The Consuming Shadow

About

The Consuming Shadow is a single player action adventure game with a horror theme. It was developed by Ben 'Yahtzee' Croshaw and was released on November 20, 2015. It received neutral reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"The Consuming Shadow" is a survival horror game with roguelike elements. You play as a paranormal investigator, trying to stop an ancient evil from consuming the world. Battle cultists, monsters, and sanity-draining shadows in this challenging and intense game. With procedurally generated levels and tons of items to find, each playthrough is different and full of replayability.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 372 reviews

gameplay39 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The game is highly atmospheric, effectively capturing the essence of Lovecraftian horror through its writing and sound design.
Gameplay combines roguelike mechanics with investigative deduction, creating a unique experience that encourages replayability.
The tension of managing health and sanity while racing against time adds a compelling layer to the gameplay.

Combat mechanics can feel clunky and unintuitive, leading to frustration during encounters.
The graphics are simplistic and may deter some players, resembling an old flash game rather than a polished title.
Random events and RNG elements can lead to frustrating experiences, making some runs feel unfair or overly punishing.

gameplay
140 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
66%
6%
The gameplay of "The Consuming Shadow" is characterized by its unique blend of atmospheric tension, roguelike mechanics, and a strong emphasis on sanity management, which significantly impacts player decisions and experiences. While the combat mechanics can feel clunky and the game may become repetitive after several playthroughs, the engaging deduction elements and risk-reward scenarios keep players invested in the survival horror experience. Overall, the game successfully merges narrative and mechanics to create a compelling and immersive gameplay loop, despite some critiques regarding its execution and balance.
- “This ticking clock becomes the central mechanic, transforming every decision—whether to explore a dungeon, stop at a town, or rest—into a calculated gamble between survival and knowledge.”
- “Layered on top of its exploration and survival systems is a surprisingly engaging deduction mechanic.”
- “The main gameplay is the dungeons which you are in so often that you would not be initially forgiven for thinking these would get repetitive but the constant threat of death or insanity, using the gameplay shifting and excellently implemented insanity mechanic, keeps the stakes up and stops any dungeon sequence from being boring.”
- “Gameplay is a bit of a pain in the ***, especially just as you start out or switch to a higher level, but the 'procedurally-generated investigation on a time-crunch' aspect is surprisingly addictive, with an excellent setting and decent atmosphere.”
- “I wouldn't recommend it for free, let alone any price, because the gameplay is very poorly implemented and actively punishes you for trying to use the mechanics that are established in the game.”
- “The main gameplay is the dungeons which you are in so often that you would not be initially forgiven for thinking these would get repetitive, but the constant threat of death or insanity, using the gameplay shifting and excellently implemented insanity mechanic, keeps the stakes up and stops any dungeon sequence from being boring.”
atmosphere
118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
39%
3%
The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its ability to evoke a tense, unsettling feeling reminiscent of Lovecraftian horror, despite its simplistic graphics and occasional technical flaws. Players appreciate the effective use of sound design, minimalist visuals, and strong writing to create a foreboding environment that enhances the gameplay experience. While some find the dungeon-crawling mechanics repetitive, the overall atmosphere is considered a standout feature that compensates for the game's shortcomings.
- “The game's 2D art style and limited color palette evoke a bleak atmosphere reminiscent of old horror illustrations and text adventure screens.”
- “Fantastic, eerie writing along with minimalist design and brilliant music creates an atmosphere of horror so enthralling and exciting.”
- “The screenshots absolutely betray the game's atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is thick and heavy, the substance is paper thin.”
- “While simple, the game has already done a good job of using its minimalist design to create a spooky, foreboding atmosphere.”
graphics
110 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
76%
9%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a minimalist, 2D art style that evokes a retro, flash-game aesthetic, which some players find charming while others see as a flaw. Despite the rough visuals, many reviewers appreciate how the simplistic graphics contribute to a tense and atmospheric experience, effectively complementing the game's horror themes. Overall, while the graphics may not be polished, they serve the game's atmosphere well, and players who prioritize gameplay and narrative over visual fidelity are likely to enjoy it.
