So you start another adventure as a hero without memory. But even before you can yawn in the face of the hundredth amnesia, two things stand out (apart from the lack of character creation): First, this art design, which, together with the piano sounds, immediately creates a mood in which something sad and epic can be felt. The abstract interpolations are also successful: Similar to the characters in Journey, you're walking on spiky legs, plus you soon have a ghostly creature on your shoulder, somewhat reminiscent of Tim Burton's creatures from Nightmare Before Christmas.
And while this pale ghost whispers to you to find your memory as well as the king, secondly the world design with its mix of motifs also creates curiosity. Although some things sound like common patterns of dark fantasy, the references to science fiction become clear early on. Although you start as a "wanderer" with a sword, you activate electrically glowing pillars, soon encounter enemies with laser rifles and beam through portals through a pleasantly open, labyrinthine, and monumentally designed world.
Large areas seem to be extinct in this world, but similar to Dark Souls & Co, the background is initially a frame full of question marks and foreign concepts, in which the story is told fragmentarily. We only know that the old empire is in ruins, that it is haunted by demons, and that the king has disappeared - with him all hope seems lost. Where could he have gone? Perhaps he has traveled to the stars?
From time to time, the ghostly companion comes forward with clues, or you meet merchants as well as other wanderers who say something about all the strange artifacts and gadgets, though some things remain cryptic. There is no voice acting and no German translation, only English or French texts.
During the exploration, the acrobatic component immediately unfolds its charms: not only can you sprint or roll, but you can gain height with two jumps and then chase forward in the air. However, floors breaking away, gaping chasms, and floating platforms ensure that you have to act with good timing, whereby the challenge can range from relaxed to demanding.
Conclusion
Shattered - The Forgotten King initially exerts a great attraction with its great art and world design, because it creates its aesthetic from motifs of fantasy and science fiction. And the acrobatic component is also extremely successful in this monumental, wonderfully interwoven world. The only shortcomings are the AI and the combat, which only reaches a solid level in its best moments, especially since it doesn't feel fluid enough. In the long run, you miss fresh impulses in the battles as well as the character development. Furthermore, there are annoying bugs - Shattered lacks the final touch in some places.
