Shrouded in Sanity: Freebirth
- March 23, 2018
- Steve Gal
- 3h median play time
Get on SteamFree version of Shrouded in Sanity. Discover the secrets of the estate, as you look for answers among the violent inhabitants. Servants roaming the halls will attack on sight, for a strange and repelling madness took hold... one rooted in a deeper understanding of cosmic insignificance.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a unique and engaging atmosphere reminiscent of Bloodborne, with interesting enemy designs and a compelling story.
- Combat is fast-paced and enjoyable, providing a satisfying challenge for players who appreciate the Souls-like genre.
- The game is free to play, offering a complete experience without the need for additional purchases, making it accessible to a wide audience.
- The controls are clunky and unintuitive, making it difficult for players to navigate and engage effectively in combat.
- The tutorial is poorly designed, providing minimal guidance on gameplay mechanics, which can lead to frustration for new players.
- The game can feel overly punishing, with enemies having infinite stamina and high damage output, making encounters feel unfair and discouraging.
- gameplay16 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its atmospheric design and smooth mechanics, drawing favorable comparisons to other souls-like titles. However, players express frustration with the lack of guidance on essential mechanics like parrying, suggesting that a more comprehensive tutorial would enhance the experience. While the core gameplay is solid, minor quality of life improvements could significantly elevate it.
“Amazing atmosphere and gameplay.”
“Awesome free souls-like game with great atmosphere and smooth mechanics.”
“Gameplay-wise, easily one of the best translations of the soulsborne + metroidvania inspired formula that I've seen; only Salt & Sanctuary, Hollow Knight, and Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight can hold a candle to it.”
“You are told that parrying is an essential mechanic, but you cannot figure out when to parry because the game gives no guidance whatsoever.”
“The game should have a tutorial mode where there are little blue flashes on the enemies' weapons to teach you the guarding and parrying mechanics, and how to time them.”
“This game frustrated me from the opening menu (which only works with the D-pad for no reason whatsoever) and that frustration carried into the useless tutorial, and right into the game mechanics.”
- story13 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The story is described as intriguing and atmospheric, with players uncovering bits of narrative through exploration and examination of the environment. While some find the initial plot lacking, many appreciate the gradual unfolding of a complex narrative that reveals deeper truths about the characters and world, reminiscent of Lovecraftian themes. Overall, the combination of engaging gameplay and storytelling elements has garnered positive feedback.
“I liked the setting and ambiance; the story seemed promising.”
“I really liked the atmosphere, enemies, combat, and little bits of story you can get by examining things.”
“There's not enough plot in the beginning to make me care about this game since it seems to kill you repeatedly for not being the one that programmed it.”
“The plot unfolds like a puzzle, with you getting bits of information from a variety of sources that will have you slowly realizing that none of the characters involved are entirely who they appear to be, and that the world isn't what you thought it was in a way that mirrors the revelations that happen to the protagonists of Lovecraftian stories.”
“With this free version, you get the full base game for story without additional features such as new game +, other characters, and various modes.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally well-received, with praise for the art style and aesthetic, reminiscent of Bloodborne's themes. However, some players find the pixel art obscures details, making the monsters feel less defined and more like abstract horrors. Overall, while the visuals have their strengths, they may not appeal to everyone due to personal preferences in style and clarity.
“The art style is done really well.”
“Graphics are pretty good.”
“The pixel art aesthetic keeps the monsters obscured, so you just have to think of them as 'those things', which makes them literally indescribable horrors.”
“The pixel art aesthetic keeps the monsters obscured, so you just have to think of them as 'those things', which makes them literally undescribable horrors.”
“The art style, clunky UI, and game mechanics are not for me.”
“... that said the aesthetic's alright, I guess, but it's just Bloodborne 'woo you're going insane~'”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and creepy environment, enhanced by engaging combat and storytelling elements woven into the surroundings. Players appreciate the smooth mechanics and the overall setting, making it a standout feature that adds depth to the gameplay experience.
“I really liked the atmosphere, enemies, combat, and little bits of story you can get by examining things.”
“I would definitely recommend this game to people who want simple hack n’ slash combat and a creepy atmosphere with lore told through the environment.”
“Having said that, this is well worth trying out for the setting and the atmosphere.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players note that the game starts off challenging, requiring significant grinding to progress, but eventually becomes easier and highly addictive.
“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.”
“But seriously though, if I had to summarize the game, I would say it's hard at first with lots of grinding, then it's easy and addictive.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is characterized as epic and operatic, enhancing the overall experience with its grand and dramatic compositions.
“The music is epic and operatic.”
“The soundtrack perfectly complements the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.”
“Each track is beautifully composed, creating an immersive atmosphere.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users have noted that the stability of the game's mechanics can be frustrating, as the timing for freezing foes often aligns poorly with shooting, leading to inefficient gameplay.
“The game frequently crashes, making it nearly unplayable.”
“I experienced constant lag and frame drops, which ruined the overall experience.”
“The server connection is unstable, leading to frequent disconnections during gameplay.”
