BUTCHER

About

"Butcher is a single-player Science Fiction Shooter game that offers a fast-paced, gory experience, reminiscent of classics like Doom and Quake. With good mechanics, beautiful graphics, and a sensational soundtrack, the game provides a spectacular atmosphere as you annihilate enemies in various creative ways. From chainsaws to grenade launchers, and even hooks or lava pits, get ready for an uncompromising, ultra-violent adventure."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 813 reviews

graphics65 positive mentions

grinding9 negative mentions

Fast-paced and satisfying gameplay that combines elements of classic shooters like DOOM and Quake.
Gory visuals and sound design that enhance the brutal atmosphere of the game.
Challenging difficulty that encourages skill development and mastery of levels.

The game can be frustratingly difficult, with no checkpoints and punishing enemy placements.
Pixelated graphics can make it hard to distinguish enemies from the background, leading to cheap deaths.
Limited variety in weapons and enemies, which may lead to repetitive gameplay.

graphics
186 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
61%
4%
The graphics of the game are a polarizing aspect, with many praising the low-resolution pixel art for its nostalgic charm and gritty aesthetic reminiscent of classic 90s shooters like Doom and Quake. However, some players criticize the visuals for being overly pixelated and lacking detail, making it difficult to identify characters and enemies during gameplay. Overall, while the art style appeals to fans of retro graphics, it may hinder visibility and gameplay clarity for others.
- “I love the graphics; the pixel art is on point.”
- “The pixel graphics are amazing, and the art style is so good.”
- “The graphics aim to achieve a lo-fi retro indie aesthetic, mimicking something you might have seen on the Amiga or perhaps a very early MS-DOS game.”
- “The graphics are pretty ugly.”
- “The ugly pixel graphics (seriously, hire an artist, stop making games that look bad on purpose, it's not 'style', it's 'lazy') make the mediocre gameplay much worse, as they're muddy and poorly defined even for pixel graphics.”
- “Game is hard which I liked about the demo, but unfortunately the graphical style with addition to all effects makes everything impossible to see.”
gameplay
145 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
57%
7%
The gameplay of Butcher is characterized by its fast-paced, brutal action reminiscent of classic shooters like Doom and Quake, offering a satisfying blend of shooting and platforming elements. While the game features tight controls and a rewarding challenge, some players find the pixelated graphics and simplistic mechanics detract from the overall experience. Despite its difficulty and occasional frustration, many appreciate the game's addictive nature, engaging level design, and impactful sound and visual feedback.
- “The gameplay is fast-paced and satisfying, thanks in part to the great visual and auditory feedback when shooting enemies, with blood, guts, and gibs splattering every which way and painting the walls, floors, and ceilings red, all the while hearing their pain grunts and screams layering over the loud gunfire and the thumping beat of the soundtrack.”
- “The gameplay itself is adrenaline-soaked hair-trigger fun, as you run around and try to shoot anything that moves before it takes away a third of your health.”
- “The gameplay is smooth, shooting and moving are practically like walking in real life after a bit, and they aren't clunky and slow.”
- “Gameplay is barebones, weapons aren't creative, levels are uninspired and the art style, my god I get that they were going for a unique low-res look but it doesn't work at all in a fast-paced shooter.”
- “The ugly pixel graphics (seriously, hire an artist, stop making games that look bad on purpose, it's not 'style', it's 'lazy') make the mediocre gameplay much worse, as they're muddy and poorly defined even for pixel graphics.”
- “The gameplay is difficult, but in the 'I'll just do this over and over until I learn where everything is/comes from' kind of way.”
music
144 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
49%
2%
The music in the game is widely praised for its dark, industrial, and gritty atmosphere, perfectly complementing the fast-paced and violent gameplay. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, with many describing it as intense, blood-pumping, and fitting for the game's themes of chaos and gore. Overall, the combination of powerful sound design and a captivating soundtrack enhances the immersive experience, making it a key element of the game's appeal.
- “The industrial, menacing-sounding, blood-pumping soundtracks are even more amazing - way better than the ones in the games it draws inspiration from.”
- “The beautifully animated, gritty pixel art and the pumping but not overwhelming industrial soundtrack fit together perfectly.”
- “The soundtrack is fantastic with a variety of dark synth, ambient, and industrial-style tracks that are reminiscent of something in between Quake and Crusader: No Remorse, and it complements the gameplay pretty damn well.”
- “Fast, bloody, difficult... but it is impossible to play it for more than ten minutes at first, because the surroundings and music depress you, and besides, there is no more intense gameplay in my memory.”
- “I would recommend this to people who enjoyed Hotline Miami, but I recommend turning off the in-game music and listening to your own house music instead; the music in this game sets the tone well enough but wasn't as good as the music in Hotline Miami at keeping me 'in the zone' instead of rage-quitting.”
- “An absolutely disgusting game full of pain, suffering, and nightmarish music.”
story
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
79%
7%
The game's story is largely minimal and serves as a backdrop to the fast-paced, chaotic gameplay, with players taking on the role of a killer-machine tasked with exterminating humanity. Many reviewers note the lack of dialogue or substantial narrative, likening it to classic shooters where the focus is on action rather than plot. While some appreciate the dark themes and aesthetic, the consensus is that the story is simplistic and not a primary draw of the game.
- “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.”
- “The story is driven by visuals around the player and completely fits a Doom aesthetic.”
- “You're sent to a dystopian version of Earth with one mission and one mission only: exterminate all remaining life on the planet.”
- “In reality, there's no story in this game; it just drops you into the chaos and lets you figure stuff out yourself. I don't think there's even any dialogue or story explanation whatsoever.”
- “The story's non-existent, and there's definitely an element of trial and error to beating the levels, but with a successful run often being measured in a few minutes, it's hard to get too upset.”
