CONSORTIUM

65%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,042 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
CONSORTIUM Game Cover
Consortium is a game of great ideas in search of a story that deserves them.
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CONSORTIUM is a single-player Science Fiction Shooter game with a great story and good mechanics, set on a spaceship in 2042, accessible through a satellite from our world. The game, built on a modified Source engine, offers an interactive narrative, humor, and a dense atmosphere, but has lousy graphics, some bugs, and grinding. Its first installment of the iDGi-1 Trilogy, RESOLVABLE aboard the ZENLIL, features an impressive soundtrack and high replayability.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

65%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,042 reviews
story222 positive mentions
graphics34 negative mentions
  • Engaging and immersive story with well-developed characters.
  • Choices genuinely matter, leading to different outcomes and high replayability.
  • Unique concept of controlling a character in a parallel universe adds depth to the gameplay.
  • Extremely short, with many players feeling it ends abruptly without resolution.
  • Combat mechanics are clunky and not the focus of the game, leading to disappointment for those expecting action.
  • Initial bugs and performance issues hindered the experience for many players.
  • story810 mentions

    The story of "Consortium" is a complex, branching narrative that immerses players in a sci-fi world filled with intrigue and character-driven dialogue. While many players find the plot engaging and reminiscent of a "Star Trek" episode, some criticize its abrupt ending and the lack of resolution, as it serves as the first part of a planned trilogy. Overall, the game is praised for its strong writing and character development, though it is noted that the gameplay can feel secondary to the storytelling.

    • “The story is interesting to the point I didn't want to stop playing at all; it was engaging to think that it allowed for freedom in many ways.”
    • “Many games promise to feel like playing an episode of Star Trek, and this game doesn't actually make that promise anywhere, but with its futuristic ship for a setting, its colorful crew for the characters, and its complex sociopolitical sci-fi storyline, it absolutely shares some DNA with Star Trek--as well as a few inside jokes--and it's absolutely hands down the best example of playing an episode of Star Trek that I've ever seen.”
    • “The story is wild enough that it'll absolutely be divisive, but I'm firmly in the camp that says it's Philip K. Dick level awesome.”
    • “It was an intriguing sci-fi experience until the end when Osama bin Laden's son taking hostages became our new mission.”
    • “I thought we were in the fictional future and then you introduce a real-world terrorist - completely zapped me out of the story.”
    • “The game ends abruptly during an ongoing story without a resolution.”
  • gameplay181 mentions

    The gameplay of "Consortium" is characterized by a strong emphasis on branching dialogue and player choices, creating a rich narrative experience that encourages multiple playthroughs. While the mechanics are generally solid, some players find the combat and shooting elements to be underwhelming and occasionally buggy, detracting from the overall experience. Despite its technical issues, the game excels in storytelling and character development, making it appealing for those who prioritize narrative over traditional gameplay depth.

    • “Short version is, it's a tight, well-written web of branching choices that matter in a way even choice-and-consequence games rarely accomplish, made up of a wild bundle of unique and/or interesting mechanics. It's mechanically very solid and its many paths and alternate timelines weave together seamlessly, without interference or collision.”
    • “The gameplay is mostly dialogue-based with occasional bits of action, and the dialogue offers enough variety to highly encourage multiple playthroughs with the amount of choices you get and secrets to find.”
    • “The game mechanics are great, your choices make a difference, every game is different, I have never seen such replayability.”
    • “The gameplay is disappointing, and just plainly bad.”
    • “Long, long, long uninterrupted and unskippable chunks of horribly acted dialog combined with FPS mechanics that would have been old 10 years ago.”
    • “The UI has roots in games like Deus Ex and System Shock; however, where the immersive sim genre is typically known for its massive mechanical depth, this game has pretty much none whatsoever.”
  • graphics180 mentions

    The graphics of the game have been widely described as dated, basic, and sometimes buggy, with many reviewers noting that they do not meet contemporary standards. While some appreciate the unique art style and find it functional for the game's narrative, others criticize the visuals for being cartoonish or lacking polish. Overall, the graphics are seen as a secondary concern compared to the game's engaging story and gameplay mechanics.

