The Itch

About

The Itch is a single player action game. It was developed by Dane Sherman and was released on September 2, 2019. It received positive reviews from players.

The Itch is a 2D platformer centered around using heart rate as a resource to make objects move, grow, and shoot in order to find a doctor who can cure a deadly virus. The path to the doctor is full of obstacles as you traverse cavernous environments filled with plant life and people.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 57 reviews

gameplay9 positive mentions

stability4 negative mentions

The game features a unique heart rate mechanic that adds an interesting layer to the gameplay.
The visual style and music create a pleasant and atmospheric experience, enhancing the overall enjoyment.
As a free indie project, 'The Itch' offers a short but engaging experience that is worth trying.

The game suffers from bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as getting stuck in walls or freezing.
Its short length and vague ending leave players wanting more clarity and content.
The simplistic graphics and design may not appeal to everyone, making it feel less polished compared to other titles.

gameplay
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
The gameplay is generally described as enjoyable and unique, particularly due to innovative mechanics like monitoring heart rate and a well-integrated plot. While some players find the game short and lacking in content, the fun mechanics and bearable controls make it worth trying, especially since it is free. Overall, it offers a mix of challenge and creativity, though some aspects, like long waiting periods, detract from the experience.
- “I loved the unique gameplay of having to monitor your heart rate.”
- “Overall very unique platformer with an innovative mechanic that I cannot stress enough; it introduces mechanics later on to counteract challenges without removing the difficulty.”
- “The way the game mechanic is tied to the plot is simply awesome.”
- “The game is fun while it lasts, but it doesn't really have anything for you to do, and its length certainly doesn't make up for it. However, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't try the game; just like everything else in life, 'it's an experience.' Gameplay is okay.”
- “Overall, a very unique platformer with an innovative mechanic that I cannot stress enough. It seems like it will be annoying, and there are several spots at the start where I thought it would become an issue. The game introduces mechanics later on to counteract them without removing the challenge, which adds a few extra techniques to the game.”
- “The music and gameplay seem like any other game.”
story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
30%
The game's story is described as simple yet engaging, with a creative plot that effectively ties into unique game mechanics. Players appreciate the pleasant narrative experience, enhanced by appealing music and graphics, making it a noteworthy indie title for exploration. Overall, the story is seen as a charming and interesting aspect of the game.
- “What a pleasant little story to be told.”
- “The story is simple yet interesting, as are the unique game mechanics.”
- “Nice little indie game with a very unique story, and unique mechanic idea.”
graphics
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
22%
22%
The graphics received mixed reviews, with some praising the pleasing art style and overall aesthetic, while others criticized the use of outdated retro pixel art and the lack of customization options. Despite some bugs, many players found the visuals to complement the gameplay effectively.
- “The music, the graphics, and mini story were great.”
- “Gameplay was fun, and the art style is very nice.”
- “The art style somehow really fits the game and makes it really pleasing.”
- “The graphics also can't be customized to improve the visuals.”
- “A choice was made to use obsolete retro pixel art as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
29%
14%
The music in the game is generally well-received, described as pleasant and fitting with the overall aesthetic, though some users noted minor bugs. While it enhances the experience, some players feel it doesn't stand out significantly compared to other games. Overall, the combination of music, graphics, and storytelling contributes positively to the game's appeal.
- “The music, the graphics, and mini story were great.”
- “A wonderfully simple game with nice graphics and nice background music.”
- “Beauty graphics and art direction, nice music, but with some bugs.”
- “The music and gameplay seem like any other game.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while some players report encountering only minor glitches, others experience significant bugs that can hinder gameplay, such as character freezing and unintended shortcuts. Despite its charming concept, the presence of these issues detracts from the overall experience.
- “Also, there are some minor problems like bugs (sometimes the character freezes and can't move).”
- “It's a cute game, but very buggy. I was able to beat the game with only the first key; I found a shortcut allowing me to bypass the second bridge and jump to the return without the cure.”
- “Don't get me wrong, it's a great concept and I like the game, but it's too buggy (I have gotten stuck inside the blocks) and short.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
33%
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its expansive and immersive quality, allowing players to feel a sense of vastness rather than confinement. This contributes to a more engaging and dynamic experience.
- “It creates an atmosphere where you aren't stuck in the 'this is it' mentality; it really feels expansive.”
- “The ambiance is so immersive that you can easily lose track of time.”
- “Every sound and visual detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that draws you in.”
- “It creates an atmosphere where you aren't stuck in the 'this is it' mentality; it really feels large.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Players note that the game offers significant replayability, as many express a desire to return and explore further to uncover all content.
- “Perhaps I'll go back to find them all, which brings another point: it has replay value.”
- “The game offers so many different paths and choices that I can't wait to play through it again.”
- “With multiple endings and hidden secrets, each playthrough feels fresh and exciting.”
- “The game lacks significant replayability, as once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to return.”
- “After finishing the game, I found that there were no new challenges or content to explore, making it feel repetitive on subsequent playthroughs.”
- “While the initial experience was enjoyable, the lack of varied outcomes or branching paths means I won't be revisiting it anytime soon.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, indicating that it can become a monotonous and unenjoyable experience.
- “It's just tedious.”
- “The grinding feels endless and repetitive.”
- “I find myself doing the same tasks over and over without any real reward.”