Shivering Stone Review - A Chilly Reception

Following last year’s enjoyable Color Pals comes another puzzle title from Double Mizzlee. This time around, you’re going it solo. There’s not story, no tutorial and no introduction of any kind. In Shivering Stone, it’s you, a snowy field, a bunch of rocks and a gate blocking your exit. How to overcome this challenge? Lateral thinking.

Shivering Stone looks and plays a lot like Slap the Rocks, another eastasiasoft published title from 2022. And that’s because, well, it’s the same game. Inspired by NES classic Kickle Cubicle, the player is tasked with pushing rocks across a map into a hole. You can only push in horizontal or vertical directions, and once pushed a rock won’t stop until it collides with another object. So what’s the difference between Shivering Stone and Slap the Rocks? A winter aesthetic.

Yup, that’s all there is to it. No more, no less. It’s the same game experience, building in difficulty across 50 levels. The same mechanics and the same challenges. There is of course different level design, so if you were being generous you could consider Shivering Stone an expansion of the formula. However, it’s actually slightly less fun due to the lethargic pace at which your avatar moves.

Often you’ll have worked out the solution to a level through several trial-and-error restarts, only to have to spend your final attempt watching your warmly dressed minion slowly move from one end of the map to another.

As stated above, there are 50 levels in the game. Unlike Slap the Rocks, the challenge does ramp up fairly quickly. By the time level 10 comes around, you’ll be a (very patient) expert at logistical challenges involving ice and rocks. However, no new elements are added to the game. There’s no power ups, new types of rocks or secrets to uncover. Shivering Stone is the same experience at level 48 as it was at level 1, only somewhat more challenging.

Of course, for fans of immediate yet challenging puzzle games, there’s nothing wrong with that. This limitation could well be a blessing. However, in the age of instant gratification, we can’t help but feel those types of players are a niche audience. Realistically, it’s only with these players and those looking for an easy Achievements/Trophy completion using a guide that would likely find value in Shivering Stone. What we’re saying here is if you’re looking for a new boulder pushing challenge – and you don’t have a NES – go with Slap the Rocks over Shivering Stone.