Shatterline

About

Shatterline is a single player and multiplayer shooter game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Frag Lab LLC and was released on July 3, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Shatterline is an arena FPS with a roguelike co-op mode (Expedition) as well as several traditional PvP modes such as TDM, Conquest, Plant-the-Bomb, and Escort. Players can choose Operatives and an armory of weapons that can be customized via attachments. Set in the near future, where humanity faces a threat of cosmic proportions. Players take on the roles of the Immunes – bearers of an extremely …

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70%

Audience ScoreBased on 17,349 reviews

gameplay609 positive mentions

grinding231 negative mentions

The game features fast-paced mechanics and satisfying gunplay, making it genuinely fun to play.
The graphics are stunning, with highly detailed environments and impressive visual polish that enhance the overall atmosphere.
The soundtrack effectively complements the game's atmosphere, elevating emotional moments and enhancing the immersive experience.

The story is criticized for being generic, poorly executed, and lacking in character development, leaving players wanting more.
The game suffers from significant optimization issues, including stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, which hinder gameplay.
Many players find the character designs bland and uninspired, with a lack of depth and originality in character development.

gameplay
1,412 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
51%
6%
The gameplay of "Shatterline" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its fast-paced mechanics, satisfying gunplay, and engaging cooperative and competitive modes. However, criticisms include repetitive gameplay, unbalanced mechanics, and issues with movement and hit registration, which detract from the overall experience. While the game shows potential with its unique features and solid core mechanics, it requires further polish and balancing to fully realize its promise.
- “Overall, Shatterline has great core mechanics.”
- “From a gameplay perspective, it is genuinely fun.”
- “The gameplay mechanics in Shatterline are incredibly satisfying, especially the gunplay.”
- “The movement mechanics are garbage.”
- “The jump mechanic is the worst I've ever experienced in a game that had jump mechanics.”
- “Gameplay is just not there: stiff, unresponsive, slow.”
story
1,160 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
71%
7%
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it generic and poorly executed. While some appreciate the intriguing premise and potential for deeper lore, others criticize the narrative for being disjointed, repetitive, and lacking in character development. The transition from a multiplayer-focused experience to a single-player campaign has left many feeling that the story is underdeveloped and not engaging enough to sustain interest over time. Overall, while there are elements of a compelling story, the execution and delivery have left players wanting more.
- “The story is interesting, but if you're there for the gameplay, you don't have to worry as the story is more of a background element.”
- “The game weaves a complex and thought-provoking story that explores themes of identity, perception, and the nature of reality itself.”
- “The storytelling is subtle yet impactful, leaving plenty of room for interpretation and personal reflection.”
- “What an absolute utter disaster, they absolutely messed up when they made this a paid game, took out fun multiplayer and co-op like Destiny, and put in a terrible storyline of cryptic aliens.”
- “Boring game every step of the way; all skills are boring, characters are boring, and the story of the game is boring.”
- “The narrative lacks charm, and the story's pacing, progression, and conclusion are unfulfilling.”
graphics
565 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
42%
5%
The graphics of "Shatterline" have received widespread praise for their impressive quality, detailed environments, and vibrant art style, often compared favorably to AAA titles. Many players appreciate the game's ability to run smoothly on various hardware, although some have reported graphical glitches and performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, while the visuals are generally regarded as a strong point, there are calls for further optimization and refinement to enhance the gaming experience.
- “The graphics in Shatterline are stunning, with highly detailed environments that capture the gritty, futuristic setting of the game.”
- “With visuals so crisp you can count the dirt on your enemy's boots and a campaign that slaps harder than your morning coffee, it's the perfect cure for a dull weekend.”
- “The graphics are top-notch, creating a visually stunning experience that draws you deeper into the game's universe.”
- “I had to restart the first campaign mission so many times and it still either crashed or had graphical glitches that made it impossible to move forward, such as 'following the echo', but my screen turns completely black so I can't even see where I'm going.”
- “I was very excited to play this, but was disappointed to see super crappy graphics and UI.”
- “The graphics are average to below average at the best settings and a boring, typically mindless AI that makes the game boring.”
grinding
267 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
12%
87%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly in terms of leveling weapons and unlocking attachments. While some appreciate the challenge and the sense of progression it offers, others express frustration over the slow pace and the feeling of burnout after extended play sessions. Overall, the consensus suggests that while grinding can be enjoyable for some, it may deter others due to its demanding nature and the potential for imbalance between new and veteran players.
