s.p.l.i.t

s.p.l.i.t is a minimalist game, and honestly, I think that’s to its benefit. The game tells a great story, even if it does have a steep learning curve, especially for people who are not accustomed to command line controls. But keeping that aside, it’s definitely a one-of-a-kind experience. There are some slow sections, especially the chat sections, however those help build up to the tension, as you lead up to the endings. s.p.l.i.t has a lot of things going for it. Not only does it bring a wonderful narrative intrigue, but you get to feel a sense of progression as you ramp up towards the end. You can unlock clues and tools gradually, which helps because you don’t feel overwhelmed with option. It’s not a game that you rush through, though. Sure, it’s short, but it requires your full attention and persistence if you want to reach the end. The game deals with important topics like self-harm, and it covers that in a rather direct manner. Despite all of that, it’s well worth checking out, especially for its great story. Review key provided by the developer.

88%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

replayability, optimization

92% User Score Based on 2,336 reviews

Critic Score 80%Based on 4 reviews

Platforms

View Game

Buy NowGet on Steam

About

s.p.l.i.t is a single player simulation game with horror, thriller and science fiction themes. It was developed by Mike Klubnika and was released on July 24, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

A short psychological horror game, where you attempt to gain root access into an unethical superstructure.

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,336 reviews

story200 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

Unique and immersive terminal-based gameplay that makes you feel like a hacker.
Excellent atmosphere, sound design, and visual style that create a chilling and oppressive mood.
Compelling narrative and worldbuilding that evoke deep psychological horror and leave lasting impressions.

Very short playtime, often completed within an hour or less, leading to a feeling of incompleteness.
Limited interaction and underutilization of many environmental elements and terminal features.
Steep learning curve for those unfamiliar with command-line interfaces; some players find the slow typing mechanics frustrating.

