s.p.l.i.t Reviews
s.p.l.i.t is a tough game to write about, as at heart it is just a simulation of a textual file interface wrapped up in a dark and oppressive environment, but it is also so much more than that. The perfect fusion of themes and mechanics makes for an experience that is almost suffocatingly immersive and the darker aspects (although absolutely not for everyone) elevate s.p.l.i.t to be one of the most harrowing games you'll find. Aside from the essential content warning, I'd recommend going in as blind as possible and just playing out your The Matrix and Sneakers fantasies.
s.p.l.i.t. from developer Mike Klubnika brings mind-bending logic problems delivered through a unique command-line backdrop. While the command-line adventure doesn’t last long, it does enough to warrant a hard look for gamers in search of a good challenge.
Are you truly ready to take responsibility for your actions? This is the question raised by S.p.l.i.t, and it also serves as a perfect demonstration of what a single visionary mind can achieve when blending aesthetics, coding, and soundtrack. Mike Klubnika crafts an alienating work that is almost impossible to judge by modern video game standards — completely outside of current norms, time, and logic. Short, intense, disturbing, and eloquent in its minimalist silence. A product capable of completely disorienting the player, perfect for those seeking something truly different.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Short, smart, and unsettling, s.p.l.i.t isn’t your typical horror game. It’s cryptic and cold but rewarding for players who enjoy solving digital mysteries with nothing but their wits and a keyboard.
s.p.l.i.t is an experimental terminal-based hacking simulation that appeals to those familiar with old-school computing, but its mediocre story and lack of tension in the hacking segments squander its potential.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
s.p.l.i.t is a tense, minimalist hacking simulator from Buckshot Roulette creator Mike Klubnika that challenges players to navigate a terminal-driven psychological thriller. With no hand-holding and a deep sense of isolation, the game rewards persistence and experimentation, though its cryptic design may alienate those unfamiliar with command-line systems.
For such a short game s.p.l.i.t had a massive impact. This game really is a memorable experience and, in case you missed it, I really want more of it. I want to know more about the other techs, memory harvesting, and the world we’re thrown into. Mike Klubnika really has done a lot with a small game. It’s incredibly unique and captivating. The way that the heavier topics are dealt with are simultaneously dread inducing but well dealt with. The only issue I had with it was that I wanted more. This is a great addition to any library whether you love horror games or are looking for entries into the genre. s.p.l.i.t was instantly a Thumb Culture Platinum Award game.
s.p.l.i.t is a brilliant, atmospheric, and deeply nostalgic hacking horror game that’s over far too soon. It doesn’t have the staying power to hook everyone, but for a certain kind of player—especially those who fondly remember the days of “C:>”—it’s one bleak, stylish trip well worth taking. Here’s hoping Klubnika returns to this world and lets us dig a little deeper, one keystroke at a time.
s.p.l.i.t. is an indie hacking game where the player must sabotage a superstructure in a dystopian world using only terminal commands. Featuring a retro-futuristic aesthetic, a narrative driven by ethical choices, and multiple endings, the game delivers intense immersion but demands dedication due to its steep learning curve and limited accessibility.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
s.p.l.i.t is a brutal and powerful game unlike anything else I've ever played, but its dark themes will be too much for some to experience.
Split is short. After about 45 minutes, you can reach the first ending. If you want to see both endings, you'll have to replay the game, which, thanks to the terminal interface, is worth it. However, don't expect deep replayability or hidden sidetracks. This is a small experience, meant to be experienced once or twice. Split isn't a game that impresses with its technique or length, but it does boast strong game design. It's an atmospheric, cleverly designed experience that does something quite different from most games. For fans of horror, Half-Life, The Matrix, or similar worlds, this is highly recommended. It's a small slice of digital horror that really gets under your skin.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Despite its brevity – the game should take no more than one to two hours to complete – s.p.l.i.t offers a tightly woven narrative that instills a strong sense of dread and inevitability. You enter a world where victory feels almost impossible from the outset. The only real downside is the desire for more content.
S.P.L.I.T is full of confusing and complicated moments due to some of its gameplay, but these moments feel gratifying once completed. The story, as well, is full of dark twists and turns that nobody could ever see coming, making it a showstopper.
s.p.l.i.t is a brutal, immersive hacking sim from Buckshot Roulette’s Mike Klubnika, dropping you into a terminal of dread, raw commands, creeping paranoia, and moral decay. It's a short and intense experience, but the intentional lack of clear objectives and overall narrative leaves a bit to be desired.
Don’t ask me how, but Mike Klubnika once again commands attention with s.p.l.i.t., an idiosyncratic terminal hacking game aimed at old-school tech romantics with a taste for the grim and uncanny, delivering an uncomfortably intense half-hour experience that—despite its brief runtime—gets under your skin fast, provided you remember to brush up on your command-line skills before facing that so-called 'unethical superstructure'... or else, well, you know the drill.
Review in Dutch | Read full review