Sterling Shroud

About

"Sterling Shroud" is a point-and-click horror game that challenges you to escape a sinister forest. Solve puzzles, consult your map, and uncover dark secrets to make it out alive. The fate of your camping trip hangs in the balance.

Genres & Tags

Indie

Play Modes

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

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 32 reviews

atmosphere8 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The game features a creepy atmosphere and excellent environmental storytelling, effectively building tension and urgency.
Puzzles are well-designed and rewarding, encouraging exploration and attention to detail without leaving players feeling lost.
It's a short but enjoyable experience, with unique mechanics and a fun point-and-click format that works well on the Steam Deck.

The game lacks a save function, requiring players to complete it in one sitting, which can be frustrating.
Some players found the writing to be overly 'video gamey,' referencing grid coordinates in a way that felt less immersive.
The game is quite short, which may leave some players wanting more content or depth.

atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
89%
33%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its creepy and immersive qualities, effectively building tension and urgency through excellent environmental storytelling and sound design. Players appreciate the spooky ambiance, which enhances the overall horror experience, making it a compelling journey through its pixelated world.
- “The general atmosphere is very well done, the game does a good job of building tension and creates a sense of urgency.”
- “Spooky atmospheric horror point and click with very good ambiance and sound design!”
- “A really fun atmospheric horror experience.”
- “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to draw players into the world.”
- “Despite the game's potential, the atmosphere is dull and fails to evoke any real sense of immersion.”
- “The environment feels lifeless, making it hard to connect with the story or characters.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a compelling story enhanced by a creepy atmosphere and strong environmental storytelling. While the narrative is engaging, players may find it challenging to uncover all elements, as some details can be easily overlooked during exploration. Overall, the art and storytelling contribute to an enjoyable experience.
- “Creepy atmosphere and great environmental storytelling.”
- “Great storytelling.”
- “The art and story are fun, although it's easy to miss some details and I'm not entirely sure how you're meant to find the bones.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The gameplay features unique mechanics that stand out in the point-and-click genre, enhancing the horror experience and providing an enjoyable twist for players.
- “Some of the mechanics were pretty uncommon for point and clicks, and I really enjoyed them in this horror setting.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
The graphics of Sterling Shroud are characterized by atmospheric pixel art that effectively enhances the horror survival experience, utilizing a simple low-resolution and predominantly monochrome aesthetic. The game's evocative visuals, combined with strong narrative and design elements, create a compelling atmosphere within its small 9 x 9 map grid.
- “Sterling Shroud is an atmospheric pixel graphics horror survival game on a small 9 x 9 map grid.”
- “Once again, I am amazed by how evocative a game can be when using simple low resolution (and mainly monochrome) pixel graphics, coupled with an excellent narrative and design.”
- “The graphics in Sterling Shroud feel outdated and lack the detail expected from modern games.”
- “The pixel art style is charming, but it doesn't compensate for the overall lack of visual polish.”
- “The limited 9 x 9 map grid makes the graphics feel cramped and uninspired.”