Contagion

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"Contagion" is a horror survival game with dynamic gameplay, where each playthrough is unique due to its built-in randomization system. The game features state-of-the-art gore and immersive sound effects, bringing the dark atmosphere of a zombie apocalypse to life. Traditional zombies and various game modes provide an intense and addictive experience.

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Play Modes

Reviews

73%

Audience ScoreBased on 10,844 reviews

gameplay404 positive mentions

stability238 negative mentions

gameplay
1,144 mentions
35 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Contagion" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its unique mechanics and cooperative focus, while others criticize its repetitiveness and technical issues. The game features a slower, more methodical approach to zombie survival, emphasizing headshots and resource management, but suffers from bugs, clunky controls, and a lack of engaging content. Overall, while some find it enjoyable and immersive, especially in multiplayer settings, others feel it falls short compared to other titles in the genre.
- “It's a fun game and has a great gameplay loop.”
- “The gameplay is solid, the animations for survivors are not the best but the zombie animations are really well made in my opinion.”
- “The gameplay is amazing, lots of weapons, things to do, huge maps, different scenarios etc... if you like zombies this is it !!!”
- “Gameplay for both survivors and zombies are boring or frustrating to keep on playing to enjoy this game.”
- “The most deceptive reviews are found here... the concept itself is great but the implementation is very poor at max.. buggy gameplay with 0 people in servers.. a cheap version of L4D2.”
- “Very repetitive gameplay, no real campaign or solo experience.”
graphics
760 mentions
48 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they may appear dated, they still hold up reasonably well and contribute to a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of earlier titles like Half-Life 2. Some players appreciate the realistic gore effects and overall aesthetic, while others criticize the graphics for being underwhelming or inconsistent, particularly in outdoor environments. Overall, the consensus suggests that the graphics are decent for an indie title, but improvements could enhance the experience further.
- “The graphics are great, and the game is very difficult and scary.”
- “The graphics for the time were amazing and they still mostly hold up today and the gore system is still [mostly] up to date graphically.”
- “Contagion is a fantastic game with amazing graphics, immersive gameplay and a sense of terror that you can never shake off.”
- “An extremely buggy game with a bad story, bad combat, and even worse graphics.”
- “The graphics are shockingly poor, even by 2014 standards.”
- “The game is really just not finished; the preview makes it look so much better than it is, the graphics are atrocious and there are few options for a server (especially with anti-cheat).”
story
492 mentions
18 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for its lack of depth and coherence, with many players noting that it offers little more than a basic premise of surviving a zombie outbreak. While there are some character backstories and implied narratives through mission objectives, the overall experience feels incomplete and repetitive, lacking a substantial single-player campaign or engaging lore. Players generally agree that the focus is more on cooperative gameplay and mission-based objectives rather than a compelling storyline.
- “The charm of this game may not hit you at your first playthrough, but I find myself losing hours into one playthrough just because of how immersed I get with the escape missions.”
- “The main story revolves around the contagions that were caused by infectious agents such as viruses, viroids, and prions, microorganisms such as bacteria, nematodes such as roundworms and pinworms, arthropods such as ticks, mites, fleas, and lice, fungi such as ringworm, and other macroparasites such as tapeworms.”
- “If you find a good group of people to play with who value teamwork, the escape mission can be a real blast to navigate and find your way out.”
- “There is next to no story [or lore, which this game could've used]; there is a laboratory escape map but it's not really much.”
- “No real pieced up story, basically zombies have come and only a few survivors band together and survive several mini-campaigns.”
- “The game is poorly done; there is no single player or story mode as it shows in the trailer, there is only multiplayer that takes a long time to find a match and when you do it's usually 2vs2 or 2vs1. This game is the true meaning of a bad game.”
atmosphere
289 mentions
56 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Contagion" is widely praised for its gritty, immersive quality that effectively captures the tension and fear of a zombie apocalypse. Players appreciate the game's dark and eerie environments, enhanced by ambient sounds and realistic lighting, which contribute to a sense of constant danger and paranoia. While some critiques mention issues with sound design and map variety, the overall consensus is that the atmosphere is a standout feature, making it a compelling experience for fans of the genre.
