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Shadow of Pharos

73%Game Brain Score
atmosphere, stability
story, graphics
73% User Score Based on 66 reviews

Platforms

Mac OSMac OSPCPCSteam DeckSteam DeckWindowsWindowsLinuxLinux
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About

"Shadow of Pharos" is a short first-person horror game that aims to provide a fully immersive experience with no UI. To access settings or enable accessibility options, input a specific command using the keyboard or controller. The game features a unique soundtrack, which can be found for free on TeamGaivot's YouTube channel. The game has simple controls, with movement utilizing WASD on keyboard or left analog on controller, and looking around using the mouse or right analog on controller. The game encourages support by purchasing the soundtrack or wishlisting their next game, "Pharos."

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Shadow of Pharos screenshot
Shadow of Pharos screenshot

73%
Audience ScoreBased on 66 reviews
atmosphere6 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • The atmosphere is amazing and effectively sells the horror aspect of the game.
  • The sound design is excellent, enhancing the overall creepy experience.
  • It's a free game that offers a unique and interesting take on the horror walking sim genre.
  • The game lacks clear guidance, making it difficult to progress without a walkthrough.
  • Repetitive gameplay with looping mechanics can become tedious and frustrating.
  • There are technical issues, including crashes and a cumbersome settings access process.
  • atmosphere
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its creepy and unsettling qualities, effectively enhancing the horror experience. Players appreciate the dynamic nature of the atmosphere, which adapts to the gameplay, creating a tense and immersive environment. Despite some frustrations with progression, the overall vibe contributes to a compelling and engaging experience.

    • “The atmosphere in this game is amazing and it really sells the horror aspect of it.”
    • “Very creepy and unsettling, the atmosphere constantly changing to suit the game was cool.”
    • “Love the atmosphere and the vibe of the game.”
    • “The way to progress the game feels very obtuse at points and it can feel like you are totally stuck, but the atmosphere can feel very tense and makes me excited to see the full product.”
  • story
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Shadow of Pharos" unfolds through exploration in a pixelated house, where players gradually piece together a dark and captivating narrative. While there are notes to discover, they do not form a cohesive storyline, leaving players to interpret the fragmented elements as they navigate the game's eerie atmosphere.

    • “The story is really dark and captivating too.”
    • “There's a couple of notes to be found, but no cohesive story can be made from them.”
    • “You wander around a house with a pixelated art style, going through each loop as you slowly unravel the story.”
    • “Shadow of Pharos is one of those horror walking sims where the story mainly takes place at your home.”
  • graphics
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics feature a blocky and minimalist design, characterized by a charming low-poly and pixellated art style that enhances the exploration of the game's environment. While some may find the visuals simplistic, they contribute positively to the overall atmosphere and storytelling experience.

    • “You wander around a house with a pixellated art style, going through each loop as you slowly unravel the story.”
    • “The sound design is great, and the low-poly graphics look really good and have a lot of charm.”
    • “Graphics are very blocky and minimalist.”
    • “You wander around a house with a pixelated art style, going through each loop as you slowly unravel the story.”
  • stability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    User experiences regarding stability are mixed; while some players report frequent crashes, others, like the reviewer, have encountered no glitches or issues during gameplay.

    • “Although I've seen other people complain of crashes in their reviews, I personally experienced no glitches at all.”
  • replayability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, with users noting the absence of achievements that contribute to player profiles and the absence of trading cards, which typically enhance engagement.

    • “Lastly, there's one achievement (which doesn't count on your profile), no trading cards, and no replayability.”
  • gameplay
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express frustration with the looping mechanic in the gameplay, suggesting it should be reserved for specific titles like "PT," as they feel other games have not successfully replicated its effectiveness.

    • “I can't stand looping most of the time and think that mechanic should be kept to PT since no other game has done a very good job at emulating it.”

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