story
438 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
51%
3%
The story is a short, intense, and atmospheric psychological horror narrative told through terminal-based gameplay, praised for its engaging, bleak, and mysterious world-building. While many players find it compelling and thought-provoking, its brevity and vagueness leave some wanting more depth, explanation, and expansion, with calls for sequels or DLC to further explore its rich premise. Overall, it is highly regarded as a well-executed, immersive interactive short story that resonates deeply despite its limited length.
- “The final 5 minutes of the game, just after one of the most gut-wrenching plot twists that I have ever experienced, are pure gold. That part made my heart beat like crazy and surrounded me with a feeling of dread that I never felt before. It really motivated me to write this review.”
- “The story is extremely compact, giving just enough information to piece the broadest strokes together, but it's wound tight around a visceral central horror that doesn't need explanation to be unsettling.”
- “Let me start off by saying that this game costs no more than 3€. I got it on my Steam recommended page while it was on sale, and this game is absolutely phenomenal and worth every cent. It takes about an hour to beat, and its storytelling is absolutely amazing. It'll leave you wanting to learn more about the world your character finds himself in.”
- “The lore isn't explained or elaborated on, so it's hard to immerse yourself in the story very much.”
- “Very cool premise, but deeply, deeply disappointed at how little we actually get to learn about the lore, world, broader story etc.”
- “The story of the game is really inconclusive and also, while it succeeds in building up the tension, doesn't leave much to think about after you finish the game.”
gameplay
378 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
63%
3%
The gameplay centers on a unique terminal-based, command-line interface that provides an immersive hacking and puzzle-solving experience, praised for its atmospheric and narrative integration but critiqued for its short length and underutilization of mechanics. While enjoyable and rewarding—especially for players familiar with command prompts—the minimal handholding and limited complexity can be challenging or confusing for newcomers, with many reviewers wishing for expanded content and deeper gameplay development. Overall, it serves more as a focused, narrative-driven interactive experience than a traditional, extensive gameplay loop.
- “Once you get used to the gameplay, suddenly everything clicks. You'll have to read a lot in this game, as it doesn't grab you by the hand and tell you how to do the things you are supposed to do. You'll have to figure out by yourself how to code correctly using very vague instructions, and if you are not familiar with using computer commands, you will most likely find yourself stuck in some instances. But all the answers are right in front of you, and you'll eventually find them and figure it out, which leaves you with a really good feeling of satisfaction.”
- “Gaming has a unique command prompt gameplay mechanic that can be a little daunting, but if you manage to see the game through, you'll be rewarded with a classic industrial horror experience. The hacking mechanic is pretty full of depth and really left me wanting more.”
- “This is an expertly crafted experience with a really unique and novel set of gameplay mechanics. The gameplay revolves around using terminal commands to solve puzzles, providing a focused, immersive, and rewarding interaction that complements the story and setting.”
- “The gameplay mechanic of typing words quickly is rather boring.”
- “The gameplay is barely there – it feels like the puzzles are designed explicitly for people who have zero idea how to operate a terminal, and assume you will spend twenty minutes figuring out how to navigate the filesystem.”
- “I think this is something you'll either love or hate - I enjoy some "walking simulators" where the point isn't gameplay, what mechanics there are serve to tell an interesting story and not to necessarily be compelling in and of themselves.”
atmosphere
236 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
34%
1%
The game excels at creating a dense, oppressive, and unsettling atmosphere through its gritty art style, immersive sound design, and tense narrative, effectively drawing players into its dark, dystopian world. Despite its short length, the atmosphere is consistently praised as a standout element, delivering psychological horror and a strong sense of dread without relying on jump scares. Overall, the atmosphere is described as masterfully crafted, immersive, and lingering, making the experience memorable and emotionally impactful.
- “It excellently sets up an uncomfortable and oppressive atmosphere in an interesting location culminating in an ending that's uncomfortable, visceral, and exciting.”
- “Every detail, from the buzzing electromechanical hardware to the ominous cold daylight pouring through the useless window, the dialogue, the MS-DOS style interfacing; every element of this game creates such an incredibly bleak atmosphere that the narrative, though obscured, then gets to travel through and straight into your brain, engraving its implications into you.”
- “The game itself was horrific in the best ways I can imagine, and taps into a seemingly primordial, nebulous terror of: 'something bad is coming towards me fast, even if I can't see it.' The genuine callousness of our colleagues is shocking, the intricacy of the DOS is fascinating, and the atmosphere, which — disputably — is the chief call of any game's quality, is intense.”
- “I kind of liked the "arch linux simulator" experience, but for me, it doesn't really feel like a complete game or experience; the atmosphere here doesn't really carry it on its own, but if operating a console on a linux PC is your shtick, then have at it.”
- “Again this is a masterclass in onboarding and atmosphere, it just doesn't go anywhere.”
- “This game lives and dies on atmosphere, because mechanically it is paper thin.”
music
125 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
36%
2%
The game's music and soundtrack receive widespread praise for their ability to create a tense, oppressive, and immersive atmosphere that drives psychological horror without relying on jump scares. The dark ambient and techno-inspired compositions, combined with skillful sound design, effectively amplify dread and anxiety, greatly enhancing the narrative and gameplay experience. While some note the soundtrack is best appreciated within the game context rather than standalone, overall it is regarded as a standout, integral element that significantly contributes to the game's unique mood and impact.
- “Amazing short and sweet horror game that doesn't use jumpscares but uses tense atmosphere and music instead, perfect for someone like me who hates jumpscares.”
- “The soundtrack is incredible as well, genuinely invoking dread at times and perfectly suited to the game's atmosphere.”
