Shatter

About

"Shatter" is a Science Fiction-themed arcade game with single-player, local multi-player, and co-op options for up to 2 players in split screen. Its innovative controls, physics, power-ups, and boss battles offer a highly interactive experience, with multiple modes like Story, Endless, Boss Rush, and Time Attack. The game boasts vibrant 3D visuals, a retro-inspired synthwave soundtrack, and leaderboard rankings, making it a must-play for arcade enthusiasts.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 896 reviews

music324 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

Innovative 'suck and blow' mechanics add depth to the classic brick-breaking gameplay, allowing for more control over the ball.
The game features a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience and is worth purchasing on its own.
Visually stunning with diverse level designs and engaging boss battles that keep the gameplay fresh and exciting.

Some players may find the controls awkward, particularly the inability to remap keys, which can hinder the experience.
The game can become frustrating due to chaotic visuals that make it difficult to track the ball during intense moments.
The campaign mode is relatively short, and some players feel it lacks replay value after completing the story.

music
484 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
32%
1%
The music in the game is universally praised, with many reviewers highlighting its electrifying and catchy soundtrack, primarily composed by Module. The blend of synthwave and electronic elements not only enhances the gameplay experience but is also considered one of the standout features, making it a must-have for fans of the genre. Overall, the soundtrack is described as exceptional, often warranting a purchase on its own, and significantly contributes to the game's addictive nature and replayability.
- “Shatter is a love letter to the classic brick-breaker genre, reimagining the familiar gameplay with innovative mechanics, stunning visuals, and an electrifying soundtrack.”
- “The game's soundtrack is equally impressive, featuring a mix of synthwave and electronic music that perfectly complements the action on screen.”
- “The soundtrack alone is worth the price of admission, and the fun breakout variant gameplay is the icing on the cake.”
- “The soundtrack is just alright.”
- “Nothing special apart from the music; I wouldn't recommend it to outsiders of the genre.”
- “If this game had a different soundtrack I wouldn't play it.”
gameplay
268 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
48%
10%
The gameplay of *Shatter* is a modern reimagining of the classic brick-breaking genre, introducing innovative mechanics like the "suck and blow" feature that allows players to manipulate the ball's trajectory, adding depth and strategy. The game is praised for its polished controls, vibrant visuals, and an electrifying soundtrack, making it an engaging experience, though some players find the new mechanics can be challenging to master. Overall, *Shatter* successfully revitalizes the traditional gameplay with fresh elements and exciting boss battles, appealing to both nostalgic fans and new players alike.
- “Shatter is a love letter to the classic brick-breaker genre, reimagining the familiar gameplay with innovative mechanics, stunning visuals, and an electrifying soundtrack.”
- “The innovative gameplay mechanics, stunning visuals, and electrifying soundtrack make for an unforgettable arcade experience.”
- “The push and pull mechanics allow the player to feel like they are always in control of the ball and it greatly reduces the 'takes forever to hit the last few bricks' issue that plagues this genre.”
- “The graphics were, well, typical of what I had already considered 'dated Newgrounds graphics' at the time, and the gameplay was quite repetitive.”
- “It's fast-paced, slick and has a killer soundtrack, but I feel the gameplay is a little watered down by the fancy extras they've introduced.”
- “Summary: Shatter tries to reinvent breakout by giving new mechanics, shiny and fancy graphics/presentation and novel block types and formations, but these fail to add any depth to the genre.”
graphics
178 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
43%
2%
The graphics of "Shatter" are widely praised for their vibrant and colorful art style, combining retro and modern elements with crisp details and dazzling special effects. While many reviewers highlight the stunning visuals and engaging soundtrack that enhance the gameplay experience, some note that the graphics can feel dated or overly flashy, potentially detracting from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game is recognized for its polished presentation and innovative design, making it a standout in the brick-breaker genre.
- “Shatter is a love letter to the classic brick-breaker genre, reimagining the familiar gameplay with innovative mechanics, stunning visuals, and an electrifying soundtrack.”
- “The visuals are crisp and detailed, and the special effects are dazzling.”
- “Beautiful combination of graphics and soundtrack sets the mood for one of the best reimaginings of arkanoid-type games ever.”
- “Graphics are very shallow and flashy without being deep or detailed.”
- “Disliked: graphics are dated; could use an HD overhaul.”
- “Has the 'bullet hell' aesthetic, done amateurishly so that it's nearly impossible to actually play the game through all the visual noise, making it extremely unsatisfying.”
story
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
83%
7%
The story mode in Shatter consists of 10 levels, each featuring unique themes and challenging boss fights, providing a surprisingly engaging narrative for a game of its type. While the overall story is brief and somewhat simplistic, players appreciate the creative gameplay and the variety of modes available, including co-op and bonus challenges. Despite its short length, the story mode is considered the highlight of the game, offering a fun and rewarding experience.
- “The story mode takes you on a journey through various worlds, each with its own set of challenges and bosses.”
- “The game has a bunch of game modes, story mode which takes you through 10 chapters, each with a unique theme and a boss level at the end. The bosses are very well made, and after each boss level, you get a bonus level before moving on to the next chapter.”
- “The gameplay is fresh and interesting, with the story mode being immensely rewarding.”
- “I would venture to say that this game's only downfall is that the story mode is rather short and easy.”
- “The story was a short experience that I finished over a couple of days.”
- “The backgounds take their cue from arcade games in the late 90s, they're vivid and interesting, the game has its own sense of very light-touch humour, and the 'story' mode is really just a way of saying 'play these in order to unlock the later levels'.”
replayability
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
60%
13%
The game offers a variety of modes, including co-op play, which significantly enhances its replayability, with many users praising the high score lists and achievements as additional incentives to return. However, some players feel that the core story mode lacks replay value, and while the game is entertaining, it may not introduce enough new content to warrant repeated playthroughs. Overall, opinions are mixed, with many appreciating the addictive qualities and diverse modes, while others find the replay value limited.
- “It fills the bill with endless replayability and some surprisingly addictive qualities.”
- “Shatter also features a ton of modes and co-op play to extend the replayability further.”
- “Shatter has style, challenge and loads of replay value.”
- “It's short, and you may not find much replayability, but it's a clever little game that's worth a play, if for the soundtrack alone.”
- “Although there are many game modes and a lengthy campaign, I don't feel this has much replay value considering the base game doesn't introduce anything new besides the physics mechanic.”
- “Story mode lacks replay value, but bonus mode and boss time attack are good, entertaining options when you want a quick game.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its humor, featuring clever wordplay and amusing scenarios that enhance the overall experience. Players find it both entertaining and challenging, making it a great choice for a lighthearted gaming session. The humor is consistently highlighted, contributing to the game's charm and enjoyment.
- “Very funny, great game to chill out a bit.”
- “And the whole game has a sense of humor about it (see previously mentioned, as well as 'clock blocked,' 'master batter'... you get the idea.)”
- “Very challenging and my adrenaline was leaking out by the time I beat Brian Butz's hilariously crappy and low score.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
The game is highly optimized, allowing it to run smoothly on a wide range of hardware, making it accessible to many players.
- “The optimization is impressive; anything can run this game smoothly.”
- “The game's performance is so well-optimized that it can run on a wide range of hardware.”
- “The game is poorly optimized; it struggles to maintain a stable frame rate even on high-end systems.”
- “There are numerous bugs that severely impact gameplay, making it frustrating to play.”
- “The optimization is lacking, leading to long loading times and frequent crashes.”