The Shattering

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 145 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
The Shattering Game Cover
The Shattering is a fantastic rendition of a psychological thriller that replaces tense dramatic action with a slow and subtle approach. It is well worth the buy for anyone who enjoys a rich and beautiful storytelling experience.
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In "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
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 145 reviews
story73 positive mentions
optimization3 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful art and a unique visual style that enhances the storytelling experience.
  • The narrative is engaging and emotionally impactful, allowing players to empathize with the main character's struggles.
  • The game effectively explores deep psychological themes, making it a thought-provoking experience.
  • The gameplay can feel repetitive and lacks meaningful interactivity, often reducing to clicking on objects to progress.
  • Some players experienced technical issues, including inconsistent performance and motion sickness due to the visual effects.
  • The story may come off as predictable or clichéd, lacking the depth and surprise that some players expect from a psychological thriller.
  • story171 mentions

    The game's story is a complex and emotional journey that delves into the protagonist's troubled past, exploring themes of trauma and memory through a unique narrative style. While some players found the storytelling engaging and visually stunning, others criticized it for being convoluted, predictable, or lacking depth. Overall, it offers a mix of intriguing moments and clichés, appealing primarily to fans of psychological narratives and walking simulators.

    • “John's story is very interesting and unusual; when I first played it, I was very surprised by the turn of events towards the end.”
    • “The storytelling is truly remarkable.”
    • “The shattering is an emotionally heavy, story-driven narrative with minimalistic gameplay that delves into the memories of a troubled man's life.”
    • “For a story-driven game, the story can only be described as banal and boring.”
    • “It's a fairly simple story told in an unnecessarily convoluted way.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics49 mentions

    The graphics of "The Shattering" are widely praised for their stunning art style and unique aesthetic, characterized by a stark white palette with splashes of color that enhance the emotional storytelling. Many reviewers noted the impressive level design and cinematography, which contribute to an immersive experience, although some players experienced motion sickness due to the visual effects. Overall, the visuals are considered a defining feature of the game, elevating its narrative and atmosphere despite some critiques regarding the game's pacing and substance.

    • “I thought that the story was rich and emotional and the graphics were simply outstanding.”
    • “The combination of surrealism and unique graphic design has resulted in a stunning psychological thriller.”
    • “Every part of The Shattering, from the brilliant storytelling to the superb cinematography and graphics, screams quality and the immersion here is truly unreal.”
    • “The graphics presented on screenshots and the trailer might seem lazy or minimalistic, seeing as white dominates all.”
    • “Overall, I just found the game to be underwhelming -- all aesthetic, no substance.”
    • “Despite my slight sickness caused by the color scheme and motion blur, especially in early acts, the graphics are definitely the defining feature of the game.”
  • gameplay31 mentions

    The gameplay of "The Shattering" is primarily a minimalistic walking simulator focused on exploration and interaction, with some minor puzzle elements and dialogue choices. While it effectively immerses players in a psychological narrative, many reviewers noted its repetitive mechanics and lack of depth compared to genre leaders, leading to mixed feelings about its engagement and flow. Overall, the gameplay is described as smooth but linear, serving as a vehicle for the emotionally charged story rather than offering complex mechanics.

    • “It uses its minimal gameplay and unusual setting to tell the psychological tale within John's memories.”
    • “The gameplay is relatively simple as it is a walking simulator with some puzzles.”
    • “This created immersive, abstract gameplay and it invoked the idea that I was exploring John's mind, slowly discovering the essence of his character.”
    • “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 is very minimalistic like in almost any walking simulator - just move and interact with objects, there's even no real puzzles except for 19+6=x² (and it seems like half of the players failed to find 'x' for this one, oh well).”
    • “The gameplay is from boring to annoying.”
  • music18 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere and storytelling, with many reviewers highlighting the immersive quality of the soundtrack and sound design. While some noted a minimalistic approach with primarily environmental sounds, others appreciated the well-chosen tracks that complement the narrative and emotional depth. Overall, the audio elements, including voice acting, are considered a significant strength, contributing to the game's artistic value.

    • “The story was engaging and the music was lovely too.”
    • “I was constantly aware of how much the soundtrack was adding to the atmosphere of the game, and playing with headphones is a must.”
    • “The music was also well-chosen, as was the sound design overall.”
    • “Walking simulator with interesting gameplay surrounded by a sad story and almost no soundtrack.”
    • “Guilty of confusing you is perhaps more apt though, as the aforementioned song appears to set the tone early on as a period piece.”
    • “Soundtrack and general sound design are also one of those gems you better not miss.”
  • emotional18 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its deep exploration of mental struggles and personal hardships, resonating strongly with players who appreciate rich narratives. While the story is praised for its authenticity and emotional weight, some critiques note that it can meander and occasionally fall into clichés typical of the genre. Overall, it offers a haunting and immersive experience that may be challenging for emotionally sensitive players due to its heavy themes.

    • “I thought that the story was rich and emotional and the graphics were simply outstanding.”
    • “A great choice for players who enjoy games with serious topics and emotional stories.”
    • “The Shattering is an emotionally heavy, story-driven narrative with minimalistic gameplay that delves into the memories of a troubled man's life.”
  • atmosphere13 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its strong visual and auditory elements, including impressive graphics, sound design, and effective use of light and shadow, which contribute to a deeply immersive experience. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a unique and engaging ambiance, particularly in story-heavy segments, although some note that the atmosphere can falter in later parts of the game. Overall, the combination of music, visuals, and storytelling is seen as a key strength, enhancing the overall impact of the gameplay.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “What I particularly noticed were the interplays of light and shadows, which create an appropriate atmosphere.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The optimization of the game is mixed, with some users experiencing inconsistent performance and random frame drops, while others report smooth gameplay even during graphically demanding moments. Overall, the optimization appears to vary significantly across different systems.

    • “Inconsistent performance: I wouldn't mind lower but consistent framerates instead of having random drops.”
    • “The most prominent of these would be with regards to the game's performance.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game offers a moderate level of replayability, as players can revisit certain acts to explore different choices that lead to varying story outcomes. However, the absence of dedicated replayable chapters limits the overall replay value.

    • “I agree with people saying chapters would be great to have as replayable options.”
    • “+ has replayability - in certain acts, you'll notice that you can choose different options, and based on your choices, the story may change a little... or a lot, I can't say.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game 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.

    • “The monetization model feels exploitative, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
    • “I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, which ruins the overall experience.”
    • “The constant push for in-game purchases detracts from the gameplay and makes it feel more like a cash grab than a genuine game.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Overall, users report that while there are no major bugs or glitches, several smaller technical issues affect the game's stability.

    • “Although I did not run into any major bugs or glitches, I did encounter a number of smaller, more technical issues.”
    • “The game frequently crashes during loading screens, making it frustrating to progress.”
    • “I experienced several instances of lag and stuttering, which detracted from the overall gameplay experience.”
  • character development1 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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

73% average critic score

Buy The Shattering

Play time

6hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
5-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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