SCHiM is a single-player 3D platform game built around a simple rule: you play as a shadow creature separated from its human, and you travel by hopping between shadows to find your way back. Its appeal rests on how that rule turns light, moving scenery, and everyday objects into both the route and the puzzle. Steam showed a “Mixed” user rating when checked in 2026, so the available review snapshot is not an unqualified endorsement.
What is SCHiM?
In SCHiM, the player controls a small shadow creature, or “schim,” trying to reunite with its human. You cannot simply walk across the world: you move between shadows cast by people, objects, and animated scenery. The game’s central question is therefore practical as well as visual: which shadow can you reach next, and what might change if you interact with something along the way?
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
SCHiM - Nintendo Switch | $21.09 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
SCHiM - スキム - -Switch 【特典】永久封入特典特製ステッカー同梱 | $43.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - US Version | $52.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Yoshi's Crafted World - Nintendo Switch | $52.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Minecraft - Nintendo Switch | $29.83 | Buy on Amazon |
That constraint gives the platforming its identity. A street, yard, or other scene is not just a backdrop; the cast shadows define the traversable space. When scenery or people move, the route can change with them.
How do the shadow puzzles work?
Shadow-hopping is more than a way to cross gaps. The developers describe objects and their shadows as things the player can interact with, sometimes changing a situation or opening a route. Examples in the developers’ account include using a truck horn to move a cat and operating a machine to alter the environment.
#1 Best Overall
- A story of a person losing their shadow - A schim is the soul and spirit of an object or living being. Everything in the world has one, and it should never be separated! You need to find your way back to the human you belong to, before it's too late!
- Unique 3D platforming - You can only move in the shadows, so you'll need to find clever ways to leap into the shadows of animated objects and moving beings to use them as your pathways.
- A beautiful abstract world - The color palette changes in each level to capture the setting, time of day and mood of every location you explore.
- Each level has a story to tell - Each new level has its own living scenery with small stories to uncover, inspired by real Dutch/European cities and rural locations.
In a PlayStation Blog post dated July 7, 2022, Extra Nice level and game designer Nils Slijkerman wrote: “With Schim, we want to create a world where the player can explore and experiment with various objects and their shadows.” The team also described aiming for multiple paths and interactions in some scenes; that is a stated design aim, not a guarantee that every puzzle has several solutions.
What kind of experience does SCHiM offer?
Exploration and atmosphere
The official game description emphasizes Dutch- and European-inspired environments, changing color palettes, and living scenery. It also points to small environmental stories and hidden collectibles connected to other shadow creatures. Those details make observation and exploration part of the intended appeal, alongside working out how to reach the next shadow.
Rank #2
- An everyday story that is a little spirit, watching over
- Skim can only be moved in shadows of people or objects
- Guide yourself back to the original location with timely jumping from shadows to shadows
- Skim means "spirit" or "flickering at the end of your eyes". Skims exist in every shadow and have one thing in the world. It will never come apart
- From the moment the owner was born, Skim has been watching over various scenes in life. One day one skim was separated from the owner's body. Will you return safely without being too late?
Who may enjoy it
SCHiM is a natural fit for players drawn to a focused traversal idea, environmental interaction, and collectible hunting. It may be less appealing if you want a game whose defining hook is a broad range of unrelated mechanics: the shadow-to-shadow rule is the organizing principle. The available official descriptions establish the intended design, but they are not independent critical assessments of how consistently its puzzles or pacing succeed.
What do the SCHiM reviews say?
Steam displayed an all-time “Mixed” rating, with 65% positive from 228 user reviews, when its listing was checked in 2026. This is a dated snapshot of Steam user reviews, not a critic score or a permanent verdict; the proportion and review count can change. No broader critic consensus is established here.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Rank #3
- New stages and fighters are joined by the combined rosters of every past Super Smash Bros. Game
- Challenge others anytime, anywhere, whether you're on the couch or on the go
- Play any way you want—locally, online, in TV mode, Tabletop mode, Handheld mode, or even with GameCube Controllers
- Fight faster and smarter with new and returning techniques, like the perfect shield and directional air dodge
- Face off in 2-4 player battles, or play against the computer
Steam also lists 24 achievements and 31 supported languages. These are storefront metadata, rather than measures of the game’s quality or length.
Which platforms can you play SCHiM on?
The official game page lists PC storefronts, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. The official FAQ additionally names Mac, Linux, and Steam Deck. Because platform support and storefront availability can differ by region and may change, check the live store listing for the version you intend to buy.
Rank #4
- Explore each stage and then find even more secrets by making your way through the stage backwards on the flip side
- Overcome varied enemies and obstacles, like Zombie Guys, Skelesaurus, Ukiki, and Monty Mole as you seek out hidden collectables; ESRB Content: Mild Cartoon Violence; Genre: Action, Platformer
- Pass a Joy Con controller to a friend for 2 player cooperative exploration
- Clad Yoshi in collectable, protective, handicraft costumes as he makes his way through each stage
When did SCHiM release, and is there a physical edition?
The official release date was July 18, 2024. An official 2024 announcement documented physical editions for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5, including four bonus art cards; it also described an iam8bit exclusive edition with a poster and sticker sheets. That announcement establishes what was offered at the time, not present-day stock or pricing, so confirm availability with a retailer before planning a physical purchase.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
