Simply put, SCHiM is a game where you play as a homeless shadow. But, if I were to not put it so simply…
I am a sucker for visuals, there is no way for me to deny it. For almost every game I have ever written about, I always delve into how it is the art that always grabs me by the collar and demands that I play. And as per the norm of my own behaviors, I bit the hook — SCHiM’s art style.
I believe most folk will see it my way as the visuals of SCHiM are the most noteworthy upon first look. It is so strikingly unique that it is difficult not to comment on first thing. I should hold my tongue for now, though.
The Dutch developers’ game lets you begin as a little kid’s Schim, skipping about in the shadows similar to your happy human playing with his buddies. Every detail exudes an air of unbridled delight and innocent whimsicality. As time goes on, everything flows smoothly and peacefully.
From his time in high school to his graduation, young love, and first job, you will be given a glimpse of this child’s life as it unfolds before your eyes. These adolescent few years, however, go by in an instant, and all you can do is lurk in the darkness and watch.
You also see this boy endure through the same melancholic things we all experience—losing a career, someone you love, and hope—and the days simply keep adding more misery to the equation. In due time, he stumbles and collapses on his way home. From the fall, he and his Schim are forced apart – separated.
From the ordinary onlookers’ perspective, he merely fell, got right back up, and continued. From where we stand, however, the once-jovial Schim becomes distant, and the man’s energy wanes as he continues to push beyond a crucial last straw. What are you hoping to accomplish? Direct the Schim to find their human companion again.
I found that SCHiM’s ingenious utilization of a mundane setting to present navigation challenges in a fresh perspective is what really stands out. As you follow your human day by day, you will engage in platforming as you leap from shadow to shadow — Consider it simple in terms of gameplay.
You ought not to become complacent though. The action in SCHiM ramps up quickly, and you will soon be jumping on moving automobiles, riding birds’ shadows, and engaging with a wide variety of peculiar items to traverse. You can leap twice, but once you beat the first playthrough, you have the option to jump once to experience a tougher task. Jumping and landing into a different area of darkness is the main idea, however.
As a safety net, if you fail to see a shadow, you will be returned to your last known stable spot. Though it is a small whine, I did find that the game at times pushed you back a bit excessively. Apart from that, the mechanics are not too complicated; you can hold a trigger to view the endpoint, and the camera will gradually pan to it. You are able to tilt the camera to four distinct viewpoints, which aids in navigating.
Although there were occasions where I failed to figure out how to get to a certain area—usually because I ignored an item I should have interacted with—SCHiM never made it too difficult or perplexing.
In this game, moving platforms are represented by automobiles’ shadows, road crossings are buttons that lead to new areas, and objects like umbrellas may be utilized to bounce your Schim over greater distances. Playing around with all the many objects in this environment was a pleasure.
I will be truthful and say that it is not any more complicated than that; the sole additional gameplay elements of SCHiM are the hidden items in the game’s locations; when you discover them, they will bestow you the ability to unlock new shortcuts to accomplishing the game’s levels—but that is just one example of how the game keeps surprising you with new things to do.
This can be shown via the use of kites. Once you have control of their shadow, you are going to be able to move them manually. I discovered something entertaining when I came upon a kite; if you transform into a kite, you may truly utilize your powers to bring a family of dogs back together. I still struggle to comprehend as to why I ended up being a dog rescuer, but I am definitely not complaining.
The degree of design is really mind-blowing, as I am sure I have already conveyed. I love how inventive it is all the time, even if certain levels do not provide much gameplay and feel like filler. The game does not seek to trap you for hours on end with a single leap, but rather to encourage exploration, experimentation, and the delivery of its story via a bit of hardship.
Back to the very first point I have made in this review, the game’s graphic design is breathtaking, providing a realistic, but spare depiction of SCHiM’s environment. The levels are diverse and exciting, and you get to see the world pass by in fascinating ways.
The game deftly employs a restricted color palette to evoke feelings of sadness, and despite the presence of people, cars, and animals, it succeeds in making you feel alone. The game’s use of player emotions to propel them ahead in SCHiM is what kept me attached; I found myself really wishing to be reunited with my human companion.
You follow the story of this individual in SCHiM from a distance most of the time, but when the timing is perfect, you get a glimpse of him as hope revives and he rediscovers himself. A natural and wholesome experience that casts a bigger shadow than what you could have anticipated is completed by some effectively compelling and satiating events leading up to the end.
The musical arrangement is pretty calm, which is fitting as you hop and plop about from shadow to shadow. The lo-fi beats keep everything plain and relaxed, yet they perpetually successfully portray the human’s sorrow as he tries to keep pushing forward.
It would be irresponsible on my end if I were to not keep you informed that your Schim will blend in with the darkness in color and can only be seen with its two little eyes, making it difficult for those with visual impairments to follow. Without proper accessibility settings, the Schim could be difficult to navigate.
However, it is important to note that you can manually alter the color palette of each level by adapting the contrast of colors. Even though the Nintendo Switch has an integrated zoom option, you should still conduct your own research to see if SCHiM is right for you.
SCHiM captivates players with its unique art style and simple yet engaging gameplay, where you guide a shadow creature through various challenges in a visually striking world. The game successfully combines emotional storytelling with inventive level design, offering a memorable experience despite occasional accessibility issues and minor gameplay setbacks.
All in all, I have a softness in my heart for the releases of these short games that really do want you to remember the tale it has to tell. They do not come by often. For players who are willing to shell up the $24.99 SCHiM is priced at, they are going to be rewarded with an immersive experience reminiscent of games like Demagog Studio’s The Cub. It is so impressive that this indie 3D platformer is as great as it is. My gaming collection on the Switch looks better with the inclusion of SCHiM.
