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CARRION

This a super fun immersive game that is a must play for not only horror fans but anyone looking for a unique gaming experience!
86%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
replayability, grinding
95% User Score Based on 29,220 reviews
Critic Score 77%Based on 65 reviews

Platforms

PCAndroidXboxXbox Series X|SPlaystation 5Playstation 5Playstation 4Playstation 4WindowsPlayStationPlayStationNintendo SwitchLinuxCloudMac OSXbox OneXbox Cloud GamingMobile PlatformPhonePhoneTabletTabletNVIDIA GeForce NOW

About

Carrion is a reverse horror game where you play as an amoeba-like creature. Starting off in a small form, you must stalk and consume laboratory workers to grow and evolve. As you become larger and more powerful, you'll need to utilize your new abilities to solve puzzles and take down your adversaries. The game offers a unique take on the horror genre, providing a thrilling experience as you become the monster.

CARRION screenshot
CARRION screenshot
CARRION screenshot
CARRION screenshot
CARRION screenshot
CARRION screenshot
CARRION screenshot
CARRION screenshot
CARRION screenshot
CARRION screenshot
CARRION screenshot
+11

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 29,220 reviews
gameplay2.2k positive mentions
replayability155 negative mentions

  • The graphics of 'Carrion' are stunning, featuring beautifully executed pixel art that combines retro aesthetics with modern lighting, creating a grotesque yet beautiful atmosphere.
  • The gameplay is engaging and satisfying, allowing players to embody a monstrous creature with fluid movement, enjoyable combat, and innovative puzzle-solving mechanics.
  • The atmosphere is immersive and eerie, enhanced by a haunting soundtrack that effectively complements the game's horror elements.
  • The game suffers from a lack of depth in its story and character development, leaving players wanting more elaboration on the plot and motivations.
  • Many players find the gameplay repetitive and tedious, with navigation issues and a short playtime that limits replayability.
  • The graphics and level design have been criticized for being simplistic and not immersive, detracting from the overall experience.
  • gameplay
    4,576 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of *Carrion* is widely praised for its unique mechanics and engaging experience, allowing players to embody a monstrous creature in a reverse horror setting. Players enjoy the fluid movement, satisfying combat, and puzzle-solving elements, although many note the game’s short length (approximately 4-6 hours) and lack of replayability as drawbacks. While the gameplay is generally fun and innovative, some players express frustration with navigation issues and the repetitive nature of certain mechanics, suggesting that the game could benefit from additional content or a more expansive exploration system.

    • “The gameplay is incredibly satisfying, the art is consistent and beautiful, and the sound design and score are perfect.”
    • “The gameplay loop is fun and doesn't get boring thanks to the power ups.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth and controlling the carrion is pretty easy once you get used to it with a steady flow of new upgrades.”
    • “I quit when I reached a point where you can 'deposit biomass' in a specific point (mechanic that hasn't been explained to that point), splitting yourself into meat balls and sitting there while nothing happens.”
    • “The only negatives in my opinion are in the map's layout which can be difficult to traverse if you don't have a good sense of direction, or simply get lost trying to explore every bit of it, and also in the overall length of gameplay, as the game is not the most replayable and a bit on the smaller side.”
    • “The gameplay loop is mostly puzzles and running around, but it is very satisfying to mow down NPCs.”
  • story
    2,813 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in *Carrion* is minimalistic and primarily conveyed through environmental storytelling and flashbacks, allowing players to piece together the narrative as they progress. While some players appreciate the ambiguity and simplicity, others find it lacking depth and clarity, often wishing for more elaboration on the plot and character motivations. Overall, the game focuses more on gameplay and atmosphere than on a complex narrative, making it enjoyable for those who prioritize action and exploration over a detailed storyline.

    • “It was such an insane ending to such a good story.”
    • “The storyline is simple, which makes it easy to step into the role of the monstrous protagonist.”
    • “Good story told minimally from the monster's perspective, which I appreciate, and an ending that feels worthy of a classic horror flick.”
    • “The story isn’t deep in any way, but it has a great concept.”
    • “Carrion is mostly gameplay focused, so don’t expect the story or ending to leave you stunned.”
    • “The game is all about gameplay and immersion, there is little to no story you kinda have to imagine the plot here.”
  • graphics
    2,130 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Carrion" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning pixel art style, which effectively combines retro aesthetics with modern lighting and particle effects. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a grotesque yet beautiful atmosphere, enhancing the horror experience while maintaining fluid animations and detailed environments. Overall, the visuals are praised for their charm, creativity, and ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia, making them a standout feature of the game.