- “The game's 2D art style and limited color palette evoke a bleak atmosphere reminiscent of old horror illustrations and text adventure screens.”
- “Don't let the art style put you off; this game is good.”
- “Despite the simplistic/minimalistic graphics, the game was a very unique and enjoyable experience.”
- “The graphics are not stellar, but considering one guy made everything, the graphics work with the atmosphere being created.”
- “The graphics and the controls leave something to be desired, but this is still one of the very few games out there that manages to capture the strangeness and the atmosphere of Lovecraftian horror.”
- “The visuals are weak and without any particular artistic flair, and the whole experience is dreadfully cramped.”
story
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
78%
6%
The game's story effectively blends psychological horror with Lovecraftian themes, creating a sense of impending doom that enhances the gameplay experience. While some players appreciate the depth and engaging writing, others find the narrative lacking in detail and coherence, often feeling like a collection of generic tropes. Overall, the story is praised for its ability to evoke tension and intrigue, particularly through its roguelite mechanics and character-driven quests, though it may not satisfy those seeking a fully fleshed-out plot.
- “This blurring of perception creates one of the most effective uses of insanity in any indie horror game, merging psychological storytelling with mechanical consequence.”
- “The story is fantastic and engaging; just be sure to collect all the diary pages, because the diary fills in a lot of the blanks.”
- “The consuming shadow is a well-made Lovecraftian 'whodunnit' storytelling medium that, if you're willing to look past the garish display, will provide you with a lot of entertainment.”
- “The story could have used a lot more fleshing out.”
- “I find it to be on par with 'multi-universe story' (as in, an allowance for lazy writing) why write a compelling story with juicy details when you can just say 'ehhh.'”
- “Very vague storyline, and wasn't clear on what the player was supposed to do.”
replayability
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
54%
9%
The game boasts high replayability due to its random event generation, multiple unlockable characters, and various game modes, ensuring that each playthrough offers a unique experience. Players appreciate the depth of content, including side quests and rogue-lite progression, which keeps them engaged over numerous sessions. Overall, the combination of a compelling atmosphere and diverse gameplay elements makes it a standout in terms of replay value.
- “Every playthrough has a new mystery to solve, which makes this game a rare replayable puzzle game.”
- “Each game takes about an hour to complete, and there's a lot of replay value, with additional perks, characters, and game modes opening up each time you die...and you will die a lot, to begin with.”
- “The random nature of the mystery gives it replayability, as you can never know which elder god you're facing without knowing most of the clues and taking educated guesses.”
- “I am glad I own it; however, under the rather simplistic graphics lies a very well-made roguelike game that offers a whole lot of replay value. Unfortunately, as it often is with many roguelikes, it's a game that can have trouble justifying its price. Other games can justify it by giving you a rough estimation of the time it'll take you to finish it, but roguelikes have to ask you how long you think you'll be playing it, and you can't really answer that before giving it a try.”
- “Although the graphics are a bit basic, the overall atmosphere is fantastic, and with three unlockable characters, the replayability is nearly infinite.”
- “It also has a lot of replayability as there are four different characters to unlock, all with their own set of strengths and weaknesses, as well as multiple challenge modes and a daily challenge mode, so you will always be coming back for more, and that is why I love it.”
music
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
19%
14%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, creating a sense of impending doom and immersion that complements the minimalist graphics. Reviewers note that while the sound effects and music may lack variety, they effectively contribute to the eerie ambiance and Lovecraftian feel of the game. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, adding depth and tension to the gameplay experience.
- “The atmosphere, ambiance, music, and gameplay are quite fun and feel very Lovecraftian.”
- “Special kudos for the soundtrack as well, as it leaves you feeling tense the whole way through.”
- “Fantastic, eerie writing along with minimalist design and brilliant music creates an atmosphere of horror so enthralling and exciting.”
- “The music and sound effects, though lacking in variety, never got on my nerves because of just how good the atmosphere was.”
- “The music is creepy enough to create goosebumps in the right moments.”
