Sheltered

Sheltered depicts the grim, unpleasant side of the post-apocalypse to great effect for its limited resources. That doesn’t stop the game from getting frustratingly repetitive though as there’s simply not enough variety in the game’s opening hours.

68%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

grinding, stability

77% User Score Based on 2,346 reviews

Critic Score 60%Based on 11 reviews

Platforms

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About

Sheltered is a single player survival role playing game. It was developed by Team 17 Digital Ltd and was released on March 15, 2016. It received neutral reviews from critics and mostly positive reviews from players.

"Sheltered" is a single-player role-playing game with good mechanics, graphics, and soundtrack, but can be very grinding and buggy. In this post-apocalyptic disaster management game, you must keep your family alive in an underground bunker, gathering supplies and making difficult decisions in a harsh, emotionally charged atmosphere. The game is highly replayable, with humor and small victories providing relief in the struggle to survive.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

77%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,346 reviews

gameplay74 positive mentions

grinding94 negative mentions

Engaging gameplay with a strong sense of survival and resource management.
Customizable characters and pets add depth to the experience.
Challenging at first, but rewarding once you learn the mechanics.

Repetitive gameplay can lead to boredom after a while.
Poor UI and controls make micromanagement tedious.
RNG can heavily impact survival, leading to frustrating experiences.