- “Getting guns is grindy but not too grindy, so it makes it worth it, and gun abilities are a nice touch.”
- “I really dig the speed, and the blueprint grind; it's not too tedious and feels rewarding.”
- “Fast-paced, good opportunities for teamwork, not too grindy, and I haven't seen any evidence of pay-to-win.”
- “A horrifically boring and uninteresting gameplay loop that was insanely grindy, extraction-shooter-like, that absolutely never felt legitimately rewarding or worth it.”
- “The fact that this grinding affects PvP and makes someone who has played the game more than you better is not fun in a shooter.”
- “Way too grindy for how little content there is, and co-op still feels half-assed and fairly unrewarding.”
optimization
262 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
46%
25%
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While some users report smooth performance and good optimization even on lower-end hardware, many others experience significant issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, particularly after updates. Overall, the game shows potential for improvement, especially considering its early access status, but persistent optimization problems remain a concern for many players.
- “Performance is great.”
- “Very well made game.. all it leaves to you is to set up the settings in the menu to match your machine's performance.”
- “This game is the most optimized FPS game out here so far lol... I'm getting 200+ fps with everything max in my graphic setting and that makes me happy because I can aim and shoot with good response time :)”
- “The game suffers from a persistent lack of optimization, resulting in sporadic performance issues and frustrating technical glitches.”
- “Unoptimized garbage, guns feel good but constant frame drops and bullets take 2 seconds to register.”
- “The latest update made the game unplayable, worsening the performance massively, mostly lower framerate, heavy stutters and frequent crashes.”
stability
238 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
93%
The game's stability is a significant concern among players, with numerous reports of bugs, crashes, and graphical glitches that hinder gameplay. Many users have experienced issues such as black screens, freezing, and unresponsive menus, making it difficult to progress through missions or enjoy the game fully. While some acknowledge the potential for improvement given its early access status, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game is currently too unstable and buggy to recommend.
- “It always runs great on Linux using Steam Play!”
- “Runs great on a Steam Deck.”
- “Looks great, runs great, and a pretty good game overall, lots of potential.”
- “I had to restart the first campaign mission so many times and it still either crashed or had graphical glitches that made it impossible to move forward, such as 'following the echo', but my screen turns completely black so I can't even see where I'm going.”
- “The game is a buggy mess and unoptimized.”
- “It's so buggy I couldn't even complete the intro.”
monetization
201 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
38%
52%
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many users labeling it a "cash grab" that exploits the remnants of a previously free game. Players express frustration over the transition to a paid model, aggressive microtransactions, and the introduction of NFTs, which they feel detracts from the game's original value and community trust. While some reviews mention fair cosmetic-only monetization, the overall sentiment leans heavily towards disappointment in the developers' approach to monetization and the perceived lack of genuine support for the player base.
- “Surprisingly good, great gameplay and really friendly monetization.”
- “As a free to play game, it has one of the best forms of monetization you can find: cosmetic only.”
- “The microtransactions are cheap and purely cosmetic, everything is unlocked via gameplay and takes long enough to be motivating and not long enough to be a grind.”
- “This company is shady and dirty, and this shell of a game that it used to be is nothing more than a cash grab to make up for their failures.”
- “It’s a cash grab built on the corpse of a free game they already gave up on a long time ago.”
- “Greedy devs removed the game from Steam and went over to Epic, failed, and now they are trying to make a cash grab with old rehashed content here on Steam again.”
humor
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
4%
The humor in the game is often described as both unintentional and intentional, with players finding amusement in its absurdities, such as the game's transition from free to paid and its various mismanagement issues. Many reviews highlight the quirky voice lines and comedic moments that arise during gameplay, although some criticize the humor for being overbearing or poorly executed. Overall, while the game has its share of funny elements, it also suffers from significant balance and design flaws that detract from the experience.
- “The fact that it used to be free as well and now they're charging $10 for this joke of a game is hilarious.”
- “I personally love this game because of the hilarious clutch moments that can be made easily with a few friends.”
- “I find it hilarious that the achievement for completing the intro mission is only unlocked by 2.4% of players.”
- “It's not funny and it's just dull.”
- “The humor falls flat and feels forced.”
- “I expected more laughs, but the jokes missed the mark.”
replayability
57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
47%
16%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising the variety in maps and modes, particularly the roguelike expedition mode, which offers high replay value due to its procedural generation. However, many users express frustration over the lack of difficulty options, limited co-op features, and repetitive PvE content, which detracts from the overall experience. While some aspects, like character diversity and mission variety, enhance replayability, others, such as a lengthy progression system and few maps, significantly hinder it.
