Annihilation

Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.

Annihilation is a top-down shooter game with both single-player and multi-player modes. Its engaging plot and exceptional graphics enhance the experience of defending your base from random enemy waves. Players can aim for high scores, including perfect scores, and enjoy special co-op mode with a friend. The game promises endless fun and preparation for an epic onslaught.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

62%

Audience ScoreBased on 101 reviews

story23 positive mentions

character development3 negative mentions

Visually stunning with beautiful cinematography and special effects that create a haunting atmosphere.
Thought-provoking themes that explore existential questions and the nature of identity, making it a film that lingers in the mind.
Strong performances from the cast, particularly Natalie Portman, who delivers a compelling portrayal of her character's journey.

The pacing is slow, which may frustrate viewers expecting a more action-driven narrative.
The plot can be confusing and leaves many questions unanswered, leading to mixed interpretations of the story.
Some characters feel underdeveloped, and their motivations may not resonate with all viewers, making it hard to connect emotionally.

story
140 mentions
16 % positive mentions
79 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of "Annihilation" is a complex blend of psychological and symbolic themes, centered around a team of female scientists exploring a mysterious phenomenon known as "the shimmer," which raises questions about identity, morality, and the unknown. While some viewers appreciate its depth and artistic ambition, others criticize it for lacking coherence, having significant plot holes, and presenting a convoluted narrative that can feel disjointed and predictable. Overall, the film's storytelling is polarizing, with some finding it compelling and thought-provoking, while others deem it a frustrating experience.
- “The story in Annihilation is first and foremost a psychological and symbolic journey.”
- “Once you realize that the story is about humans dealing with the unknowable -- the giant, huge part of the universe that is beyond the grasp of human understanding, and how it inspires awe and fear and almost religious longing -- you'll see that it's brilliant.”
- “In the grand old tradition of stories, where names change and details morph to suit the needs of the one telling the story and those who listen, 'Annihilation' feels like an especially excellent remix of something already quite strange to begin with, but in all the best ways.”
- “Terrible story.”
- “The entire movie doesn't contain much of a story and will feel like a waste of time.”
- “I think overall it is an ok movie, but the story line is totally all over the place and lacks a clear direction.”
graphics
22 mentions
50 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning and artistic quality, featuring imaginative visuals that evoke a sense of existential dread and beauty. While some users note the presence of graphic violence and body horror, the overall aesthetic is likened to an indie film, emphasizing visual storytelling over narrative depth. Despite some concerns about the longevity of the visuals, they are generally considered engaging and a highlight of the experience.
- “There’s good stuff in there, interesting visuals, a pleasant sense of inexorable gloom.”
- “Stunning visuals and engaging concepts.”
- “Aesthetically, it's a very beautiful film.”
- “There is some disturbing gore and visuals if you are squeamish.”
- “It felt like an indie film to me that often relied on visuals instead of solid writing.”
- “There's enough graphic violence to earn this movie its R rating, but not enough of a compelling story to make this journey worthwhile.”
music
14 mentions
29 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The music in the films is described as largely non-melodic contemporary, effectively enhancing the overall tone and atmosphere, though opinions vary widely; some find it fitting and integral to the mood, while others consider it obnoxious or unsettling. The soundtracks contribute significantly to the films' themes, with some viewers feeling overwhelmed by the unconventional style. Overall, the music is a polarizing element that deeply influences the viewing experience.
- “The acting is superb, the music is wonderful, and the imagery is unforgettable.”
- “The music and score were integral in setting the moods.”
- “Great acting, great, unsettling soundtrack, great themes, and a satisfying ending.”
- “The soundtrack was obnoxious and utterly inappropriate for the movie.”
- “The musical soundtracks of both films are largely non-melodic contemporary, which adds to the tone of both movies; though some might find the music in 'Annihilation' to conjure up nails on a chalkboard.”
- “It isn't 'music' in the sense that you and I know it, but it reflects the theme of the movie perfectly.”
atmosphere
8 mentions
63 % positive mentions
