Shio

73%
Game Brain Score Based on 43 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Shio Game Cover
I had a handful of small, niggling issues with Shio that by the end I was willing to overlook in the face of a game so expertly crafted that it shouldn’t be missed. I just wish there was more of it.
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"Shio" is a challenging side-scrolling platformer where you jump from lantern to lantern to explore the world and uncover the past of a masked man. The environment is your only enemy in this game, which is divided into four chapters with meaningful environments. Using wits and dexterity is necessary to navigate through and find hidden rooms.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

73%
Audience ScoreBased on 43 reviews
graphics6 positive mentions
monetization1 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful visuals and a captivating art style that enhances the overall experience.
  • Shio offers a challenging platforming experience with well-designed levels that gradually introduce new mechanics.
  • The soundtrack is immersive and complements the gameplay, providing a relaxing atmosphere despite the game's difficulty.
  • The control scheme is overly simplistic, lacking advanced mechanics like variable jump heights or regrabs, which can make gameplay feel repetitive.
  • There are significant technical issues, including poor translations, bugs that cause the game to switch languages unexpectedly, and a lack of V-Sync support.
  • The difficulty can be unbalanced, with later levels introducing frustrating mechanics and precision requirements that may deter some players.
  • gameplay17 mentions

    The gameplay of the platformer "Shio" is characterized by its engaging level design and the introduction of innovative mechanics, such as the midair jump reset and disappearing obstacles. While some players appreciate the fluidity and variety of challenges, others note a lack of polish in basic physics and movement mechanics. Overall, the game successfully combines old-school platforming elements with fresh ideas, though it may require precise timing and skill to navigate its obstacles effectively.

    • “The platforming works well and keeps things varied with new mechanics introduced all the time.”
    • “Shio is an amazing platformer that takes tried and tested old school platforming and adds some new creative mechanics.”
    • “Though the story and music of the game didn't stand out at all, the level design, game mechanics, and overall flow of the game really carries Shio.”
    • “This is one of those Chinese platformers, which looks quite nice, has an okay level design, some interesting mechanics, but totally lacks any polish in regards to physics.”
    • “No small jump, no slow or fast jump mechanics, no regrabs.”
    • “The game makes use of a 'midair jump reset' mechanic which means you have to maneuver through difficult obstacles while making use of the jump resets; this means timing your jumps correctly, otherwise you’re sent right back to the previous checkpoint.”
  • graphics16 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their captivating art style, vibrant colors, and smooth animations, creating an immersive experience that reflects an oriental beauty. However, some users noted issues with frame rate management and a lack of visual diversity, while others found the overall presentation to be repetitive. Despite these criticisms, the visuals are generally considered a strong point of the game, contributing to its atmospheric appeal.

    • “It has an incredible art style, animations, and level layout that offer challenge and serenity.”
    • “It's got a great presentation with gorgeous visuals and a very immersive soundtrack.”
    • “The graphics in this game are very good looking and give a very distinct eastern feel to the game; all the sprite work is well made and looks great.”
    • “If you don't lock your FPS in the settings of your graphics card, this game takes every frame it gets and runs with like 800 FPS on modern hardware, which is kind of stupid and just a waste of energy.”
    • “Not too shabby, yet the visuals did lack both sufficient diversity and that certain something to draw attention to them.”
    • “The visuals and art style reflect an oriental beauty – and at times, I felt like I was playing an art project.”
  • music14 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its immersive and calming qualities, featuring a blend of eastern-inspired combat tracks and relaxing ambient sounds that enhance the overall atmosphere. Many players find the soundtrack to be a standout element, contributing significantly to the game's aesthetic and experience, despite some criticisms regarding other gameplay aspects. Overall, the music is described as beautiful and fitting, making it a highlight for many players.

    • “It's got a great presentation with gorgeous visuals and a very immersive soundtrack.”
    • “The game has a mix between eastern-inspired combat music and relaxing zen-like music.”
    • “I really wanted to like the game based on the visuals and music, but the controls are just too awful.”
    • “Though the story and music of the game didn't stand out at all, the level design, game mechanics, and overall flow of the game really carries Shio.”
    • “The soundtrack is comprised of oriental songs, which were the only relaxing part in Shio.”
  • story13 mentions

    The story in the game is often described as convoluted and ambiguous, with players noting that it is not the main draw of the experience. While some appreciate the dreamlike quality that allows for personal interpretation, others find the narrative lacking depth and clarity. Overall, the gameplay and mechanics tend to overshadow the story, which unfolds gradually through hints and cryptic elements.

    • “It has great gameplay, sound, background music, and a story to follow.”
    • “The story is ambiguous and feels dreamlike, which led me to interpret things in my own way.”
    • “The game has a very mysterious story surrounding it, giving you small hints and glimmers of what’s really going on, teasing you ever so slightly.”
    • “Not that any dialogues are needed to play the game, but if you are kind of interested in the story of the game: learn English or Chinese.”
    • “A convoluted story that isn't really explained.”
    • “Though the story and music of the game didn't stand out at all, the level design, game mechanics, and overall flow of the game really carry it.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised, with users noting its impressive graphics and fitting music that enhance the overall experience. However, a bug that changes the language to Chinese upon reloading detracts from the enjoyment. Overall, the atmosphere contributes significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “The atmosphere and music are great and fit the game.”
    • “Great atmosphere.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Shio is well-optimized for a 2D painting-like art style, allowing it to run on slightly older machines. However, some users have reported performance issues while streaming, which do not occur when playing the game without streaming. Overall, it caters to players who appreciate high-difficulty gameplay that demands precision.

    • “Shio has a 2D painting-like art style and is well optimized, so it will probably run on slightly older machines.”
    • “It’s not for everyone, but if you enjoy high-difficulty games that require perfect performance from the player, this one might just be for you.”
    • “I also had performance issues while streaming that are not present when you’re not streaming.”
    • “I also had performance issues while streaming that are not present when I'm not streaming.”
    • “The game runs poorly on lower-end hardware, making it nearly unplayable for some users.”
    • “Frequent frame drops and stuttering make the experience frustrating, especially during intense gameplay.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game "Shio" has been noted for its cultural inconsistencies, with Japanese motifs present alongside Mandarin writing, which may confuse players regarding the game's thematic coherence.

  • humor1 mentions

    Players find the humor in the game's challenging difficulty, where repeated failures lead to amusing situations, enhancing the overall experience.

    • “The humor in this game is so well-crafted that even the most challenging moments turn into laugh-out-loud experiences.”
    • “I love how the game balances difficulty with humor; it makes every failure feel like a hilarious adventure.”
    • “The comedic elements are perfectly timed, making even the toughest challenges enjoyable and entertaining.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Shio offers nearly infinite replayability, allowing players to speed run each level and compete against the in-game character "old friend," who presents a challenging benchmark with impressive completion times.

    • “Shio has nearly infinite replayability, as you can speedrun each level, competing against a character in the game called 'Old Friend', who has some fairly good times.”
    • “The game offers a variety of challenges and modes that keep you coming back for more, ensuring that no two playthroughs feel the same.”
    • “With multiple paths and secrets to discover, every run through the game feels fresh and exciting, encouraging players to explore different strategies.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Users have reported issues with hit detection, particularly with lanterns, indicating that the game's stability may be compromised by these bugs.

    • “Hit detection on the lanterns seems a bit buggy.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
    • “I experienced several glitches that disrupted my gameplay experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

62% average critic score

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