SCHiM

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 165 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
SCHiM Game Cover
SCHiM is a relaxing and artistic little game. With a clever take on platform puzzles, a cute little shadow frog, and a surprisingly heart-wrenching story, this charming title is sure to find a cozy spot in the pond you call your Steam library.
Starting at $14.99Buy now
Get on Steam

"SCHiM is a single-player platformer game with an intriguing story of a separated schim, the soul of a human, navigating through a beautifully abstract world of animated shadow platforms. With a good soundtrack, players must jump from shadow to shadow in each level, featuring unique scenery and small stories, in a race against time to reunite with its human."

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 165 reviews
story27 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game features a charming art style and a delightful soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
  • The unique gameplay mechanic of jumping from shadow to shadow is engaging and offers a fresh take on platforming.
  • The narrative, while simple, is heartfelt and adds emotional depth to the gameplay, making it a cozy and enjoyable experience.
  • The gameplay can become repetitive and lacks variety in environments, leading to a sense of monotony.
  • The game is considered overpriced for its length and content, with many players feeling it doesn't offer enough value.
  • Save points and respawn mechanics can feel punitive, detracting from the overall enjoyment and flow of the game.
  • story78 mentions

    The game's story is generally described as cute and heartwarming, with a blend of visual storytelling and emotional depth that captivates players. However, some reviewers find the narrative pacing frustrating, feeling it stretches too long and becomes repetitive, particularly during the cat-and-mouse chase elements. Overall, while the story has its charming moments and unique concepts, it may not resonate with everyone due to its simplicity and occasional lack of engagement.

    • “With its minimalistic style, touching story, and unique gameplay mechanics, Schim knows how to captivate you.”
    • “With a clever take on platform puzzles, a cute little shadow frog, and a surprisingly heart-wrenching story, this charming title is sure to find a cozy spot in the pond you call your Steam library.”
    • “A distinct visual style and soundtrack marry with an effective story all about overcoming obstacles and remembering what life is all about.”
    • “The story drags on for too long, and can be very frustrating.”
    • “There are a number of 10 second levels because the game wants to tell a story, but the story is an inch deep.”
    • “The plot is alright, and honestly I had no idea that it would jump straight to the adult life crisis segment, not to mention, the entire cat and mouse routine with the owner of our shadow, and the shadow itself, got annoying after the first 30 minutes of the chase.”
  • gameplay70 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of unique mechanics and simplicity, which some players find enjoyable and captivating, while others criticize it for being overly repetitive and lacking depth. Many reviews highlight the game's responsive controls and creative use of light and shadow, but also note frustrating elements such as unskippable cutscenes and inconsistent difficulty. Overall, while the aesthetic and narrative elements are praised, the gameplay experience can oscillate between engaging and tedious, leading to mixed feelings about its value.

    • “The gameplay is very responsive and feels good to play.”
    • “It has unique mechanics that make the exploration of each level enjoyable and at the same time complements its storytelling perfectly.”
    • “Schim is a wildly inventive platformer with a unique minimalist aesthetic, which is bolstered by creative gameplay and a steadfast focus on the human experience.”
    • “Overpriced and overly repetitive gameplay.”
    • “The idea for this game is neat but the gameplay is rather shallow.”
    • “The gameplay is very repetitive :(”
  • graphics55 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their gorgeous, unique art style and charming visuals, which effectively complement the calming soundtrack. Players appreciate the whimsical use of shadows and minimalistic design, creating an immersive and delightful experience, although some note minor issues like glitches and camera problems. Overall, the visual presentation is considered a standout feature, enhancing the game's emotional and narrative depth.

