substantial mechanics and story, leading to a disconnect between expectations and reality. Overall, the game offers a blend of absurdity and simplicity, appealing to those looking for a light-hearted experience but potentially disappointing those seeking more traditional gameplay elements.
“The gameplay and the rat-shaking physics are truly unmatched.”
“The gameplay is deceptively simple: grab a rat, shake it like it owes you rent, and let the sheer absurdity take over.”
“Unparalleled gameplay experience 10/10 would shake my rat again.”
“There are no puzzles and barely any gameplay.”
“This game has virtually no story and zero gameplay value.”
“Don't buy this expecting 'gameplay' as it is more of a story being told with symbolism and horror.”
- atmosphere35 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its effectiveness in creating a spooky and unnerving experience, with many players noting its ability to build tension and maintain a sinister tone throughout. While some sections may be overly dark, the overall ambiance, complemented by a fitting soundtrack, enhances the horror elements and keeps players engaged. Despite a few criticisms regarding abrupt endings or humor undermining the tension, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature that contributes significantly to its appeal.
“Amazing imagery and fantastic atmosphere that really amps up the horror feel.”
“The atmosphere of the game was unnerving and kept me on edge most of the time.”
“Although there is a twist and I'm sure lore YouTubers would have fun dissecting this game (and I would find it interesting to watch those videos), the payoff at the end really isn't that great, and not worth enduring this sickening and deeply unsettling atmosphere.”
“In all seriousness, this is a fun little horror game that manages to do a good job building and maintaining a very sinister atmosphere that ramps up over time despite the sheer absurdity of the core premise of shaking a cartoon rat all over the screen.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics of ratshaker™ are characterized by a minimalistic yet effective aesthetic that blends retro visuals with a unique mix of 2D, 3D, and pixelated styles, creating a quirky and engaging experience. While some players appreciate the creativity and humor in the visuals, others find them lacking in quality, suggesting a divide in opinion on their overall execution. Overall, the game's art style is seen as a fitting complement to its absurdist horror theme, enhancing the overall atmosphere.
“Beautiful retro visuals (PS1 fever dream).”
“The visuals were interesting with a mix of 2D and 3D styles; that underlying pixelated touch and the retro vibe was so cool.”
“Visually, ratshaker™ embraces minimalism to an almost satirical degree, offering an aesthetic that's both laughably simple and hauntingly effective.”
“On the surface, it's a short absurdist horror experience with that weird crunchy/fried aesthetic.”
“First off, the visuals are seriously creepy.”
- emotional14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a wide range of emotional experiences, from laughter to deep sadness, often triggered by the game's whimsical yet poignant narrative centered around a mystical creature. The blend of humor and heartfelt moments creates a unique emotional journey, leaving players feeling both attached to the game's quirky elements and profoundly moved by its themes. Overall, the game is described as a wholesome experience that resonates deeply, despite its seemingly absurd premise.
“In this absolute beaut of a game, you have a mystical creature in your hand known as a 'rat'; after the game violently tells you to shake the beast, it really opens into a beautiful and heartwarming experience.”
“This is a game that emotionally touched me to my core!”
“I stayed for the emotional journey.”
- music7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with a mix of cheerful tunes that appeal to children and eerie tracks that heighten tension during gameplay. Reviewers highlight the quality of the soundtrack and voice acting, noting that it effectively sets the tone and complements the game's visuals. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, with some even humorously suggesting it deserves a Grammy for its unique contributions.
“The graphics fit this game very well; the audio, sound, and music are all very good.”
“Children especially will enjoy this fun, lighthearted game filled with fun moments, welcoming environments, and cheery music.”
“The soundtrack perfectly complements the eerie atmosphere, and let’s just say you’ll be thanking the developers for those moments of silence because that means nothing is trying to kill you… yet.”
“He sang a song for us - but I knew the lyrics to be a lie.”
“The music?”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be overly tedious, particularly due to the repetitive shaking mechanic required for actions. While some appreciate the charm of the gameplay, many express frustration with the time-consuming nature of filling the shake meter, leading to a less enjoyable experience.
“The main rat shaking mechanic could have been fun, but it's just tedious.”
“Only criticism I really have is that the first three times you need to fill the shake meter takes way too long to do; it becomes tedious and practically gave me carpal tunnel.”
“Interacting with anything requires you to shake the rat and then squeeze, which becomes tedious.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The replayability of ratshaker™ is largely viewed as lacking, with some players noting the presence of multiple endings that may not significantly enhance the experience. While it offers a unique perspective on gaming, many agree that its overall replay value is minimal, making it more of a one-time play for its low price.
“With multiple endings that might or might not be found, the replayability of Ratshaker™ is questionable at best, making it a game that's either a profound comment on the nature of gaming or just a really strange way to spend an afternoon.”
“But has zero replay value.”
“For three dollars, this is a great game, even if replayability is essentially nonexistent.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback; while some users report that it requires a mid-range gaming setup for optimal performance, others note significant improvements made by the developers. However, there are concerns about extreme unoptimization and potential issues resembling a bitcoin miner.
“But either way, the developers listened and made some great optimizations.”
“The game demands a mid-range gaming setup for optimal performance, which is frustrating for players with lower-end systems.”
“Despite being available for $2.99 on Steam, the optimization issues make it hard to enjoy the game fully.”
“The performance is lacking, and it feels like the game wasn't properly optimized for a wider range of hardware.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received criticism, particularly for its misleading advertisements that suggest a simplistic gameplay experience, which contrasts with players' expectations. Additionally, users have expressed frustration over audio issues that detract from the overall experience.
“Overall, after dealing with major audio issues, the thing that drew me to the game in the ads was the biggest drawback.”
“As someone who comes from a pro-rat household, I was surprised by this game's advertisement of being a one trick pony.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game exhibits noticeable stability issues, including sudden framerate drops and texture glitches, which reflect its rushed two-day development. While it can be entertaining as a "playable shitpost," these bugs detract from the overall experience.
“It's a bit buggy at times.”
“As playable shitposts go, it's at least amusing, but there are some very obvious signs pointing to how it was made in only two days, like sudden framerate drops, some texture glitches, and a rather abrupt ending.”