- “There's hardly a plot in the game.”
atmosphere
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
50%
8%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently described as dark, gritty, and oppressive, enhanced by a visceral soundtrack that complements the intense visuals and gore. Players appreciate the unique graphical style and muted color palette, which contribute to a feeling of horror and nostalgia, evoking memories of past experiences. Overall, the combination of sound design, level aesthetics, and thematic elements creates a deeply immersive and unsettling environment that resonates with players.
- “The atmosphere is dark and gritty, and the soundtrack hits hard.”
- “The sound design, and beautiful visceral soundtrack, combined with the visuals make for a very convincing and horrific atmosphere.”
- “The color palette for the game is incredibly muted except for crimson blood and glowing lava, giving it an appropriately charnel house atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere itself is heavy with ill omens, the very air is pregnant with the threat of violence, and open rooms lie still, silently waiting to be interrupted by screaming.”
- “Overall it adds to the filthy, disturbing atmosphere, as if you were thrown in a futuristic but rusty meat grinder.”
replayability
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
64%
14%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while it offers some challenge and achievements that can entice players to return, many reviewers note a lack of variety and dynamic elements that can lead to a repetitive experience. The inclusion of a level editor and community-created content provides additional replay value, but the overall short length and limited gameplay diversity may deter some players from revisiting after completion. Ultimately, those seeking a challenge may find enough incentive to replay, but others might not feel compelled to continue.
- “Though it is a short game, it makes up for its replay value.”
- “In addition, the game comes with many achievements and challenges to overcome which adds a ton of replayability.”
- “Thankfully, an in-game level editor allows the ability to construct your own levels, and play other player-created levels at your leisure, which gives the game a hearty boost to its replayability.”
- “It quickly feels repetitive and doesn't offer enough variety to replay, and I doubt I'll continue playing after completion due to the low replayability, but this doesn't stand in the way of making it a fun experience.”
- “While workshop support might extend replayability even further, the community for it is, unfortunately, lacking.”
- “The difficulty level is welcome, however the game could really use some dynamic elements and variation in the fights (more enemies would be good) instead of memorizing all the traps and spawns to add to replay value.”
humor
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a mix of dark and crude elements, often eliciting laughter through off-color jokes and absurd situations, such as exaggerated violence and quirky sound effects. Players appreciate the game's ability to balance humor with its themes of death and failure, making for a surprisingly funny experience despite its serious undertones. Overall, the humor is seen as a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay with funny achievements and a playful attitude.
- “Also, great sense of humor, theme, and sound effects.”
- “Simple, fast, instinctive; dark and also funny.”
- “Despite a lot of death and failure, a funny experience.”
grinding
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game can be both rewarding and tedious, with players experiencing frustration due to repetitive gameplay and lack of progress after numerous attempts. While the industrial soundtrack complements the intense action, the absence of leveling or meaningful progression contributes to a sense of monotony, particularly when players are forced to restart entire levels after dying. Overall, the game is seen as a challenging experience that can quickly become stale and annoying.
- “Fun, but anything past 'hard' stops being fun and starts being tedious.”
- “I call it tedious, annoying, and ultimately a waste of time.”
- “It makes the game tedious to play and I no longer enjoy it as I feel my inability to beat certain encounters is due to the lack of control offered by the game rather than my reflexes.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some praising its performance on PC, particularly with keyboard and mouse controls, while others note that it is not well-suited for the Steam Deck or low-spec systems. Additionally, console gamers may find the lack of an optimized control setup off-putting.
- “It looks cool and edgy; it's very well optimized. As a premise, it should be something I enjoy.”
- “I guess the PC version is really only made for keyboard and mouse, and it's not optimized for the Steam Deck.”
- “This might put off console gamers who expect to just be able to pick up a pad and play with an already optimized control setup.”
- “Could be better optimized for low-spec systems.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional response to the game, describing it as both exhilarating and liberating, with a unique blend of carefree enjoyment and intense gore. The inclusion of a "wimpy" DLC option allows for a more relaxed experience, alleviating frustration and enhancing the overall enjoyment, making it a standout title that evokes a sense of ecstasy and freedom.
- “This is the first game in years, and even in decades, that has made me feel so carefree. It's just amazing, and it's incredible that they added that wimpy DLC, because I really get frustrated when dying a lot in games. It's not that it frustrates me because I suck; it's just that even the effort of trying not to suck frustrates me.”
- “I think initially I got stuck on a section with an instant death trap, and it made me feel this game was harder than it actually was.”
- “Unironically, one of the only games that actually made me feel kind of dirty playing it.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, players report a stable experience with minimal glitches, primarily noting occasional snagging issues during jumps on "impossible" mode. There are no significant game-breaking bugs, contributing to a generally smooth gameplay experience.
- “The only glitches I have encountered (which have been noticed while playing 'Impossible' mode) are that there are times when the player will get snagged while dropping from or jumping up to a solid ledge.”
- “I haven’t encountered a single game-breaking glitch, or any sort of glitches, to be honest.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that character development in the game is hindered by low-resolution graphics and subpar character designs, which detracts from the overall enjoyment and potential of the gameplay experience.