Silent Paws
Developer: Morning Shift Studios
Publisher: Morning Shift Studios
Release Date: 2 Jun 2023
Genre: Walking simulator
Platform: Switch
RRP: $4.50
Welcome to Silent Paws, a beautiful and atmospheric walking simulator where you play as a fox exploring a mystical world filled with wonder and magic. Step into the shoes of a curious fox and journey through enchanted forests, hidden caves, and ancient ruins to uncover the secrets of this magical land.
As you explore the world of Silent Paws, you’ll encounter a variety of obstacles. You must navigate through the lush environment, using your cunning and agility to progress, you’ll uncover the rich history and lore of the world, revealing the story of the world.
With stunning graphics and an immersive soundtrack, Silent Paws is a game that will transport you to a world unlike any other. The game is designed to be a meditative and relaxing experience, allowing you to escape the stresses of everyday life and lose yourself in the beauty of the world.
Silent Paws is basically a repackaged version of Lost Dream by the same dev, though without, as far as I could tell, any goal in mind – apart from walking. It also appears these devs keep repackaging and selling new versions of Lost Dream using this same concept, so there’s quite a few different versions available now, some with a different gimmick.
When it comes to gameplay mechanics, “Silent Paws” keeps things simple. It offers different walking speeds and a jump function that, at least during my time with the game, felt entirely unnecessary. Unfortunately, the minimalism in gameplay extends to the storyline, or lack thereof. From what I could gather, the game consists of wandering around a forest. We’re supposed to ‘follow the wind’ but there was none. I did manage to find my way to level 2 by following the white lights, but during my attempt a level 2 the lights petered out, and the lack of clear guidance and the striking similarity of the scenery made it all too easy to get turned around and end up back at the start of the level. That was super frustrating.
One aspect of “Silent Paws” that stands out is its graphics. The artistically minimalist design is visually appealing, with serene scenery, although it becomes repetitive and it’s easy to get lost. The true star of the game is the fox character, undeniably cute with its charming running animation.
Unfortunately, the audio experience in “Silent Paws” is less captivating. The repetitive instrumental track that loops every one or two minutes begins to grate on the nerves, with no variation even as you progress through levels.
Despite the cute fox, I was disappointed with this game in several areas. The monotonous soundtrack, repetitive scenery, and lack of clear directions made it challenging to navigate the forest. I would have really liked to experience the different levels, including swimming, that are shown in the trailer, but I couldn’t find my way out of level 2. A notable drawback is the absence of a save function, which can be a source of frustration for players. The game is designed to be short, potentially played in one session, and while its price point does reflect that and justify its lack of a save function, I was just too frustrated to continue in a game that sells itself on being meditative and calming. With a save function I at least could have started in level 2 again after quitting.
My overall impression was that it may not be worth the investment, even if it’s on sale for about $1. The lack of direction, repetitive elements, and the absence of a save feature can leave players feeling disoriented and unfulfilled. After an hour of struggling to progress past level 2, I ultimately decided to delete the game.
All video games are purchased by myself or gifted from a friend.
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About Nemo
A lover of kittens and all things sparkly, Nemo has a degree in English Literature and specialises in reviewing contemporary, paranormal, mystery/thriller, historical, sci-fi and fantasy Young Adult fiction. She is especially drawn to novels about princesses, strong female friendships, magical powers, and assassins.
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