AGAINST

73%
Game Brain Score Based on 171 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • story
AGAINST Game Cover
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"AGAINST is a single-player shooter game with an intriguing story set in 1930s America, where you fight against deadly enemies and dreadful bosses in rhythmic combat, all presented in a splendid dark comic-style with fabulous graphics and ingenious music. The game allows you to play custom levels or create your own, offering a unique experience of slicing henchmen and mowing them down while dodging obstacles and running up walls."

  • PC
  • Virtual Reality
  • Windows
  • Oculus Rift
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

73%
Audience ScoreBased on 171 reviews
music14 positive mentions
stability4 negative mentions
  • The game combines elements from popular VR rhythm games like Beat Saber and Pistol Whip, offering a unique and engaging gameplay experience.
  • The graphics and visual style are impressive, providing a vibrant and immersive environment that enhances the overall experience.
  • The inclusion of custom map support allows for community-created content, increasing replayability and variety in gameplay.
  • The game suffers from issues with rhythm synchronization, making it difficult for players to feel connected to the music during gameplay.
  • Many players have reported bugs and a lack of updates, leading to concerns about the game's long-term support and development.
  • The campaign is relatively short, with some players completing it in under two hours, which may not justify the price for some.
  • music65 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its energetic soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience, while others criticize the lack of synchronization between the music and the combat actions, leading to a disjointed rhythm experience. Although the original soundtrack is considered decent, many players express a desire for more variety and better integration of custom songs, which the game supports. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, its inconsistent timing with gameplay mechanics detracts from the overall rhythm experience.

    • “I found it well tuned to the music, so you can transition into higher difficulties by ear more than by eye.”
    • “The soundtrack is married to the movement as you punch, slice, and shoot bad guys to the beat.”
    • “Great soundtrack mixed with very smooth gameplay.”
    • “Sadly, after only a few levels, it becomes dealing with enemies while some music that doesn't feel connected to the gameplay is playing in the background. Still very fun to play for the action aspect, but the rhythm is definitely lost.”
    • “The actions and music are, at least for me, not in sync.”
    • “Hit maps aren't in time with the music, and it all feels very laggy, random, and messy.”
  • gameplay51 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the variety and mechanics reminiscent of popular titles like Beat Saber and Pistol Whip, while others criticize it for feeling clunky, unresponsive, and lacking a cohesive rhythm. Many noted that the disconnect between music and gameplay prompts detracts from the experience, and the introduction of new mechanics can be overwhelming. Overall, while the game shows potential and offers fun moments, it requires further polish and balance to fully realize its capabilities.

    • “The gameplay itself is challenging, rewarding, and will make you break out into a sweat all the while feeling like a ninja badass.”
    • “It combines a lot of different mechanics and each one feels awesome in its own way.”
    • “Seriously... the gameplay with the different guns feels extremely well designed, the PCVR graphics, the well-crafted and varied enemies, the fitting soundtrack, this cheap price, custom map support with a level editor.”
    • “In execution, the gameplay comes across as a little messy, lacking the addictive target-hitting catharsis that any good rhythm game ought to have.”
    • “The gameplay feels clunky and unresponsive, despite the appealing art style.”
    • “The game lacks variation, and sadly, it just doesn't have enough substance in the gameplay to make me consider playing through the bonus songs, let alone coming back.”
  • story49 mentions

    The story in the game is generally viewed as standard and somewhat cheesy, with a mix of interesting visuals and campy writing that doesn't take itself too seriously. While some players appreciate the creative level design and the engaging combat mechanics, many feel the narrative is short and lacks depth, leaving room for improvement in future updates. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a compelling reason to play.

    • “I find it fun to play overall and it has a cool story, cool format, and cool execution.”
    • “It has a storyline, like the cinematic missions of Pistol Whip, starring a hilariously voice acted noir style detective, and a similarly hilariously voice acted villain, both of whom chew the scenery in glorious fashion.”
    • “The storyline is a little weak but still enjoyable.”
    • “I feel that $15.00 would be a more fair price for how short the story is.”
    • “Do not play for the story or voice acting.”
    • “The story is nonsense, haha, but that doesn't really matter.”
  • graphics38 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising its vibrant comic book noir art style and smooth animations, which enhance the overall aesthetic experience. However, some players note issues with clunky gameplay and input lag that detract from the visual appeal. Overall, while the visuals are considered impressive and well-executed, they are sometimes overshadowed by gameplay mechanics that feel unresponsive or repetitive.

