Ratshaker

About

Ratshaker is a single player casual action adventure game with horror and mystery themes. It was developed by Sunscorched Studios and was released on October 31, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

Ratshaker is a single-player horror action game featuring a wholesome story, an interesting plot, and a hilarious yet intense atmosphere. Players use the unique RATSHAKER™ device to shake and eliminate pesky rats, combining satisfying gameplay with splendid graphics. Though very grinding, the game delivers a fun and immersive pest-control experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,665 reviews

humor162 positive mentions

grinding9 negative mentions

humor
170 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
95%
5%
The humor in the game is a mix of dark and absurd elements, primarily revolving around the quirky mechanic of shaking a rat, which initially elicits laughter but tends to wear thin as the game progresses. While some players find the humor effective and entertaining, others feel it quickly becomes repetitive and overshadowed by the horror aspects, leading to a disjointed experience. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of comedy and horror, appealing to those who appreciate bizarre humor, but may disappoint those seeking sustained laughs.
- “It's humorous, it's bold, it illustrates addiction in a pretty grotesque way, but there's something to that.”
- “The humor combined with the atmosphere is probably the strongest suit, but they never quite 100% mesh in my opinion.”
- “This game is a masterpiece full of dark humor and the rat made it 10/10.”
- “This game is really boring, unfunny after the first minute, and is terribly optimized.”
- “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.”
story
152 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
65%
4%
The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players finding it tragic and engaging, while others criticize it as shallow and generic. Many reviews highlight a lack of depth and meaningful interactivity, with the narrative often overshadowed by gimmicky elements like shaking a rat. Despite its flaws, some players appreciate the environmental storytelling and the dark humor woven into the plot, suggesting that while the story may not be profound, it can still be intriguing and entertaining for those willing to look beyond its surface.
- “A genuine, heartfelt story about finding your wife.”
- “The story was beautifully crafted and it doesn't rely on jumpscares; the atmosphere contrasts the goofy nature along with its dark setting, making this an even more interesting experience.”
- “For three dollars, you get an actual, though admittedly somewhat vague, story that tells you everything you need to know about what you're seeing using the 'show don't tell' model of storytelling.”
- “Just blood, gore and a few jumpscares; it does not have a deep story contrary to what paid Instagram reviewers say.”
- “The horror/story/game of the remaining 85 minutes is bare-bones, clumsy, and completely generic.”
- “The story ends up having nothing to do with the rat or shaking the rat, effectively making the game's main draw completely pointless.”
gameplay
119 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
67%
13%
The gameplay of "Ratshaker" is primarily a walking simulator centered around a unique yet tedious mechanic of shaking and squeezing a rat to interact with the environment. While some players appreciate the absurdity and humor of this mechanic, many find it repetitive and lacking in depth, with minimal meaningful interactions and a linear progression that detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game is short and simple, appealing to those looking for a light, quirky thrill rather than engaging gameplay.
- “What starts out as a deranged, almost silly mechanic turns into a stage for some decent indie tension.”
- “The main gameplay is pretty much a walking sim, but with a cartoony rat you can use to interact with items and reveal secrets by violently shaking and squeezing him, and is a very fun mechanic to toy with.”
- “The gameplay is deceptively simple: grab a rat, shake it like it owes you rent, and let the sheer absurdity take over.”
- “It's both a poor and short (45 minutes) walking horror simulator and a senseless piece of garbage with the worst (albeit original) mechanics ever.”
- “The gameplay is literally just walking around and shaking a rat.”
- “After getting all achievements, I would say the 'mechanic' of shaking and squeezing the rat in your hand to interact with everything removes all elements of horror and most of the intrigue the game potentially had.”
atmosphere
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
45%
5%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its ability to create a deeply unsettling and immersive experience, often drawing comparisons to classic horror titles like Silent Hill. Reviewers note the effective use of visual storytelling, eerie sound design, and a gradual build-up of tension, although some express disappointment with the lack of traditional horror elements like enemies. Overall, the combination of humor and a chilling atmosphere contributes to a unique and engaging gameplay experience.
- “Fantastic visuals and a deep, chilling atmosphere.”
- “One of the most anxiety-inducing, oppressive atmospheres I've ever experienced in a game.”
- “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, the payoff at the end really isn't that great, and not worth enduring this sickening and deeply unsettling atmosphere.”
graphics
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
