BRAIN / OUT
- February 24, 2017
- Desertkun
- 28h median play time
Get on Steam"Brain / Out is a multiplayer shooter set in a post-Soviet environment, where mercenaries and marauders fight for cash. The game features a variety of modern weaponry and promises no 'pay to win' philosophy, with skill being the deciding factor. Customize your loadout with a range of NATO and Warsaw Pact rifles."
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- gameplay250 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of engaging mechanics and frustrating elements, with many players praising its fast-paced action and unique features like stealth and weapon variety. However, issues such as clunky controls, unbalanced mechanics, and a steep learning curve can detract from the experience, especially for newcomers. While some find the gameplay rewarding and addictive, others criticize it for being plagued by bugs and a lack of clarity in its mechanics.
“The game excels in its simplicity, offering straightforward mechanics that are easy to grasp but difficult to master.”
“The combat mechanics are fluid and engaging, requiring players to balance quick actions with strategic decision-making.”
“Brain/out is a fantastic game with deep mechanics, addictive gameplay, and a creative community.”
“Unfair mechanics, can't really get the full experience from the get-go because basically everything is locked, and clunky controls.”
“The gameplay is simplistic, too simplistic, controls are wonky and gameplay is very mediocre.”
“It was infuriating to play and not know any mechanics the time I joined my first lobby, not knowing why I couldn't see any enemies and then immediately die to one.”
- graphics107 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as simplistic yet effective, with a mix of pixel art and retro aesthetics that contribute to its gritty atmosphere. While some players appreciate the detailed character models and environments, others find the visuals lacking depth and occasionally problematic, particularly in terms of gameplay mechanics. Overall, the graphics receive mixed reviews, with some praising their nostalgic charm and others criticizing their quality.
“The game's graphics are well-done, with detailed character models and environments that match the game's gritty aesthetic.”
“The vibrant color palette and detailed design of the characters and environments create a captivating and immersive visual aesthetic that helps the game stand out in the market.”
“It has a great aesthetic with beautiful and fairly detailed pixel art, and very satisfying gunplay.”
“However, its simplistic graphics and lack of depth in gameplay mechanics may not appeal to everyone.”
“I'd write something a little smarter that gave a proper idea of what it is like, but it has really crap graphics, it feels like crap, and plays like crap.”
“Graphical issues made the game practically unplayable.”
- stability46 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- -4 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The game is widely reported to be plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, affecting gameplay stability and user experience. Players have noted issues such as character movement glitches, control malfunctions, and frequent crashes, which can make the game frustrating at times. Despite these stability concerns, many users still find the game enjoyable and believe it has significant potential if the developers address the technical issues.
“No glitches, no bugs!”
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes.”
“I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it never lags or freezes.”
“The controls in this game are very buggy; a common issue is that when switching to my pistol and shooting, it automatically switches back to my primary weapon.”
“I am frankly amazed at the sheer variety of crashes, freezes, and forced restarts this game has made me go through.”
“The worst part of it all is the fact that there are so many glitches; from my experience alone, I have found five in the span of the first five days of playing this game.”
- story44 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of depth, with many players noting that it feels more like a multiplayer experience with minimal narrative elements. While there are missions and objectives available in free play mode, they often lack clear explanations and can feel grindy, leading to a focus on survival and combat rather than a cohesive storyline. Overall, players express a desire for a more engaging single-player story mode to enhance the gaming experience.
“Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
“An exciting, confusing, stressful, and overall awesome adventure with missions that will provide supplies to help survivors along the way.”
“The graphics are amazing, the story is spot on, co-op is 100%, and the gameplay is awesome.”
“If this game had some sort of single-player story-driven mode, I would love it, but it is just a lackluster multiplayer game with most people sitting in corners waiting for some poor player to walk into their line of sight.”
“The game doesn't really have a story besides the odd easter egg here and there.”
“Missions or the daily missions are not that fun because it will take you days to actually get them accomplished since you are going out of your way to find those required items in a small map, which basically forces more combat and less scavenging to accomplish your goal.”
- monetization35 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game's monetization model includes optional microtransactions, primarily for cosmetic items and loot boxes, which do not significantly impact gameplay. While some players express concerns about a "pay-to-win" aspect and the emphasis on microtransactions over gameplay improvements, many agree that the game remains enjoyable without spending money. Overall, the monetization is seen as reasonable for a free-to-play title, though it can lead to a grind for players seeking to unlock content without purchases.
“The game is free, so of course it has optional microtransactions. Crates are, well, crates; everyone knows them, RNG and everything. You can win parts to unlock weapons, points to repair/upgrade weapons, and currency. If you don't want to buy them, you get a free one daily and another for completing kill challenges.”
“Even though in-game purchases are available, this is in no way a 'pay to win' game.”
“The progression system is very well done, using microtransactions as merely a means to speed things up and get more skins/outfits for your guns and character.”
