- Publisher: Hollow Tree Games
- Release Date: Jun 5, 2018
- Also On: PC, PlayStation 5, Switch, Xbox One
- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
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Jun 23, 2018Quotation forthcoming.
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Jul 17, 2018You won't find yourself challenged, but at best you'll find yourself enthralled and enjoying the world as it brings itself out to you. But a game doesn't have to be a challenge. It doesn't have to have a time limit, a game over, an antagonist of any kind. It can just be a sensory experience you allow yourself to get wrapped up in. And Shape of the World is exactly that. Let yourself get swallowed by it and you'll find yourself having a great time.
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Jul 3, 2018No matter where you walk, in rain forests or snowy mountain tops: Shape of the World looks gorgeous. When it comes to quality and ambition it is nothing like Dear Esther, but on its own Shape of the World is a lovely game.
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Jul 2, 2018Psychedelic, minimalistic walking simulator which invites us to enjoy a fantastic world growing around us.
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Jun 13, 2018Shape of the World is the perfect game to pick up after a particularity stressful day at work, and promises to keep you engaged in its simple gameplay through a combination of gorgeous environments and immersive game physics.
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Jun 10, 2018Shape of the World is not exactly a video game, it’s a digital art, and is not made for those who are looking for an engaging gameplay or an appealing story. But those who are looking for a couple of relaxing hours, will definitely find a thing or two to enjoy.
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Playstation Official Magazine UKJul 31, 2018Playing more as a meditative experience that doesn't outstay its welcome, this is an ascent you will make more than once. [Issue#152, p.86]
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Jun 14, 2018A wonderfully relaxing way to spend a few hours but falls down a little in terms of game mechanics. Could well be called an interactive art installation.
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Jun 5, 2018What started out as a Kickstarter three years ago, Shape of the World is an impressive accomplishment. The end result provides a beautiful but brief escape into an obscure world, filled with colourful abstract variations and creatures to observe at your own pace. It makes for a great escapist title in between games, though we're ultimately left feeling a little confused by its mixed messaging and lack of story. It hints at something greater here, but doesn’t feel confident to make a bolder or more meaningful statement. Maybe that’s what Hollow Tree Games had intended, but we can’t shake the feeling of style over substance here.
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Jun 29, 2018For a supposed chill-out game, Shape of the World just doesn’t hit the right balance. Its dynamics and artwork aren’t interesting enough to justify standing still, and moving forward feels too much like work. Rather than being relaxing, it’s more of a bore.
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Games Master UKJul 14, 2018You might just find yourself making a return trip before long. [Aug 2018, p.85]
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Jun 5, 2018Promising a world where you can get lost and yet find peace is a hard sell, though when everything falls into place, Shape of the World provides some noteworthy moments. Expressed remarkably well through the environments in terms of music, where the task at hand may not enthrall players for longevity, the use of color takes advantage and gives charm. As captivating as the greenery and creatures are, it’s the bugs internally that regrettably let this high-aspirational adventure falter.
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Jun 10, 2018It is certainly a pretty game. The minimalist polygon planes are very evocative, the sound design is lovely, and the abundant bloom lighting creates a mood. There’s sort of a goal (get to the next triangle) and when you achieve it, the art style shifts. But I didn’t really find it relaxing, I found it boring. And I never got over feeling perplexed.