    • “The pixel art style is beautifully executed, evoking nostalgia while delivering a fresh, modern experience.”
    • “The graphics are gorgeous, rendering the gore in as much detail as the 16-bit graphics allow.”
    • “Carrion uses a pixel-art style which might look simple at first glance, but is subtle in its complexity, and oozes atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics and gameplay are just lacking.”
    • “Graphics are painfully bad which contributes to a less than immersive 1980's arcade type experience that has you retracing your movements through a labyrinth over and over again.”
    • “The graphic design is not very good, and the game isn't much fun to play.”
  • music
    1,368 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Carrion" has been widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the game's horror elements and gameplay experience. Many reviewers noted its ability to evoke classic horror film soundtracks, particularly those reminiscent of John Carpenter's works, while also adapting dynamically to in-game events, creating a sense of tension and dread. However, some players felt the music could be repetitive or not particularly memorable, though it generally complements the game's eerie aesthetic and adds to the overall enjoyment.

    • “The soundtrack is really fantastic.”
    • “The music can get intense and ominous at times, really giving you that feeling of 'something's lurking in the vents' and it's you.”
    • “The atmosphere is wonderfully eerie, enhanced by an atmospheric soundtrack that perfectly complements the game's dark tone.”
    • “The art style is great, very detailed for the pixelated look it goes with, but the music is pretty forgettable atmospheric horror stock.”
    • “I couldn't possibly tell you where any part of the game the music is from, nor in a month or two could I even go 'oh yes that's Carrion music' if not for the fleshy sounds included throughout.”
    • “So level design is bad, the gameplay is meh, the story is presented vaguely, the music is kinda cliché in my opinion...”
  • atmosphere
    905 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "Carrion" is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, enhanced by stunning pixel art, haunting sound design, and a fitting soundtrack that evokes classic horror films. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a sense of dread and tension, making them feel like a monstrous entity as they navigate through a dark, oppressive environment. While some critiques mention the lack of guidance and potential repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the atmospheric elements significantly contribute to the game's unique and engaging experience.

    • “Carrion uses a pixel-art style which might look simple at first glance, but is subtle in its complexity, and oozes atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is wonderfully eerie, enhanced by an atmospheric soundtrack that perfectly complements the game's dark tone.”
    • “The atmosphere is creepy and immersive, with haunting sound design and eerie environments that keep you on edge.”
    • “I personally wish there was more done to create that atmosphere of terror and power around the monster; even with all the guts and text in the background saying about its danger, it just doesn't feel like the facility is massively worried about this monster causing havoc. I think the biggest issue is sound because except for the 3 or 4 different screams that you constantly hear when you are about to munch on a person, there isn't much giving you that sense that they are scared of you, and I feel like that massively detracts from the enjoyment and makes the game feel more stretched and less entertaining.”
    • “The atmosphere felt appropriately grim, with certain areas breaking the overall dark theme with vibrant colors.”
    • “I'll give the game credit for having a good concept (being the monster) and for handling a creepy atmosphere very well, but once you experience the first one or two hours of the game, you've experienced most of it.”
  • replayability
    645 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is generally viewed as low, with many players noting its short playtime of around 4-6 hours and a lack of significant content to encourage multiple playthroughs. While some mention the potential for replayability through mod support and community-created content, the base game offers little incentive to revisit once completed. Overall, players express disappointment in the limited replay value, suggesting that the game would benefit from additional features like a map editor or new game modes.

    • “The gameplay loop feels great and the included mod support makes this game very replayable.”
    • “Every puzzle can be attacked in several ways, giving this game good replayability.”
    • “It's extremely fun and replayable, and just so much fun being a weird monster terrorizing humans and solving puzzles.”
    • “There are no difficulty options, the game is highly linear, and there is no replay value.”
    • “Unfortunately there is little to no replay value so only expect to get around 5-6 hours out of this game.”
    • “The only significant downsides are the lack of a map (in a game where it's very easy to get turned around) and the fact that there's not much replay value outside of picking up a few hidden optional upgrades.”
  • grinding
    293 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players finding the experience tedious due to excessive backtracking and a lack of a map, which complicates navigation. While some enjoy the unique gameplay of playing as a monster, the novelty tends to wear off, leading to frustration with repetitive puzzles and a sense of aimlessness. Overall, while the game offers fun moments, the tedious elements detract from the overall enjoyment, making it feel longer than necessary.

    • “There's no tedious tutorial level so much as a steady ramping of difficulty as your crimson monster friend grows in size and abilities.”
    • “No grinding, but maybe take an hour off for getting lost and sitting idle in menus.”
    • “For the short amount of time I spent with the game, it wasn't tedious in the least.”
    • “It's very tedious, I really wanted to like it because playing a monster is kinda cool, but I don't, I don't like it, I don't enjoy it.”
    • “The novelty of sneaking around in vents and ripping people apart wears off very fast and what's left is uninteresting gameplay with tedious puzzle sections and a lot of backtracking without a map or clearly stated objectives.”
    • “Traveling throughout the game, collecting a measly amount of upgrades to progress gets tedious after the first couple of hours and by then you've seen most of what the game has to offer.”
  • humor
    228 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in this game is characterized by its dark, absurd, and often grotesque elements, with players finding joy in the over-the-top violence and quirky physics. Many reviews highlight the hilarity of controlling a monstrous character that wreaks havoc on unsuspecting humans, with amusing sound effects and visual gags enhancing the experience. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to blend humor with gameplay, making it a memorable and entertaining experience.

