Shadows Peak
- March 13, 2017
- Gua
- 4h median play time
Get on Steam"Shadows Peak" is an open-world, horror exploration game where you play as writer Tom Blair investigating the mysterious Shadows Peak. With large environments and non-linear gameplay, the game focuses on a haunting atmosphere and dark legends, allowing you to uncover the mystery at your own pace. Key features include gamepad support for 50 controllers and an emphasis on exploration and story over action.
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- The game has a nice, creepy atmosphere and offers an interesting story with engaging exploration.
- The first half of the game is particularly well-received, providing a unique horror experience before shifting to a different gameplay style.
- For an indie title, the game is considered a significant improvement over the developer's previous work, showcasing their potential and creativity.
- The second half of the game feels disjointed and shifts to a less engaging FPS style, which many players found disappointing.
- Gameplay mechanics are often criticized for being clunky and unpolished, leading to frustrating experiences, especially with enemy AI and combat.
- The story is seen as incoherent and filled with absurd elements, detracting from the overall horror experience.
- story126 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The game's story is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its atmospheric horror elements and environmental storytelling, while others criticize its abrupt tonal shifts and nonsensical plot twists. Some found the narrative engaging and surprising, particularly in its first part, but felt the second half devolved into less interesting gameplay and a lack of cohesion. Overall, while the story has intriguing aspects and potential for depth, it often leaves players wanting more clarity and polish.
“Incredible game, with environmental storytelling horror, my favorite.”
“The story had me hooked from beginning to end.”
“Atmospheric, tense, exploration, mysterious story... this indie game has many good ingredients to make a fun horror game.”
“Although I could tell this was unpolished and cheesy going in, and I did somewhat enjoy the gameplay in the moment, the weird inclusion of f*cking aliens and the nonsensical plot twists ruined the experience.”
“On the downside, the game suffers from pretty rusty looking graphics, little to offer in terms of gameplay, and the story suffers from a cliché ending which was its biggest disappointment.”
“The story of the game starts off very vague and throughout the game you still don't have much of an idea of what's really going on.”
- atmosphere82 mentions
- 73 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its immersive and chilling atmosphere, effectively creating a sense of unease and tension throughout the exploration of its open world. While some players noted that certain elements, like poorly implemented jump scares, detracted from the overall experience, the majority found the atmospheric design—enhanced by sound, lighting, and environmental details—to be a standout feature that contributes significantly to the horror experience. Overall, it is described as a well-crafted indie game that successfully evokes a spooky and engaging ambiance.
“The most striking feature is its phenomenal atmosphere; dramatic, menacing, and best described as an honoring of horror.”
“Shadow's Peak creates an atmosphere that's equally parts confounding and whimsical, inspiring feelings of unease and dread while (oddly) offering a sense of inevitability that's almost tranquil, even in the context of the game's dramatically dark setting.”
“Absolutely brilliant, immersive, great atmosphere, genuinely spooky, and a unique game.”
“Horror part dies due to badly implemented screamers and atmosphere, ruined by a few factors.”
“- the spooky atmosphere was gone after the first jumpscare.”
“Overall, the atmosphere is chilling, and there is some genuinely creepy stuff going on...”
- gameplay56 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Shadows Peak" is primarily a walking simulator with some added mechanics, such as sniper shooting in the final chapter, which some players found enjoyable. While the first half of the game focuses on atmospheric exploration, the second half shifts to a more action-oriented approach that has received mixed reviews, with criticisms aimed at its execution and AI. Overall, the game offers a blend of exploration and horror mechanics, but opinions vary on its effectiveness and coherence, with some praising its atmosphere while others find the gameplay lacking.
“In terms of the gameplay, I actually enjoyed both the first half exploring the mysteries of Shadows Peak, but also then the forest on the hunt against the creatures that abducted me and the beast they use to maintain and harness their power.”
“The atmosphere and gameplay are super creepy, especially as you advance in the game.”
