Beyond Citadel

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 676 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Beyond Citadel Game Cover
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In Beyond Citadel, a single-player FPS game inspired by 90's classics, play as the "Martyr" on a mission to overthrow the Trumpeters of the Apocalypse who now control humankind. With anime-style 2.5D graphics, explore hand-crafted levels, acquire new skills, and utilize a variety of realistic guns, each with different handling and conditions that decrease with firing. Engage in challenging battles with various opponents, from foot soldiers to armored ones, in both indoor and outdoor settings.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 676 reviews
gameplay93 positive mentions
optimization4 negative mentions
  • Beyond Citadel significantly improves upon its predecessor with enhanced gunplay mechanics, allowing for a more immersive and tactical shooting experience.
  • The game features a diverse range of weapons and enemies, with detailed gore mechanics that add a visceral layer to combat.
  • The level design is more varied and engaging, providing a mix of environments and challenges that keep gameplay fresh and exciting.
  • The game can suffer from performance issues, including crashes and frame rate drops, particularly in larger levels.
  • Some players may find the gore and sexualized content off-putting, which could detract from the overall experience.
  • The story can be convoluted and may require players to have played the first game to fully understand the narrative context.
  • gameplay272 mentions

    The gameplay of "Beyond Citadel" has been widely praised for its intricate gun mechanics, including manual reloading and weapon management, which add depth and tension to combat. Players appreciate the blend of classic boomer shooter elements with modern tactical gameplay, offering a satisfying experience that encourages skillful play. However, some critiques mention that certain mechanics feel underdeveloped or overly complex, and the level design could benefit from more variety to enhance the overall experience.

    • “The gameplay is really good.”
    • “The gunplay is where the game is at its best with complex weapon handling mechanics and fast traversal (once you unlock the skills for them).”
    • “The gunplay feels extremely satisfying and all the new movement mechanics feel smooth, making the combat feel very fluid and fun.”
    • “There are a couple mechanics in the game that I feel didn't get enough time to be fleshed out.”
    • “Several players have reported frame drops in large-scale battles, occasional crashes during level transitions, and some underexplained gameplay mechanics.”
    • “I don't understand why this is a mechanic and for what purpose it serves to enhance gameplay.”
  • story157 mentions

    The story of the game is complex and layered, often requiring players to piece together its narrative through environmental storytelling, dialogue, and lore entries. While some players find the plot engaging and filled with intriguing twists, others struggle with its convoluted nature and translation issues, leading to mixed feelings about its coherence. Overall, the narrative is described as dark and emotionally driven, with a blend of personal and grand themes, though many players admit they primarily enjoy the gameplay rather than the story itself.

    • “The story is emotionally driven, and the levels and enemies are very well done.”
    • “The story is interesting despite some grammar issues.”
    • “The story is complex and genuinely original, providing an intimate telling of a personal story that is interesting and not at all overbearing.”
    • “The story is a little wild, to say the least, but it's coherent, which I cannot say for many boomer shooters.”
    • “The story writes checks that the poorly translated writing can't cash, and the incest twist ending is just weird considering it's seemingly trying not to be a horny game.”
    • “The plot is painfully overwritten and poorly translated, so you could easily throw it out as 'garbage tier pretentious indie writing' and focus on the guns.”
  • graphics107 mentions

    The graphics of "Beyond Citadel" are characterized by a unique blend of 90s-inspired shooter aesthetics and unsettling anime visuals, featuring a mix of retro pixel art and modern design elements. While the game embraces graphic violence and sexualized character designs, it maintains a consistent artistic vision that some players find compelling, despite potential discomfort with its explicit content. Overall, the visuals are praised for their creativity and immersive quality, though opinions vary on their execution and impact on gameplay.