“In its current state, there is a very small player base and the game has developed an emphasis on microtransactions.”
“I used to love this game, but as time went on it became more about crates and microtransactions than gameplay.”
“But it also gets boring rather quickly and it's too much of a grind to unlock new weapons, forcing you into the microtransactions and lootboxes.”
- grinding29 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 7 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that the game's grinding aspect is a mixed bag; while some players find it fun and manageable, others describe it as tedious and overly demanding, especially for unlocking weapons and progressing. Many note that the grind can become frustrating, particularly when combined with a freemium model and low drop rates, leading to a sense of being trapped in a repetitive cycle. Overall, the grinding experience varies significantly among players, with some enjoying the challenge while others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
“Not too grindy either, you can earn weapons pretty easily, giving you 1 or 2 new guns every several matches.”
“Leveling up is simple and not too grindy either; you'll level up at a good pace and unlock a good few weapons that way.”
“Before you even start playing, understand that this game is very grindy.”
“This joke of a game has you grinding beyond the levels of acceptable to even be able to access the more viable weapons.”
“Clunky 2D movement, weapon progressing system as grindy as a grinder grinding an endless amount of swords, bugs that make the game unplayable, and a bunch of blind fanboys who adore this piece of shit.”
- humor25 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its ability to create funny moments, especially when playing with friends. Many reviews note that the game's simplicity and quirky mechanics contribute to its comedic appeal, despite some technical issues and a toxic community. Overall, it is described as a hilariously fun experience, particularly for those who enjoy lighthearted, 2D gameplay.
“Great fun game! My brother and I enjoy it so much; we have lots of funny moments, and I hope you guys can enjoy it as I do.”
“It was funny, and you could have played it even with a PC with the processing power of a toaster.”
“It's really simple, easy to learn, and funny to play with friends.”
- music17 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players praising its energizing and engaging qualities that enhance the gameplay experience. While some users appreciate the soundtrack's ability to complement the action, others note a lack of background music during gameplay, which can detract from the overall atmosphere. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, contributing positively to the game's appeal despite some technical issues.
“Brain/out’s soundtrack is energizing and perfectly complements the game’s intense action.”
“The music is carefully selected to maintain the pace of the game and increase the tension during battles.”
“The visuals are simple but lots of fun, and the soundtrack is perfect for getting in the thick of the action.”
“When I clicked run, it never opened the window, but the music infinitely runs in the background where I can't close it.”
“I can't get the background music to turn off and there's no way to delete the game.”
“On the starting menu, there is some music which does the job fine, but once you enter the game, there is no background music at all, only the sounds of guns and footsteps, which will lead you to put up your favorite podcast quite quickly.”
- atmosphere12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its gritty, authentic representation of a post-soviet, post-apocalyptic setting, which resonates particularly well with players from those regions. While the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they effectively enhance the immersive ambiance, contributing to a nostalgic and engaging experience. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, earning high marks from reviewers.
“- the post-Soviet post-apocalyptic environments look authentic and provide the player with a unique atmosphere for action.”
“The ambiance, atmosphere, and mood presented in every sector of the free play mode area are conceived exceptionally well.”
“The graphics may not be cutting-edge, but they serve their purpose well, contributing to the game's gritty atmosphere.”
“This is a very good game if you are from post-Soviet countries because you would understand deeply the atmosphere.”
“>maps/atmosphere=6”
- optimization10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on lower-end devices and is functional on Macs, players report issues such as a capped frame rate at 60 and declining performance with updates. Additionally, problems like weapon degradation and a lack of regional servers have contributed to frustration, leading to an overall performance rating of around 6 to 8.9 out of 10, depending on individual experiences.
“Being honest, the version for Macs is optimized enough to work, so you can even fight with your Apple device.”
“It is fun to play; it has good performance on my old computer, so that's good.”
“Overall performance: 8.9/10”
“With every update, the game performance worsens; it is not worth it anymore. The hit registration and the extremely toxic community are major issues.”
“The performance makes me want to kill myself; the whole game just feels so broken.”
“You used to have an Asian server, but for some weird reason, they removed it, and their response was 'performance problems.' That's just bullcrap.”
- replayability7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
Players consistently highlight the game's high replayability due to its diverse maps, weapons, and challenging mechanics, which create unique experiences in each match. The ability to discover new strategies and face varying challenges enhances the game's longevity and enjoyment, making it a standout in terms of replay value. Overall, users appreciate the game's engaging nature and the fun derived from repeated play.
“Brain/out’s challenging nature provides excellent replayability.”
“Each match feels unique, thanks to a variety of maps and weapons that ensure replayability.”
“This variety ensures that players face new challenges and situations, increasing the game’s longevity and replayability.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the interplay of pleasure derived from masochism and erotic humiliation, as well as the satisfaction of a sadistic dominant, creating a complex emotional landscape for players.
