Lots of potential, but very clunky,
Especially after playing the latest "Breeders" concept demo by the same dev. I do think there's potential here but I genuinely think this game is in need of an upgrade mechanics wise to what Breeders was attempting, for a more enjoyable and stable (and even scary/moody) experience.
From the freezing on empty-magazine, to the lack of music or real ambience, the game feels very unfinished, and genuinely a struggle to play as a game. The struggle system is laggy and unresponsive, though I appreciate the design and attempts therein.
The puzzles and navigation relying heavily on backtracking in sprawling levels that don't engage really, especially without the fixed camera angles seen in other games that allow for more cinematic or interesting angles like Infection Lab, or even Breeders Concept Demo.
The sound design is pretty good. Especially in a certain room in Act 1 that had the red TVs and fleshy growths. That bit felt the most like Silent Hill, given the surreal atmosphere and generally uncomfy lighting and sounds.
I will say this: this game has potential, but that potential relies on a rework of its systems to fit more with the devs other works, and with games that dont rely on the usual 3rd person and controllable camera angles.
I'd genuinely suggest this creator play SIGNALIS, Infection Lab (here on F95) and revisit his Breeders Concept Demo,
and bring those ideas into this game.
From fixed camera angles, implement better shooting/reloading mechancis (or completely shift to the turn based combat ala the Breeders Concept Demo), and a focus on tighter environments, less sprawl and empty space. Condensing existing assets and using existing monsters and animations/poses, just with better polish.
Above all else, I think this game needs a good trimming of the fat, and a rework of its combat/H-gameplay.
The ideas here are good, rife with potential for spooks and cooms alike, but they're so slapdash in execution that it gets into the "its not fun to play as a game, let alone an H-Game" territory. I get disempowerment is part of horror, especially survival horror, but this doesn't feel intentionally disempowering, it feels unintentionally clunky.
Anyway, this is all to say,
good potential here, but I think a rework or a shift in gameplay design is needed to bring the best out of this game. Otherwise it'll just be lacking compared to other H-games, like Infection Lab or Bioasshard in terms of survival horror fixed-camera spooks or arcadey horror shoot-bang fun respectively.
To the creator, again.
seriously suggest trying out SIGNALIS, and see about implementing those aesthetics or camera angles, and shooting system. You have the ligthing down, I can see this game filling that Silent Hill + Sci-Fi H-Game niche if the cards are played right
(assuming that's what you're going for anyway)
Anywho, best of luck to the dev, and to anyone else, consider trying this out, but keep your expectations level for the time being.
Especially after playing the latest "Breeders" concept demo by the same dev. I do think there's potential here but I genuinely think this game is in need of an upgrade mechanics wise to what Breeders was attempting, for a more enjoyable and stable (and even scary/moody) experience.
From the freezing on empty-magazine, to the lack of music or real ambience, the game feels very unfinished, and genuinely a struggle to play as a game. The struggle system is laggy and unresponsive, though I appreciate the design and attempts therein.
The puzzles and navigation relying heavily on backtracking in sprawling levels that don't engage really, especially without the fixed camera angles seen in other games that allow for more cinematic or interesting angles like Infection Lab, or even Breeders Concept Demo.
The sound design is pretty good. Especially in a certain room in Act 1 that had the red TVs and fleshy growths. That bit felt the most like Silent Hill, given the surreal atmosphere and generally uncomfy lighting and sounds.
I will say this: this game has potential, but that potential relies on a rework of its systems to fit more with the devs other works, and with games that dont rely on the usual 3rd person and controllable camera angles.
I'd genuinely suggest this creator play SIGNALIS, Infection Lab (here on F95) and revisit his Breeders Concept Demo,
and bring those ideas into this game.
From fixed camera angles, implement better shooting/reloading mechancis (or completely shift to the turn based combat ala the Breeders Concept Demo), and a focus on tighter environments, less sprawl and empty space. Condensing existing assets and using existing monsters and animations/poses, just with better polish.
Above all else, I think this game needs a good trimming of the fat, and a rework of its combat/H-gameplay.
The ideas here are good, rife with potential for spooks and cooms alike, but they're so slapdash in execution that it gets into the "its not fun to play as a game, let alone an H-Game" territory. I get disempowerment is part of horror, especially survival horror, but this doesn't feel intentionally disempowering, it feels unintentionally clunky.
Anyway, this is all to say,
good potential here, but I think a rework or a shift in gameplay design is needed to bring the best out of this game. Otherwise it'll just be lacking compared to other H-games, like Infection Lab or Bioasshard in terms of survival horror fixed-camera spooks or arcadey horror shoot-bang fun respectively.
To the creator, again.
seriously suggest trying out SIGNALIS, and see about implementing those aesthetics or camera angles, and shooting system. You have the ligthing down, I can see this game filling that Silent Hill + Sci-Fi H-Game niche if the cards are played right
(assuming that's what you're going for anyway)
Anywho, best of luck to the dev, and to anyone else, consider trying this out, but keep your expectations level for the time being.