Reviews: White Shadows
Spoiler free review of the game White Shadows played on my steam deck OLED
About the game
The wolves are watching! Venture through a captivating but brutal dystopia where our young adventurer Ravengirl will travel through this huge city’s brightest highs and delve to its darkest depths on her perilous journey of discovery and finding her destiny where hope seems in short supply.
Margot’s stats
Device: Steam Deck OLED
Difficulty:
Completed: yes
Time: ~3.5 hours
Summary: This was a game that did not run that well on the steam deck. It did make the fans go a lot, and I had to turn the graphics right down which was a real shame, as it is stunning even though it is just black and white. I enjoyed the platforming though, which is akin to something like Little Nightmares or Limbo. It describes itself as a “cinematic platformer” and I think if you play it on the right device it really is full of screenshotable moments. The game itself has a thought provoking commentary on modern society and is great at creating a dystopian atmosphere.
Score: 7/10 - Recommend - but maybe not on steam deck
Narrative and Gameplay
In White Shadows you play Ravengirl, set in a world where birds have been ostracised and are at the bottom of the hierarchy.
It is a dystopian setting, emphasised by the back and white world full of tunnels and large structures.
Playing it, I even got vertigo in a couple of places.
In terms of game play it is very similar to something like Little Nightmares, where you have to go through some puzzles, sneak and jump to avoid enemies, while also not getting hurt by the hostile environment. The puzzles in general, were simple, with one exception that I had to look up. I think I would have gotten it eventually, especially, having played more similar games now, such as Limbo and the aforementioned Little Nightmares. The controls are simple and it is essentially a 2D puzzle platformer, using a jump and move item button, that’s it.
The game uses the relationship of the wolves and birds to make some social commentary, which did remind me a lot of animal farm. Some players may find these themes too heavy or on the nose as it covers topics such as racism, modern society power constructs and is pretty dark and hopeless in its presentation. There is a warning about this when you first start the game.
It is however a short game, and I think it packs a punch in its 3 hour-ish gameplay. The graphics and world building are stunning, and I may have to revisit it on a better system. I do really appreciate a dystopian world, without a horror setting. I like a bit of drama and thriller but not horror per se, and this game did great in creating a hopeless, dark but somehow beautiful world.
But just beware when I say “packs a punch” I don’t mean it is fast paced and over the top. I think what it delivers in its short gameplay is a lot and worth experiencing.
Sound
A real highlight besides the graphics and world is the orchestral soundtrack, with dramatic moments set to classical pieces, such as Wagner’s Ride of the Valkryie and Strauss’ The Blue Danube. I also really appreciated the background rumble of the machines and world, constantly creating that dystopian atmosphere, with extra clanking and movement sounds thrown in.
Verdict 7/10 - Recommend
To get the best experience I would not necessarily say to play this on the steam deck, but it is doable. The visuals are stunning and it is a shame that can’t be quite appreciated on the steam deck. I do think it is worth playing and enjoyable if you know that it is a short but thoughtful and thought provoking game that excels at creating a dystopian atmosphere and world, and you don’t mind really feeling the game afterwards. (I hope that makes sense - I would say it is a short intense experience).
I like this style of game. The art reminds me a little of Inside.