s.p.l.i.t
" Immersive psychological horror with unique terminal gameplay but extremely short playtime "
s.p.l.i.t Review
s.p.l.i.t is a short, narrative-driven psychological horror game centered around terminal-based hacking mechanics, delivering a dark, unsettling atmosphere. Players navigate a retrofuturistic DOS-like interface, piecing together a bleak story through limited commands and file exploration. While the game typically takes under two hours to complete both endings, it effectively immerses players in its oppressive world and heavy themes, including self-harm and psychological distress.
However, many players note the experience feels more like a tech demo than a full game, with minimal gameplay depth and limited replayability. The story, while intriguing and well-written, is often described as underdeveloped and heavy-handed, leaving some feeling unsatisfied. Despite these shortcomings, the game’s unique style, strong atmosphere, and innovative terminal interaction have earned it praise, especially among fans of Mike Klubnika’s work. Overall, s.p.l.i.t is recommended for those seeking a brief but intense horror experience with a niche gameplay approach.
Highlights
The game’s atmosphere and psychological horror elements are frequently praised for being immersive and anxiety-inducing.
Players appreciate the authentic DOS-style terminal commands, which add a unique layer of engagement and nostalgia. The storytelling and worldbuilding—though minimalistic—are noted for their sharp writing and coherent, dark narrative.
The art style, UI, and soundtrack complement the grim tone effectively, enhancing the overall experience. Fans of Mike Klubnika particularly enjoy the consistent thematic style and unsettling mood across his games.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the game’s very short length, with many wishing for a longer, more fleshed-out experience.
The gameplay is often described as minimal and underutilized, with only brief moments of actual hacking and puzzle-solving. The terminal interface lacks features like autocomplete, making it frustrating for some players.
The story and horror elements are seen as heavy-handed and shallow, lacking subtlety and emotional depth. Additionally, some players find the game confusing without prior terminal knowledge and wish for better guidance or tutorials. Technical issues such as slow typing input in chat also detract from the experience.
Pros
- • Immersive and anxiety-inducing psychological horror atmosphere throughout the game.
- • Authentic and nostalgic DOS-style terminal commands enhance gameplay engagement.
- • Sharp writing and coherent, dark narrative with effective worldbuilding.
- • Grungy art style and UI perfectly match the game’s oppressive tone.
- • Soundtrack amplifies the psychological pressure and mood effectively.
- • Unique terminal-based gameplay offers a fresh take on horror puzzles.
- • Fairly priced for a short, narrative-focused horror experience.
Cons
- • Extremely short playtime with limited replayability and content depth.
- • Gameplay is minimal, feeling more like a tech demo than full game.
- • Terminal interface lacks features like autocomplete, frustrating players.
- • Story and horror elements are heavy-handed and lack subtlety.
- • Confusing for players without prior knowledge of terminal commands.
- • Limited number of endings and minimal branching narrative.
- • Slow typing input in chatbox reduces immersion and pacing.
Rating Criteria
A short psychological horror game, where you attempt to gain root access into an unethical superstructure.