Shiro
- September 6, 2020
- Game Dynasty
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Shiro" is a single-player platformer game with great story and mechanics. Join Holo in their journey to find their twin sister Shiro, trapped by the evil witch Satella. Overcome obstacles in a pixelated world with 25 levels, unique events, and challenging gameplay, accompanied by a sensational soundtrack.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Windows
Xbox One
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Charming pixel art and enjoyable soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
- Engaging platforming mechanics with some challenging segments that provide a satisfying gameplay loop.
- Frequent checkpoints make it easy to retry difficult sections without significant frustration.
- The game is very short, typically taking around an hour to complete, which may not justify its price for some players.
- Controls can feel unresponsive and clunky, particularly during wall jumps and when interacting with certain mechanics.
- The story is minimal and lacks depth, leading to an abrupt ending that may leave players unsatisfied.
- gameplay64 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is widely criticized for its inconsistent controls, clunky mechanics, and frustrating design, leading to a lack of polish that detracts from the overall experience. While some players appreciate the unique mechanics and visual appeal, many find the platforming experience uneven, with difficulty spikes and unresponsive controls making it more frustrating than enjoyable. Despite its potential and interesting concepts, the execution leaves much to be desired, resulting in a mixed reception among players.
“The game has interesting mechanics, mini-games, and beautiful pixel art.”
“A very fun game with clever mechanics.”
“Besides that, as I said, the game is really enjoyable, the movement is great, the gameplay in general is fun and challenging, and it's visually great as well.”
“This is not a bad game, but the difficulty comes from unresponsive controls and clunky mechanics.”
“Very unpolished and it's almost like the gameplay was made to frustrate the player.”
“Despite the nice visuals and audio, the controls of this game are really inconsistent and some of its mechanics are a pain in the ass.”
- story48 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story in the game is largely considered minimal and underdeveloped, primarily serving as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a compelling narrative. Players note that it revolves around two sisters, with a simple plot of one being kidnapped by a witch, but lacks depth and engagement, often feeling like an afterthought. While some appreciate the game's fun mechanics, many express a desire for a more fleshed-out story to enhance the overall experience.
“The plot is this: two sisters from childhood loved to travel and one day they went to a very ancient temple in search of the royal bell, which according to legend brings good luck to those who hear it, but on the way a strange thing happens, as a result of which an evil witch kidnaps one of the sisters and sends her to her dark dungeon.”
“Quite an interesting plot with its denouement also fits perfectly into the aesthetics of the game.”
“Cool platformer with an interesting storyline and mechanics.”
“The story is almost non-existent and is summed up entirely during the opening scene.”
“Honestly, the story is a mere afterthought, a backdrop, if you will.”
“The story is pretty much non-existent; it boils down to 'rescue your sister.'”
- music36 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its atmospheric and chill qualities that complement the visuals. However, some players noted a lack of variety and repetitiveness in certain tracks, particularly in the early stages, which detracted from the overall experience. While the soundtrack enhances the game's ambiance, it may not stand out as memorable on its own for all players.
“The soundtrack is also really enjoyable.”
“Also, a super chill and sometimes spooky soundtrack accompany you through this short and sweet adventure.”
“Gorgeous pixel art graphics coupled with good music will delight you throughout the game.”
“The music is composed of eerie atmospheric songs that are fitting as background noise but aren't worth listening to on their own unless you're really into that genre of music.”
“- The first stage's music doesn't fit the mood and is quite repetitive; I had to turn the music off for that section.”
“Lacks a high-quality music track to complement gameplay.”
- graphics33 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game features charming pixel art graphics that are generally well-received, with many players appreciating the beautiful art style and atmospheric visuals. However, some reviews note that while the graphics are appealing, they lack the detail and charm found in similar titles, and the overall aesthetic can feel repetitive. Despite these criticisms, the graphics are often highlighted as a strong point, contributing positively to the game's experience.
“With clean graphics, great controls, and amazing style, I can't recommend this game more.”
“Gorgeous pixel art graphics coupled with good music will delight you throughout the game.”
“Hardcore platformer with a beautiful atmosphere, good music, and excellent pixel graphics.”
“The graphics use cute pixel art in the same vein as Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight, but it isn't as detailed and doesn't have nearly as much charm.”
“The graphics are quite decent, without flashy colors.”
“Good idea, nice visuals, lacks polish on movement.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, characterized by its fluid design, beautiful pixel graphics, and a mix of eerie and enjoyable music that enhances the experience. Players appreciate the diverse locations and the overall aesthetic, with some noting a particular fondness for the oriental style. While the music serves well as background ambiance, it may not appeal to everyone outside of its genre.
“Great alternative for anyone looking to play a fluid, niche platformer with some tricky design and well-created music and atmospheres.”
“Hardcore platformer with a beautiful atmosphere, good music, and excellent pixel graphics.”
“I like the atmosphere and the style of the game very much.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its poignant narrative centered around the loss of a sister to a witch, which resonates with players. However, some users express frustration with gameplay mechanics, suggesting that the experience may not be engaging enough to warrant a full-price purchase.
“This is an interesting emotional game about how we lost a sister because of a witch, and we need to find her.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly after the initial stages, as it often devolves into AFK card farming. However, the introduction of new elements like trampolines and environmental hazards at each level helps to maintain a degree of engagement and prevent the experience from becoming monotonous.
“Gameplay past 15 minutes is AFK card farming.”
“Somewhat tedious.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that while there are occasional glitches, such as issues with wall jumping and minor physics anomalies, these do not significantly impact gameplay or overall stability.
“There were occasional glitches, like when I sometimes couldn't wall jump off moving walls.”
“There were some small glitches here and there, such as being pushed into the floor by the vertically moving wall platforms and randomly being able to walk on thin air, but they weren't game-breaking or prohibitive to gameplay.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a humorous narrative complemented by charming pixel art and engaging gameplay, making for an enjoyable adventure experience. Despite being in early development, players appreciate its funny storyline and appealing visuals.
“An interesting adventure game in a funny pixel style, with a good start and a captivating plot.”
“A funny story, beautiful graphics, and clear gameplay, even though the game is still in early access.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game highly replayable, with many expressing a strong desire to play again shortly after completing it.
“Fortunately, it is also very replayable, and I already feel compelled to play it again even though I beat it just yesterday.”