    • “It is a really cool game, with a lot of dialogue, story depth, beautiful graphics, and a lot more!”
    • “First off, the game is rather pretty; the cel-shaded graphics will likely help the game retain playability for a long time.”
    • “Despite the cartoony visuals, the game uses a neat storytelling trick to achieve an insane amount of immersion right from the start.”
    • “The graphics may have looked a little dated from the day it was released, and if you choose to focus on a combat-heavy route you won't get the same gritty action contemporary gamers are used to.”
    • “However, due to the artsy-fartsy static effects on visuals and audio, strange lighting and horizontal lines rolling across your screen, it becomes pretty much impossible to tell when the game is running as intended and when it is having serious issues with my graphics card.”
    • “The animations are jerky, the graphics are dated, and the bugs are frequent and irritating.”
  • stability85 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and long loading times that significantly hinder gameplay. Players have experienced issues such as getting stuck in environments, characters failing to respond, and crashes upon exiting the UI. While some users noted improvements in later builds, the overall consensus is that the game remains too buggy for a smooth experience, detracting from its potential enjoyment.

    • “The game is nearly bug free.”
    • “First and foremost - for an extremely graphically limited game taking place in a tiny environment with no physics simulation, the game takes forever to load, shuts down upon alt+tabbing, and is extremely buggy (I died to automatic doors on several occasions).”
    • “The game is buggy; you can get stuck in walls, characters will fade through doorways, dialogue choices may disappear which will cause a reload, it really is a mess.”
    • “Wanted to like this game, have been largely unable to get anywhere due to game slowdowns, glitches, and a frame rate that jumps after I leave the first room.”
  • replayability82 mentions

    The game is widely praised for its high replayability, with many players noting that their choices significantly impact the storyline, encouraging multiple playthroughs. Despite its relatively short length of around four to five hours, the diverse outcomes and engaging narrative make it a compelling experience worth revisiting. However, some players express concerns about the game's price relative to its duration, questioning the overall value despite its replayable nature.

    • “It's a bit short, but it's got some replayability with the different ways the story can play out.”
    • “The game is built with this concept in mind, which makes it extremely replayable.”
    • “Which gets me to replayability - wonderfully replayable with a plethora of choices and consequences.”
    • “Contrary to what they might say in the trailer, there is no replayability.”
    • “Overall it just doesn't feel like the game is complete - apparently there is talk of a trilogy with this game, and yes there is the option of replayability - but it wasn't really good enough the first time around that I'd waste another 4 hours just to see the minute changes that can occur with some different choices.”
    • “Given the absolute lack of replayability, I cannot recommend this game.”
  • music35 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, particularly for its outstanding quality and emotional depth, largely attributed to composer Jeremy Soule, known for his work on iconic titles like "Skyrim" and "Knights of the Old Republic." Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a significant asset that enhances the storytelling and overall experience, with many considering it a standout feature of the game. Despite some critiques regarding the game's length, the music is consistently praised as beautiful and immersive, contributing to a compelling atmosphere.

    • “The music is absolutely fantastic, but what do you expect when it’s composed by none other than Jeremy Soule, the same guy who did the music for such great games as Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Knights of the Old Republic?”
    • “The music is beautiful; it sounds like it could go in KOTOR itself, and there is a reason for that: Jeremy Soule composed this game's soundtrack.”
    • “The music in the game is very well done, but I feel it was wasted on a game that's literally three hours long.”
    • “They do make a big song and dance about the difficulty you choose at the start as it impacts combat, but nearly all combat I faced in the game was in a simulator, and was pretty mediocre.”
    • “The developers really use the music to their advantage here when it comes to telling the story, and really put an emphasis on the importance of what’s going on around you.”
  • humor22 mentions

    The humor in the game is noted for its quirky and witty dialogue, with players enjoying the unique personalities of crew members and the depth of the backstory. While many find the humor engaging and entertaining, some feel it can occasionally be forced or tedious. Overall, the game features a mix of clever references and amusing glitches that enhance the experience, though opinions on its effectiveness vary.

    • “Consortium also features some of the most hilariously in-depth backstory/lore I've ever seen.”
    • “A real surprise, funny, witty, you can spend hours playing whatever character/mood you want with numerous timed dialogs.”
    • “You can talk to the crew members who all have their own unique personalities, and I even uncovered some hilarious Star Trek references in a few conversations I had.”
  • atmosphere18 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for being tense, immersive, and well-conceived, effectively blending elements of mystery and rich storytelling reminiscent of titles like Deus Ex and Portal. Reviewers highlight its charismatic setting and the importance of atmosphere, mystery, and dialogue, which enhance replay value despite simplistic combat mechanics. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's engaging experience.

