Shing!
- August 28, 2020
- Mass Creation
- 1h median play time
Shing! offers nothing new, is a bit clunky, and couldn't keep my attention after the first hour.
Get on Steam"Shing! is a Hack and Slash game with exceptional mechanics and a good story, offering 4-player local and online co-op. Its intuitive controls and immersive combat system, complete with freestyle combos and character switching, make for a unique and humorous beat-em-up experience."
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Linux
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features a unique and satisfying control scheme that allows for fluid combat and combo chaining, reminiscent of classic beat 'em ups.
- The art style and character design are visually appealing, with a humorous and engaging story that adds charm to the gameplay.
- It's a fun game for local co-op play, providing a nostalgic experience with friends and a variety of enemy types that require different strategies.
- The default control scheme using the right stick for attacks can be unintuitive and frustrating, leading to misdirected attacks and a steep learning curve.
- The game can become repetitive, with some players finding the combat simplistic and lacking depth as they progress.
- There are significant bugs and issues with multiplayer functionality, which can detract from the overall experience, especially in co-op mode.
- gameplay53 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of engaging mechanics and enemy variety, offering a fun, arcade-like experience that encourages mastery of its systems. While some players appreciate the depth and responsive controls, others find the gameplay can become repetitive and occasionally frustrating due to complex mechanics and bugs. Overall, it combines nostalgic beat-em-up elements with modern features, making it enjoyable for those who embrace its challenges.
“What kept me was the amazing gameplay loop and arcade-like experience, along with my compulsion of owning all cosmetics available through just playing (of which are a ton).”
“This is one of those challenging games where the more you master its mechanics, the more fun you have.”
“Overall it is a nice 2.5D action fighting game that does not ask you to learn precise timing to enjoy it; it is a throwback to the old arcade games from the 80s and 90s with nice graphics and fun gameplay.”
“The gameplay can get repetitive, and the action, while somewhat enjoyable, can soon turn into an irritating chore that has you multitask, in a game that doesn’t really let you do so.”
“But I grew bored very quickly as the game doesn't have much depth and the fighting mechanics lead to lots of you managing attack spam, instead of fighting, which grows exhausting after a short while.”
“The right joystick mechanic, while clever on paper, simply doesn't work well in practice, as your character will often do the wrong attacks, or attack in completely the wrong direction.”
- story51 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally viewed as entertaining but not particularly deep, often serving as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a focal point. While some players appreciate the humor and character interactions, others find the narrative minimalistic and lacking in engagement. Overall, it is considered a fun and lighthearted experience, especially for those who prioritize gameplay over story.
“The cast of characters are well written and developed, and the story is intriguing.”
“It's a wonderful mix of flawless combat, interesting story, and nicely written dialogue.”
“The story is funny, the fights are challenging, and the graphics are nice.”
“The story is very minimalistic.”
“The plot was being told right at the beginning and the following dialogues were just the reiteration of that.”
“The story is not engaging.”
- graphics49 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the vibrant art style and polished visuals that evoke a nostalgic 90s aesthetic. While some players appreciate the cartoonish design and character animations, others find the graphics reminiscent of lower-budget titles, likening them to a "Fortnite look." Overall, the visuals are generally considered appealing, though opinions vary on their execution and depth.
“The graphics are superb, as are the levels.”
“Great visuals and character design, fun gameplay, very polished game overall.”
“The visuals are top-notch for an indie offering.”
“Unfortunately, as much as I appreciate the graphics and basic style (as well as the concept of the plot), the game is just unenjoyable.”
“If there is one area dragging on the game's graphics, it might be the visuals of the enemies you fight.”
“-gamers insisting on the highest fidelity of graphics rooted in 'uncanny valley' will be underwhelmed by Shing's much more simplistic cartoon-esque visuals.”
- humor28 mentions
- 93 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its light-hearted banter and funny character interactions, while others find the dialogue flat or cringeworthy. Many reviews highlight the game's unique blend of over-the-top humor and engaging story, often likening it to a mix of 90's B-movie aesthetics and modern meme culture. Overall, while the humor may not resonate with everyone, it adds a distinctive charm to the gameplay experience, especially when enjoyed with friends.
“This game is very unique with a beautiful art style and funny humor.”
“Shing is fun and has some awesomely funny moments and characters...not at all what you'd expect from shinobi fighting yokai in a fantasy setting.”
“The characters are well designed, and hilarious.”
“It's sad because everything else is good: sound, graphics, etc. Except maybe the dialogues with unfunny jokes at every corner that will make you roll your eyes, or the poor story. But it's a beat 'em up after all, and everything can be skipped.”