- “Contagion is a game I can fire up and play a map by myself if no one is on, reasonably deal with objectives and hordes, and soak up the atmosphere and experience.”
- “The atmosphere is bloody amazing.”
- “The overall atmosphere of the game is amazing, and the PvP free-for-all gamemode (hunted) is terrifyingly fun.”
- “The atmosphere is fake.”
- “Theoretically a zombie apocalypse would have a bleak yet dangerous atmosphere, but this just doesn't feel like one.”
- “Some color-correction, more zombie spawns and a couple map tweaks could go a long way in selling that atmosphere, but at the moment it feels like a random source map that I spawned zombies in.”
stability
240 mentions
1 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
99 % negative mentions
The game is widely criticized for its instability, with numerous reports of bugs, crashes, and inconsistent gameplay. Many players describe it as feeling unfinished, plagued by glitches that significantly detract from the experience, while some note minor improvements over time. Overall, the consensus is that while the game has potential, its current state is frustratingly buggy and not recommended for those sensitive to technical issues.
- “It is very fun and different; it also runs great even on my old laptop!”
- “An extremely buggy game with a bad 'story', bad combat, and even worse graphics.”
- “This game has a lot of potential but the developers sadly could not take advantage of that potential and left the game with many annoying and game experience breaking bugs and glitches.”
- “The game as a whole simply doesn't seem to be finished, it's buggy, doesn't play well and is visually unpleasant.”
replayability
109 mentions
37 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its high replay value due to random objectives, weapon drops, and varied gameplay modes, while others criticize it for a lack of content and repetitive gameplay. Many agree that the limited number of maps can still offer a fresh experience each time, especially in cooperative play, but some feel that without additional content or rewards, replayability may diminish over time. Overall, it seems to have decent replayability, particularly for its low price point, but opinions vary widely on its long-term appeal.
- “Near infinite replayability, although it is really a basic zombie shooter with little depth beyond that.”
- “Admittedly it's certainly a niche market and obviously not for everyone if they just want to shoot some zombies, but get some like-minded friends in on the action with a private server and you'd be surprised at just how enormously replayable the (currently) small roster of escape maps can be, especially on extreme difficulty.”
- “Furthermore the ammo and weapon spawns are all randomly located, the same thing happens on some objectives in escape mode too which boost up the replayability greatly.”
- “Replayability is basically zero - this game gets repetitive fast.”
- “The replay value of this game is really low, as I have dropped and picked up this game on and off over the year, only playing it every few times a month when I was really bored.”
- “In the beginning of the release, yes they lacked content and replayability was close to none.”
music
102 mentions
37 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, enhancing the overall horror experience with dramatic soundtracks that evoke a sense of dread. While some users noted issues with sound design and occasional bugs, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, with many recommending it for its emotional depth and ability to complement gameplay. Overall, the music significantly contributes to the game's apocalyptic atmosphere, making it a key element for players seeking a classic zombie shooter experience.
- “This game has an absolutely astounding soundtrack that is criminally underappreciated.”
- “The music that is played while you're trying to survive is very touching and atmospheric!”
- “Coupled with the excellent music and the backdrop of high-quality zombie moans, you've got yourself a terrifying experience.”
- “There's little music in the game which means I'm not being distracted.”
- “The game could be a good one and worth the money if it had more maps, more game modes, more weapons, more zombie variations, and better music for background, weapons, environment, and zombies.”
- “Turn down your volume when you first load or you will have your eardrums blown out by the menu music.”
humor
74 mentions
97 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely appreciated, with players finding joy in chaotic moments, absurd gameplay mechanics, and the comedic interactions that arise during multiplayer sessions. Many reviews highlight the fun of playing with friends, particularly in modes that encourage silly behavior, such as self-infection and flailing zombie attacks. However, some players note that the humor can diminish due to bugs and a lack of active servers, suggesting that the experience is best enjoyed in a lighthearted, casual setting.
