Ratshaker Review (PS5)
Ratshaker is one of the strangest experiences you’ll find on PlayStation 5 this year. What starts off feeling like a goofy pest-control simulator quickly spirals into something far darker—a surreal psychological horror that sticks with you long after you’ve put down the controller. At its core, the game asks you to do one thing: grab a rat and shake it. It sounds ridiculous, and honestly, it is. But beneath that absurd premise lies a disturbing story and a clever critique of modern horror tropes.
The main mechanic is exactly what the title suggests. You physically shake your DualSense controller to shake the rat, which fills up a meter that lets you interact with the environment—open doors, turn on lights, and move the story forward. The haptic feedback and gyroscope controls make the experience oddly immersive. Every squeal and twitch from the rat is mirrored through the controller, which is both satisfying and deeply uncomfortable.
That said, the novelty wears off quickly. The meter drains fast, so you’ll find yourself shaking the controller constantly, and combined with the slow walking speed, the pacing can feel sluggish. The game does offer an option to turn off motion controls for accessibility, which is a nice touch.
What begins as slapstick pest control soon morphs into a psychological nightmare. You play as an unnamed man who buys the Ratshaker device to deal with a “pest problem.” Before long, the rat starts talking—mocking you, accusing you, and guiding you through a warped house that hides your darkest secrets. The tone shifts from absurd humor to something genuinely unsettling, and the game leans heavily on surreal, P.T.-style horror.
Themes of guilt, control, and catharsis run through the experience. The rat isn’t just a prop; it’s a character that forces you to confront uncomfortable truths. Whether the game is a metaphor for violence, consumerism, or something more personal is left up to you.
Ratshaker uses chunky, retro-style graphics that make everything feel just a little off. The environments are sparse but effective, and the rat’s exaggerated animations add to the absurdity. The sound design is where the game really shines—the rat’s squeals and cryptic dialogue will stick with you long after you finish.
On PS5, Ratshaker runs smoothly with no noticeable glitches. The DualSense integration is easily the standout feature, making this version the best way to play. Accessibility options like subtitles and motion-control toggles are also included.
The game is short—about 30 to 60 minutes—and once you’ve unraveled its mystery, there’s not much reason to go back. At its low price point, though, that’s forgivable. It feels more like an interactive short film than a traditional game, and that’s okay.
Ratshaker isn’t for everyone. It’s weird, unsettling, and sometimes tedious, but it’s also unlike anything else out there. For the price of a coffee, you’ll get an experience that’s equal parts hilarious, disturbing, and unforgettable. Just don’t expect deep mechanics or much replayability.
Article By Kevin Austin
