Within Skerry
- February 8, 2022
- Stanislaw Truchowski
Within Skerry is a first-person exploration game set in a mysterious, abandoned island. Gather clues and solve puzzles to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of a fictional lighthouse keeper. The game features a rich, atmospheric world with stunning visuals and an immersive soundtrack.
Reviews
- The game features a creepy atmosphere with effective jump scares that keep players on edge.
- It offers multiple endings, encouraging replayability and exploration of different outcomes.
- The developer has shown consistent improvement in game design and sound quality, making this a solid entry in their portfolio.
- The lack of a save feature can be frustrating, requiring players to restart the game to explore different endings.
- Some players found the gameplay repetitive and felt it lacked direction, leading to aimless wandering.
- The jump scares, while effective, can become predictable over time, diminishing their impact.
- story18 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its engaging narrative and atmosphere, while others found it predictable and unfulfilling, particularly regarding the endings. Many enjoyed the writing and the ability to piece together the plot, but noted that the horror elements, including jump scares, could be more effective. Overall, the story is seen as decent but not groundbreaking, with some players feeling it requires multiple playthroughs to fully appreciate.
“The story kept me interested till the very end.”
“Very good horror game, I really like the story!”
“The writing in the developer's games is always amazing, and is very fitting for the tone of this game's story.”
“It's good, on par with the previous games, could be a bit scarier though, it has a nice atmosphere and some well-paced jump scares but it never becomes unsettling enough and the story is quite forgettable too.”
“The storyline is rather predictable and the jumpscares are just not working, at least for me.”
“Frustratingly, you'll have to play through the game 4 times to see each ending and the story isn't incredibly clear.”
- atmosphere15 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its creepiness and effective level design, creating an unsettling environment that enhances the experience. While some players find the atmosphere engaging and filled with well-timed jump scares, others feel it loses its fear factor over time, becoming more of a walking simulator. Overall, it appeals to fans of atmospheric gameplay, though it may not be consistently scary throughout.
“In the meantime, try WS and the rest of his games and let yourself be amazed by how atmospheric his games can be.”
“Does a great job at creating an unsettling atmosphere.”
“Great atmospheric setup with just the right amount of jump scares.”
“The atmosphere might feel scary at first, but as the game progresses, it loses its fear factor and turns into just another walking simulator in a creepy dark house.”
“If you are into jump scares and a tense atmosphere, I would recommend this.”
“The graphics are a little aged, but the puzzles, atmosphere, and the layout of the house are actually well done.”
- gameplay9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Gameplay is generally praised for its engaging puzzles, multiple endings, and strong graphics, which encourage replayability and extend playtime. However, some players noted issues such as inventory accessibility problems and repetitive mechanics across the developer's titles, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the atmospheric elements and the incentive to explore different endings are highlighted as strong points.
“Great graphics, great puzzles, great FPS, and great gameplay.”
“I always enjoy multiple endings in a game; it makes me want to play until I've seen all the endings, which adds to the hours of gameplay and makes the game worth the money you spent on it.”
“Whoever likes atmospheric gameplay should play it.”
“I know there are multiple endings, but after the first time I got knocked out (and it is a running gag), my inventory became inaccessible and I couldn't read notes or anything else for the rest of the game. Also, a relentless clicking sound followed me for the rest of the gameplay, like my flashlight turning on and off over and over again.”
“This being the third game by the developer I've played in as many days, I've come to get very familiar with his style—too familiar, you might say—because while the games do keep improving on a mechanical and design level, things are getting really repetitive.”
“It's just a lot of the same gameplay to get another ending.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The graphics received mixed reviews, with some praising their quality and integration into the gameplay, while others criticized them as outdated, faded, and lacking vibrancy. Overall, the visuals seem to evoke a polarized response, highlighting a divide between appreciation for the atmosphere and disappointment in the graphical fidelity.
“Great graphics, great puzzles, great FPS, and great gameplay.”
“The graphics are absolutely awful in my opinion and are very faded, colorless, and washed out.”
“I got bored and was so put off by how awful and outdated the graphics were that I couldn't take playing any more.”
“The graphics are a little aged, but the puzzles, atmosphere, and the layout of the house are actually well done.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game offers solid replayability primarily through its four distinct endings, encouraging players to revisit the experience to explore different outcomes. This aspect not only enhances personal enjoyment but also adds an engaging element for streaming audiences.
“Replayable, not for new material but to see the other endings.”
“Four endings add replay value and it brought some fun attention to my Twitch stream.”
“Replayable, but only to see the other endings.”
“The game lacks enough variety to make multiple playthroughs enjoyable.”
“Once you've experienced the main story, there's little incentive to replay.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music in the game is created using Remixlive, showcasing a unique blend of sounds and rhythms that enhance the overall gameplay experience. Players appreciate the innovative approach to music composition, which adds a dynamic and engaging layer to the game.
“The music is incredibly well-composed, enhancing the overall experience of the game.”
“I love how the soundtrack incorporates various genres, making each moment feel unique.”
“The remixes are fantastic and really elevate the gameplay, keeping me engaged throughout.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The soundtrack is uninspired and doesn't match the game's atmosphere.”
“The audio quality is poor, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is praised for its clever integration, often making tense moments feel more enjoyable and funny rather than purely frightening. Players appreciate that the scares are not forced, contributing to a unique blend of humor and horror.
“The humor in this game is spot on, making even the scariest moments feel light-hearted and enjoyable.”
“I love how the game balances humor with horror; it keeps you laughing even when you're on the edge of your seat.”
“The witty dialogue and funny character interactions add a delightful twist to the gameplay, making it a memorable experience.”