    • “Beyond Citadel merges 90s-inspired shooter chaos with unsettling anime aesthetics to deliver a brief yet deeply immersive experience.”
    • “Billed as a 90s throwback FPS with modern flair, anime aesthetics, and realistic gunplay, it aims to blend the charm of old-school shooters like Doom, Wolfenstein, and Marathon with a distinct futuristic-anime twist.”
    • “The atmosphere is great, the art style looks beautiful and something I can appreciate; it's not bright.”
    • “Graphics-wise, levels are easily much worse than those in Doom 2, which isn't a big ask.”
    • “The rendering of the character graphics tends to blur and smudge, or pixelate in Beyond Citadel, even when you're close enough that you should see clearer details.”
    • “I remember the graphics in OG Citadel looking much sharper and cleaner compared to here.”
  • music54 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and complement the gameplay, creating a unique mood that ranges from hauntingly beautiful to melancholic. Some players appreciate the varied soundtrack, noting its blend of classical and electronic elements, while others criticize certain tracks as underwhelming or out of place, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a significant aspect of the game, with many players expressing a desire to purchase it separately.

    • “The world feels bleak and desolate; the contrast between the tense gameplay and the subdued, melancholic music that often plays on the levels creates a very unique mood that I really love.”
    • “The excellent music conveys a sadness to traversing the abandoned libraries, cafes, and towns of this doomed world.”
    • “This game is unsettlingly strange; the hauntingly beautiful music really pulled me in.”
    • “Just keep in mind, this game can get a bit dark and depressing while playing it, via the enemies and the music.”
    • “Also, what the hell happened with the soundtrack? Easily half the tracks in the game are silly calming songs while you have absolute chaos unfolding in front of you. The first game had those eerie ambient synth tracks balancing with the more action-packed ones; Beyond Citadel has like 5 banging tracks and the rest are sleep-inducing hits.”
    • “It has this very simplistic color palette, but I feel like it really helps create that dreadful empty/apocalyptic atmosphere, so it sucks that the music often pulls me out of it because there is something so visceral about the general worldbuilding and vibes this franchise goes for.”
  • atmosphere25 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its oppressive and melancholic tone, enhanced by a compelling soundtrack and engaging world design, while others criticize its lack of visual depth and lighting. The combination of grim aesthetics, immersive soundscapes, and a foreboding narrative creates a unique experience, though some feel that the music can detract from the overall ambiance. Overall, the game successfully captures a sense of dread and chaos, making it a standout in its genre despite some inconsistencies.

    • “Not to mention how well some of the music adds to the weird atmosphere, almost like a fever dream.”
    • “The atmosphere and the story are both engaging, but where the game truly shines is the sheer atmosphere that permeates throughout.”
    • “Overall, I found the gameplay very enjoyable, and while it is clearly a bit limited in how it can express itself visually, narratively, and in terms of its level design, the moment-to-moment gameplay always remains tense thanks to both its otherworldly atmosphere and its tight and lethal combat.”
    • “The atmosphere is pretty abysmal because it doesn't really even try that hard with lighting, geometry, or interesting textures, which is disappointing because the art for characters is pretty good.”
    • “User reviews mention everything from 'disturbingly oppressive atmosphere' to 'hearing the screams of anime girls as they’re torn apart,' reflecting the stark brutality of this setting.”
    • “It has this very simplistic color palette but I feel like it really helps create that dreadful empty/apocalyptic atmosphere, so it sucks that the music often pulls me out of it because there is something so visceral about the general worldbuilding and vibes this franchise goes for.”
  • optimization21 mentions

    The optimization of "Beyond Citadel" is a mixed bag; while some players report improved performance and smoother graphics compared to its predecessor, many others experience significant technical issues, including poor frame rates and inconsistent performance, particularly on larger maps and specific hardware like the Steam Deck. Overall, the game shows promise in its polish and mechanics, but optimization remains a major concern for a substantial portion of the player base.

    • “Very well optimized game.”
    • “Beyond Citadel definitely optimized its graphics so it can run more smoothly and consistently, even on my PC.”
    • “I have had 0 performance issues (aside from the game defaulting to 30 fps cap on first boot) playing on Proton, and ultrawide looks wonderful.”
    • “Where Beyond Citadel struggles the most is in performance and technical hiccups.”
    • “It runs like absolute garbage; I have no idea what could possibly be wrong with this game's optimization, but it refuses to utilize more than half of my GPU while pulling 40 frames in an empty room.”
    • “The horrible optimization is likely one of my biggest issues with it.”
  • emotional7 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke strong feelings, such as guilt and sadness, particularly during pivotal moments in the story. Players appreciate the depth of the narrative and character motivations, with some expressing that the experience nearly brought them to tears. The combination of well-crafted lore and intense gameplay contributes to a profound emotional impact, making it a standout experience in the genre.

