SHIATH

About

SHIATH is a single player action game. It was developed by theJameskrik and was released on August 29, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

SHIATH (Something horrible is about to happen) is a short (less than an hour long) horror game about the end of humankind and self-made doom. Features Clay pigeon shooting. To survive, you'll need to take as much as you can from the sea below. Remember that not everything that surfaces is what it seems to be. The brink. A surreal vision of a dying world. Enjoy your stay on the last patch …

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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95%

Audience ScoreBased on 38 reviews

graphics5 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game offers a unique and thought-provoking narrative experience that explores deep themes of human nature and existential dread.
Visually striking with a low-poly art style, the atmosphere is immersive and effectively unsettling, enhancing the overall horror experience.
Despite its short runtime, the game delivers a gripping and intense experience, with well-crafted writing that encourages reflection and interpretation.

Gameplay mechanics can feel vague and awkward, leading to frustrating moments, particularly with platforming and trial-and-error shooting.
The heavy-handed messaging and judgmental tone can detract from the experience, making players feel belittled rather than engaged.
The lack of a save system and the forced text delivery can disrupt the flow of gameplay, leading to potential frustration for players.

story
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
65%
21%
The story is characterized by a chaotic and depressing tone, focusing on themes of tension and decay, delivered primarily through exploration and environmental storytelling rather than traditional dialogue. While some players appreciate the depth and interpretive nature of the narrative, others find it lacking, with criticisms aimed at its pacing and overall execution. Despite mixed reviews, the writing is noted as sharp and compelling, leaving some players hopeful for future developments from the developer.
- “The story is delivered through exploration and environmental storytelling rather than traditional exposition.”
- “What really stands out here is the writing; rarely do you see storytelling this sharp and compelling in any game.”
- “The plot is delivered in a huge amount of text; expect to read and wait a lot.”
- “The story is chaotic and depressing.”
- “This is definitely not a story about triumph, but tension, uncertainty, and the slow, inevitable decay of everything with a touch of mystery in-between.”
gameplay
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
The gameplay is a mixed bag, with some players finding it functional yet lacking depth, often relying on trial and error mechanics that can feel vague and tedious. While there are interesting elements, such as a unique clay-pigeon-shooting mechanic and a strong emotional connection with the dog companion, others criticize the overall experience as unappealing and shallow. Despite its short runtime, the game offers a blend of exploration and survival that some players appreciate, while others feel it fails to deliver a compelling experience.
- “Gameplay centers on exploration and survival.”
- “The dog, your sole companion, becomes not just a gameplay entity but an emotional anchor for your character.”
- “A neat little horror game with some fascinating philosophical themes and a short runtime and gameplay loop which don't overstay their welcome.”
- “I wish that some of the mechanics allowed for better judgment; a lot of the shooting is just trial and error, or at least I didn't notice the difference between objects and enemies.”
- “Its mechanics are vague, awkward, and tedious, and the game feels bizarrely judgmental.”
- “The developer is obviously a misanthrope and seems determined to make the player feel that contempt during every second of gameplay.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
20%
30%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players praising the unique art style, low poly visuals, and impressive overall design that enhance the horror experience. However, some users found the graphics unappealing and lacking in quality, leading to a polarized reception. Overall, while the visuals are highlighted as a strong point by some, others feel they fall short of expectations.
- “Fun and interesting short little horror; I could recommend it for the visuals alone, but the sound is also well-done.”
- “The graphics and overall design had me and a couple of friends very impressed; the characters as well were also enjoyable.”
- “The graphics and overall design had me and a couple of friends very impressed, the characters as well were also enjoyable.”
- “I love how the visuals, audio, and text genuinely make you feel the protagonist’s unease, while also giving you something to reflect on about yourself.”
- “A brief but solid horror experience, I really liked the mood and overall aesthetic.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a surreal low-poly aesthetic that enhances its psychological tension and horror elements, creating an eerie and uncomfortable experience. While it may not appeal to everyone, those who appreciate indie horror will find the atmosphere compelling and immersive, supported by impressive writing and a distinct sense of futility. Overall, the atmosphere is consistently praised as fantastic and deeply engaging.
- “The developers make clear from the outset, and through every atmospheric beat of the game, that survival may be futile and the outcome dark.”
- “The atmosphere is fantastic too; simply existing in this world feels eerie, uncomfortable, and wrong in the best way.”
- “It is not a game for everyone, but for players who appreciate a neat little indie horror experience, psychological tension, and a surreal low-poly atmosphere that stands out, especially at its low price point.”
- “The way the dev used low-poly graphics elevated the atmosphere.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding mechanics to be vague, awkward, and tedious, leading to a frustrating experience that feels overly judgmental.
- “The mechanics are vague, awkward, and tedious, making the grinding experience feel bizarrely judgmental.”
- “Grinding becomes a monotonous chore that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- “The repetitive nature of grinding feels like a time sink rather than a rewarding experience.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players highlight the profound emotional connection formed with the dog, which serves as a vital companion and emotional anchor for the character, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
- “The dog, your sole companion, becomes not just a gameplay entity but an emotional anchor for your character.”
- “The story unfolds in a way that tugs at your heartstrings, making you feel deeply connected to the characters.”
- “Every choice you make has emotional weight, leading to moments that resonate long after the game is over.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a blend of trippy visuals and humor, highlighted by a stunning sunset island level and a comical skeleton scarecrow, which adds a lighthearted touch to the overall experience.
- “It also has trippy visuals with a magnificent sunset island level and a funny skeleton scarecrow. :D”