Shattered: Tale of the Forgotten King

The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its souls-like combat and platforming mechanics, while others criticize its lack of polish, repetitive enemy encounters, and clunky controls. Many players find the exploration visually appealing but ultimately unrewarding, and the mechanics often feel underdeveloped or poorly explained. Overall, while there are elements of fun and potential, significant improvements are needed for a more engaging gameplay experience.

The story of the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it convoluted and difficult to follow, often requiring extensive reading and exploration to piece together the narrative. While some appreciate the atmospheric world-building and intriguing lore, others criticize the lack of clarity and coherence, leading to a sense of confusion and frustration. Overall, the storytelling approach, reminiscent of souls-like games, has its merits but may leave players feeling lost or unsatisfied with unresolved plot points.

The music in the game is generally praised for its atmospheric and melancholic qualities, enhancing the overall experience and mood of exploration. However, there are frequent complaints about the inconsistency of the soundtrack, with instances of missing or poorly timed music that detract from emotional engagement. While many players appreciate the quality of the music when it is present, they express a desire for more variety and better integration with gameplay elements.

The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its melancholic music, stunning visuals, and immersive world design, creating a captivating experience that resonates with players. However, some reviewers noted that technical issues, such as lag and clunky gameplay, can detract from the overall atmosphere, particularly during certain segments. Despite these drawbacks, the combination of art style, sound design, and lore contributes to a rich and engaging environment that appeals to fans of atmospheric and exploration-driven games.

The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, including movement issues, collision errors, and frequent crashes, making it frustrating for players. While some enjoy the game's charm and potential, many find it nearly unplayable in its current state, with a lack of polish and stability that detracts from the overall experience. Despite being in early access, the persistent technical problems have led to mixed feelings about its future viability.

The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with some players experiencing significant performance issues, particularly in specific areas, even on high-end hardware. While many report smooth gameplay during long sessions, others encounter severe frame drops and crashes, suggesting that the game may prioritize visual fidelity over performance. Overall, it shows promise but requires further optimization to enhance the experience.

Character development in the game is highly praised for its stunning artwork and captivating character designs, which create a strong initial impression and enhance the overall aesthetic experience. Reviewers appreciate the unique art style reminiscent of Tsutomu Nihei's work, noting that the character designs, particularly of the main character and NPCs, are striking and well-executed. However, some criticism arises regarding the lack of variety in enemy designs, which can feel repetitive despite the overall visual appeal.

The game offers some replayability through multiple endings, but many players feel that the lack of significant gameplay variations and the absence of a new game+ mode limit its overall replay value. Additionally, technical issues and bugs have led to recommendations against playing it for now.

Players generally find the grinding in the game to be tedious and frustrating, often feeling that it detracts from the overall experience rather than providing a rewarding challenge. While some appreciate the game's depth, many express dissatisfaction with the repetitive nature of exploration and platforming required for progression.

The emotional aspect of the game is criticized for failing to deliver the intended impact, particularly in moments where the original soundtrack (OST) is meant to evoke strong feelings.

The humor in the game is often described as unintentionally hilarious, providing moments of amusement that may not be deliberately crafted by the developers.