    • “The story is emotionally driven, and the levels and enemies are very well done.”
    • “The lore is very expanded and cool; I nearly shed a tear at the ending where I had to choose between erasing my friends or keeping them in that funny machine resurrected.”
    • “Calling it Game of the Year 2025; a game hasn't made me feel this way in years.”
  • character development7 mentions

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its striking and unique character designs, particularly for the player’s avatar, which blend erotic elements with an anime aesthetic. While the designs are visually appealing and contribute to the game's atmosphere, they may not appeal to everyone, especially those sensitive to gore or suggestive themes. Overall, the character designs are praised for their creativity and alignment with the game's sci-fi and cybernetic themes.

    • “The character designs are good and interesting, especially if you are into unique sci-fi and cybernetic themes.”
    • “I love the character design and the entire atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The fleeting glimpses of character designs—especially for the player’s avatar—align with the anime aesthetic but never overshadow the action or narrative.”
    • “Avoid if you don't like gore or horny character designs though.”
    • “Bc takes a lot of inspiration from Marathon, Pathways into Darkness, and, in some ways, Neon Genesis Evangelion; while the broad-level architecture is a bit bland, character designs are closest to an H.R.”
    • “The fleeting glimpses of erotic or revealing character designs—especially for the player’s avatar, the martyr—align with the anime aesthetic but never overshadow the action or narrative.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    The game offers a mix of replayability features, including secret difficulty modes, hidden levels, and customization options, which enhance the experience despite its short length. However, some players feel that the lack of modding support and underutilized mechanics limit its long-term replay value, leading to mixed opinions on its overall replayability. Collectibles and secret levels do provide additional incentives for replaying, but not all players find them compelling enough.

    • “There are even collectible gallery pictures and secret levels to add replayability.”
    • “Due to the lack of serious replayability, I personally don't really see a strong point in replaying it again.”
    • “Note: needs workshop/modding support or in-game map maker for near endless replayability; there are underutilized mechanics and vehicles that could be used for custom levels too.”
    • “The game is noticeably short, but it compensates with replayability through secret difficulty modes, hidden levels, and customization sliders for weapon jamming, enemy aggression, and more.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in "Beyond Citadel" is highlighted by its quirky gameplay elements, such as amusing bugs that enhance the experience, like dancing corpses and spinning objects. Players appreciate the game's funny moments, including the absurdity of choices and the comedic mechanics, which contribute to an overall entertaining atmosphere.

    • “Beyond Citadel is a heck of a game! I first discovered it through a friend who told me, 'Yo, check this shooter out, it looks funny.' I was like, 'Alright,' and after using his account to nearly finish the game, oh my god, it was hilarious!”
    • “The lore is very expanded and cool. I nearly shed a tear at the ending where I had to choose between erasing my friends or keeping them in that funny resurrected machine.”
    • “The pacing is good, with no disruptive bugs. The only bugs I've run into have been quite funny and added to the experience, like corpses dancing and gliding, and objects spinning.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Users report that the game experiences some bugs, particularly in the final levels, but overall, it serves as a solid warm-up experience.

    • “It’s a bit buggy toward the final levels, but it’s a great warm-up.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is not explicitly mentioned in the provided text, focusing instead on gameplay mechanics like rapid fire shooting and aiming down sights, which enhance player experience and offer diverse playstyles.

  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly during intense gunfights and in the later levels, where the gameplay can become repetitive. While some enjoy the option to manually load and bolt weapons to avoid jamming, the overall experience can feel drawn out as the game progresses.

    • “The indoor fights in the early levels are where this game shines, but once the later levels start opening up a lot more, it starts to get tedious.”
    • “Grinding becomes a chore rather than a challenge, making the experience feel repetitive and uninspired.”
    • “The game forces you to grind for resources, which can feel like a never-ending slog rather than an engaging gameplay mechanic.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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