COVEN

About

COVEN is a single player shooter game with a horror theme. It was developed by gatorShins and was released on October 24, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

Coven is a retro fps/slasher set in the 1600's in which you play as a young woman who is wrongly accused of witchcraft and burned at the stake. She's resurrected by an unknown force and seeks revenge.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 214 reviews

gameplay17 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Coven offers a unique blend of fast-paced combat and strategic resource management, where players must decide between using enemy corpses for health or mana.
The game features satisfying weaponry and a variety of spells, creating a fun and engaging gameplay experience that keeps players hooked.
With its dark atmosphere, intriguing story, and gruesome gore mechanics, Coven stands out as a refreshing take on the boomer shooter genre.

Despite its potential, the game suffers from some design flaws, such as poor visibility in dark areas and a lack of impactful combat mechanics early on.
Players have reported issues with enemy AI and balancing, leading to frustrating encounters and a feeling of repetitiveness in gameplay.
As an early access title, Coven still has bugs and rough edges that need to be addressed, which may detract from the overall experience for some players.

gameplay
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
53%
7%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its unique mechanics, fluid combat, and engaging aesthetic, particularly the gore and corpse-eating features. However, some players feel that the initial levels lack excitement and that certain mechanics, like the bullet time and save point system, disrupt the flow of combat. Overall, while the game showcases a satisfying and innovative gameplay loop, it also faces criticism for level design and pacing issues.
- “Absolutely adore this game so far, the humor is there and the gameplay reminds me of Doom.”
- “The gameplay is smooth, snappy, and reactive.”
- “Super satisfying gameplay with some very crunchy gore (love that you can eat your enemies after dispatching them)!”
- “I feel that while the game has had a lot of love and care put into it, the developer doesn't understand what makes a boomer shooter 'fun', and has focused on the gore/limb damage mechanic as the gimmick of this game in hopes to make up for it.”
- “75% of the gameplay is backtracking the same nearly identical levels (and sublevels).”
- “However, the save point mechanic is frustrating.”
music
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
46%
12%
The music in the game has received high praise for its dynamic integration with combat, featuring a unique blend of metal and atmospheric elements that enhance the overall experience. While many players appreciate the soundtrack's intensity and variety, some have noted issues with repetitive audio loops and moments of silence in certain areas. Overall, the music is considered a standout aspect that complements the game's brutal aesthetic and engaging gameplay.
- “As a music producer, I'm genuinely in love with the current tracks and the way they are dynamically adjusted to the combat.”
- “The world building through little notes you find helps make the world feel especially brutal, and the soundtrack freakin' slaps, was so good.”
- “The music fits tremendously with the theme of the game and ramps up when enemies are a'comin', which adds to the intensity of some situations.”
- “I would knock off a point though as some areas have some very noticeable repeating audio loops or 100% dead silent areas with no ambient noise or music.”
- “Soundtrack is especially bad here, I don't know specifically why but it just felt unbelievably uninspired.”
- “I would appreciate some variety in the soundtrack per level.”
story
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
40%
12%
The story of "Coven" is a gripping revenge narrative centered around a female protagonist who rises as a witch against a malevolent bishop, set in a grim yet creatively designed world. Players appreciate the engaging storytelling, primarily conveyed through collectible journal entries, and the blend of heavy metal themes with intense gameplay mechanics. While some environmental details may lack in later levels, the overall plot and character motivations are described as intriguing and enjoyable, making it a compelling aspect of the game.
- “Coven is an awesome FPS game with many unique mechanics and an awesome story that will make you want more... more, more blood of the ones that put you in the ground and who released you from the shackles of humanity.”
- “The story is absolutely nuts and I love it.”
- “But the thing that surprised me most about this game was how engaging the story was.”
- “There are only two main characters, the player and the antagonist, and nearly all of the storytelling is done in collectible journal entries.”
- “What I'm saying is: this game shouldn't be played for the story alone, but what's there only adds to the experience.”
- “The story is simple: you're a woman scorned who rose as a witch, and there is a bishop/reverend who is somehow the architect of everything wrong happening in a torn and sundered landscape.”
graphics
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
The graphics of the game are praised for their strong aesthetic, combining a retro PS1 style with a dark, horror-themed atmosphere that evokes classic titles like Hexen and Heretic. While the game runs smoothly and includes some modern features like an FOV slider, the visuals are described as heavily stylized, with vibrant colors and satisfying gore effects that enhance the gameplay experience. However, some players found the art design to be somewhat repetitive, though overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's engaging and nostalgic vibe.
- “Nice old school graphic with good atmosphere.”
- “Neat PS1 aesthetic, big Hexen/Heretic vibes with a new coat of paint.”
- “Graphics are heavily stylised, sort of a grim Valheim, and art direction is pure horror with an abundance of darkness, blood, and gore.”
- “And man the art style and design of everything felt really boring.”
- “Think more of a mix of Hexen/Heretic gameplay and original Half-Life graphics.”
- “Graphics are heavily stylized, sort of a grim Valheim, and art direction is pure horror with an abundance of darkness, blood, and gore.”
atmosphere
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
16%
17%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its nostalgic, old-school graphics reminiscent of PS1-era titles, combined with unique and immersive level design. Reviewers highlight the dark fantasy and horror elements, enhanced by a fitting soundtrack, creating a captivating experience that appeals to both FPS fans and those who appreciate atmospheric storytelling. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “The atmosphere alone is worthy of a recommendation, but the gunplay and general premise of the game is wonderful too.”
- “Now nearly 4 hours in... and this has some of the best, most unique atmosphere/level design and combat I've experienced in the indie retro-shooter space.”
- “Ticks all the right boxes, an atmospheric power trip with healthy doses of black humor, pretty much what it says on the tin.”
- “Dark and thick blood atmosphere?”
- “Oozes a spooky Halloween atmosphere and the retro-inspired graphics are done beautifully.”
- “An absolute power fantasy FPS, drenched in an atmosphere of medieval occult horror, in which you play a woman who was burnt alive by a bunch of people who accused her of being a witch.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding it charming and effective, particularly in the voice acting and subtle comedic elements. The blend of dark humor and unexpected moments adds to the overall enjoyment, reminiscent of classic titles like Doom. While some production aspects may be critiqued, the humor remains a standout feature that enhances the gameplay experience.
- “Absolutely adore this game so far, the humor is there and the gameplay reminds me of Doom.”
- “Some might take issue with elements of the production, but honestly, I found the sound design and the voice acting charming and funny.”
- “The action, maps, music, and dark humor rocks.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect to be disruptive to the overall gameplay experience, often describing it as tedious and frustrating.
- “This is hugely jarring to the flow of gameplay and frankly is tedious as hell.”
- “The grinding feels endless and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- “I find myself spending more time grinding than actually enjoying the game.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth gunplay and solid weapon variety, alongside great performance and effective environmental storytelling, contributing to an engaging experience.
- “The gunplay is smooth, the weapon variety is solid, and the performance is great.”
- “The environmental storytelling is well done, enhancing the overall experience.”
- “The gore is plentiful, adding to the immersive atmosphere of the game.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, with some even shedding tears and feeling a sense of patriotic pride. This highlights the game's ability to evoke strong feelings and resonate with players on a personal level.