- “The music and sound design are great and make for an intense, atmospheric experience, enhancing the tension and psychological horror elements.”
- “I think it's original, as I haven't heard it elsewhere, but it doesn't really fit the game.”
- “None of the soundtracks for these games fail to give me anxiety lol.”
- “The soundtrack varies between meditative and anxiety-inducing with a pounding beat that makes you nervous you might screw up.”
graphics
111 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
51%
3%
The game's graphics feature a distinctive, gritty, low-poly, and retro-inspired art style that effectively creates a dark, oppressive, and immersive atmosphere, complementing its dystopian narrative. While some users note minor issues with pixelated clarity and occasional glitches, the overall aesthetic is praised for its consistency, mood-setting, and strong visual storytelling. This unique visual approach, paired with atmospheric sound design, is widely considered a highlight that enhances the game's horror and tension.
- “I find the art style very cool and together with the music and sound design, it makes the atmosphere of the game very oppressive and dreadful.”
- “The oppressive aesthetic is familiar: concrete, wires, low light, dripping pipes, silent corridors.”
- “Mike Klubnika's artstyle never fails to amaze me.”
- “Because I have an AMD-only system, this game cannot render 3D graphics.”
- “It was a little obtuse, and I misread some of the letters from the console commands because of the glitchy display (this is an intentional aesthetic).”
- “The window serves no purpose, the briefcase cannot be used, and many of the system files are purely aesthetic.”
emotional
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game evokes intense and varied emotional responses, ranging from anxiety, dread, and unease to moments of feeling smart and accomplished, largely driven by its atmospheric sound design and minimalistic storytelling. Players praise its ability to create deep emotional tension and discomfort without relying on visuals or elaborate cutscenes, making for a uniquely unsettling and memorable experience. While some find the narrative and endings emotionally impactful or wholesome, others note a lack of payoff in certain conclusions, but overall the emotional intensity and worldbuilding stand out as significant strengths.
- “I almost never leave any reviews here on Steam because I'm a shy gamer, but I just finished the game like 5 minutes ago and I'm still shaking and processing all the fear, dread, anxiousness, and desperation this game made me feel right at the end, and let me tell you, I loved it.”
- “I'm a big fan of all sorts of media that involves horror, sci-fi and dystopian elements, and I've read many books, watched a lot of movies and played countless games about those genres, and yeah, sometimes a well placed jumpscare gets me, or I get surprised by a good plot twist, but boy, oh boy, I wasn't prepared for the things this game made me feel.”
- “There are no elaborate cutscenes or high-fidelity visuals to fall back on, so all the emotional weight comes from suggestion, sound, and uncertainty.”
replayability
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
Most users agree the game offers limited to no replayability, with a short playtime and straightforward puzzles leading to little incentive for multiple playthroughs. However, the initial experience is often described as enjoyable and engaging, especially the first run. Some suggest adding features like randomness or mod support to enhance replay value in future iterations.
- “Both in terms of terminal functionality and also replayability.”
- “Br is a very cool arcade game with great replayability.”
- “The game also randomly creates data every new playthrough, this adds replayability.”
- “Fun for short entertainment, no replay value.”
- “Unfortunately no replayability after you beat both endings but it's still a nice experience.”
- “Not much replay value and a little unoptimized, but other than that a fun, short, psychological horror game.”
optimization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
The game runs mostly smoothly with solid performance and minimal bugs, though there is a notable FPS drop during the final cinematic. Overall, optimization is decent but could be improved, especially in demanding scenes.
- “Not much replay value and a little unoptimized, but other than that a fun, short, psychological horror game.”
- “The sound design and short performances from the voice actors are perfect.”
- “Just encountered an FPS drop in the ending cinematic. It's the only bug I found; maybe the optimization is bad, or maybe it's my PC.”
- “Performance was solid throughout and I didn't run into any bugs or glitches.”
- “[h1]Performance[/h1]”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is generally light and clever, blending tech-related jokes and quirky scenarios that many players find amusing. While the game is short, its witty elements and playful tone add a charming touch, though some may feel the humor doesn't fully sustain throughout. Overall, it provides a fun and creative experience with a subtle comedic flair.
- “Creative game, kinda short but still funny.”
- “Short but very sweet, simple but satisfying code-based puzzle horror game with a sprinkle of humor.”
- “It's kinda funny to see a system with both DOS/Windows and Unix features mixed, and I have to admit I have been hitting 'tab' to try autocomplete commands more than I should.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
Grinding in the game is considered tedious by many, largely due to the lack of convenient features like tab autocomplete and the repetitive use of commands such as "cd." While this pacing fits the game's simulation style, it may frustrate players unfamiliar with terminal typing or those expecting smoother navigation.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Tab completion is missing, making it tedious to type everything letter by letter, although this might be how the game is paced.”
- “The game can be tedious or hard, especially if you're not accustomed to typing and similar mechanics.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Stability reports are mixed, with some users experiencing visual glitches and unresponsiveness, while others enjoyed solid performance without bugs. However, technical issues like troubleshooting console commands and accidental overlay activation can detract from the experience. Overall, stability may vary depending on the platform and user actions.
- “Unplayable, visual glitches all over the screen past the menu and no response from the developer.”
- “Outside of being unable to type anything after accidentally opening the Steam overlay, I didn't really find any bugs or glitches.”
- “The subtle and somber writing, incredible tension and atmosphere, and the efficiency of its 1 hour playtime make it worth it to deal with what amounts to troubleshooting some console commands.”