Shines Over: The Damned Review: A Brief Trip To Hell (PS5)

It’s very seldom I walk away from a horror title without having some reaction to it besides confusion. To get straight to the point, Shines Over: The Damned is 15 USD and is not in any way, shape, or form, worth that asking price. I wasn’t entirely sure what this game was going to play like, but I saw the trailer and like many others, I was curious. This review for Shines Over: The Damned, although brisk like the game, will go over why this title isn’t worth your money or time.

Shines Over: The Damned is available exclusively on PS5.

See Also: Alone in the Dark Review: Welcome Back to Derceto (PC)

STORY – The Damned

There is very little context as to what exactly is happening in Shines Over: The Damned. The no-name main character “met a mysterious lady” who lives in this alternate world is essentially all the background information we are given at the start of the game. It’s possible she took the protagonist here. 

Some of the interesting locations are tainted by some odd lightings

There is no dialogue and no real cinematic sequences. There is a dog, but he doesn’t even bark. Speaking of the dog, he isn’t even with you for half the game. He seems to have his own little side mission he is accomplishing. As for what your character is doing? Just taking a walk. Where are they going? I don’t know. The character spawns in some otherworldly location where strange creatures are present, and they keep walking until eventually, they arrive at the end. There are no additional story plot devices that show up. As I mentioned, there is no dialogue or cinematic events. You sort of just reach the end and that’s it. Shines Over: The Damned takes less than 45 minutes to complete. There is no substance here.

Gameplay – Handicapped Temple Run

The best thing I can say about this game is that it functions. I was able to play from start to finish, but that’s it. Shines Over: The Damned’s gameplay loop boils down to walking, performing some light platforming, and fending off some weird monsters in some awkward encounters. 

This is the only interaction you have with enemies

The game is divided into chapters where the only goal is to make it to the end of the level. I laughed out loud when I realized I finished chapter 2 because I didn’t remember ever doing chapter 1. It’s that quick. A majority of the level is completed by walking. Along the way, you’ll encounter some basic puzzles that involve matching symbols on buttons with the ones on a wall or performing something in the correct sequence.

Platforming is unsurprisingly barebones and involves jumping on rocks to clear large gaps of space. There is some memorization thrown in too where the location of a pillar will disappear when you get closer to it. That being said, if you trip and fall, whatever progress you make will be kept. There are 0 stakes. 

These platform sequences felt quite random

There are also 0 interactions with the dog. I unrealistically hoped that this might be a Blair Witch type of situation where the dog would help progress in the chapters. And the enemies? As you walk, they can sometimes jump out at you in the least threatening way possible. Part of that is due to a large light shining right before they jump. When these enemies grab onto you, you fend them off by pressing L1 and R1 repeatedly. That’s it. For those hoping for a quick platinum trophy, I’m sad to say Shines Over: The Damned doesn’t even have that.

Graphics and Audio: Grainy Mess

Shines Over: The Damned would look better if it were not for the lighting and the weird grainy filter placed on top of the game. Shines Over: The Damned does not have an options menu so you’re stuck with these settings. Lighting is a huge problem. The character progresses through some strange, almost nightmare-like areas. Each area as a result is dark, but also hard to see. It’s not dark because the level calls for it though. After all, the lighting is placed in ways that make it almost look like you have glare on your TV. It’s bizarre. If you try to look more than 3 feet in front of you, you’ll also start to notice grainy textures inhabiting the background. It’s nauseating. 

This boat sequence could have been a lot more enjoyable

Music seemed to come and go. It was present during the first few minutes of the game. It had this haunting and mysterious sound to it that fit with the visuals. But as I stated, that was for the first few minutes. It just randomly dies after. Audio design is broken here. On those platforming sections I mentioned early, it sounds like my jumps and steps are muffled, almost like they’re in another area. Walking in general is barely heard. There isn’t even audio for the enemies creeping.

Lack of Immersion

If Shines Over: The Damned was just a visual and audio experience where you’re progressing through a strange world with the purpose of it to scare you or have you feel uneasy, I would have enjoyed it far more. I didn’t need a story, or diverse gameplay or the game to be 10 hours long. But at least try something interesting. At the start, the game asks the player to use headphones for a more immersive experience. I honestly wonder where that experience was.

Hopefully this Shines Over: The Damned review steered you clear of the title. It’s 15 USD and I wouldn’t recommend it even if it was free. There is just nothing of worth to get out of your time, however brisk it may be.

Shines Over: The Damned was reviewed on PlayStation 5 with a review code provided by markallenpr.co.uk