    • “Oh, the glorious, gratuitous, hilarious, pixel-art gore, and the hilariously over-the-top ultra-violence.”
    • “The ragdoll physics are wildly fun and hilarious at times.”
    • “There's something hilarious and satisfying about controlling a big blob of teeth and tentacles, bursting into a room of screaming humans and pulling them one by one into your horrifying maw with a noodly appendage, growing larger and stronger for each next encounter.”
  • emotional
    88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with players experiencing a range of feelings from joy and nostalgia to horror and guilt. While some found the gameplay and narrative to evoke a sense of heartwarming adventure and fun, others noted a lack of deeper emotional connection to the characters, which could detract from overall investment in the story. Overall, the game successfully elicits strong emotions, making players feel both powerful and vulnerable as they navigate its unique world.

    • “Falling short in only a couple of minor areas, Carrion succeeds at creating an incredibly entertaining experience that takes you to the other side of a facility breach but also delivers an emotional journey as you witness the struggle to survive on both sides and the longing to be free.”
    • “Carrion made me feel like a kid; every little detail, the storytelling, art, and the game itself were just beautiful!”
    • “The emotional high I got from this game was phenomenal, and I was the monster that brings those feelings.”
  • optimization
    58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with users reporting smooth performance even on low-end systems and during intense on-screen action. There are minimal to no performance issues, such as stuttering or crashes, and it is particularly well-optimized for the Steam Deck. While some users noted potential minor issues with particle effects on very low-end PCs, the general consensus is that the game runs excellently across various hardware configurations.

    • “The game runs smoothly even on potato systems, even if you have background tasks running.”
    • “But for 20 bucks, you get an absolutely fresh idea of a game with fantastic combat/puzzle solving, all neatly wrapped in a very well optimized package with no real problems to be found.”
    • “I didn't experience any bugs or optimization issues throughout the entire thing and I got a good 10 hours out of it.”
    • “I didn't run into any issues at all running the game and getting the most out of its performance, but I can see some of the amassing particle effects, ragdolls, or animations causing problems with very low-end PCs or laptops.”
    • “Also, there seemed to be some brief stuttering on the game moving between rooms at times.”
    • “☐ a little unoptimized”
  • stability
    48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game is praised for its stability, with many users reporting a bug-free experience and smooth performance across various hardware, including older machines and the Steam Deck. While some minor visual and audio glitches were noted, they were not considered game-breaking and did not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment. The game is commended for its polished delivery, especially in contrast to many AAA titles.

    • “Runs great on Steam Deck!”
    • “No glitches, no hitches in game design.”
    • “The graphics are simplified but still gorgeous, and the game runs great even on weaker machines like my laptop.”
    • “And this challenge isn't the fun kind like Dark Souls or other difficult games; the challenge is more like Cyberpunk 2077 in how it's so buggy that you can't properly get into the game and enjoy it, but instead of bugs, you have to deal with the nasty controls.”
    • “As it is right now, it's short, buggy, and confusing at times since there is no map.”
    • “This game is fun, but it's more frustrating and feels like an aggressive waste of time. The excitement of playing a monster doesn't overcome the time going in circles and the possible glitches that may make you have to start the whole game over.”
  • monetization
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players appreciating the absence of traditional microtransactions in favor of a more meaningful approach. While the game's advertising may mislead players regarding its gameplay, many reviewers express satisfaction with the studio's commitment to avoiding common AAA pitfalls, including excessive monetization practices. Overall, the game is seen as a refreshing alternative in a market often dominated by microtransactions.

    • “I'm really happy that studios like this really exist in the era of AAA nonsense and clichés and microtransactions.”
    • “Microtransactions for a good cause.”
    • “It honestly feels the reviews that I've mentioned above are reviews based on advertising and trailers, not actual gameplay.”
    • “It's not an action game, like how the trailers and advertising claim.”
    • “☐ Microtransactions for a good cause 😈”
  • character development
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is minimal, relying heavily on implied storytelling rather than direct narrative or dialogue, which diminishes the weight of player actions. While some players appreciated the character design and found unexpected depth in the creature's motivations, overall, the development feels more like a loose justification for its actions rather than a fully realized arc. Despite these limitations, the game offers a light narrative presence that allows players to engage their imagination.

    • “I won't spoil anything, but I am pleased that there was more character development than I expected.”
    • “- good character design”
    • “The developers used 'implied story' techniques to drive the narrative, rather than character development or direct story elements.”
    • “Since there isn't any dialogue or NPC character development, there is little weight to your actions - you just kind of fly through this underground facility eating everyone and everything.”
    • “The story is a light but welcome presence, and there were a few story beats that I really did enjoy, but it leaves enough up to the player that your mind can really run wild, and at some points, give Carrion something approaching character development, but closer to a loose justification as to its actions.”

Buy CARRION

6h Median play time
7h Average play time
5h Main story
6h Completionist
5-8h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 378 analyzed playthroughs

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