    • “The visuals and concept behind this game are fantastic.”
    • “The graphics are pretty impressive and it has a cool noir style.”
    • “Beautiful graphics.”
    • “Dull telegraphing graphics, smooth enemy motions, and generic noises for hit sounds fail to mesh with the otherwise impressive comic book noir theme the game has going for it.”
    • “While the comic book art style is really neat, they're mostly 'gotta catch up with the bad guy'.”
    • “The sword swings are cues too easily missed in the visuals.”
  • optimization8 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with some players experiencing performance issues typical of early access titles, while others note that improvements are underway. Specific concerns include inadequate support for mixed reality streaming and persistent input lag despite adjustments to graphics settings. However, there are indications that the developers are actively working on enhancements, leading to a cautiously optimistic outlook for future performance.

    • “Update: I learned from the dev that some of my concerns are actively being improved and optimized, so I am modifying my review to recommend this game.”
    • “I would gladly give it a thumbs up when it runs smoothly.”
    • “Great optimization.”
    • “It's not really optimized for streaming in mixed reality, which is disappointing because it would be great there.”
    • “The game could be a little bit better optimized as changing the graphics settings seemed to have no impact whatsoever on the game's input lag, which felt much higher than it was because of the few things I'll mention below.”
    • “I personally had issues with Air Link and stuttering at the time of this review, but that doesn't mean that won't get better in the future.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    Despite a limited number of levels, the game offers high replayability due to its rhythm-based mechanics, encouraging players to improve their scores and tackle higher difficulty modes. The potential addition of a beatmap editor further enhances its replay value, making it a game players can enjoy frequently. Overall, the focus on replayability over sheer content ensures a compelling experience that keeps players engaged.

    • “Although the current amount of levels is quite small, they are really well made with high replayability.”
    • “The campaign isn't very big for now; I'm 40 minutes in and I think I'm only missing the final level on easy mode, but there is great replay value since it's a rhythm game. You can always replay it to try and get a better score, and then I'll have normal and hard mode to complete, which must be insane!”
    • “This isn't about the amount of content as much as it is about replayability, and I can see myself firing this up at least every other day to keep me less sedentary.”
    • “This isn't about the amount of content as much as it is about replayability; I can see myself firing this up at least every other day to keep me less sedentary.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs that hinder gameplay, such as unresponsive controls, audio glitches, and issues with custom maps. Many players feel the game has been neglected since 2022, leading to a frustrating experience that detracts from its potential enjoyment. Overall, the consensus is that the game is currently unstable and not worth purchasing.

    • “Custom maps and menus are buggy in general.”
    • “Even if they update with an option to edit in the headset, there's still several bugs (objects not going where you want them to, audio glitches, enemy spawn bugs, the list goes on).”
    • “If you got 2k and a 32" monitor - do not buy this buggy mess.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The game is praised for its humor, featuring a hilariously voice-acted noir detective and villain who deliver over-the-top performances that enhance the comedic storyline. Players find the humor to be a standout element, contributing significantly to the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “The game is frickin' hilarious.”
    • “It has a storyline, like the cinematic missions of Pistol Whip, starring a hilariously voice-acted noir-style detective and a similarly hilariously voice-acted villain, both of whom chew the scenery in glorious fashion.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring significant time and effort to progress, suggesting that it may feel like a second job.

    • “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
    • “The grind is real, but the satisfaction of leveling up makes it all worth it.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding, mate.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
    • “I spent hours grinding, and it just felt like a chore.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The game features a monetization model that is free from microtransactions and advertisements, providing a seamless experience for players.

  • emotional1 mentions

    Players express that the game evokes a strong sense of empowerment, making them feel like superheroes as they engage with its narrative and mechanics.

    • “This game made me feel like a superhero.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is generally regarded as solid, providing a commendable experience, though it may not be the standout feature.

    • “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the game's world.”
    • “Every detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that keeps you on edge.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is rich and layered, making every moment feel significant.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

31hMedian play time
31hAverage play time
31-31hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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