Ratshaker

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,282 reviews

humor156 positive mentions

grinding11 negative mentions

humor
166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
94%
6%
The humor in the game is described as a blend of absurdity and dark comedy, with many players finding the rat's squeaks and screams both hilarious and unsettling. While some reviews highlight moments of genuine laughter and enjoyment, others express disappointment in the humor not meeting their expectations, labeling it as either juvenile or unfunny. Overall, the game is characterized by its quirky, bizarre humor that often contrasts with its horror elements, creating a unique experience that resonates differently with players.
- “This game has made me laugh harder than any game I've played in a while; I was crying.”
- “Equal parts horrifying and hilarious, with rats that squeak in Dolby Ratmos.”
- “It starts off hilarious—just grab, shake, and watch the squeaky chaos—but before you know it, you're digging deeper into the life choices and the meaning of this character's reality.”
- “Not even an hour of playtime (my playtime is longer because I AFK'd for a bit), and it's not funny at all.”
- “Extremely mediocre, unfunny 'scary' game.”
- “Generic, boring, annoying, uninspired, ugly, no aura, no sauce, no rizz, no huzz, nothing going on, unfunny, unserious, and repetitive.”
story
115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
67%
3%
The game's story is a mix of humor and horror, featuring environmental storytelling that engages players through quirky elements and unexpected plot twists, though some found the core narrative predictable and lacking depth. While the game is short, many reviewers appreciated its unique premise and the emotional impact of its themes, particularly regarding compulsion and personal tragedy. Overall, opinions are divided, with some praising its creativity and others criticizing its simplicity and predictability.
- “This is the best game I have ever played in my life. 10/10 story, would recommend the game.”
- “The storyline is intriguing and keeps you guessing.”
- “A testament to good storytelling and excellent voice acting, Rat Shaker will give you a whole seat to sit on, but you will only need the edge.”
- “I won't necessarily spoil anything, but I was hoping the plot would have gone more into the abstract/absurd/trippy horror territory like Maize or Confraternity of Toast, but I saw the plot twist coming a mile away and it was honestly anticlimactic and kind of disappointing.”
- “This game has virtually no story and zero gameplay value.”
- “So, the story just is not good, and given there is almost no gameplay, the experience and story is what is supposed to matter.”
gameplay
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
76%
4%
The gameplay of "Ratshaker" is characterized by its absurd and simple mechanics centered around shaking a rat, which some players found engaging and humorous, while others criticized it for being tedious or lacking depth. Despite its quirky charm and unique approach, opinions vary widely, with some praising its immersive experience and others feeling misled by the game's promotional material. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a mix of innovative mechanics and a lack of traditional gaming elements, leading to a polarized reception.
- “The gameplay is deceptively simple: grab a rat, shake it like it owes you rent, and let the sheer absurdity take over.”
- “This game offers so much: immersive gameplay, a compelling story, challenging bosses, amazing customization, beautiful soundscapes, sexy voices, and so much more.”
- “The gameplay and the rat-shaking physics are truly unmatched.”
- “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.”
- “I bought a game named Ratshaker, which I thought would contain nothing but lovely rat shaking, so here I was, with the expectation that I would only shake the rat, but imagine my shock when I learned it has an abhorrent rat squeezing mechanic.”
atmosphere
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
40%
5%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for being thick, unnerving, and effective in building tension throughout the experience, with many players noting its ability to create a sinister and eerie environment. While some sections may be too dark, the overall imagery and soundtrack enhance the horror feel, making it a compelling short horror game. Despite some criticisms regarding the abrupt ending and tonal shifts, the atmosphere remains a standout feature that captivates players.
- “Amazing imagery and fantastic atmosphere that really amps up the horror feel.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “The atmosphere of the game was unnerving and kept me on edge most of the time.”
- “[spoiler] This section leads up to a confrontation with the player character's dead wife in a trash bag for a cheap jump scare after building up a decent amount of spooky atmosphere.”
emotional
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is described as a surprisingly deep and heartwarming experience, with players expressing a strong attachment to the game's central character, a rat. Many reviewers noted the game's ability to evoke a range of emotions, from laughter to tears, highlighting its rich storytelling and thought-provoking ending. Overall, it is characterized as a wholesome journey that leaves a lasting emotional impact on players.
- “I stayed for the emotional journey.”
- “This is a game that emotionally touched me to my core!”
- “It was so deep and emotional, I was actually excited for new game plus.”
graphics
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
35%
13%
The graphics of the game are a blend of retro and modern styles, featuring a creative mix of 2D, 3D, and even 4D elements that evoke a nostalgic yet unique aesthetic. While some players appreciate the artistic ingenuity and minimalistic approach, others feel that the graphics could be improved, with opinions ranging from "beautiful retro visuals" to critiques of their overall quality. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's quirky and absurdist horror theme.
- “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.”
- “I was awestruck by the ingenuity and the sheer amount of creativity put into this artwork of a game.”
- “First off, the visuals are seriously creepy.”
- “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.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
25%
17%
The music in the game has received high praise for its ability to enhance the eerie atmosphere while also providing lighthearted and cheery moments, making it particularly enjoyable for children. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, with some humorously suggesting it deserves a Grammy for its unique theme. Overall, the audio complements the game's tone effectively, contributing to both the fun and suspenseful elements of the experience.
- “If this game doesn’t win a Grammy for best soundtrack featuring vermin, we riot.”
- “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.”
- “The music helped set the tone of the game nicely.”
- “The music?”
- “He sang a song for us - but I knew the lyrics to be a lie.”
grinding
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding mechanics in the game to be excessively tedious, particularly due to the repetitive shaking and squeezing actions required for interactions. Many reviewers noted that this process can lead to physical discomfort, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game. While some appreciate the cute aesthetic, the overwhelming sentiment is that the grinding aspect is more frustrating than fun.
- “Interacting with anything requires you to shake the rat and then squeeze, which becomes tedious.”
- “Only criticism I really have is the first 3 times you need to fill the shake meter takes way too long to do; it becomes tedious and practically gave me carpal tunnel.”
- “And the main rat shaking mechanic could have been fun, but it's just tedious.”
optimization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with some users noting that it requires a mid-range gaming setup for optimal performance. However, many appreciate the developers' efforts in improving the game's performance, despite some instances of it being described as either poorly optimized or resembling a bitcoin miner. Overall, performance ratings hover around 8.
- “But either way, the devs listened and did some great optimization.”
- “Performance: 8”
- “Available for $2.99 on Steam and soon on Epic, the Rat Shaker demands a mid-range gaming setup for optimal performance.”
replayability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
43%
43%
Overall, the game's replayability is largely criticized, with many users noting it has little to no value for repeated playthroughs. While some mention the presence of multiple endings, the consensus leans towards a lack of compelling reasons to revisit the game.
- “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.”
- “Replayability: 6”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism, as players feel misled by advertisements that suggest a more diverse experience than what is actually offered, leading to disappointment. Additionally, technical issues, such as audio problems, have further detracted from the overall enjoyment and value of the game.
- “Overall, after dealing with major audio issues, the thing that drew me to the game in the ads was the biggest drawback.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game exhibits notable 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.
- “I mean, 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.”
- “Lil' buggy at times.”