The Shattering
- April 20, 2020
- Super Sexy Software
- 6h median play time
The Shattering is a tough story to follow and has some uncomfortable moments, but it’s an impressive spectacle at times and has a few tricks up its sleeve.
Get on SteamIn "The Shattering," you are John Evans, lost in your own mind and struggling to piece together your past. As you follow the guidance of the Doctor, you'll experience key moments of John's life and confront the twisted path of false memories protecting you from the truth. This first-person, story-driven psychological thriller features dynamic environments, stunning aesthetics, and a captivating narrative with no failure conditions, offering a complex and immersive experience.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features stunning visuals and a unique black-and-white art style that enhances the storytelling experience.
- The narrative explores deep themes of mental health and trauma, providing an emotional and thought-provoking journey.
- The sound design and voice acting are well-executed, contributing to the immersive atmosphere of the game.
- The story can feel clichéd and predictable, lacking the depth and engagement needed to fully connect with the characters.
- Gameplay is often reduced to clicking on objects to progress, which can lead to a sense of repetitiveness and frustration.
- The game is relatively short, and some players feel it does not justify its full price, suggesting it is better suited for a sale.
- story104 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is a deeply emotional and engaging exploration of trauma and memory, centered around an alcoholic writer in a psychiatric ward. While many players appreciate its rich narrative and unique storytelling methods, some criticize it for being predictable or lacking depth, with gameplay primarily revolving around finding objects to progress. Overall, it offers a captivating experience for fans of story-driven games, though opinions vary on its execution and pacing.
“A captivating story about remembering your past and dealing with mental illness, which was done with such class and sensitivity.”
“The story is so good! The horror is very subtle and the story is just phenomenal as well as its other production elements.”
“I loved every bit of the story, despite how it tortured me towards the end.”
“The story is so boring, it's almost unbearable.”
“It pretty much consists of finding the next object you have to click to progress the story, which is fed to you by the main action of the story, nothing extra to discover on the side.”
“The shattering is a tough story to follow and has some uncomfortable moments, but it’s an impressive spectacle at times and has a few tricks up its sleeve.”
- graphics30 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics of "The Shattering" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and unique art style, which effectively enhance the game's emotional storytelling. Players appreciate the thoughtful use of color and atmospheric design, noting that the graphics are both beautiful and well-optimized, contributing to an engaging experience. However, some critiques mention that while the aesthetics are impressive, they may overshadow the game's overall substance.
“I thought that the story was rich and emotional and the graphics were simply outstanding.”
“The visuals were fantastic, the writings on the wall were impactful, and my god, I loved the ending!”
“There are some genuinely unique and beautifully executed functional visuals in the game, things are transforming and changing in front of your eyes almost constantly - and for very good reasons as you find out soon.”
“Overall, I just found the game to be underwhelming -- all aesthetic, no substance.”
“Negatives: none... but with so much else (beyond the pretty, striking visuals) being lame/nothing new/more of the same/tragically mediocre, there is just so very little to recommend it.”
“The game's way of telling the story is intriguing at first, but the amount of interest generated initially is nullified by the dullness of the latter parts of the game.”
- gameplay17 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily a walking simulator with minimal mechanics, focusing on exploration and interaction with the environment to advance the narrative. While some players appreciate the smooth mechanics and immersive storytelling, others find the gameplay repetitive and lacking depth, with limited character engagement and a linear progression. Overall, it appeals to fans of story-driven experiences but may not satisfy those seeking more complex gameplay.
“It uses its minimal gameplay and unusual setting to tell the psychological tale within John's memories.”
“If you like story-driven walking simulators, psychological interpretation, and immersive gameplay... this game gets my 100% approval.”
“All said and done, a very smooth gameplay and riveting story that had me play straight through to finish.”
“Had absolutely no interest in any of the characters, the voice acting was not great, and the gameplay was literally just spam clicking on things around each room until you advanced the story.”
“-Gameplay- meh......it's alright......it's a walking simulator with some minor choice making, so it's not exactly breaking new ground, and with the profoundly, deeply mediocre writing/voice acting, it starts to get bogged down in repetitive actions.”
“The gameplay is from boring to annoying.”
- music12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as a blend of lovely melodies and immersive environmental sounds that enhance the overall atmosphere. While some players noted the minimal use of a traditional soundtrack, others appreciated how the audio elements, including voice acting, contribute significantly to the emotional depth and tension of the experience. Overall, the sound design is considered a standout feature that complements the game's storytelling and exploration.
“The story was engaging and the music was lovely too.”
“Exploration games are my favorite on the PC, so if you like games that tell stories with exploration, little to no action, and a great soundtrack, this game is for you.”
“The audio, both musically and voice acting, complements the game really well, and I'm just surprised that more people haven't found this particular gem yet; games like this really need to be encouraged and celebrated.”
“Walking simulator with interesting gameplay surrounded by a sad story and almost no soundtrack.”
“First of all, I fairly recommend 'The Shattering', it is a short walking game with simple and clean 3D graphics and an appropriate soundtrack.”
“Tension building audio in terms of ambience, music, and voice acting.”
- emotional11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its rich storytelling and impactful graphics, evoking a range of feelings from joy to heartbreak. While some players found the narrative engaging and deeply moving, others criticized its meandering pace and conventional psychological thriller elements, suggesting it struggled to maintain its emotional depth. Overall, the game successfully immerses players in a poignant exploration of trauma and loss, though it may not resonate with everyone due to its uneven execution.
“I thought that the story was rich and emotional, and the graphics were simply outstanding.”
“But a gripping, beautiful, emotional, disturbing, un-put-downable rush.”
“I felt like I was part of John... I smiled, I cried, I was scared.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its strong graphics, sound design, and visual consistency, creating an immersive experience that enhances the storytelling. Many reviewers highlight the importance of the soundtrack in contributing to the overall mood, particularly in horror elements. However, some players feel that the atmosphere falters in later stages, diminishing the initial intrigue and engagement.
“Extremely well executed; sound design, visual consistency, and atmosphere were all really well done.”
“I was constantly aware of how much the soundtrack was adding to the atmosphere of the game, and playing with headphones is a must.”
“Masterpiece of a horror game, totally atmospheric.”
“It's a shame because it sucks you right out of the atmosphere.”
“This was a recommendation and supposed to be a game with a deep storytelling/atmosphere and an unexpected ending revealing the whole plot... well, it's not.”
“I recommend it for gamers who enjoy story-heavy games with incredibly simplistic point-and-click puzzles and a heavy emphasis on atmosphere.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is commendable, as it runs smoothly on various systems without significant performance issues, even during graphically intensive scenes. However, while the voice acting is professional, the lack of character depth diminishes its impact.
“The optimization is worthy of note too, with my rig barely breaking a sweat throughout the entire experience, even in the more graphically demanding moments.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of "The Shattering" has drawn criticism for not aligning with player expectations set by its Steam store page, particularly regarding its horror elements. Users feel that the promotional material may have misrepresented the game's content, leading to disappointment.
- character development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While some critics point out the plot's lack of depth and reliance on clichés, many users praise the game's character development and attention to detail, suggesting that these elements significantly enhance the overall experience.
“Some may say that the plot is not only lacking depth, but also consists of various clichés, and there may be some truth in that; however, all of it can be cast aside by nearly perfect execution, character development, and attention to detail.”
