The Shore Reviews

I think I paid less than a dollar for this game and I think that I've been given a memorable experience for quite almost nothing. There's a lot of love put into this small project, I was even more impressed when I learned that the creator also made the 3D assets for the game, with great attention to the creatures. There are genuinely unnerving moments in the game for people who read the other reviews and think of this as a just a lovecraft beach walking simulator. This is helped by the chilling score and phenomenal use of scale. Yes, there's a beach with lovecraftian idols and shipwrecks on it, but what they build up to makes these points trivial. There were many unexpected gameplay moments that had me more engaged with the game than I thought, such as the use of the Artifact in later levels. You can die but the game doesn't punish you too much and makes use of frequent save points. There are some sections where you might not realize that you need to run from an enemy, but these parts are relatively short. Puzzles just require a bit of observation and fiddling, but if you're paying attention it's not hard. Also as someone who loves to find hidden details and explore, I was very satisfied. I'll be brief with things I didn't care for, and that's the weak narrative, but I can see why the game needs it. It also makes sense for some things to feel aimless or confusing, considering the protagonist cannot comprehend most of what's occurring between ancient scheming gods. The voice acting quality varied from scene to scene, but it's fine for a small indie project. Notes collected throughout the game had spelling errors and sometimes didn't line up with the narration. Last thing, I will give a platinum star to visual design and modeling, pick any review and it will praise the same things, just needed to put the obligatory "AMAZING GRAPHICS" part of the review. I know Ares is making a second game called Necrophosis, and I can't wait to see what new art and ideas he puts forth. 6.5/10.

Oh man this one was a bit rough. While the lovecraft atmosphere along with the graphics were sick, the gameplay is really just meh. I do understand this is just a walking sim but it just felt pretty wonky. For what little story there was, it was okay I guess. If you can get this for super cheap on a sale maybe get it but don't think you're really missing out on much here. 100 Backlog Games of 2025 Challenge: 12/100

Only buy if its on sale and your a Lovecraft fan. Heavy on vibes and nothing else.

The game is a little rough but I enjoyed my time with it. Only about 2 hours, and the second hour very quickly turns into a Tool music video, but I do like the atmosphere. I paid $1.67 CAD for this game, and I think that is a great price for it since it's definitely around the $5 mark.

Overall not a bad experience, although a bit short. Had a similar vibe like the solus project. Pros: -Nice visuals -okay-ish story -fantastic sound design cons: -rather poor va, like a 4/10. -short If you're a fan of lovecraftian stufff it's worth playing it imo

Unraveling the eerie mysteries of The Shore is a voyage of unfathomable wonder and terror, deftly weaving Lovecraftian themes into a stunning and atmospheric gaming experience. What truly stands out is the narrative—a labyrinthine tale filled with cosmic horror and existential dread. The game keeps you on the edge of your seat, as you navigate through the horrors of the past, unveiling the island’s dark history and your own connection to it. The sound design deserves special mention. The haunting melodies and unsettling ambient noises enhance the atmosphere of the game. Overall, The Shore is a masterful homage to Lovecraft’s vision. It invites players to face the terrifying unknown and emerge with a deeper understanding of the fragility of sanity in the face of ancient, inscrutable gods. If you're a fan of cosmic horror, this game is an essential, soul-stirring exploration of the abyss.