Ratshaker [Review]

Ratshaker is a deceptively simple psychological horror game where players explore a decaying house while gripping a cartoon rat. It's an experience best approached without prior knowledge, as the element of surprise is key. The core gameplay revolves around exploration, coupled with the peculiar task of managing your furry companion by balancing 'shaking' and 'choking' it—all while enduring the rat's constant, pun-laden commentary.

The game is undeniably absurd, featuring disturbing content and imagery that effectively delivers on the horror front. While the gameplay can become somewhat repetitive—as it primarily consists of walking and shaking the rat—the PlayStation 5 version significantly elevates the experience. Playing on the PS5, the controller features are a major highlight: shaking the rat utilizes motion controls (which can be disabled), and choking the rat triggers the controller's haptic feedback. These underutilized PS5 features are a welcome bonus in this title. Priced affordably at $2.99 on Steam and $3.49 on PS5, Ratshaker offers a short, two-hour experience. Its low cost helps mitigate the repetitive nature of the gameplay, ensuring you won't invest hours struggling to progress. The game's illogic and absurdism may not appeal to everyone, even within the horror genre, but I thoroughly enjoyed its bizarre, horrific charm. For what it sets out to achieve, I give it a 7/10. It's a short, entertaining playthrough that also manages to give your controller a workout.