Antares
- February 27, 2020
- Sonaloux Entertainment
Grab your gun and blast your way through the infested horde as you try to save humanity from the ultimate doom! Gather resources, upgrade your weapon and explore the story of why you are the only one left alive. Or are you?
Reviews
- The game has a promising story and atmosphere, with professional voice acting and a creepy setting that appeals to science fiction lovers.
- Despite its flaws, the game is enjoyable and showcases the potential of a solo developer, with impressive graphics and a solid gameplay loop.
- The power shutdown mechanic adds an interesting layer of tension to the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.
- The game is plagued by numerous bugs and performance issues, including crashes and poor AI behavior, which detract from the overall enjoyment.
- Combat feels repetitive and lacks impact, with enemies often being bullet sponges and limited variety in enemy types.
- The game suffers from poor design choices, such as confusing maps, inadequate lighting, and a lack of navigation cues, making it frustrating to play.
- gameplay8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a solid core loop but suffers from issues such as repetitive enemy designs, particularly with an overabundance of skeletons, and frustrating mechanics like bullet sponge enemies and the power shutdown cycle, which becomes tedious after multiple encounters. While the graphics and some monster designs are praised, the overall execution lacks refinement, leading to a gameplay experience that feels cheap and unbalanced at times. There is potential for improvement, but many mechanics need significant adjustments to enhance player engagement.
“The core gameplay loop, as described above, is really solid.”
“The power down cycle is an interesting mechanic; I do actually like it on paper, but I feel like the way it was implemented makes for a bit of a tiresome experience.”
“It has a lot of potential, but all the implemented mechanics need a lot of refinement.”
“I recall also getting hit by a skeleton and suddenly not being able to sprint. This might be a game mechanic, but it easily led to me getting overwhelmed.”
“Like I said, it's a dodgy subject. Some may think this is a fine mechanic; I just find it to be a little cheap. If enemies had more varied attacks, like projectiles for example, to add to the overall challenge rather than simply getting stuck, dying, and having to waste time trying to get back to where I was, I think I would be less frustrated about it.”
- story7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's story is considered promising and well-constructed, particularly appealing to science fiction fans. Players can discover voice logs and data logs throughout the environment, which enhance the narrative by providing context and insight into the eerie setting filled with monsters. Overall, while the gameplay may need improvement, the story effectively contributes to a spooky atmosphere.
“In various aspects as a gamer of many years, the setting, story, and theme of this game are brilliant for science fiction lovers. It's brilliant in terms of what the actual game is about, so it's not too hard to figure out what you are buying.”
“There are voice logs lying around the station explaining the story, narrated by professional voice actors.”
“The game actually has a pretty nicely put together story. You can find data logs scattered throughout the facility that give a bit more insight into what is actually happening and why there are weird skeletons and monsters hanging about.”
“Story is basic, gun is basic, and sound/music is well positioned.”
“The game actually has a pretty nicely put together story; you can find data logs scattered throughout the facility that give a bit more insight into what is actually happening and why there are weird skeletons and monsters hanging about.”
“Spooky atmosphere and story in a mix of shooting and stealth.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally praised for their quality and ability to create a creepy atmosphere, with impressive weapon designs and map layouts. However, there are criticisms regarding inconsistent enemy designs, sound issues, and some visual effects that detract from the overall experience. While the game shows promise, it suffers from technical shortcomings that need addressing for a more polished presentation.
“The graphics are great, the weapon looks, the map design was really awesome.”
“Gorgeous graphics depict a creepy atmosphere, and although the predictable, slightly homogeneous enemies don’t always deliver on the scares, the core concept is solid.”
“This game has so many missing or bad effects (sound and visuals).”
“Light needs fixing, surround sound needs fixing (I constantly hear enemies behind me, but the enemy is in front or on the side instead) and some other sound and visuals need fixing; then it will be worth playing through.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by stunning graphics that create a haunting and spooky environment, enhancing the overall experience. While the enemies may lack variety and fail to consistently evoke fear, the combination of shooting and stealth elements contributes to a solid core concept. Players are encouraged to use a capable PC to fully appreciate the atmospheric details.
“Gorgeous graphics depict a creepy atmosphere, and although the predictable, slightly homogeneous enemies don’t always deliver on the scares, the core concept is solid.”
“The Antares facility is really quite haunting.”
“The atmosphere is haunting, especially in the Antares facility.”
“Spooky atmosphere and story in a mix of shooting and stealth.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is effectively integrated, enhancing the overall tension and atmosphere, particularly during critical moments like power outages. Reviewers appreciate how the sound design contributes to the game's unsettling experience.
“The sound and music are well positioned, enhancing the overall experience.”
“The lighting, sound, and music cues all help to keep the game tense, and when the power goes down, it becomes much more unnerving.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users have reported issues with optimization, particularly noting erratic mouse sensitivity that feels inconsistent, resembling acceleration. This performance inconsistency has been highlighted as a significant annoyance.
“The performance is a key aspect that I find to be the most frustrating.”
“Mouse sensitivity behaves oddly; it sometimes slows down and then speeds up, almost like there's acceleration, which might just be a result of the wacky performance.”
“Performance: I put this at the top as I find it to be the most annoying.”
“Mouse sensitivity also acts rather strange; it feels like it sometimes slows down and then speeds up, almost like acceleration, although that could just simply be the performance being wacky.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game is reported to be quite unstable, with numerous bugs affecting the overall experience.
“The game is incredibly buggy!”
“I experienced frequent crashes that ruined my gameplay.”
“There are constant glitches that make it hard to enjoy the game.”