“It is an open world horror game with an interesting story and smooth gameplay.”
“Unfortunately, the gameplay is utter trash.”
“It's confusing, nothing makes sense, and the mechanics are bad at best and nonfunctional at worst.”
“Has the Alan Wake problem where core gameplay hinders rather than helps the experience.”
- graphics40 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered mediocre, with many reviewers noting that they are acceptable for a low-budget indie title. While some players appreciate the atmospheric visuals that enhance the horror experience, others criticize the graphics as rusty and below current generation standards. Overall, the game manages to create a unique aesthetic, though it suffers from technical issues and inconsistencies in quality.
“The graphics bring an ominous atmosphere to the game.”
“The game offers some nice graphics and a good aesthetic that really brightens and makes the game stand out and unique.”
“Graphically, the game is lovely.”
“Bad graphics, less than no explanation to anything and boring!”
“On the downside, the game suffers with pretty rusty looking graphics, little to offer in terms of gameplay, and the story suffers from a cliché ending which was its biggest disappointment.”
“Graphics quality is a little below the generation standards (indie game) but it is enviable while reflecting the atmosphere.”
- music18 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its effectiveness in creating atmosphere, with an awesome soundtrack that enhances immersion, particularly in key locations like a creepy cave and a haunted house. While some sound effects are considered basic and less fitting, the overall sound design, including ambient noises and voice acting, contributes positively to the game's tension and emotional impact. However, some players noted that the limited variety in music could detract from the experience at times.
“The game creates a very good atmosphere; the details of the portrayal are also good, like music, light, and shadow.”
“Awesome soundtrack, awesome locations which also include an ultra creepy cave and a house in which some type of a demon was conjured up.”
“To me, the music can really make or break immersion, and that is an important factor.”
“Although there's not much in the way of music, the howls and distant screams are disturbing.”
“The soundtrack and the voice acting are simple but effective, and in the second half of the game, I actually even experienced a couple of genuine jump scares.”
- stability10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is plagued by significant stability issues, with numerous bugs that can lead to game-breaking scenarios, particularly during boss encounters. Players report that these glitches detract from the overall experience, making it frustrating rather than enjoyable. Despite some redeeming moments, the persistent technical problems overshadow the gameplay.
“It's also so buggy and terrible that if you come up to a 'boss' section it potentially breaks the game and you'll have to start from scratch, as what happened to me.”
“Shadows Peak has some good moments but it's just too buggy to be fun.”
“Buggy, with a laughable storyline.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding it genuinely funny and enjoyable throughout, particularly noting the amusing design of the 'monsters' in the final chapter. Overall, the comedic elements contribute significantly to the game's appeal.
“It's really quite good and very funny; you will enjoy :)”
“In fact, the 'monsters' in the final chapter looked funny.”
“I still recommend this game and had a lot of fun playing it.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its strong optimization, receiving high scores like 9/10 from multiple users. However, some players noted specific areas that could use improvement, such as awkward interactions with objects like refrigerators and rocks.
“The best thing about this game is how well optimized it is.”
“Optimization - 9/10”
“Some areas need optimization; for example, I sometimes get stuck at the back of the refrigerator when I open it, and I also get stuck in the cracks in the rocks. It's quite awkward.”
“Some areas need optimization; for example, I sometimes get stuck at the back of the refrigerator when I open it, and I also get stuck in the cracks in the rocks. It's quite awkward.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while it can be tedious and boring, especially in longer sessions, the excitement of uncovering new clues and areas provides a rewarding payoff that some feel justifies the effort.
“It's fun for 30 minutes of cringing with friends; however, it's tedious, loud, and extremely boring.”
“I'd say it can be a little tedious at times, but the feeling you get from discovering new clues and areas makes it worth it in my opinion.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the game has low replayability, with most players noting that the only incentive to replay is to achieve 100% completion. Many recommend not investing too much in the game due to this lack of replay value.
“Don't spend more than this because there's no replay value other than getting 100% achievements.”
