Sheltered
Dec 18, 2018 8 years ago
Panting, scared, the shelter airlock smashes down behind you. You wish you did not have to go outside, but you do. It would be easier to give up. But you don’t. The hardship, the hunger, the thirst. The fear. You keep reminding yourself why you stay alive. Why you do this. Then you hear it. “Daddy, you’re back.” You wife’s face lights up and you open a bag full of medical supplies. You need not tell her how you got them. You simply enjoy your small victory in this, the harshest of times. In the post-apocalyptic world, you must keep your family alive in your underground bunker in this deep strategy game from Unicube… Sheltered is a post-apocalyptic disaster management game that gives a whole new meaning to the term “nuclear family”. Given a head-start over the billions lost in a nuclear holocaust, you must gather as many supplies as possible en route to the concrete underground shelter that will soon become your family home for the foreseeable dreary future. With all hope lost, how will you cope in this bleak new world? How you handle the many moral choices you’ll encounter on a daily basis could be the difference between your family surviving or dying. Combat claustrophobia, radiation and mental exhaustion as you cling desperately to life in the cramp, cold and scary underground shelter. You’ll have to leave the scant protection the shelter offers behind as you’re forced to venture outside into the dangerous desolate wasteland to scavenge for vital supplies which could ensure your family’s survival for just one more day.
What it’s like
Sheltered immerses you in the claustrophobic dread of a post-nuclear existence, where survival hinges on managing the fragile equilibrium of your underground family. The experience is defined by its heavy emphasis on resource scarcity and moral weight; every decision to scavenge the irradiated wasteland or ration dwindling supplies carries genuine emotional consequence. The narrative emerges organically through gameplay, focusing on the psychological toll of isolation rather than external plot twists. Its strength lies in the interlocking systems of health, sanity, and hunger, creating a tense, regret-inducing loop where small victories feel earned against overwhelming odds. While the side-view aesthetic is functional, it serves to highlight the cramped, oppressive nature of your sanctuary. The audio design amplifies this tension, turning every creak of the bunker into a potential threat. It is a stark, atmospheric simulation that prioritizes emotional resonance and strategic desperation over action or expansive exploration.
Strong in Atmosphere / MoodSimulation / ManagementAudio / MusicCharactersDifficulty / ChallengeGameplay / MechanicsStory / NarrativeSystems Depth / Build Variety
Keep in mind The game can become repetitive after the initial novelty wears off, as the core loop relies heavily on managing similar crises day after day. Additionally, its punishing difficulty and lack of traditional combat may frustrate players seeking more dynamic action or clear progression milestones.
AI-generated from catalog data, informed by reviews from metacritic.com, pcgamesn.com, opencritic.com, eurogamer.net.
Screenshots
Releases
| Platform | Region | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Worldwide | Full release | Mar 15, 201610 years ago |
| Mac | Worldwide | Full release | Mar 15, 201610 years ago |
| PC (Microsoft Windows) | Worldwide | Full release | Mar 15, 201610 years ago |
| Xbox One | Worldwide | Full release | Mar 15, 201610 years ago |
| PlayStation 4 | Worldwide | Full release | Mar 16, 201610 years ago |
| Android | Worldwide | Full release | Oct 25, 20179 years ago |
| iOS | Worldwide | Full release | Oct 25, 20179 years ago |
| Nintendo Switch | Worldwide | Full release | Dec 18, 20188 years ago |
