SCHiM for Windows

A casual adventure game where the player has to stick to shadows

SCHiM is a casual adventure puzzle game in which the player assumes control of a SCHiM — the soul and spirit of an object, thing, or living being — who is separated from their thing. The player must navigate the world in search of their lost thing, but they can only move in the shadows.

This game offers quite a unique concept, so it is difficult to compare to other games. It features a distinctive monochromatic art style like Tower of Heaven. Although, unlike that game, SCHiM uses a different color for different areas, helping break the game up visually.

Take control of a lost SCHiM

SCHiM sees the player take control of a SCHiM who has lost its thing— a human being. The player must traverse the world in search of its human but can only move in the shadows. The game world is full of moving objects casting shadows, which the player can use to move across areas that would otherwise have no shadows to leap into.

Distinctive art style

The game is presented in a monochromatic art style that is both distinctive and also makes the game more accessible. Since the shadows are cast in strong relief, it is easy to see where the player can and can’t jump. Despite the simplistic nature of the art, the use of different colors in each area gives the game a lot of visual variety.

A leap forward in accessibility

Influenced by the developer's color blindness, the shadow-jumping adventure SCHiM puts accessibility at the forefront of its design. As noted, the game boasts a clear, high-contrast art style with customizable palettes for ultimate visual comfort. The narrative unfolds entirely through animation, making it perfect for younger audiences and bypassing language barriers altogether.

The game caters to a wide range of abilities with forgiving controls, allowing ample time for navigation and interactions. Accessibility extends to the soundscape as well, with important objects emitting distinct audio cues alongside visual indicators. This multi-sensory experience, coupled with the ability to remap buttons and utilize a helpful camera pan, ensures no player gets lost in the world of SCHiM.

A pleasant casual experience

Though SCHiM is an engaging puzzle game with a good deal of narrative to experience, it is unlikely to challenge the more skillful players out there. That said, it will likely be an enjoyable experience for players looking for something more casual.