Shine Within

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 90 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • emotional
Shine Within Game Cover
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A top-down action-adventure game as you collect & solve puzzles in order for you to explore & unravel this mysterious world.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 90 reviews
story7 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • The game features unique and interesting monster designs, creating a captivating atmosphere.
  • It has a charming story with emotional depth, and the ending can be quite impactful.
  • The pixel art and soundtrack are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The gameplay is very simple and lacks challenge, which may lead to boredom for some players.
  • It heavily borrows elements from Undertale, which may detract from its originality.
  • The story can be vague and confusing at times, leaving players wanting more clarity.
  • story16 mentions

    The story is described as cryptic yet intriguing, featuring great storytelling and captivating pixel art and animations. While many players appreciate the charm and aesthetics, some find the plot confusing and lacking clarity, hoping for further explanations in the upcoming sequel. Overall, the narrative is engaging, particularly for fans of story-driven games, despite some awkward music loops and a desire for a longer experience.

    • “Overall, the ambience is great, and the story is cryptic but intriguing.”
    • “It has an amazing story with great characters.”
    • “The aesthetics to this game is mesmerizing and the story behind it is great, give it a try.”
    • “The story behind the plot is kind of missing something to be less confusing, but I hope it will be all explained in the sequel game 'Lost Inside' that the dev is working on!”
    • “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.”
  • music10 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its fitting and captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, with some users noting that it perfectly complements the game's atmosphere. However, there are occasional criticisms regarding awkward looping and repetitiveness, which can detract from immersion during longer gameplay sessions. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm.

    • “The soundtrack was perfect for every moment in this game.”
    • “The OST sounds good and fits the game well.”
    • “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.”
    • “Extremely underrated in my opinion; this should be on the front page. Honestly, I am a coder and this looks extremely hard to make with all the music and sound effects.”
  • emotional7 mentions

    Players find the game to be a fun and wholesome experience that evokes strong emotions, particularly during its sadder moments, leading to tears and a deep connection with the narrative. The game's charm and emotional impact are often compared to Undertale, highlighting its ability to balance lightheartedness with poignant themes. Overall, it leaves a lasting emotional impression despite its short length.

    • “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.”
  • gameplay7 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by simple mechanics and easy puzzles, allowing for a relaxed experience, though it may lack engagement until later stages. While some players appreciate the laid-back nature, others find it quickly becomes boring and wish for more interactive elements. Overall, the game offers a charming underground setting with benign monsters, but it may not satisfy those seeking more challenging gameplay.

    • “The mechanics are simple and the puzzles are not that hard, so you can play relaxed without stressing about not progressing.”
    • “Gameplay is very easy, even when you're being chased by the 'boss,' with simple puzzles a young kid could solve.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics4 mentions

    The game's graphics are highly praised for their stunning artwork and diverse thematic designs across different 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 incredible artwork.”
    • “It's nice and short, filled with beautiful aesthetics from beginning to end.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The game is praised for its unique and spooky atmosphere, featuring intriguing world and monster designs that enhance the overall experience, making it particularly suitable for a Halloween-themed setting.

    • “It has a unique and spooky atmosphere, and the world and monster designs are interesting.”
    • “Atmospherically, a good Halloween game.”
  • humor1 mentions

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

    • “The puzzles are pretty basic, but the game is fun and the dialogue is hilarious.”
    • “I couldn't stop laughing at the witty banter between characters!”
    • “The humor in this game is top-notch, making even the simplest tasks enjoyable.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players generally find grinding to be somewhat boring and tedious, often leading to a lack of engagement over time.

    • “It can be a little boring and tedious.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and lacks variety.”
    • “I find myself doing the same tasks over and over, which becomes frustrating.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players express uncertainty about the replayability of "Shine Within," as the ending suggests potential differences in a second playthrough, but the game is enjoyable enough on its own to warrant exploration, even if replay value remains unclear.

    • “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.”
    • “The game offers multiple endings and choices that significantly alter the story, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
    • “With various character builds and strategies to explore, I find myself coming back to the game to try out different approaches and experiences.”
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