gameplay
347 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
69%
10%
Gameplay in "Sheltered" is characterized by a mix of engaging survival mechanics and tedious micromanagement, often leading to a repetitive experience. While the initial hours can be enjoyable as players navigate resource management and character needs, many reviews highlight that the gameplay becomes stale and overly simplistic once the mechanics are mastered. Additionally, issues such as a clunky user interface, poor balancing, and a lack of meaningful events detract from the overall experience, making it more of a grind than a compelling survival simulation.
- “The gameplay is fun for the most part; when you start, it's enjoyable to try and figure out how to survive using the things given to you by the game.”
- “The retro-styled graphics paired with the intricate workings of the mechanics make for an immersive experience.”
- “With many obvious needs that you must take care of at all times, this game can be quite stressful, but once you get the mechanics down, it becomes very fun and very addictive.”
- “The gameplay becomes repetitive very quickly, and once you understand the mechanics, it also gets really easy.”
- “Gameplay-wise, it's really lacking in many areas and often feels like wasting time.”
- “The tutorial does not explain anything, the gameplay is boring, and I fail to find any redeeming qualities.”
graphics
201 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
63%
10%
The graphics of the game are predominantly pixelated and retro-styled, which elicits mixed reactions from players. While some appreciate the charm and atmosphere these graphics create, others find them simplistic or unappealing compared to modern standards. Overall, many reviewers agree that despite the graphics not being cutting-edge, they effectively complement the gameplay and thematic elements of the post-apocalyptic setting.
- “The graphical style was stunning and the randomly generated locations were hauntingly atmospheric, really immersing me in the post-apocalyptic world.”
- “I loved the retro styled pixelated graphics of Sheltered and often found myself impressed by how well the minimalist graphics were able to convey the gritty emotions of a post-apocalyptic world.”
- “The graphics are nice and the sound matches the atmosphere.”
- “The graphics are terrible at first glance compared to new AAA games.”
- “Lots of good reviews on this game, mine however is as thus: the worst 2D very bad survival graphics game I have ever played in my life.”
- “Shitty graphics (there's indie graphics... and then there's just bad graphics).”
story
190 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
78%
8%
The game's story is often described as minimal and lacking depth, with many players feeling that it relies heavily on player-generated narratives rather than a structured plot. While some enjoy the emergent storytelling that arises from managing a family in a survival scenario, others criticize the repetitive quests and lack of meaningful character development, leading to a sense of stagnation in the narrative. Overall, the game has potential for storytelling but currently falls short, leaving players wanting more engaging content and a clearer storyline.
- “The story is nice and there's so many places to explore!”
- “I can honestly say each time I boot up this game, I enjoy a new story about a ragtag family attempting to hold onto the last scrap of hope.”
- “The story is interesting to follow and the combat/characters/gameplay is really interesting to be a part of.”
- “This game grows stale and repetitive extremely quickly in mechanics and makes no real attempt whatsoever at letting you craft any sort of a story.”
- “There's next to no story in this game and you really don't care if your characters are killed or whatever.”
- “There is no real story in the game besides journal entries that quickly become repetitive, and you never really feel like there is a true relationship between your 'sheltered' inhabitants.”
grinding
95 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
99%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with players often feeling overwhelmed by the constant need for micromanagement and resource gathering. Many reviews highlight the lack of automation options, leading to a frustrating click-fest that detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some players appreciate the slow-paced, grindy nature of the game, others find it ultimately boring and lacking in meaningful progression, especially in the late game.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
- “While I have survived to 100 days, boy were those days sure very boring, grindy, and repetitive.”
- “The game becomes tedious because there is nothing new; you hit a game-made standstill that you can't progress from because the game is keeping you from doing so.”
- “The micromanaging gets ridiculous and tedious.”
replayability
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
53%
9%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its high replay value due to varied scenarios and game modes, while others criticize it for becoming repetitive and lacking significant progression or variety after initial playthroughs. Many recommend it as a fun time sink, especially if purchased on sale, but caution that it may not hold long-term interest for everyone. Overall, the potential for replayability exists, particularly with updates and customization options, but it may diminish over time.
- “There is a lot of replay value because each playthrough is different.”
- “This game even has game modes beyond what it takes to 100%; meaning that there's still replay value even after 'finishing' the game.”
- “The game provides a number of difficulties and scenarios, and has tremendous replay value.”
- “Becomes repetitive, no replay value.”
- “There are only two game modes and then a survival mode, so the replay value isn't very high.”
- “The main issue is that it's so repetitive; there is almost zero replay value, and once your shelter becomes fairly self-sustainable and you build nice things there is basically nothing left to do in the game.”
music
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
49%
8%
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and captivating qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a mix of soothing and ominous tones. Many players appreciate the unique soundtrack, which complements the pixel art style and gameplay, although some note that certain tracks can become repetitive. Overall, the music significantly contributes to the game's charm and immersive environment, making it a standout feature for fans of the genre.
- “I love the style, the music, the atmosphere.”
- “The music is amazing, all the sounds that permeate throughout gameplay are perfect and don't get old.”
- “The music is very soothing, yet ominous.”
- “The combat is worse than one of the thousands of awful generic RPG Maker games (you get to fight token generic raider, rogue army guy, survivor, wolf, or bear and nothing else ever); the music is just bad ambiance, and the art style is just generic lazy pixel art with jaggies and no outlines.”
