I’m always on the lookout for innovative and exciting new video games to recommend. In a landscape dominated by big-budget titles, smaller studios often take more creative risks, pushing the boundaries of the medium. When I played Schim at Summer Game Fest 2022, I was initially captivated by its unique concept – a shadow-hopping platformer with a distinct visual style.
While Schim’s initial premise of moving by jumping into shadows is undeniably novel, especially for the first ten levels, the game quickly becomes repetitive. The gameplay mechanics and narrative don’t evolve much beyond this single gimmick, making the experience feel stretched thin.
I’ve always been fascinated by games that utilize shadows as a gameplay element. Stealth games, in particular, often use shadows and shade to great effect, as seen in titles like this year’s Ereban: Shadow Legacy. Schim’s developers deserve credit for thinking outside the box, creating a platformer where players jump between the shadows of objects instead of the objects themselves.
Visually, Schim is undeniably neat. The player’s shadow is separated from their human form at the beginning, and players must follow the human from level to level, hopping between shadows. This mechanic feels unique and visually engaging, especially in the early stages, evoking a trippy atmosphere reminiscent of Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s Wonder Effects.
However, from a gameplay perspective, Schim is incredibly simple. Players can only perform small jumps to correct themselves if they land in a lit-up area. To traverse larger gaps, they must find moving shadows or utilize specific objects like umbrellas. While Schim is not punishing, with players respawning at their last shadow, the gameplay loop becomes repetitive quickly.
The game also features accessibility options, allowing players to adjust line thickness and color palettes to accommodate visual impairments. This makes Schim very approachable, but it also highlights the game’s lack of depth.
While some levels, like those set in a zoo, stand out visually, the gameplay remains largely unchanged throughout. The visuals are the only real element of variation in Schim, with 65 stages that often feel inconsistent in design and length. The inclusion of hidden collectibles doesn’t alleviate this issue.
Despite completing Schim in a couple of hours, the experience felt like a slog by the halfway point. I waited for the game to introduce a second gameplay element to elevate its unique visuals and mechanics. While games like Celeste and Splodey excel at constantly evolving their gameplay, Schim fails to make that leap.
The lack of challenge, a compelling narrative, or any other engaging elements leaves players with little to hold onto.
Schim has a free demo available on Steam, and I recommend checking it out to experience the game’s unique visual and gameplay gimmick. However, I don’t believe the full game is worth the time. The initial concept quickly loses its charm, leaving a repetitive and uninspired experience.
While it’s commendable that games like Schim explore interesting gameplay and visual choices, they ultimately fall short by relying on a single bold idea. Schim launches for PC, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch on July 18.
