Success is not measured by speed, but by insight, determination, and humility – a lesson drawn from the timeless fable of the hare and the tortoise. Once Upon a Shell builds on this idea, transforming it into a distinctive blend of racing and roguelike gameplay. Players take control of the tortoise, competing against overconfident hares in high-stakes races. While slow on foot, the tortoise relies on strategy, using its weight, the terrain, and its shell to slide rapidly down hills.

The game unfolds across a series of individual races. Lose once, and it is back to the beginning. Each successful run, however, unlocks upgrades that improve your chances in the next attempt. Speed does not come from constant acceleration, but from understanding the course. Slopes, jumps, and surface types all play a crucial role in how smoothly the tortoise moves. Visually, Once Upon a Shell adopts a watercolor-inspired art style that blends seamlessly with its fairytale world.

Developed by Razzledazzle Studio and published by DADIU, Once Upon a Shell was released on December 26, 2025. The game is completely free to play and has so far received exclusively positive feedback. At the time of writing, only 10 user reviews were available. Players praise its charming visuals and fast, enjoyable gameplay, which becomes more challenging over time. Some criticism is directed at the camera controls and a perceived lack of long-term motivation. One additional downside is that Steam Deck compatibility (available on Amazon for $470) is currently listed as “Unknown,” meaning support for the platform has yet to be confirmed.

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As a child in the 90s, my Gameboy was my steady companion. After school, the PlayStation was fired up. When I finally got my first PC, I was completely hooked. My passion for gaming has never waned since. For me, writing for Notebookcheck means reporting on topics that are really close to my heart – in addition to gaming, I also like to write about e-mobility, photovoltaics and innovative gadgets. When I’m not sitting at my computer, I’m probably on water rescue duty on the Baltic coast or trying to counteract the downsides of my geek life – namely sitting for long periods – at the local swimming pool.