- “However, the music (either battle or jukebox) is like a 12-second long loop that gets pretty annoying fast.”
- “- music is kind of bland.”
atmosphere
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
29%
10%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning graphical style, hauntingly immersive environments, and effective use of music that enhances the post-apocalyptic setting. Players appreciate the sense of desperation and tension created by the survival mechanics, although some note that certain gameplay elements can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game successfully builds a rich and engaging atmosphere that resonates with fans of the genre.
- “The graphical style was stunning and the randomly generated locations were hauntingly atmospheric, really immersing me in the post-apocalyptic world.”
- “It really nails the atmosphere of desperation as people try to establish themselves in a desperate world.”
- “Summary - Sheltered is a fun and memorable survival game with a great atmosphere, original visuals, and excellent music that will easily provide fans of the genre with 20-40 hours of gameplay.”
- “Can't eat meat until you have a freezer and a stove (can't make a simple fire to cook), have to fix the bed/bucket/etc. every three times you use it, can't go on expedition in a hazmat suit (have to wear only a certain disposable mask), dialogues and atmosphere don't express the drama of a post-apocalyptic situation.”
- “Really destroys the atmosphere and a shortage of storage space is the wrong move to create a feeling of pressure.”
- “A few bugs really ruin the whole atmosphere of the game.”
stability
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with many users reporting numerous glitches, bugs, and unpolished features that significantly impact gameplay. While some players note improvements over time, the overall consensus is that the game remains quite buggy, leading to frustrating experiences such as freezing during raids and disappearing items. Despite these issues, a few players still find enjoyment in the game, acknowledging its potential if the stability problems are addressed.
- “It's fun but one of the most buggy games I've ever played.”
- “You cannot expect people to pay for games with game-breaking bugs and glitches where they lose just because your game mechanics are broken!”
- “Only buy this if you are okay with interrupted gameplay and losing progress and characters to bugs and glitches.”
emotional
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have expressed a range of emotional experiences with the game, highlighting moments of deep attachment to characters and the impact of their deaths, which can evoke strong feelings, including tears. While some reviewers found the emotional depth to be significant, others criticized the game for not living up to its claims of being a "deep and emotional" experience, comparing it unfavorably to similar titles. Overall, the emotional aspect is a mixed bag, with some players finding it profoundly affecting and others feeling it lacks the necessary depth.
- “The deep and sometimes emotional moments in the game were what really made the experience for me.”
- “Got emotionally attached to a random survivor named Jeffery, and then he got murdered by someone else.”
- “This game can actually be a bit more emotional than assumed... I raised a family, taught them things, exercised them to peak fitness, upgraded many components on the bunker, took in other survivors, and had a bond with everyone.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is consistently praised for its entertaining and often absurd interactions, making it both funny and addicting. Players enjoy the subtle comedic elements woven into gameplay, such as darkly humorous scenarios involving character decisions and unexpected outcomes. Overall, the game's blend of humor with complex mechanics creates a unique and engaging experience that keeps players entertained.
- “So entertaining and funny, worth the cash, 10/10”
- “Once you are capable of beating the game on normal difficulty, you can start ramping that up and the whole while you run into hilarious encounters.”
- “You think this will be a simple game with a mix of SimCity and The Sims... but when you reach day 36 and both the father and daughter die from food poisoning while you're trying to upgrade the workbench with way too many people living in the shelter... you realize 'wow this game is hilarious, serious, complex, hard, and simple... all at the same time!'.”
optimization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
14%
29%
Overall, the game is well-optimized, running smoothly without bugs or crashes, even on low-end hardware. Its simple graphics contribute to this performance, while customizable settings enhance the user experience. However, some players noted that certain stats do not impact gameplay, which could affect equipment management.
- “No bugs, crashes, or performance issues.”
- “Graphics are simple, but the game runs smoothly, you have a customizable world and difficulty settings.”
- “The game runs smoothly on my low-end laptop in full HD, so that's definitely a plus.”
- “The stats have no effect on the performance of the expedition at all, and the kit takes up a precious equipment slot.”
- “I attribute the game's early access performance to its simplistic design but complex mechanics.”
monetization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
The monetization of "Sheltered 2" has been criticized as a cash grab, with users noting the absence of microtransactions and ads, which may make it safer for players with addictive tendencies. However, the overall lack of effort in game design and balancing has led to disappointment, suggesting that the game feels more like a poorly executed sequel than a genuine product.
- “It's what you wanted Fallout Shelter to be, and without microtransactions.”
- “Update 2: The devs have officially abandoned Sheltered 2, the sloppy, poorly made cash grab sequel.”
- “With how little effort went into making this game interesting, balancing, bug squashing, and all the other problems, I have to say that this game is nothing more than a cash grab.”
- “If you have an addictive personality, maybe skip it, but it's not like it has microtransactions, so it should be reasonably safe.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
Character development in the game is noted for its engaging design and crafting elements, allowing players to create unique experiences, such as building an underground base. However, it may not appeal to those who prefer slower-paced gameplay, as some users found it lacking in depth. Overall, while the character design is appreciated, the gameplay may not satisfy all preferences.
- “It involves a lot of thinking ahead and has one of the most interesting character design screens. I just like it.”
- “You've got crafting, you've got character development, you can create a big beautiful underground base and thrive.”
- “Sorry to say this, but I don't recommend this game for anyone who shares my taste (who enjoys slower-paced games with character development-focused gameplay).”