Title: The Shattering
Developer: Super Sexy Software
Publisher: Deck13
Genre: First-Person Psychological Horror Thriller
Available on: PC
Version Tested: PC
Official Site: The Shattering
Release Date: April 21st, 2020
Where to Buy: Steam Store
Very rarely do games tackle sensitive subjects such as mental disorders. It’s a sad and depressing topic, and people aren’t generally playing a game to feel those emotions. Some do so to escape that kind of thing even, so many don’t see a reason to return to those kinds of feelings. It’s a very underrated game topic though, as it makes for some of the most compelling stories. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is the most recent example I’ve seen of that, using mental disorder in a way that makes the user feel like they’re experiencing it too. The Shattering is the newest game I’ve seen take on that kind of idea and make it a compelling game but did it succeed? That depends on who I’m asking.
First of all, what is The Shattering? It’s a psychological horror game from developer Super Sexy Software that takes a different approach to the genre. You play as John Evans, a man who awakes in an office and is suddenly being asked questions. How did you get where you are? What events led up to this moment? Can we reach the truth? These are all questions you and the man asking you these questions have, and it’s up to you to dive into John’s mind and find out. Will you and John reach the truth, or is his mind too shattered to handle it?
These overarching questions are what drives you to keep moving through the game. No matter how deeply unsettling the scenarios are, you’re constantly itching to know more about John’s past. Every moment you play gets you closer, whether you believe it at the time or not. Each place has a purpose to the story, and it all leaves a lot of room for theory crafting and wonder. The way the story is told is beautifully crafted, and it deserves some credit. This is a game you’ll be thinking of even after the credits roll.
That story is taken in a different atmosphere than what you might expect too. The game uses an entirely white and grey color palette in comparison to the usual darkness aspect of most horror games. While this may seem counterintuitive, it complements the game well. It all creates this constant feeling of unease, with each moment feeling off no matter what it is. Even during some of the happier moments, you still feel that something doesn’t add up. Given the story at hand, it’s a perfect choice. The only time color is used is when something is key to progression, but The Shattering never holds your hand with it.
Thankfully, this is all joined in by some pretty solid sound design. Each of the tracks feels like they’re fitting in their respective areas, and all fit the game’s atmosphere well. It intertwines with the gameplay, with the music being intense beats or orchestral tunes to give you a break or raise tension. Otherwise, the regular sounds all have this intensity to them. Whether it be a door opening, a typewriter clacking, or glass shattering. Everything feels intense in its area. There were a few scenes where it didn’t work for me, but they were few and far between.
With all this good, there are some gripes I have with The Shattering. The ending specifically was where I noticed the most issues. The entire leadup to it is great, but the way the conclusion is written makes you think about it a lot for good and bad reasons. I won’t spoil the ending for obvious reasons, but it left me seeing what others said to properly piece it together. If you play it, you’ll specifically notice the issue pop up later on in Act 4 and the Epilogue. If you’re open to looking into the lore of this game, then you’ll find a lot to love. Those who don’t want to though may run into some problems and be left questioning things.
It almost alienates a lot of the player base which I feel will be the game’s main gripe. It’s not a game for everyone given the dark subject already, but this only puts a sour taste in people’s mouths. I’m a lore fanatic so I had no problem thankfully, but be ready to think long and hard when it comes to The Shattering. Another main gripe was bugs in the game. There were a few situations where things didn’t work, and others where the game crashed outright. It doesn’t outright ruin the experience, but it’s something that I feel should’ve been playtested a bit more before release.
Before we finish things off, I’d like to touch on options and accessibility. There’s a passable amount of options here, but it would’ve been nice to see something more. Especially when it comes to graphical settings, where it affected the minimum specifications. Not only would players be happy, but more would be able to experience this game. For accessibility, there’s almost nothing. There are multiple languages which are a plus, but that’s it. That may not affect the average player, but anyone who depends on that kind of thing will be unable to play the game. Given the number of recent titles that have accessibility features at launch, it’s something I believe should always be thought about during development.
Verdict: The Shattering is a game that’ll have you thinking well after you’ve finished playing. The story tears at your heart-strings and leaves you wanting more, and its atmosphere constantly has you on the edge of your seat. The game manages to stand out on its thanks to the aesthetic choices and love put in. Given its sensitive subjects and higher thinking required from players though, this isn’t a game for everyone. There’s also a lack of options and accessibility, leaving some players unable to play the game. For those that enjoy the niche this game fills, The Shattering will shatter your mind once you piece everything together.
The Shattering Review
Engaging story
Solid art and sound design
Perfect for lore fanatics
Lots of passion
Keeps you thinking after the credits roll
Ending could’ve been structured better
Few too many bugs
Lack of options and accessibility