“It might be just the four of us who don't really enjoy long cutscenes with a lot of unnecessary talking. We know that it's supposed to be funny, but for us, most of the time it's just cringy.”
- music10 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating its upbeat and oriental-influenced tracks that complement the gameplay. While some find the soundtrack enjoyable and fitting, others feel it lacks catchiness for out-of-game listening. Overall, the music enhances the game's atmosphere and is considered a strong aspect alongside the art and gameplay.
“Is a fantastic game! My girlfriend and I really enjoyed playing it together. We loved the characters, art style, gameplay, story, music, and writing.”
“Combat, art style, character design, music, and sound effects are simply awesome!”
“The music is comprised mostly of an upbeat collection of roughly oriental-influenced tracks, and while they all sound pretty slick and handle their role well, I found none particularly catchy enough to inspire an out-of-game listen.”
- character development7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is enhanced through engaging dialogue and interactions at "resting spots," where characters converse, adding depth to their relationships. Players appreciate the impressive character designs and the variety of unlockable costumes, which contribute to a polished overall experience. The combination of strong visuals and fun gameplay further supports the game's character development.
“Love the concept, graphics, art style, and character designs.”
“Great visuals and character design, fun gameplay, very polished game overall.”
“The character designer and dialogue writer may have been thirsty.”
“There are also 'resting spots' in which you can hear the characters talk to each other (character development) or secret challenge rooms that deviate from the main quest.”
- grinding5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly during the final boss battle, which is deemed unfairly challenging for solo players. While some appreciate the storytelling, the overall experience is marred by the repetitive and laborious nature of the gameplay.
“Final boss battle is tedious and boring, and the game is unfairly tough for a single player.”
“Ultimately it was very tedious.”
“It's not as accurate in terms of choosing directions, but man is it way less tedious.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game is primarily optimized for controller use, as it was originally designed for PlayStation, leading to subpar performance and usability when played with a mouse and keyboard. However, the store page does not clearly indicate this controller-centric optimization.
“This is a game originally made for PlayStation and optimized for playing with the controller!”
“The reason for that is the fact that this game was not intended or optimized to play with mouse and keyboard!”
“The reason for that is the fact that this game was not intended or optimized to be played with a mouse and keyboard!”
“This is a game originally made for PlayStation and optimized for playing with a controller!”
“On the store page, it doesn't say this game is optimized for a controller!”
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Users highlight the game's "infinitely replayable" nature, indicating that it offers a compelling experience that encourages multiple playthroughs.
“The game is infinitely replayable, offering new experiences with each playthrough.”
“Every run feels fresh and exciting, making me want to dive back in again and again.”
“The variety of choices and outcomes ensures that no two playthroughs are ever the same.”
“Once you finish the main story, there's little incentive to play again. The side quests feel repetitive and lack depth.”
“The game offers a linear experience with no real choices that affect the outcome, making multiple playthroughs feel pointless.”
“While the graphics are stunning, the lack of varied gameplay mechanics means that replaying the game feels more like a chore than a fun experience.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game has been reported to have significant stability issues, with users experiencing game-breaking glitches and overall buggy performance.
“I encountered two game-breaking glitches; it's nothing new.”
“The game is incredibly buggy.”
“There are numerous stability issues that ruin the experience.”
Critic Reviews
Shing! Review - An Improved Version That Helps The Beat 'Em Up Achieve Its Potential
Shing! is a fun and innovative co-op beat 'em up that has had its potential unleashed on PS5. While most elements remain the same, the upgrade in resolution and general technical fixes, make the game a significantly more immersive experience than the PS4 version. Certainly, the PS5 version is the more recommendable for those looking for a good co-op game full of wise-cracking ninja fun.
75%Everyone has a plan until they've been hit --- Shing! review
Shing! misses the mark of great beat 'em up by a long shot; which could have been avoided with more attention to detail. If Mass Creation put in the effort, it could have been one of the best beat 'em ups this generation. But we’re stuck with something too dull to take a bigger slice of that audience.
45%Shing! Review
Sexy, sultry ninjas and pretty vistas can't save this from being a mediocre brawler; one with a couple of good things to talk about, but mostly with plenty of flaws. The gameplay can get repetitive, and the action, while somewhat enjoyable, can soon turn into an irritating chore that has you multitask, in a game that doesn't really let you do so. Small tip for those who still want to try Shing! out (this does have sexy, sultry ninjas, after all): do avoid the default control scheme, and don't play it on your own under any circumstance.
50%
