The Shape of Things

About

The Shape of Things is a single player casual simulation game. It was developed by Hyper Three Studio and was released on May 26, 2023. It received very positive reviews from players.

The Shape of Things takes Rubik’s cube’s basic concept but focuses on real-life objects with a more soothing vibe. Game MechanicsPuzzles appear in various combinations; you need to find the correct position for each piece by rotating, panning, or scaling until you find the shape of things.Just like in real life, mystery worlds are trapped in gachapon waiting for their release, by solving puzzles y…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 72 reviews

music11 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game is super cute and provides a relaxing atmosphere, making it perfect for unwinding and focusing.
There are a surprising number of levels and puzzles, offering great value for the price.
The sound design and visuals are charming, enhancing the overall cozy experience of the game.

Some puzzles can be finicky and require precise alignment, which can lead to frustration.
The controls can be unresponsive or overly sensitive, making manipulation of pieces challenging.
Returning to the game after a break can be confusing, as it's not always clear where you left off.

music
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
22%
17%
The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and soothing qualities, enhancing the overall chill atmosphere while players solve puzzles. Many users appreciate the simple yet effective soundtrack, which complements the cozy visuals and can even be used for concentration outside of gameplay. However, some note that the music can become repetitive after extended play.
- “Was so easy to just zone out to with great music and relaxing environments while completing puzzles.”
- “A lovely little game, that has soothing music and gorgeous visuals, probably one of the best relaxing games I have ever played.”
- “The music makes me sleepy (lol).”
- “The music is so relaxing, I think it complements well the mood to solve the puzzles.”
- “Very cozy puzzle game with a cute/pretty art style and a really relaxing soundtrack.”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
50%
19%
The graphics are characterized by a cute and cozy aesthetic, featuring vibrant colors and charming 3D art that enhances the relaxing atmosphere of the game. While the visuals are generally pleasing, some players feel they lack originality and suggest more integration of completed objects into the backgrounds. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's vibe, making it a delightful experience for players.
- “The game fully contributes to the nice vibes: the music, the sounds, the pretty graphics.”
- “A lovely little game, that has soothing music and gorgeous visuals, probably one of the best relaxing games I have ever played.”
- “The adorable 3D art style complements the cozy atmosphere of the game.”
- “The visuals are pleasing but nothing too original; I wish they'd done more with the backgrounds, for example, integrate all the objects you finished into the background so it gets slowly filled.”
- “Helps to not have graphics settings set to low even on basic gear - I have a potato, and the game was a lot easier when I changed up the in-game settings to medium rather than the low I had chosen initially.”
- “The graphic?”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
37%
The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its cozy and relaxing vibe, enhanced by charming 3D art and soothing music. Players appreciate the ability to customize their environment, which evokes nostalgia and creates a satisfying backdrop for solving puzzles. Overall, the atmosphere is described as a perfect blend of comfort and engagement, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “This is a cozy, relaxing 3D puzzler, with plenty of content, great atmosphere, and chill vibes.”
- “You can also just hang out in your room (which acts as the main menu) and enjoy the chill music and cozy atmosphere (you can adjust the time of day and the weather to your liking).”
- “The adorable 3D art style complements the cozy atmosphere of the game.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The game lacks a significant story or plot, with many users noting that it doesn't require one to enjoy the experience. While it is considered worth the low price, players seeking a narrative-driven game are advised to look elsewhere.
- “If you really want to play something with a story, check out a game I've recommended before: [url=https://steamcommunity.com/id/innocentred/recommended/1202900?snr=1_5_9__402]Assemble with Care.”
- “So overall, it's easily worth the low price, just don't expect challenging puzzles or a story.”
- “There is no plot at all, and frankly, this game doesn't need it.”
- “If you really want to play something with a story, check out a game I've recommended before: assemble with care.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
The gameplay is generally enjoyable, featuring straightforward puzzles that are satisfying to solve. While the mechanics may feel finicky initially, players find that the controls become intuitive with practice, leading to a positive overall experience.
- “The puzzles were enjoyable to figure out and the gameplay is very straightforward.”
- “I had my doubts about the concept before playing, thinking it could lead to some confusing gameplay, but I was pleasantly surprised by how well implemented the controls are - it takes a little getting used to with the mouse controls, but it soon becomes intuitive working through the puzzles.”
- “The mechanics can be a bit finicky at first, but it isn't badly frustrating or anything.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of "The Shape of Things" to be excessively tedious, often requiring significant time investment due to poor controls that detract from the casual experience the game aims to provide. The game feels more like a frustrating chore than a relaxing pastime, leading to a negative reception regarding its grinding mechanics.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The shape of things is supposed to be a casual and relaxing game, but due to the poor controls, it makes it tedious to play.”
- “Usually like a casual game to fill in time, but this is really tedious. The controls are poor and it feels like a conversion from a tablet touch interface.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
33%
The game is playable on the Steam Deck, but users feel that it requires further optimization to enhance performance.
- “It runs well on the Steam Deck, but there is still room for optimization.”
- “The game performs smoothly, but further optimization could enhance the experience.”
- “While the game is playable, optimizing certain aspects would significantly improve performance.”
- “It does run on the Steam Deck, though it could stand to be optimized.”