Shelter Generations

Shelter Generations is a thoroughly charming combination of open-world survival and platform-adventure that provides a fresh slant on both. Beneath its adorable skin, however, there simply isn't enough satisfying meat to sustain the experience.

Shelter Generations is a considerable disappointment. This whole package seemed filled with promise but each and every element is terribly flawed in its execution. Shelter 2 feels like an empty world, meaning it regularly begins to feel dull, and even when the world has enough content, there isn't enough development in the story or the core gameplay to keep things interesting. Paws improves things by adding a story, some puzzles to keep things interesting, and a whole bunch of charm. There are some lovely and genuinely moving moments. It's good, but just too short, and it's not enough to save this collection.

Shelter Generations is a mixed bag, then. Shelter 2 is burdened with many flaws, the linearity to Paws helps it to become a more meaningful adventure, and the content that accompanies them lends charm to the whole collection. Taken as a whole it disappoints, which is a shame as, beneath the adorable exterior, the concept has far more potential than what has been achieved.

Shelter Generations is a nice package that is console exclusive to the Nintendo Switch. It has Shelter 2, a full game with some extra DLC included right from the start, a shorter game in Paws that gives you a different look of things as you take on the role of a cub, two soundtracks and two interactive storybooks, which more than justify the $19.99 asking price. Circle Entertainment has been giving us quirky indie games for a while now, and Shelter Generations is one you should definitely check out on Nintendo Switch.

Go into it in the right spirit, though, and with absolutely no words it tells one of the most powerful stories you'll find on the Switch.

Beautifully designed and at times surprisingly profound, but doesn't have a whole lot in the way of challenge.

Overall, Shelter Generations is engaging aesthetically and has the ability to evoke nature and human emotion; there is also a spiritual leaning to the game that may appeal to some people. Ultimately, however, the minute-to-minute gameplay, especially in Shelter 2, is a little boring and repetitive. As a cat might when stalking its prey, tread carefully with this one.

Since Generations is actually composed of 4 different experiences we’ll start with the core game, Shelter 2, which is the main event...