54%
7%
The graphics of the game are a standout feature, characterized by a unique blend of low-pixel art, cartoonish visuals, and disturbing imagery that creates a surreal and engaging atmosphere. Players appreciate the game's quirky aesthetic and the way the visuals enhance the horror-comedy experience, though some find the unsettling graphics may not be suitable for everyone. Overall, the art style is described as both nostalgic and creatively executed, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “The graphics are nice and I liked the trippy, almost disorienting feel of it throughout, especially leading into certain parts of the game.”
- “Fantastic visuals and a deep, chilling atmosphere.”
- “The visuals were interesting with a mix of 2D and 3D styles, that underlying pixelated touch and the retro vibe was so cool.”
- “But those visuals, man.”
- “The game has a unique aesthetic, blending cartoonish visuals with horrific imagery that makes you screw your face in disgust as you explore a twisted house, with your only company being a rat you violently abuse throughout the game.”
- “First off, the visuals are seriously creepy.”
emotional
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a mix of feelings, ranging from joy and humor to discomfort and even fear. While some players find the experience wholesome and heartwarming, particularly in their attachment to the rat character, others express distress over certain game mechanics, such as harming the rat. Overall, the game seems to evoke a unique emotional journey that resonates differently with each player, blending lighthearted fun with deeper, sometimes unsettling themes.
- “A genuine, heartfelt story about finding your wife.”
- “This is a game that emotionally touched me to my core!”
- “I stayed for the emotional journey.”
grinding
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
9%
82%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and repetitive, with many expressing frustration over the mechanics that require constant shaking and squeezing. While some appreciate the game's charm, the overwhelming sentiment is that the grinding detracts significantly from the overall enjoyment, making it feel like a chore rather than a fun challenge.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A mix of overused tropes, a disappointing plot twist we've seen millions of times and gameplay that gets boring and tedious very quickly.”
- “It was a charming game at first, but now it's just 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.”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
23%
33%
The music in the game is noted for its effective contrast, blending cheerful, lighthearted tunes with unsettling audio that enhances the overall atmosphere. Players appreciate the comedic elements of the soundtrack, particularly in moments of tension, while the eerie compositions contribute to the game's dark themes. Overall, the music is well-received, with some even suggesting it deserves accolades for its unique and fitting contributions to the gameplay experience.
- “However, the inclusion of some very happy elevator music once you find the elevator does provide some more comedic contrast to the otherwise dark mood.”
- “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.”
- “Some unsettling music, audio, and visuals.”
- “He sang a song for us - but I knew the lyrics to be a lie.”
- “The music?”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting severe performance issues and a lack of effective optimization, while others note that the developers have made improvements. Overall, the game appears to require a mid-range system for optimal performance, and there are concerns about its stability and efficiency.
- “But either way, the developers listened and did some great optimization.”
- “This game is really boring and unfunny after the first minute, and is terribly optimized.”
- “On top of that, optimization is non-existent and the developer decided to use Epic Online Services for their game for some reason.”
- “The rat shaker demands a mid-range gaming setup for optimal performance.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
Overall, "ratshaker" offers limited replayability, with some users noting the presence of multiple endings that may encourage a second playthrough. However, many agree that the game's short length and minimal differences in experience make replaying it largely unnecessary, despite its low price point of $2.99.
- “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.”
- “At the current price point of $2.99, Ratshaker is a solid low-budget horror title, and despite the short length with low replayability, offers a couple of hours of reasonable entertainment.”
- “But has zero replay value.”
- “For three dollars, this is a great game, even if replayability is essentially nonexistent.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn mixed reactions, with some users finding the initial advertisements quirky yet off-putting, particularly the odd concept of solving problems by shaking a rat. While the game's mechanics are described as absurd and fresh, the reliance on a singular advertising gimmick has been seen as a drawback, especially after encountering significant audio issues.
- “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.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game experiences occasional bugs that can affect stability, leading to a less than smooth gameplay experience.
- “A bit buggy at times.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it hard to enjoy.”
- “I experienced several glitches that disrupted my gameplay.”