 |
| Once Upon a Shell was released on Steam on December 26, 2025 |
We all know the story: the flashy, overconfident hare loses to the persistent, steady tortoise. But what if the tortoise wasn’t just steady? What if it could tuck into its shell and rocket down a hillside, using strategy and terrain to outmaneuver its faster rivals? That’s the delightful premise behind Once Upon a Shell, a new roguelike racing game that proves success isn’t about raw speed, but about insight, determination, and a little bit of humble cunning.
Released on December 26, 2025, by developer Razzledazzle Studio and publisher DADIU, this free-to-play title has quickly captured hearts with its unique blend of tense racing and run-based progression, all wrapped in a storybook aesthetic.
Gameplay: Strategy Over Speed
Forget about holding down the accelerator. In Once Upon a Shell, you play as the methodical tortoise facing off against arrogant hares in a series of high-stakes races. The core loop is simple but punishing: compete in individual races, but lose just once, and you’re sent back to the very beginning. This roguelike structure creates a palpable sense of tension every time the starting flag drops.
Your tortoise’s greatest tool is its shell. While painfully slow on flat ground, mastering the art of the shell-slide is key to victory. You must use your weight, judge the terrain, and find the perfect angles to tuck and tumble down slopes, gaining surprising momentum. The race courses themselves are puzzles to be solved; understanding how different surfaces affect your slide, where to take a risky jump, and how to use the landscape to your advantage is far more important than any boost button.
Each successful run earns you upgrades that carry over to your next attempt, softening the blow of failure and providing a compelling “one more run” hook. The progression system ensures you’re always inching forward, much like the protagonist itself.
A Watercolor World of High-Stakes Racing
Visually, the game is a standout. It employs a beautiful watercolor-inspired art style that perfectly complements its fairytale setting. The environments feel lifted from a storybook, making the high-speed shell-sliding action a charming contrast. It’s a world you want to spend time in, even when it sends you back to the start.
The Verdict: Charming, Challenging, and Completely Free
At the time of writing, Once Upon a Shell boasts an “Overwhelmingly Positive” user rating on Steam, though from a modest number of reviews. Players universally praise its charming visuals, tight controls, and the satisfying “click” of a perfectly executed run. The gameplay is described as fast and enjoyable, with a difficulty curve that rewards mastery.
Some early criticisms point to occasionally fiddly camera controls during complex maneuvers and questions about long-term motivation after the core loop is mastered. Additionally, for handheld gamers, it’s worth noting that Steam Deck compatibility is currently listed as “Unknown.” If portability is a must, you might want to wait for confirmation before planning to play on Valve’s handheld (which you can find on Amazon for around $470).
Is it worth your time? Absolutely. The price of admission—free—makes it an effortless recommendation. Once Upon a Shell is a clever, well-executed twist on both racing and roguelike genres. It’s a game that reminds you that winning isn’t always about being the fastest, but about being the smartest and most adaptable on the track.
Once Upon a Shell is available now, completely free to play, on Steam. You can wishlist and download it directly via the official Steam store page: Once Upon a Shell on Steam.