Shutter Story

Guide • Demo Companion

Shutter Story Demo Quick Start Guide (Unofficial)

This unofficial breakdown covers the playable Steam demo so you know exactly what to expect before diving into SpectralAware sessions.

Eli sitting in a dimly lit room reviewing a wall of evidence in the Shutter Story demo
Steam demo capture showing Eli’s investigation wall mid-case.

Demo Status & Download Details

  • Platform: Windows PC via Steam with full keyboard/mouse support and on-screen controller prompts.
  • Download size: roughly 6 GB with a 9 GB footprint after installation.
  • Build: February 2025 update containing three SpectralAware work sessions, two home exploration segments, and one voice-log vignette.
  • Save system: single-slot auto-save that triggers at key checkpoints and displays a “Demo Complete” banner at the finale.

Core Gameplay Loop

The build mirrors the full release by alternating between the SpectralAware 2.1 workstation and Eli’s haunted home:

  • Photo investigations: import negatives and instant film, then tweak spectra, contrast, and color temperature to surface hidden symbols.
  • Timeline stitching: tagging a clue unlocks “Thread” nodes that map the family tree and ritual chronology.
  • Voice logs: magnetic tapes and voicemails sync with images to expose motives and threats you can’t see on screen.

Runtime & Structure

  • Average playtime: 25–35 minutes on the first run; experienced players can finish in about 20 minutes.
  • Branching beats: incorrect SpectralAware labels trigger supplemental prompts that may add 5–10 minutes.
  • Pacing: each completed “Finding” kicks you back into Eli’s home so you immediately see the haunting react to your work.

Recommended Play Setup

  • Headphones + dim lighting: reversed chants and micro-whispers hide in the mix and are hard to catch on speakers.
  • Dedicated notes: keep a notebook or tablet handy for tag IDs and relationship clues.
  • Controls: default mouse sensitivity is low—bumping it to 1.2–1.4 makes dragging annotations smoother.
  • Accessibility: color-blind filters and subtitles are enabled in-demo, which helps with late-night sessions.

Who Will Enjoy the Demo

If any of these traits describe you, the demo is an easy recommendation:

  • Fans of archival mysteries such as Her Story, Immortality, or Telling Lies.
  • Players who enjoyed psychological FMV hybrids like Home Safety Hotline or Mouthwashing.
  • ARG sleuths and true-crime readers who love reconstructing narratives from documents.

Sources

  • Steam store page for Shutter Story (accessed February 2025)
  • Steam store page for Shutter Story Demo (February 2025 build)
  • Official announcement trailer & Summer Game Fest 2025 demo capture
  • Community playtest impressions compiled from r/horrorGaming & Steam discussions

Compiled by Shutter Story Game volunteer editors. Unofficial fan documentation.