So The review section on my review didn't work so I'm posting it here lmao:
Writing/Plot - XXXXO
Visual & Art Direction - XXXOO
Audio & Music - XXXOO
Pacing & Branching - XXXXO
Mechanics - XXXXX
Writing and Plot: Shelter has a phenomenal plot to it. Though it comes across as rather simple for the first playthrough, the use of mechanics and foreshadowing is amazing. The way it has used the mechanics to enhance the plot, not just to a simple degree but to beyond what visual novels usually achieve, is something that should be commended. I'm sure you've noticed it didn't get full marks, but this is because I personally sometimes find it difficult to take some serious situations seriously due to the use of humor.
Visual & Art Direction: The art is beautiful. The backgrounds and use of colour are well used. I may not be an artist myself, but as an avid lover of visual novels I've seen many variations, as well as positive and negative uses of art. Shelter does a wonderful job of using a combination of CGs, full-body sprites, and head-only shots to craft its story and enhance it. The reason it doesn't get full marks is simply due to there being some inconsistencies in the art style, but this is to be expected for a visual novel that has been in development for years.
Pacing & Branches: The pacing of the visual novel is something to truly be commended. Due to the mechanics of the visual novel, it has to be very carefully balanced. Though not perfect, the way it is paced makes it most definitely enjoyable and wonderful to experience. As for how the branches work, they are used to their fullest extent. If you want to play a visual novel where your choices truly matter, then this is the novel for you.
Mechanics: Finally, the true perfection of this visual novel: the mechanics. Shelter is crafted around being a visual novel and could never work in any other format. It is truly a work of art in that regard and should be commended for the effort put into it. I don't want to spoil anything for readers, but the way its main mechanic operates goes beyond being a simple device — it becomes the plot itself. It enhances every aspect of the story and should be an inspiration to the community.
In Summary:
Shelter is an exceptional visual novel that stands out for how deeply its mechanics are woven into its plot, to the point where the mechanic is the story, not just a device supporting it. The writing is strong, using foreshadowing and mechanical integration in ways that go beyond what most visual novels attempt, though the humor occasionally undercuts some of the more serious moments. The art is beautiful and varied, making great use of CGs, full-body sprites, and head-only shots, with only minor inconsistencies that are understandable given the game's years-long development. The pacing is carefully balanced and the branching choices genuinely matter, making for a satisfying and immersive experience. Overall, Shelter is a well-crafted work that pushes what the visual novel format can do, and it's easy to see why it stands out within the community.