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 sound design is excellent, enhancing the overall horror experience.
- There is no save feature, requiring players to restart the game to see different endings, which can be frustrating.
- Some players found the gameplay repetitive and felt it lacked direction, leading to aimless wandering.
- The graphics and overall presentation were criticized as being low-budget and lacking polish.
- story36 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 8 % 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 influence the story's outcome, but noted that the horror elements, including jump scares, could be more effective. Overall, the story keeps players interested, though it may require 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 jump scares 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.”
- atmosphere30 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unsettling and creepy qualities, with effective level design and well-placed jump scares contributing to a spooky experience. However, some players feel that the fear factor diminishes over time, leading to a more predictable and less engaging environment. Overall, while the atmosphere is strong and immersive, it may not sustain its intensity throughout the gameplay.
“Does a great job at creating an unsettling atmosphere.”
“Brilliant 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.”
“The graphics are a little aged, but the puzzles, atmosphere, and the layout of the house are actually well done.”
- gameplay18 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its great graphics, engaging puzzles, and the inclusion of multiple endings, which encourages replayability and adds value. However, some players noted issues such as repetitive mechanics and technical glitches that hindered their experience, like losing access to inventory after certain events. Overall, while the atmosphere and design are appreciated, the gameplay can feel familiar and occasionally frustrating.
“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 see all the endings, which adds to the hours of gameplay and makes the game worth the money you spent on it.”
“For an hour of gameplay, it wasn't bad, plus that gives incentive to go back and do the other endings.”
“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 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.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The graphics received mixed reviews, with some praising their quality and integration with gameplay, while others criticized them as outdated, faded, and lacking vibrancy. Despite the strong atmosphere and puzzle design, several players found the visual presentation disappointing enough to detract from their overall experience.
“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.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % 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 has also contributed positively to streaming experiences, adding an engaging element for viewers.
“4 endings add replay value and it brought some fun attention to my Twitch stream.”
“Replayable, not for new material but to see the other endings.”
- music2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is created using Remixlive, showcasing a unique blend of sounds and rhythms that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the innovative approach to music composition, which adds a dynamic layer to gameplay.
“The music composed with Remixlive is incredibly engaging and adds a unique layer to the gameplay experience.”
“I love how the music created with Remixlive enhances the atmosphere and keeps me immersed in the game.”
“The soundtrack, composed with Remixlive, is a perfect blend of creativity and rhythm that keeps me coming back for more.”
- humor2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the game's humor enhances the experience, making moments that could be frightening instead feel enjoyable and funny. The balance between scares and humor is praised, with jumpscares feeling natural rather than forced.
“The humor in this game is literally amazing; the scares never feel forced, and even when you're put in a tense situation, it often turns out to be more funny and enjoyable than scary.”
“The humor in this game is perfectly balanced with the scares, making even the most intense moments feel light-hearted and fun.”
“I love how the game blends humor with horror; it keeps you on your toes while also making you laugh at the absurdity of certain situations.”