Bite-sized Review:
SCHIM

By Chris Picone, 15 June 2024

Schim is an interesting game - first and foremost a platformer, I guess, but with some puzzle elements.  Having said that, I was surprised to discover that a huge chunk of the game is more of an adventure loaded with visual storytelling.  

Aesthetics

I absolute love that shader art style, I can't get enough of it.  Schim presents well, it's lovely and detailed, almost monochrome but with changing hues across levels to suit the mood as the story progresses.  Visual storytelling is an important aspect of Schim, which tells of a boy who becomes a man and presents the various victories and hardships he faces along the way.  It's really quite lovely. 

Gameplay

Schim begins more as an adventure game than  a platformer; you control the boy, riding your bike and kicking balls with friends and so on.  Occasionally you'll switch to control his shadow instead, happily bounding along after him.  The two also work together from time to time - you control the boy to move through the level but have to occasionally switch to the shadow to operate things like traffic lights to allow further progress. It's also occasionally worth jumping into the shadow to explore parts of the level the boy/man can't get to as there are secrets to be found.  As you get further into the game, you play as the shadow more and more often.  Progressing through the level gets harder as the puzzles become more challenging and you have to start interacting with the environment to use as some obstacles move or swing or can be used as springboards and you need to jump to moving shadows of passing people and cars.

Verdict

Schim is not a particularly difficult game although it does have its moments. It's got quite a nice little story, beautifully told through the artwork.  It's a fun little platformer for anyone looking for a relaxing experience but I think a younger audience will get the most out of it. 

Links: 

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1519710/SCHiM/