Shrinking Pains

About

You spend a day seeing how many coins you can fit into the hollows above your collarbones. You're losing yourself first in inches, then moments... Will you survive yourself?

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 172 reviews

story14 positive mentions

atmosphere2 negative mentions

The game provides a poignant and sensitive exploration of eating disorders, allowing players to empathize with the struggles of the protagonist.
The art style and music effectively enhance the emotional impact of the narrative, creating a haunting atmosphere that resonates with players.
Despite its short length, the game offers a thought-provoking experience that encourages reflection on mental health issues and the complexities of eating disorders.

The gameplay is very limited, with few meaningful choices and only two endings, which may leave players feeling unsatisfied.
Some players found the story to be shallow and lacking depth, missing an exploration of the underlying causes of the protagonist's eating disorder.
The game may be triggering for individuals with a history of eating disorders or mental health issues, making it unsuitable for some players.

story
55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
70%
5%
The story of the game is a poignant exploration of living with an eating disorder, effectively capturing the emotional struggles and complexities associated with mental health. While many players appreciate its realistic portrayal and engaging writing, some feel the narrative lacks depth and could benefit from additional detail and multiple endings. Overall, it is a short yet impactful experience that resonates with those seeking to understand the challenges of mental illness, though it may not be suitable for individuals currently facing similar struggles.
- “The developers have done an exceptional job of creating a story that, while fictional, feels incredibly real.”
- “This game tells a story about a person with anorexia, it tries to show how much it affects everyday life, relationships, and how living life with it feels like.”
- “Every character is well thought out, and the story is very hard-hitting, even with a short playtime.”
- “The game treats the player character as the player (as in, there is no 'character' to the PC) and there's no real exploration into the reason behind their illness or backstory -- it's just about the thought process and the difficulty in reaching out for help.”
- “The emotional aspects seemed a little bit surface level and it felt like the storyline could benefit from a bit more detail; I'm not really sure how to describe that better.”
- “Shallow storytelling, hollow characters, pretentious ending.”
graphics
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
38%
10%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning and immersive art style, which effectively conveys the emotional weight of the narrative. While some reviewers noted the visuals can feel unpolished or simplistic, the overall aesthetic—characterized by sketchy black and white designs and an anime influence—complements the haunting themes of the story. The combination of visuals and music enhances the player's experience, making it both engaging and emotionally impactful.
- “The art style is stunning, with every scene meticulously designed to evoke emotion and immerse the player in the world of the game.”
- “With striking visuals and an immersive writing style, I'd say this accomplishes what the developer set out to do in a hauntingly beautiful way.”
- “The black on white drawings are effective graphics, and the choices help showcase the daily journey of the anorexic while gentle ambient music fills the background.”
- “Visuals are not nice for your eyes.”
- “The graphics are unique but feel like an unpolished sketch page from a Tumblr blog post.”
- “The visuals and audio are pretty disturbing and unsettling.”
emotional
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Shrinking Pains" is widely praised for its thought-provoking and resonant storytelling, often leaving players feeling deeply moved and reflective about their own lives. While some reviewers noted that the emotional depth could be enhanced with more detailed storytelling, the game's simple art style and impactful music effectively convey the intense emotional themes, particularly surrounding mental health and personal struggles. Overall, players found the experience to be concise yet powerful, making it a worthwhile journey despite its brevity.
- “I highly recommend 'Shrinking Pains' to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant gaming experience.”
- “This game honestly made me emotional and rethink most things in my day-to-day life.”
- “The ending didn't even need text to make me feel overwhelmed and emotional.”
music
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
13%
20%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the emotional depth and unease of the narrative, with many reviewers noting its appropriateness for the themes of mental health and struggle. While the soundtrack is described as original and immersive, some users pointed out that the sound effects could be improved and that separate volume controls would be beneficial. Overall, the combination of gentle background music and striking visuals effectively contributes to the game's atmosphere.
- “Lovely art style with great music choices that help emphasize the unease of the topic at hand.”
- “I think they did a very good job with the graphics, music, and words to set the scene and explain what it is like to live a life without joy, without color.”
- “The music is simple but fitting for the tone of the game, the art is simple but has a level of detail, and the choices you make are simple but have an effect on you in an emotional way.”
- “The music is original, but the sound effects are jarringly sandwiched in.”
- “The black on white drawings are effective graphics & the choices help showcase the daily journey of the anorexic while gentle ambient music fills the background.”
- “The music is simple but fitting for the tone of the game, the art is simple but has a level of detail and the choices you make are simple but have an effect on you in an emotional way.”
gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The gameplay is described as extremely simple and short, often completing in under five minutes, yet it effectively conveys the emotional weight of its themes, particularly regarding anorexia. While the mechanics may lack challenge, they are intentionally designed to immerse players in the experience, making the gameplay feel impactful despite its brevity. Overall, the game is seen as worth playing for its emotional depth rather than its complexity.
- “It’s subtle mechanics weave into the visual novel in a deliberate and powerful way.”
- “Creative choice mechanics and interesting characters grab you and pull you in.”
- “Overall, worth the gameplay, but it's an extremely simple game.”
- “Within less than 5 minutes of gameplay, you've completed the game.”
- “It contains distressing and emotional themes but is definitely worth the short amount of gameplay as it gives you a feel of what those suffering with an eating disorder go through in their day-to-day lives.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a profound sense of desolation, loneliness, and dread, effectively reflecting the struggles associated with mental illness. This immersive environment deeply resonates with players, enhancing the overall emotional impact of the experience.
- “There's an atmosphere of desolation, loneliness, and dread that permeates the entire game.”
- “As someone who has experienced this myself, this really sets an atmosphere and environment of someone who is struggling with mental illness.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game offers moderate replayability, primarily through the option to change the partner's gender and explore different story outcomes. Players can enjoy 2-3 playthroughs, each lasting around 15-20 minutes, making it engaging enough to revisit without being overly extensive.
- “It does have some replay value, especially if you want to change the gender of your partner and explore the different outcomes of the story.”
- “I played the game multiple times in a short period, curious to see the various endings on offer. While there isn't unlimited replay value, there's enough for 2-3 playthroughs, which should take about 15-20 minutes each.”
- “It does have somewhat of a replay value, just to change the sex of your partner and the different outcomes of the story.”
- “I played the game through multiple times in a short period, curious to see what endings were on offer, and while there is not unlimited replay value, there's enough for 2-3 playthroughs, which should set you back maybe 15-20 minutes at a time.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
200%
300%
Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment or multiple attempts to progress effectively.
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
- “I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I was getting nowhere.”