CARNAL
- March 18, 2021
- MercySoft
- 3h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"CARNAL" is a single-player shooter game with a delightful 90's inspired soundtrack and plenty of humor. Players join the Realm Defense Force to take down the terror organization, Sons of Anak, who have opened portals to the 'other side' in the city of Seed Valley. The game features 3 episodes, 17 missions, diverse enemies, various harmful guns, and unique boss enemies. With a unique retro art style, the game promises fast-paced action and an unsettling horror atmosphere.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- CARNAL offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of 90s FPS games, with a fun atmosphere and engaging level design.
- The game features a diverse roster of enemies and a unique sense of humor, making it entertaining and enjoyable to play.
- At its low price point, CARNAL provides great value for the amount of content and gameplay it offers.
- The lack of a save system can be frustrating, as players must rely on an extra life system instead, which may not suit everyone's preferences.
- Some players found the enemy AI to be lacking, with certain enemies behaving in a predictable or unchallenging manner.
- The game includes controversial political themes and humor that may not resonate well with all players, potentially detracting from the overall experience.
- music37 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its atmospheric quality and catchy, retro-inspired soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Descriptions highlight a blend of synthy tracks reminiscent of classic shooters, alongside some ambient pieces that contribute to the game's unique vibe. While a few comments note some repetitiveness, the majority agree that the soundtrack is a standout feature, making it a memorable aspect of the gameplay.
“The game has a great atmosphere and an excellent soundtrack to back it up!”
“Honestly an awesome game, both the gameplay and soundtrack are bangers!”
“Fantastic game for fans of the glory days of FPS games such as Quake and Unreal, Carnal is challenging and rewarding, as well as a blast to play through. Its blood-soaked retro FPS style levels and catchy MIDI soundtrack will bring back memories of gaming on your PC in the late 90s to early 2000s.”
“The music is mostly repetitive and slightly bland.”
“Creepy music.”
“My first thought upon entering the first level and walking about for a few seconds with the creepy music and atmosphere: 'nobody said this was a horror game!' just thought that was funny.”
- graphics27 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a vibrant retro aesthetic that pays homage to 90s classics, featuring charming low-poly designs and distinct art styles. While some players appreciate the nostalgic feel and unique themes, others note issues like blurriness during movement and a need for polish. Overall, the visuals evoke a sense of nostalgia and contribute to the game's fun and engaging atmosphere.
“This is a fast-paced old school style shooter with a bangin' soundtrack, fun guns, and vibrant graphics.”
“The graphics have a charming retro-style.”
“The aesthetics are outstanding, with crunchy textures and models that do a great job of evoking Quake 2 and Unreal.”
“The game isn't really scary, but between the intentionally dated graphics, creepy music, and enemies (aliens, hazmat chainsaw freaks, killer dolls, ghostly floaty radioactive goo things, and everything else out of an old scary movie), why is the sky purple and clouds green? What is this screwed up town going through?”
“It's like a 90's FPS but cheap and somehow worse graphics.”
“1996 graphics and gameplay, sound is okay, can be a little hard at first as unlike 1990 shooters this game has some AI.”
- humor26 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it delightfully absurd and reminiscent of campy B-movies, while others criticize it for veering into offensive territory. Many appreciate the quirky enemy designs and funny interactions, which contribute to a lighthearted experience, though the humor's effectiveness can vary based on personal taste. Overall, the game offers a blend of ridiculous and sometimes controversial humor that may appeal to fans of crude and random comedic styles.
“Ridiculous humor style which will make you chuckle throughout.”
“Worth it for the craziness of some of the boss fights alone, of which I won't spoil, but the end of the school map was hilarious.”
“The humor was great too, the payphone stuff made me laugh.”
- gameplay16 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Carnal is generally praised for its fluidity, quickness, and responsiveness, making it enjoyable for its low price point. While it features classic FPS elements like key collecting and enemy combat, some reviewers note a lack of depth and polish, comparing it to other boomer shooters. Overall, it offers a fun experience, especially for fans of retro-style games, despite some concerns about its thematic content.
“Carnal's gameplay is fluid, quick, and responsive.”
“Honestly an awesome game, both the gameplay and soundtrack are bangers!”
“Bottom line is this game is well worth the low cost of admission at the gate, and the gameplay, colorful design and retro style will definitely give at least most older or indie-liking gamers a lot to enjoy!”
“The gameplay itself is okay for 50 cents, but there are countless far better boomer shooters out there, not at all worth exposing yourself to toxic politics that stoke division and hate where there should instead be unity and understanding.”
“While it's a mechanically complete game, it's incredibly unpolished.”
“Gameplay of Carnal has that classic loop of collecting keys and killing enemies.”
- atmosphere14 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its surreal and horrifying qualities, enhanced by a compelling soundtrack and creative level design. Players appreciate the unique settings, such as a boardwalk carnival, which contribute to a sense of desolation and intrigue. Overall, the atmosphere effectively immerses players in a distinctive and engaging experience, reminiscent of classic titles like Quake.
“The game has a great atmosphere and an excellent soundtrack to back it up!”
“If I had to pick what this game does best, it has to be the surreal atmosphere it creates.”
“Shoutouts to the boardwalk carnival level for having amazing atmosphere and theming with functional rides, as well as being a super original idea for a level location.”
“First off, this game's atmosphere is horrifying, with long sprawling low-poly environments and pseudo-realistic textures.”
“This feels a bit like a small budget version of Dusk, albeit with a different atmosphere.”
“My first thought upon entering the first level and walking about for a few seconds with the creepy music and atmosphere: 'Nobody said this was a horror game!' I just thought that was funny.”
- story8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The story in the game is minimal and not the primary focus for many players, with some reviewers noting that it is best experienced without prior knowledge. However, there are concerns about inappropriate content, such as anti-Semitic jokes in one mission, which has sparked debate about its impact on overall enjoyment. Despite these issues, the game is still considered enjoyable, particularly for those who prioritize gameplay over narrative.
“Now I won't go into the story that much as I feel this game is best experienced blind.”
“A surprise that I haven't seen a civilian reference yet... but if this game had a sequel, then the sequel should have a customizable character, the same enemy types, continues the same story, and maybe a few civilian, Scott the Woz, and Postal references.”
“One thing that painfully stuck out to me was the anti-Semitic jokes in one of the missions.”
“There's not much story, but I don't play these types of games for story, so I don't see why this should be an issue.”
“A surprise that I haven't seen a civilian reference yet...but if this game had a sequel, then the sequel should have a customizable character, the same enemy types, continues the same story, and maybe a few civilian, Scott the Woz, and Postal references.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn mixed reactions; while some perceive it as a low-effort cash grab due to overt political messaging, others find the gameplay enjoyable despite the presence of microtransactions and other monetization tactics. Players seeking a straightforward experience without additional costs may be disappointed.
“Because of this, I first thought this was a low-effort cash grab, but it's actually pretty decent.”
“But if you're looking for a game free of microtransactions, bullshit, EULAs, and you just want to blow stuff up and shoot some damn baddies.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report frequent glitches that negatively impact the overall stability of the game, leading to a less enjoyable experience.
“The game is plagued by glitches that disrupt the overall experience.”
“I encountered numerous stability issues, including frequent crashes.”
“The constant bugs and glitches make it nearly unplayable at times.”
