Shapik: The Moon Quest
- April 22, 2020
- paulp
- 3h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Shapik: The Moon Quest" is a hand-drawn, text-free quest game featuring animated "bubble thoughts" to tell the story. The game is filled with intricate details and atmospheric music to enhance the player's experience. Exploration of locations is a key aspect of gameplay.
Reviews
- Beautiful graphics and charming art style that evoke a cozy atmosphere.
- Puzzles are simple and enjoyable, making it accessible for casual gamers and children.
- Relaxing gameplay with a delightful soundtrack, perfect for a short, casual gaming session.
- The game is very short, typically taking only 3 to 4 hours to complete, which may not justify the price for some players.
- The plot is confusing and lacks clarity, making it difficult to fully understand the story.
- Controls can be clunky at times, leading to frustration when interacting with objects or navigating the environment.
- story42 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Shapik: The Moon Quest" is a whimsical, wordless narrative conveyed through visuals and sound, set in a charming, dystopian world. While some players appreciate its artistic approach and the depth of the storyline, others find it lacking in coherence and emotional engagement, often describing it as short and somewhat detached. Overall, the game offers a unique storytelling experience that may appeal to point-and-click enthusiasts, despite its mixed reception regarding plot execution.
“Shapik is a whimsical point-and-click adventure that tells a story without words.”
“The story and graphics were beautiful and you definitely get hooked on the game.”
“Not to say that there isn't an established plot to the game because there is, but the story is told through the visuals and the sounds of this game which are beautiful to say the least.”
“The story is laid out in 22, mostly single-screen chapters without any comprehensible dialog, just the usual gibberish and text-free handling of information.”
“I could somewhat piece the story together, but because gameplay is so detached I couldn't really care about anything, not even the protagonist whom I played.”
“Storytelling without (but also with) words is not easy and rarely impactful in games, just like here.”
- graphics39 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received largely positive feedback, with many users praising the beautiful art style, charming animations, and cohesive visual storytelling that enhances the overall experience. While some noted that the graphics may not be groundbreaking due to the game's low budget, the unique aesthetic and attention to detail have been highlighted as standout features. Overall, the visuals are described as captivating and well-integrated with the game's music and atmosphere, making it a visually appealing adventure.
“The artwork, animation, and sound design are breathtaking and charming.”
“Gorgeous graphics and a very thoughtful plot!”
“Beautiful graphics.”
“I don't like the art style.”
“Graphics: it's a low budget point and click adventure, so don't expect too much in the way of eye candy.”
“Simple, just like the artwork, the music is not overdone and only compliments every other part of this game.”
- music32 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its pleasant and relaxing qualities, enhancing the overall experience with its beautiful compositions that complement the visuals. Many players found themselves captivated by the soundtrack, often pausing to fully appreciate it, and some even recommended purchasing the soundtrack separately. While a few noted that the music could be forgettable at times, the general consensus is that it significantly elevates the game's charm and atmosphere.
“Short, cute, and entertaining point and click adventure with wonderful music.”
“I really enjoyed this sweet game with its delightful animations and lovely soundtrack.”
“I literally had to stop playing a few times, and listen, because the music seemed to be almost too good for what I was experiencing.”
“Most games have music that just becomes background noise.”
“The music is quite forgettable.”
“While effects and music are balanced enough, cutscenes ignore volume settings completely, which is always annoying.”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally described as simple and accessible, making it suitable for casual players, though some find it lacking depth and engagement. While the visuals and music are praised, the game suffers from long animations, a lack of story, and mechanics that feel unfinished. Overall, it offers a polished experience but may not satisfy those seeking a more cohesive or challenging puzzle game.
“It is beautifully illustrated, the music is pleasant, the gameplay is simple but not boring.”
“Gameplay: it's fun and it's straightforward.”
“The gameplay is very polished and easy to pick up even for my non-gamer sister.”
“Graphics are good, sound is nice but there is no story, long animations without a skip option, and the mechanics are quite bad in some scenes, which makes this game look unfinished.”
“It very obviously 'borrows' its gameplay and tone from Amanita Design games, such as 'Samorost' and 'Machinarium', but is nowhere near as cohesive, and as a game, it's just not very engaging.”
“I could somewhat piece the story together, but because the gameplay is so detached, I couldn't really care about anything, not even the protagonist whom I played.”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beautiful graphics, attention to detail, and immersive environments, creating a relaxed and engaging experience reminiscent of Amanita's style. Players appreciate the game's ability to transport them through its settings, enhancing the overall enjoyment despite the lighter puzzle difficulty.
“It's a point-and-click walking simulator with okay art, great atmosphere, amazing attention to detail, and nothing else to do.”
“Good atmosphere, really takes you through places.”
“Beautiful old-fashioned quest with a special emphasis on the universe and atmosphere.”
“Similar to an Amanita game but with a more relaxed atmosphere.”
“Around 4 hours long, puzzles are more on the light side, but there's lots of atmosphere!”
“Beautiful old-fashioned quest with a special emphasis on the universe and atmosphere.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game has limited replayability due to a lack of plot surprises, though some players find it enjoyable enough to warrant the initial purchase. Overall, it may not offer significant incentives for multiple playthroughs.
“Cute, worth the money, and there are no plot surprises, so it has plenty of replay value.”
“It's not really replayable.”
“There are no plot surprises, so it has limited replay value.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is highlighted through amusing cut scenes and a diverse array of quirky locales, which contribute to a lighthearted and entertaining experience. Players appreciate the blend of humor with exploration, making the journey enjoyable and often funny.
“I found myself chuckling at some of the cutscenes as they are quite humorous.”
“Where it shines is in its diversity of locales and the delight in reaching somewhere new, weird, and funny.”
