Shady Part of Me is an indie puzzle-platform game for PC that blends surreal exploration with a personal story of emotional growth. Players guide a young girl and her shadow through dreamlike settings rendered in watercolor art, using light manipulation and perspective shifts to solve puzzles and advance a contemplative narrative.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on controlling both the girl in three-dimensional spaces and her shadow in two-dimensional planes. Switching between these perspectives happens at any moment, allowing the player to interact with foreground objects, cast shadows, and navigate layered environments. Time rewind serves as a key tool to experiment with puzzle solutions without restarting entire sections. Puzzles emphasize observation and timing rather than speed or combat, often requiring precise alignment of light sources or coordinated movement between the two characters. The watercolor visuals create soft, shifting backdrops that support the dreamlike tone while keeping focus on mechanical clarity.
Game Modes
Shady Part of Me offers only a single-player experience structured around a continuous narrative campaign. Progress unfolds through a series of connected sessions that alternate between the girl's perspective and her shadow's, with no separate multiplayer options or competitive modes. The structure encourages steady forward momentum through puzzle sequences and story beats rather than replayable challenges or branching paths.
Narrative and Artistic Direction
The story follows the girl and her shadow as they confront personal struggles in ever-changing surreal landscapes. Voice acting by Hannah Murray adds emotional weight to key moments, while the watercolor style reinforces the introspective atmosphere. Twists emerge naturally from the dual-character dynamic and environmental changes, rewarding players who pay attention to subtle visual cues and dialogue.
Is It Worth Playing?
This title suits players who enjoy deliberate puzzle-platformers with strong artistic presentation and a focus on emotional themes. Its concise length makes it accessible for a single sitting or short sessions, and the mechanics of perspective switching and time control provide satisfying moments of discovery without overwhelming difficulty. Those seeking fast-paced action or ongoing content updates will find limited appeal here, as the game stands as a complete, self-contained experience released in 2020 with no further seasons or expansions. Reception highlights its unique visual approach and thoughtful design, making it a solid choice for fans of narrative-driven indie games on PC.
