Official Review Nintendo Switch Updated

Review cover Shape of the World (Nintendo Switch)
Official GBAtemp Review

Product Information:

  • Release Date (NA): June 6, 2018
  • Release Date (EU): June 6, 2018
  • Publisher: Plug In Digital
  • Developer: Hollow Tree Games
  • Also For: Computer, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Game Features:

Single player
Local Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Co-operative
Come with me on a journey through a world ever-changing, in a time unknown, to a place I don't quite understand. Witness the Shape of the World in its might and indecision.

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Shape of the World is an odd game. Developed in Unreal Engine 4 by Hollow Tree Games, it describes itself as "A relaxing and interactive escape to get yourself pleasantly lost". I don't quite know what to make of it, but I hope my experience will be useful for those on the fence.

Welcome to the World

You start the game in a bright white light, with little to guide you beyond a faint outline in the distance. With no glimpse of instruction nor narrative, I approached, eager to discover what this canvas of a world would evolve into. In the beginning, everything felt slow, almost intentionally so. I found myself drawn into each crevice and cliff face, each rock and sprout; the contrast of definition on this barren screen drew me into progression and motivated me to move towards my goal. As an introduction section, I think it does a fantastic job. It sets certain expectations of the worlds' growth, and that there is more to see if you are simply willing to look. 

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As your near your first goal, you're presented with what might be described as gameplay. With an unclimbable wall before you and two glowing stones, you must interact with them to create a set of stairs. It's a pleasant experience that furthers your involvement with the world's development and gives you a small sense of satisfaction in knowing you're progressing. At this point, I was excited to see what else the game would do with these interactions. It had started small and simply to introduce its core mechanic; this is what I thought at the time. I wanted to see myself progress through this world through creative and interesting means, to see this simple world explode in a brilliant light of unexpected and simple. In the end, I found myself disappointed. 

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Where I had hoped to see interaction escalate, the game gave me the same repetitive format over and over. Here are some stones, touch them to create stairs, follow the stairs for your next gateway and set of stones; rinse and repeat. This cycle grew more and more tiresome as it soon became clear the game's sense of escalation came from the amount of stones you had to interact with at each destination. It ultimately came across as a means of padding the experience with menial content as the slow movement I previously praised felt like an anchor weighing me down. 

Outside of the repetitive progression, the game prides itself in its procedurally generated foliage and whimsical creations. This is one aspect I can honestly say worked really well. Seeing the world pop up around me, to see creatures appear from the shadows begging for interaction, it pulled me off the beaten path to see what was to be found. It could however only grip me for so long before my slowed pace made each trek feel less and less worthwhile. I could go look at the shining blob in the distance, but the amount of time it'd take to crawl there and back would only serve to infuriate me, in contrast to the relaxing vibes the game strives for. It's a shame, because the game very much feels like it is there to be experienced; it simply gives you no engaging means of doing so. If you could move just a touch faster, if you had a second jump, if you had a sprint button, a short teleport; none of these ideas would compromise the game's core themes or ideology, but would make it so much more playable. 

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Review image Review image Review image

If the slow pace and lack of traditional gameplay and narrative doesn't put you off, you may yet find some joy in the lush scenic beauty this game puts forward. Progressing through each layer of the world brings with it new foliage and themes, creatures and critters for you to approach and interact with. Each touch brings with it a pleasant sound, putting you at the heart of the world and making you feel a part of it. Even with the game only lasting a few hours for a full playthrough, if this kind of experience helps you relax or de-stress, I can see this game having some value. Shape of the World definitely isn't a game for me, but it could yet be one for you. 