- “And the use of heroes to add some replay value to the game is a nice touch with different paths and places to flank and explore.”
- “This diversity in maps adds to the replayability, as players must adapt their strategies to different settings.”
- “Expedition (rogue-like co-op) replayability is through the roof; I can't say I've been in 2 identical missions so far.”
- “You're locked into one difficulty level, which destroys the small amount of replayability the game had.”
- “No replayability, and it's not even fun to play it the first time.”
- “The PvE modes are pretty forgettable; they're fun in the moment but don't hold up well in terms of replayability.”
music
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
50%
9%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its atmospheric qualities that enhance the overall experience, while others find it forgettable or lacking in personality. Some highlight the soundtrack's ability to elevate emotional moments and complement the visuals, but there are also criticisms regarding its inconsistency and the absence of music in certain modes. Overall, while the sound design is generally well-received, the soundtrack could benefit from more memorable and distinctive compositions.
- “With an impressive soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere, Shatterline truly stands out in the gaming landscape.”
- “Accompanying the outstanding gameplay is an enchanting soundtrack that perfectly complements the game's atmosphere.”
- “The thunderous sound effects and stirring musical score successfully amplify the intensity of the conflicts, pulling players deeper into the realm of chaos and heroism.”
- “The music is fine overall but it doesn't have much personality.”
- “This game is also lacking artistically; the character designs are bland, the music is barely noticeable, and the voice acting feels half-assed.”
- “There's also like no music at all during even the co-op mode, which just feels like running around a barren wasteland killing mindless NPCs.”
character development
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
Character development in the game has been widely criticized for its lack of depth and originality, with many players finding the character designs bland and generic. While some characters may stand out, overall, the designs and abilities feel uninspired and fail to leave a lasting impression. Additionally, the narrative suffers from predictable tropes, further diminishing the potential for meaningful character growth and engagement.
- “Actually fun to play; great character design, nice graphics, astonishingly good gunplay 10/10 would recommend”
- “And as a character artist myself, I love the character designs and art.”
- “Runs great, environments are solid, character designs are perfectly acceptable, weapon models look great.”
- “Furthermore, while the narrative initially holds promise, it falls prey to predictable tropes and a lack of substantial character development, leaving players yearning for more depth and complexity.”
- “Overall I give this game a 2 out of 5 even though it's in the alpha phase mainly because it feels like there just wasn't enough thought put into character design and weapon leveling; it's like they are just copying from other games and there is no unique feel to this game at all.”
- “This goes for just about everything in the game honestly, but the character designs are the worst.”
atmosphere
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
74%
17%
9%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its impressive visual polish, dynamic lighting, and a haunting soundtrack that enhances the immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the gritty art style and the effective sound design, which together create a captivating and sometimes unsettling ambiance. However, some critiques mention that certain maps feel generic and lack depth, detracting from the overall atmosphere.
- “This visual polish is complemented by a stellar soundtrack and sound design, which further enhances the overall atmosphere.”
- “The game's art style is a striking blend of surrealism and minimalism, creating an atmosphere that is both beautiful and unsettling.”
- “With an impressive soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere, Shatterline truly stands out in the gaming landscape.”
- “What the game lacks is originality; it's as generic a shooter as they come. It lacks in pretty much every relevant metric there is, whether it be graphics style, game mechanics, objectives/game modes, atmosphere, or game world setting. There's flat out nothing that sets it apart from other shooters.”
- “- Maps are generic, with no atmosphere. There are some blocky objects that can be moved around, though.”
emotional
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional responses to the game are mixed, with some players expressing a lack of investment due to perceived betrayals by the developers, while others highlight the game's engaging and resonant storyline that evokes strong feelings. The music and visuals are noted for enhancing emotional impact, but frustrations with gameplay mechanics and community issues detract from the overall experience for many. Overall, the game elicits a range of emotions, from heartfelt appreciation for its narrative to disappointment over its current state and community dynamics.
- “The music blends seamlessly with the visuals, intensifying the emotional impact of each scene.”
- “Furthermore, the storyline of Shatterline is both intriguing and emotionally resonant.”
- “The subtle storytelling leaves a lasting impression, making Shatterline more than just a puzzle-platformer but a truly heartfelt and immersive experience.”