    • “The graphical presentation and art direction is absolutely gorgeous, with a lovely chill soundtrack to complement it.”
    • “Its unique mechanics, astonishing visuals, and poetic backbone, combined with a narrative approach, create a truly unique interactive experience.”
    • “Schim is a wildly inventive platformer with a unique minimalist aesthetic, which is bolstered by creative gameplay and a steadfast focus on the human experience.”
    • “The visuals also contain a lot of subtle glitches and z-fighting.”
    • “[Camera could be better at times, not a lot of mechanical depth, prioritizing aesthetics means it's sometimes a little tedious.]”
    • “The idea and artwork are whimsical, but the gameplay is repetitive and not particularly fun.”
  • music31 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and well-composed nature, enhancing the overall experience and immersing players in its charming world. It complements the beautiful art style, creating a cozy atmosphere that adds emotional depth to the gameplay. While some players feel the game lacks replay value, the combination of music and visuals is consistently highlighted as a standout feature.

    • “The art style and music complement each other wonderfully.”
    • “The music adds value, being well-composed and produced, orchestrating an overall sweet, emotional feeling that gives off very good vibes.”
    • “The graphical presentation and art direction is absolutely gorgeous, with a lovely chill soundtrack to complement it.”
  • emotional20 mentions

    Schim is praised for its whimsical and heartfelt storytelling, combining minimalistic design with engaging gameplay that captivates players emotionally. The game features a touching narrative about a shadow's journey to reunite with its owner, enhanced by well-composed music and charming artwork, creating a wholesome and memorable experience. Reviewers highlight the emotional depth and cozy atmosphere, making it a delightful addition to any gaming library.

    • “With its minimalistic style, touching story, and unique gameplay mechanics, Schim knows how to captivate you.”
    • “I was surprised by the amount of emotional depth hidden within Schim’s shadow hopping platformer shell and appreciated becoming a small part of this world and its inhabitants.”
    • “With a clever take on platform puzzles, a cute little shadow frog, and a surprisingly heart-wrenching story, this charming title is sure to find a cozy spot in the pond you call your Steam library.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    Overall, opinions on the game's replayability are mixed; some players feel it lacks significant replay value, especially considering its price, while others suggest it offers more replayability than initially anticipated.

    • “For what I have noticed, the game has no replay value; spending 25 euros on just good art and good music is maybe a bit much.”
    • “Would also increase replay value.”
    • “If you do end up getting it, the game has more replay value than one might expect.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized by its cute details and minimalistic art style, creating a peaceful and fun environment. This endearing experience, while not without some gameplay issues, is memorable for its relaxing vibe and innocent approach to life.

    • “The cute little details lead to a peaceful and fun atmosphere!”
    • “The end result is an endearing experience, that has a few gameplay issues but overall becomes a memorable game thanks to its atmosphere and innocent approach to life.”
    • “[Gorgeous, minimalistic art style, brief and not too difficult, relaxing atmosphere.]”
    • “The atmosphere feels empty and lacks any real immersion.”
    • “Despite the beautiful visuals, the atmosphere is surprisingly dull and uninspired.”
    • “The game fails to create a compelling atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The game effectively blends humor with poignant moments, such as the comedic yet relatable scenario of bike theft, enhancing both its realism and entertainment value. Players appreciate the fun narrative and well-crafted comedic elements, contributing to its overwhelmingly positive reception as an indie title.

    • “Funny and sad moments, like seeing bikes stolen, add humor (and realism!) to the game.”
    • “It's great to play, fun little story, funny things, very well made.. yes it has got it all to be that indie game which goes overwhelmingly positive.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game's stability is somewhat compromised by visual issues, including subtle glitches and z-fighting, which can detract from the overall experience. However, players appreciate the learning curve and evolving control mechanics as they progress, suggesting that gameplay remains engaging despite these technical flaws.

    • “- Visuals also contain a lot of subtle glitches and z-fighting.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be frustrating, particularly due to harsh checkpoints and tedious waiting periods, which can test patience. Additionally, some feel that the lack of mechanical depth and occasional camera issues contribute to a tedious experience.

    • “Couple that with sometimes harsh checkpoints or tedious moments of waiting, it can quickly become too frustrating if you're not the most patient person.”
    • “[Camera could be better at times, not a lot of mechanical depth, prioritizing aesthetics means it's sometimes a little tedious]”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

Buy SCHiM

Videos

Similar Games

Game News