- “Love the hunted mode as it is essentially a mini battle royale with zombies and creates funny highlights with friends and players.”
- “It's hilarious to purposely infect yourself and hunt down your allies or to say you'll protect them and just dig into them a second later.”
- “Escape game mode is hilarious to play with a full party.”
- “It is full of bugs (I think it has more bugs now than when it was launched) and it is not funny anymore.”
optimization
68 mentions
32 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and well-optimized graphics, particularly on lower-end machines. However, many users report significant performance issues, including lag, texture bugs, and unaddressed problems that hinder gameplay, especially on certain maps and with specific hardware configurations. Overall, while there are positive aspects to the optimization, many players feel that the game still requires further improvements and patches to fully realize its potential.
- “The graphics are good and the optimization is awesome!”
- “+ game engine is very, very well-optimized; the game runs smoothly.”
- “All in all, the game is worth the money spent on it, performance-wise, it'll run nicely on even machines with 4GB RAM and everything else above the minimal specs.”
- “This game has been out too long for it to receive no attention regarding optimization and some TLC.”
- “This game had potential but with its under-optimized graphics engine, they do a piss poor job on execution.”
- “A game running on the HL2 engine with a computer that runs a Core i7 and a GTX 260 should never lag... highly unoptimized... and it basically puts you to sleep.”
grinding
52 mentions
6 % positive mentions
13 % neutral mentions
81 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently criticized for being tedious and time-consuming, with players often feeling like they are stuck in repetitive tasks and unclear objectives. Many reviews highlight the need for a second life to endure the grind, as the gameplay can become monotonous, especially in co-op modes and when playing as a zombie. While some moments are enjoyable, the overall experience can feel like a chore, detracting from the fun and excitement of the game.
- “But in most levels the game is open, fun and not tedious.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Does have its moments for sure that make it exciting, you will then find yourself playing through multiple boring, tedious games trying to reach that same peak of fun.”
- “You could pretty easily just melee your way through the entire map with the difficulty of the zombie pathing and behavior, so it's not like making the objectives and map routes hard to find is interesting or difficult, it's just extremely tedious.”
- “Unless your idea of a good time is taking an incredibly tedious stroll and then dying, spend your money on something else.”
monetization
22 mentions
5 % positive mentions
5 % neutral mentions
91 % negative mentions
The game's monetization strategy has been criticized for lacking microtransactions and other common features found in modern titles, which some players view as a positive aspect. However, many reviewers feel that the developers have prioritized cash grab tactics over addressing significant gameplay issues, leading to a perception of the game as abandoned and flawed. Overall, the sentiment suggests that while the absence of microtransactions is appreciated, the game's execution and support have left much to be desired.
- “This game doesn't have microtransactions, weekly challenges, leveling, or any other things developers use in modern projects to make people play their games forever.”
- “And then like so many other beta games, it was abandoned like a terrible cash grab attempt from the developers.”
- “Cash grab, do not buy.”
- “They spent more time doing cash grab 'deals' at Humble Bundle than actually working on the game.”
emotional
16 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally impactful, often experiencing deep feelings of sadness and nostalgia, particularly in moments that evoke classic zombie movie themes. The atmospheric music and the moral dilemmas faced, such as the reluctance to harm former teammates, enhance the emotional depth. Despite some frustrations regarding untapped potential, the developers' long-term commitment is appreciated, leaving players hopeful for future updates.
- “The music that is played while you're trying to survive is very touching and atmospheric!”
- “It's very emotional because you don't really want to eat your past teammates.... I think this game has unlimited potential and can definitely go up to the maximum quality if the developers get themselves together and keep giving us updates like pumping a shotgun.”
- “10,000/9,999 would cry again.”
character development
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game fails to deliver on its promise of realism, lacking meaningful character development and providing little motivation for players to continue.
- “The game advertises about 'realism' but offers no character development and no true reason to press on.”