- “I felt immersed, like I was sitting in my car, checking off a list, sleepily driving towards another cursed township (the otherworldly soundtrack helps a bunch in the ambiance department).”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by Yahtzee's signature dry and dark wit, particularly evident in the protagonist's introspective journal entries and monologues. Players appreciate the blend of humor with horror and investigation, noting that the game's achievements and character progression often include amusing elements. Overall, the humor adds a unique layer to the gameplay experience, balancing unsettling themes with comedic moments.
- “Yahtzee’s trademark writing style—dry, darkly humorous, and introspective—emerges through the protagonist’s journal entries and monologues.”
- “A funny thing is that he usually ends up rich because there are no bullets to buy or find in dungeons.”
- “Once you have (or think you have) enough information, you can brave Stonehenge itself for either a thrilling conclusion, a hilariously colossal cockup, or something in between.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Players note that grinding is a significant aspect of the game, often requiring extensive time investment to achieve all accomplishments and endings. While the repetitive nature of grinding can be frustrating, many find the experience rewarding and worth the effort, especially given the game's engaging mechanics and storyline.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I bought this game the day it released on Humble and poured countless hours into death after death after aggravating, last-nerve-grinding death, and I've done it all again in the Steam version with absolutely no regrets.”
- “You get texts and drive around in your car from town to town investigating events and essentially leveling (re: grinding) while finding the runes you need to successfully cast a banishment ritual at Stonehenge to end all the evil chicanery.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is marked by frequent glitches, particularly with player animations and unreliable enemy hitboxes, which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences. While the graphics create a tense atmosphere, the overall execution is described as rough around the edges, making the game feel buggy but still somewhat enjoyable for short play sessions.
- “Other problems include the graphics, which, while fairly simplistic, are stylized decently enough to create a foreboding and tense atmosphere. However, it occasionally glitches out with player animations getting stuck, enemy hitboxes being unreliable when trying to melee them (I swear two enemies in particular are more dangerous than they should be because of this issue), and the HUD in the car not being the easiest thing to navigate, alongside RNG playing too heavily into the success or failure of a playthrough.”
- “As it is, The Consuming Shadow is an okay way to sink a few hours, but it has lots of glitches and is rough around the edges, though it is perfectly serviceable.”
- “It can be buggy at times.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization is generally basic in terms of raw gameplay mechanics, but it effectively enhances the atmosphere through a Lovecraftian-style sanity meter that significantly influences character performance in both combat and exploration. Players appreciate how the game's ending is shaped by their overall performance, adding depth to the experience.
- “I love how the spells and the tie to sanity influence the game's ending, which is determined by your performance throughout.”
- “The gameplay may seem basic at first, but it offers a rich atmosphere. The Lovecraftian-style sanity meter significantly impacts your character's performance both in and out of combat.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be impactful, as the tense atmosphere of the dungeons evokes feelings of unease and suspense during exploration.
- “The dungeons still managed to be tense and made me feel uneasy as I traversed them.”

Skip Critic Reviews

55%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews

Skip Game Offers

Buy The Consuming Shadow

60h Median play time

38h Average play time

20-60h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like The Consuming Shadow

86%1.2kreviews

Eldritch

2013

Survival Role Playing Shooter

90%1.1kreviews

Withering Rooms

2022

Survival Role Playing

77%1.9kreviews

Song of Horror

2019

Survival Action Adventure

90%4.8kreviews

Nightmare of Decay

2022

Survival Shooter

89%1.3kreviews

Witch Hunt

2018

Action Adventure

More games like The Consuming Shadow

Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

The Consuming Shadow is a action adventure game with horror theme.

The Consuming Shadow is available on PC, Steam Deck and Windows.

On average players spend around 38 hours playing The Consuming Shadow.

The Consuming Shadow was released on November 20, 2015.

The Consuming Shadow was developed by Ben 'Yahtzee' Croshaw.

The Consuming Shadow has received neutral reviews from players and neutral reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

The Consuming Shadow is a single player game.

Similar games include Eldritch, Withering Rooms, Song of Horror, Nightmare of Decay, Witch Hunt and others.

The Consuming Shadow

Platforms