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Shine Within

90%Game Brain Score
story, music
gameplay, grinding
90% User Score Based on 180 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
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About

A top-down action-adventure game as you collect & solve puzzles in order for you to explore & unravel this mysterious world.

Genres & Tags
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Shine Within screenshot
Shine Within screenshot
Shine Within screenshot
Shine Within screenshot
Shine Within screenshot
Shine Within screenshot
Shine Within screenshot
Shine Within screenshot
Shine Within screenshot
Shine Within screenshot
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90%
Audience ScoreBased on 180 reviews
story14 positive mentions
gameplay4 negative mentions
  • The game features unique and interesting monster designs, creating a captivating atmosphere that blends cute and spooky elements.
  • It offers a heartfelt experience with emotional storytelling, making players feel connected to the characters and their journeys.
  • The pixel art and animations are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall aesthetic and charm of the game.
  • The gameplay can feel simplistic and lacks challenge, with some players describing it as a walking simulator.
  • Many reviewers noted that the game heavily borrows from Undertale, leading to comparisons that may detract from its originality.
  • The story can be vague and confusing at times, leaving players wanting more clarity and depth in the narrative.
  • story
    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is described as cryptic yet intriguing, featuring great storytelling and captivating characters, though some players found it confusing and wished for clearer explanations. The charming narrative, combined with impressive pixel art and music, creates an engaging atmosphere, making it particularly appealing to fans of story-driven games like Undertale. However, some reviewers noted that the plot could benefit from additional depth and clarity, with hopes for resolution in the upcoming sequel, "Lost Inside."

    • “It has an amazing story with great characters.”
    • “Definitely worth playing if you liked Undertale, though it's more story focused and there's no combat.”
    • “The aesthetics to this game are mesmerizing and the story behind it is great, give it a try.”
    • “I don't even know what the plot was about.”
    • “There is a story hidden here, but it is told in a vague enough fashion that I never really felt sucked into the world.”
    • “Do kind of wish it was a bit longer, and some bits of the story made more sense, but I got most of what I needed to when I got to the end!”
  • music
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally praised for its fitting soundtrack and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many noting that it complements the pixel art and animations well. However, some users pointed out issues with awkward looping that can become noticeable during longer gameplay sessions. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, contributing significantly to the game's charm and atmosphere.

    • “The animations for the creatures, the player, and whatever else is amazing. The quirky texts you get from interacting with the world gave me a laugh, and the soundtrack was perfect for every moment in this game.”
    • “Music is 10/10!”
    • “Nice, short game with a beautiful soundtrack and old-school design.”
    • “Sometimes I felt the music would awkwardly loop, but it's barely noticeable if you're captivated by the story as I was.”
    • “Overall the game looks neat and sounds alright, though there are parts where the music gets annoying since it is badly looped and you take longer to finish a room than the music needs to play itself.”
    • “Letting away the fact that it follows a few basic ideas of another successful developer to create an entirely new experience is something I am more than welcome to see.”
  • emotional
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the game to be a fun and wholesome experience, often leading to emotional moments, particularly during the sad or scary parts. Many reviewers noted that the game's emotional impact is heightened by its overall lightheartedness, with some expressing that it made them cry. The game's resemblance to "Undertale" is frequently mentioned, contributing to its emotional resonance.

    • “The game is mostly very wholesome, which makes the more sad/scary parts more effective.”
    • “I cried :) make another”
    • “This is such a fun experience, made me get all emotional at the end lol”
  • gameplay
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized by simple mechanics and easy puzzles, making it accessible and relaxed, though it can feel unengaging until the later stages. While players appreciate the laid-back nature, many feel it lacks depth and misses opportunities for irony, leading to a somewhat boring experience. Overall, the game is enjoyable but could benefit from more interactive elements and less emphasis on cutscenes.

    • “The mechanics are simple and the puzzles are not that hard, so you can play relaxed without stressing about not progressing.”
    • “Gameplay takes place in an underground environment populated by benign monsters, whom you help out in exchange for the statue pieces you need to advance.”
    • “Gameplay is very easy, even when you're being chased by the 'boss,' with simple puzzles a young kid could solve.”
    • “The gameplay isn't too engaging, until the end where it begins to pick up, but everything else makes up for it.”
    • “Gameplay is very easy, even when you're being chased by the 'boss' with simple puzzles a young kid could solve.”
    • “Having said that, this game misses opportunities to build up irony where it seemingly wants to, which results in boring gameplay fairly quickly.”
  • graphics
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's graphics are highly praised for their stunning artwork and diverse thematic designs across various locations. Players appreciate the beautiful aesthetics that enhance the overall experience, making it visually captivating from start to finish.

    • “The game looks really good; different places have different themes and design choices.”
    • “Literally such an amazing game with amazing artwork.”
    • “It's nice and short, filled with beautiful aesthetics from beginning to end.”
  • atmosphere
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its unique and spooky atmosphere, complemented by intriguing world and monster designs, making it an excellent choice for a Halloween-themed experience.

    • “It has a unique and spooky atmosphere, and the world and monster designs are interesting.”
    • “Atmospherically, a good Halloween game.”
  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its amusing dialogue, which adds to the overall fun experience, despite the puzzles being considered basic.

    • “The puzzles are pretty basic, but the game is fun and the dialogue is hilarious.”
    • “The humor in the game really adds to the overall experience, making even simple puzzles enjoyable.”
    • “I loved the witty dialogue; it kept me laughing throughout the game!”
  • grinding
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat boring and tedious, indicating that it may detract from the overall enjoyment of the experience.

    • “It can be a little boring and tedious.”
    • “It can be a little boring and tedious.”
  • replayability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players are uncertain about the replayability of "Shine Within," as they have only completed one playthrough and are unsure if the ending suggests a different experience in subsequent runs. However, the game is enjoyable and free, making it worth exploring regardless of its replay value.

    • “As of this writing, I've only completed one playthrough, so I don't yet know if the provocative 'The End???' concluding screen indicates a second run would be different and thus add replay value. However, even if not, Shine Within is enjoyable enough (and free), so it's worth checking out.”
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