    • “The atmosphere in the game is very immersive.”
    • “Its atmospheric, well conceived, extremely charismatic and has an immense replay value.”
    • “The game manages to blend the rich and involving atmosphere of, say, Deus Ex (right down to detailed news feeds and history, excerpts from books) with an original, self-contained setting like Portal did.”
    • “The game relies heavily on its atmosphere, mystery, and dialogue, which are the core elements, while the combat feels rushed and simplistic, arriving only in short doses.”
    • “The atmosphere is intriguing, but it often feels overshadowed by the lack of depth in gameplay mechanics.”
    • “While the game attempts to create a captivating atmosphere, it ultimately falls flat due to repetitive environments and uninspired sound design.”
  • optimization16 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received significant criticism, with players reporting severe performance issues such as stuttering, screen tearing, and long loading times, even on high-end systems. While some users noted improvements following patches that addressed bugs and performance problems, many still find the game unplayable due to persistent frame rate issues and crashes. Overall, the game's optimization remains a major concern for players seeking a smooth experience.

    • “Runs smoothly.”
    • “It's difficult to find much wrong with it now that they've meticulously patched it, fixing all the performance issues and irritating bugs.”
    • “I had my doubts about this game - there is quite a lot of negative reviews regarding the game's performance, mechanics, stability.”
    • “After reading the other reviews here and looking at the screenshots and video footage people captured of Consortium, I was very disappointed with what I got: a really clunky experience with lots of stuttering, screen tearing, and enormously long loading screens.”
    • “It's pretty annoying to buy a title that says it's complete only to not be able to play it because the frame rate is so bad and makes it completely unenjoyable. This is coming from someone who plays all his games jacked up to the highest settings most of the time. It's happening to other people with good rigs too, so it's bad optimization, and I hope it gets fixed so I can try to play and enjoy the game to its fullest. Honestly though, it says I have 3 hours of game time; I really only have an hour at most because of restarts after messing with the settings and doing VR training over several times where the lag jumps from bad to really, really bad (any combat for that matter).”
    • “Changing settings to the lowest makes no difference in performance either; in fact, it may have even gotten worse.”
  • grinding16 mentions

    Players frequently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and frustrating, with many noting that repeated playthroughs feel monotonous due to the lack of meaningful changes in dialogue and mission structure. Specific side missions, such as waiting for malfunctioning equipment to trigger, further contribute to the sense of tedium, leading some players to lose interest in exploring the game's universe. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a significant drawback that detracts from the enjoyment of the game.

    • “One of the side missions means you have to stand in one of five specific spots to see malfunctioning equipment, that only trigger infrequently at 1-minute intervals. It's very tedious to replay, and most won't bother if they don't already know where the spots are.”
    • “It was very, very tedious and just frustrating.”
    • “Needs repeated playthroughs to complete fully, and it's just tedious to play through.”
  • emotional14 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while it offers moments that evoke nostalgia and a sense of camaraderie reminiscent of classic sci-fi, players often feel disconnected from the characters and their struggles. The attempts at emotional depth, such as interactions surrounding a dead body, come off as forced or unconvincing, leading to a lack of genuine investment in the crew. Overall, the narrative's shortcomings and poor execution detract from the potential emotional engagement.

    • “In my opinion, this feeling adds another layer of depth to the game as it made me feel more like a part of the crew, as opposed to having me order people around, Kirk-style.”
    • “There is an organization on the far end of this dimensional rift called Consortium that thinks it’s cute to name all its members after chess pieces and then expect the "pawns" to be emotionally stable members of the team.”
    • “The most amusing part of the game so far was when we discover the dead body, and the female security officer attempts to get emotional, attempts being the keywords, when really, all she is, is mad at you. When you pick the option of 'hey, calm down, he was just a redshirt,' while it was amusing to say it, you just feel her scorn all the further.”
  • monetization8 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn criticism for feeling exploitative, with players perceiving the retail price as a cash grab given the game's short length and misleading advertising. Additionally, the inclusion of features that are not usable within the game has been described as dishonest, further detracting from the overall experience.

    • “Which is annoying, since the game's credits sequence is basically an advertisement for a second game.”
    • “Retail price is only worth it to support the next game in the series, as supporting the game at its current price seems too much like a dev cash grab, seeing how short this game actually is.”
    • “Including features that aren't possible to use anywhere in the game, while constantly leading you to believe the game is a first-person shooter in the advertising and in the game itself, is dishonest and frankly insulting.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development is highlighted as impressive, with users praising the depth and evolution of characters throughout a strong and twist-filled plot. The combination of great voice acting further enhances the overall experience, contributing to a compelling narrative.

    • “Great voice acting, a strong and interesting plot with many twists and turns, impressive character development, a fantastic accommodating soundtrack, and it plays like a dream.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

66% average critic score

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Play time

4hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
3-7hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 18 analyzed playthroughs

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