13 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the movie is described as dark, haunting, and unique, effectively blending elements of sci-fi and horror to create a chilling and immersive experience. While some elements, like the music and set design, enhance the overall vibe, there are moments where the atmosphere is disrupted by clichéd dialogue. Overall, it successfully evokes a sense of intrigue and tension, reminiscent of films like "Arrival" and "Stalker."
- “Dark, atmospheric, and stunning, this sci-fi horror hits all the marks!”
- “Beautiful, haunting, atmospheric sci-fi horror.”
- “It gave the movie a hypnotic atmosphere.”
- “Technically it was nice, the guitars and indie acoustic vibe were well executed, but they clashed absolutely with the atmosphere of the movie.”
- “The strange inhuman atmosphere is disrupted by disastrously cliché garbage like: 'you know it's not me you hate.'”
emotional
5 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a notable chilliness among the characters, leading to a lack of emotional connection for players. While some performances, particularly by Jennifer Jason Leigh and Natalie Portman, stand out, the overall character development is perceived as insufficient, leaving players feeling detached from the narrative and its emotional stakes.
- “I mean, an unexplained and seemingly extraterrestrial event occurs and is slowly consuming surrounding territory over a period of years and there is a tiny military installation monitoring it, and a very ill psychologist (not even military) is forming a unit to explore the shimmery visitor and one of the people chosen for this world historical mission is an emotionally volatile ex-ambulance driver.”
- “Jennifer Jason Leigh's Dr. Ventress is hypnotic; Natalie Portman carries her role very well, moving flawlessly from emotional scenes to action.”
- “I found the characters to be mostly undeveloped; I never formed an emotional connection to any of them.”
optimization
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
The optimization of the film is mixed, with some reviewers praising the strong performances, particularly by Natalie Portman and Gina Rodriguez, which elevate the overall experience. However, others criticize the pacing and lack of depth in the storytelling, suggesting that the film's slow tempo and reliance on existential themes detract from its impact. Overall, while the visuals and score are noted as highlights, the execution leaves some viewers wanting more.
- “Imagine if you had an obsession with fractal patterns and read the color out of space and decided to make it into a very, very slow film loaded with existential metaphor, a great deal of 'tell, don't show', and a lot of dry, one-dimensional performances.”
- “Natalie Portman's natural charisma and beauty does what it can to save this movie, and her performance at least has some feeling (albeit dreary, nihilistic feeling) to it.”
humor
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate a notable absence of humor, with some expressing disappointment over the lack of cleverness or wit. While there are moments of unintentional comedy, the overall tone is described as confusing and lacking in engaging or intelligent humor.
- “Funny: the day before renting this, I was thinking how tiresome films had become; how hungry I was for intelligence, originality, and visual beauty in a new sci-fi film.”
- “What we have here is a confusing mishmash of themes and ideas expressed in the book, along with some truly terrible, and at times unintentionally funny, nonsense.”
character development
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-100 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
While the movie primarily focuses on its plot, it still offers a level of character development that is satisfying and engaging for viewers. However, some critics feel that the pacing and depth of character development fall short of excellence, preventing it from receiving higher ratings.
- “This game is about plot—not character—but there's still enough character development here to feel satisfying and engaging.”
- “Nothing here warrants a fourth or fifth star as the pacing and character development both lacked.”
- “The characters feel one-dimensional and their growth throughout the game is almost non-existent.”
- “I was hoping for a deeper exploration of the characters, but their arcs are shallow and predictable.”
grinding
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is characterized by slow dialogue, tedious exposition, and a lack of engaging plot, leading to a frustratingly drawn-out experience that feels overly repetitive and lacking in excitement.
- “It doesn't say much or do much, and when it does, it says too much in the form of slow dialogue, tedious exposition, bare bones plot devices, and short, disposable action scenes.”
- “Its subject matter is tedious to articulate, and it shared some of the 'take 12 teenagers to a haunted house and chop them up' thriller moviemaking advice, but in such slow motion that the viewer would think the final destination was dripping like molasses in January.”