Beyond a Total Loss

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Beyond a Total Loss is a single player survival action adventure game with horror and violence themes. It was developed by Pseudobug and was released on June 18, 2019. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Beyond a Total Loss Beyond a Total Loss is darkly humorous 2D action-adventure game (with a dash of survival horror) . Story You play as a balding mustachioed dim-witted drunk called John Harry and you just drove your car off a cliff. Lost in the woods and attacked from all sides by strange vicious beasts, your prospects seem bleak. But then a local game warden comes to your rescue and of…

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Single-Player

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100%

Audience ScoreBased on 20 reviews

humor10 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The game features a quirky and engaging story with dark humor that keeps players entertained throughout.
Gameplay mechanics, including inventory management and cocktail mixing, add depth and creativity to the experience.
The retro art style and nostalgic gameplay evoke a sense of charm reminiscent of classic indie games.

The game suffers from clunky controls and frustrating mechanics, particularly during combat and inventory management.
Many players found the endings unsatisfying and lacking in depth, with little lore or character development.
There are several bugs and technical issues that can disrupt gameplay, such as problems accessing the inventory after dying.

gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The gameplay is a mix of engaging mechanics and humor, reminiscent of classic titles like "Another World" and "Flashback," with unique elements such as a cocktail-mixing system for health replenishment. While some players appreciate the thoughtfulness behind the challenges and the quirky presentation, others find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in production value, leading to mixed feelings about its overall execution. Despite its clunky nature, many enjoy the dark humor and indie art style, though it may not appeal to everyone.
- “The story is very low brow and doesn't take itself seriously, and while the graphics are a bit amateurish, the core gameplay and presentation is solid and even manages to create an ounce of hilarious existential angst.”
- “There was quite some thought put into the challenges and the mechanics, and I figure if you're into dodging blades or learning timings in combat, you might enjoy it.”
- “Alcohol, in particular, is an interesting mechanic: booze is your sole method of replenishing health and, while you can drink it straight, it's often preferable to save ingredients until you can combine them into a beverage--like a Manhattan, or a gimlet, or a Moscow mule--that provides a more significant effect.”
- “There are a lot of games out there that look promising based on the gameplay and videos, but get quite repetitive and shallow in an hour or so.”
- “There is just no production value, the same mechanics all over the place, and nothing out of the ordinary that would spark curiosity from the player.”
- “I would have preferred more crisp checkpoints, but even then, it's not my kind of gameplay and it does rely heavier and heavier on that.”
story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The story is characterized as quirky and absurd, featuring a lowlife protagonist navigating a series of surreal and humorous challenges. While some players found the narrative engaging and entertaining, others felt it lacked depth and resolution, leaving them wanting more. Overall, the writing and game design effectively create a fun and unpredictable experience, despite its brevity and lowbrow elements.
- “And the writing and game design was good enough to make me want to get all the story.”
- “Zak McKracken and Maniac Mansion have a totally over-the-top, bonkers story about a drunkard lowlife who must leap out of his comfort zone in order to survive a set of not-so-ordinary ordeals.”
- “The story is very lowbrow and doesn't take itself seriously, and while the graphics are a bit amateurish, the core gameplay and presentation are solid and even manage to create an ounce of hilarious existential angst.”
- “What begins as a quest to find a mechanic quickly spirals into a surreal adventure to satisfy the '7 ordeals' of a seemingly omnipotent person known as 'the warden'.”
- “A quirky story about a man who ends up going through a series of unfortunate events.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The graphics are described as simplistic and reminiscent of a South Park aesthetic, with a minimalist, old-school pixel art style that aligns well with the game's dark humor and indie charm. While some reviewers find the visuals to be amateurish, they appreciate the overall presentation and how it complements the gameplay experience. The graphics may not be polished like AAA titles, but they contribute to the game's unique, humorous atmosphere.
- “Minimalist music and tongue-in-cheek pixel graphics lend a delightfully demented air to the proceedings.”
- “The general experience was very good; clunky gameplay (in a very funny and good way!), dark humor and a great indie art style.”
- “I like the art style; it reminds me of 'Lisa: The Painful'.”
- “The graphic style is a bit trashy, but it has similarities with South Park.”
- “While the graphics are a bit amateurish, the core gameplay and presentation are solid and even manage to create an ounce of hilarious existential angst.”
- “The graphics are simple and old school.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark, absurdist comedy and lowbrow elements, creating a unique and entertaining experience. Players appreciate the well-timed funny dialogues and the deadpan delivery, which contribute to the overall charm despite some clunky gameplay. While the story is short, it is filled with genuinely funny moments and unexpected twists, making it a recommended choice for fans of unconventional humor.
- “The story is very lowbrow and doesn't take itself seriously, and while the graphics are a bit amateurish, the core gameplay and presentation are solid and even manage to create an ounce of hilarious existential angst.”
- “Where the experience really shines is in the heavily deadpan commitment to a dark sense of absurdist humor.”
- “The general experience was very good; clunky gameplay (in a very funny and good way!), dark humor, and a great indie art style.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect, with some finding it tedious yet engaging enough to invest time in challenging runs, especially considering the game was developed by a single individual.
- “The grinding in this game feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I appreciate the effort of a single developer, but the repetitive grinding really detracts from the overall experience.”
- “While I was initially drawn in, the excessive grinding turned what could have been an enjoyable challenge into a chore.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game's short length and multiple endings enhance its replayability, encouraging players to revisit it for different experiences.
- “Replayability is fantastic because the game is short and features multiple endings, giving you a strong incentive to play again.”
- “The variety of choices and outcomes makes replaying the game a rewarding experience.”
- “With different paths to explore, each playthrough feels fresh and engaging.”
- “Replayability is limited due to the game's short length and the fact that multiple endings don't significantly change the overall experience.”
- “While the game offers multiple endings, the lack of substantial differences between them makes replaying feel less rewarding.”
- “The short duration of the game means that once you've seen the endings, there's little incentive to play again.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The music in the game is praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, effectively complementing the dark humor and minimalist pixel graphics. Reviewers note that the background music is well-crafted, supporting the game's environments and contributing to its unique, demented charm.
- “Of course you must steer this torrente kind of guy through all kinds of hardships sprinkled with a good set of well-dosed dark humor, while you experience some proper background music that always supports the actual environment and, as you can see, some brave graphics.”
- “Minimalist music and tongue-in-cheek pixel graphics lend a delightfully demented air to the proceedings.”
- “The minimalist music and tongue-in-cheek pixel graphics lend a delightfully demented air to the proceedings.”
- “The background music always supports the actual environment, but it feels repetitive and uninspired.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

Beyond a Total Loss is a survival action adventure game with horror and violence themes.

Beyond a Total Loss is available on PC, Windows and Xbox.

Beyond a Total Loss was released on June 18, 2019.

Beyond a Total Loss was developed by Pseudobug.

Beyond a Total Loss has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its humor but disliked it for its gameplay.

Beyond a Total Loss is a single player game.

Similar games include Alisa, Tormented Souls, Them and Us, Yuppie Psycho, Conscript and others.

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