There is a long and short review for this game. If you want the long with some SPOLIERS you can read on. The short, this is a great game and it runs smoothly. I recommend obtaining a playdate handheld or booting it up on the free simulator if you have the time.
For those without a playdate of their own to use:
https://playdate-wiki.com/wiki/Playdate_Simulator
The slightly longer SPOILER review starts here:
The game has a rich vibe steeped deep into the soul of the game, ever decided by the tides of Hyperspace and the whims of the elusive SHAPE. As you can imagine I had a lot of fun with this game.
Graphics
Taking full advantage of the two tone illustration, the art is phenomenal and fully embodies the eldritch space horror theme. Right from the menu you are hit with an animated spaceship console. Then there are tile sets draped in machinery and mangled bodies. While it is a simple "colour" range the art is vibrant nonetheless.
(After though)This is just a connection my brain made but the intro is Reminiscent of star wars movies, an opening screen packed with lore upon a bed of stars.
Game mechanics
There is a number of bars to manage as you explore the eery environment. Namely Oxygen, body(health points) and mind.
While not Unique to the shape that waits, I personally enjoy the concept of your character taking ambient damage to their psyche as they experience their bleak, blood strewn adventure further into the recesses of the usurped ship. Allows for small lore drops in un(expected) places as you plod along.
Oxygen is a more finite and volatile resource, you expend oxygen quickly and the sources are far and few between to say the least. I died to oxygen deprivation rather than the mobs before I could reach the final terminal which is the objective of the game.
The enemies are fairly benign at the start. Range and melee enemies both easily settled with your trusty sidearm. However, if you're not careful you might interact with the wrong console, click the wrong button and get sent to deeper levels where the monsters swarm you along your journey towards the final terminal.
Sound design
The music was on point at every turn, delightfully foreboding as you traipse around the cold, synthetic halls. Yet, often your character will complain the walls seem to—breathe.
I would have liked some creature sounds for the unique mob types but there might be limitations of the playdate hardware the game is meant to run on to consider.
Conclusion
I thoroughly enjoyed the experience that Hyperspace had to provide to me. Unfortunately, the machinations of the Shape caught up to me, so I will need to spend some time figuring out how to escape this higher plane that men were not meant to tread.