 

Shape of the World Launch Trailer

Verdict

What We Liked ...
  • Stunning world and landscape
  • Interesting use of procedural generation
What We Didn't Like ...
  • Incredibly short experience
  • Character movement feels infuriatingly slow and limited
  • Limited gameplay
-
Gameplay
In my mind, there is very little gameplay to be found here. Beyond interacting with the world as it pops up, or as means of progression, you're essentially limited to walking. This can be perceived as anything from relaxing and quaint, to slow and irritating. It depends on what your expectations are for this game.
8
Presentation
For all its faults, the game does a great job in putting across a stylistically simple and yet vibrant world. The scenery calls out to you in constant flux and does well in staying interesting despite there being very little to populate it in actuality.
5
Lasting Appeal
This isn't a game I'm likely to remember, nor replay in the future. While visually interesting, it has no gripping element, nor motivating factor. I honestly don't believe I'd have finished the game were it not so short. It has some replayability through procedural generation, offering a slightly alternate version of the same path, but is just isn't enough to draw me in.
6.5
out of 10

Overall

To me, Shape of the World feels like Proteus injected with a shallow feeling of progression on a linear path. Removing the freedom and unbound nature without considering the ramifications, it expects you to play with no real motivation nor driving factor. If you are content with a short slow-paced walk through some undeniably interesting scenery, this might yet be for you, but don't be expecting much beyond this.
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Sonic Angel Knight
I noticed there is no score for gameplay, quite understandable. Though I dunno if that is a common thing on this site, I considered that possible with some titles like mostly visual novels which doesn't have much of a game play to grade on. :unsure:
 
Taleweaver
A strange review. At first I thought this was sort of a tech demo and/or a free game, but it's apparently 10 bucks on steam (I guess the same amount on the switch?). Hmm...

It's clearly not your cup of tea (which is okay), but even so I kind of wonder whom it is for. On steam user reviews are positive, but none of those contradict anything you say. There are plenty of free games that give a soothing atmosphere, but none say anything on what makes this one stand out (okay, the graphics and music, perhaps). And am I correct that this is a "show, don't tell" kind of story that is so abstract it can mean pretty much anything? (see also: the game Everything). :unsure:


Reploid said:
is that gow review again?
Click to expand...
Shouldn't that be "it's that no man's sky review again?" ? ;)
 
Scarlet
Sonic Angel Knight said:
I noticed there is no score for gameplay, quite understandable. Though I dunno if that is a common thing on this site, I considered that possible with some titles like mostly visual novels which doesn't have much of a game play to grade on. :unsure:
Click to expand...
I've done it once for a review that escapes me. I wouldn't exactly say it's common, but you can realistically leave out any score that isn't the overall one if you think it justifiable.
Taleweaver said:
A strange review. At first I thought this was sort of a tech demo and/or a free game, but it's apparently 10 bucks on steam (I guess the same amount on the switch?). Hmm...

It's clearly not your cup of tea (which is okay), but even so I kind of wonder whom it is for. On steam user reviews are positive, but none of those contradict anything you say. There are plenty of free games that give a soothing atmosphere, but none say anything on what makes this one stand out (okay, the graphics and music, perhaps). And am I correct that this is a "show, don't tell" kind of story that is so abstract it can mean pretty much anything? (see also: the game Everything). :unsure:
Click to expand...
I'd have to agree, it is a rather strange review even by my standards. I still don't quite know what to make of the game. It isn't poorly made in any real way, it just feels somewhat lacking. On the show don't tell thing, maybe? That seems like a poor way of trying to say there might be plot if you look hard enough. The game doesn't advertise abstract storytelling, so I personally took it at face value. If you can find some story in it though, or some kind of personal connection, maybe it's better than I gave it credit for.
 
sup3rgh0st
Oh hey, I recognize this game; I played it at PAX East. Very interesting game to try out. You definitely have to be able to appreciate this sort of thing to enjoy it, and be wearing good headphones for the full experience.
 
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Review cover
Product Information:
  • Release Date (NA): June 6, 2018
  • Release Date (EU): June 6, 2018
  • Publisher: Plug In Digital
  • Developer: Hollow Tree Games
  • Also For: Computer, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Game Features:
Single player
Local Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Co-operative

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