Covert Syndrome
- April 21, 2017
- Offworld Industries
Covert Syndrome is a free to play Coop corridor shooter with a focus on unscripted AI and fast tough combat. Created as a prototyping project we wanted to release it to the community so people can experience Co-op VR for free. The game consists of 6 combat zones with each zone having multiple waves of enemies. Player take possession of a mechanized agent with a mission to eliminate all enemies w…
Reviews
- Covert Syndrome is a fun and engaging free-to-play VR shooter, especially enjoyable in co-op mode.
- The game features decent graphics and smooth gameplay, making it a good experience for newcomers to VR shooters.
- The unique mechanic of using energy as both health and ammo adds an interesting strategic element to the gameplay.
- The game feels unfinished and lacks polish, with clunky controls and limited content that can lead to a monotonous experience.
- AI behavior is inconsistent, with enemies either being overly aggressive or passive, which detracts from immersion.
- There are significant issues with controller compatibility and movement mechanics, particularly for Oculus users, making it frustrating to play.
- graphics14 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
Overall, the graphics of the game receive a mixed reception; while many users praise the visuals as crisp, sharp, and realistic, some note issues with blurriness and optimization, particularly at a distance. The use of Unreal Engine contributes to the game's appealing aesthetics, making it visually impressive despite some technical shortcomings. Overall, players find the graphics to be a strong point, enhancing the gameplay experience.
“The graphics were crisp, sharp, realistic and the gameplay was buttery smooth.”
“Short and sweet demo/proof-of-concept with excellent graphics and simple, intuitive gameplay.”
“The graphics are fantastic.”
“The visuals are not good enough (blur) to shoot far-off enemies.”
“The options are weird, and the graphic slider isn't clear about what you are doing.”
“Loved the graphics; sadly, I couldn't find another player to do co-op.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its polished firearm mechanics, crisp graphics, and smooth performance, particularly in cooperative mode. However, some players find certain mechanics, like the energy-ammunition-life system and reload mechanics, to be unintuitive and in need of tuning. Overall, the game offers an immersive experience with enjoyable mechanics, making it a worthwhile download.
“The title has great firearm mechanics, polished look and feel.”
“The graphics were crisp, sharp, realistic and the gameplay was buttery smooth.”
“Great fun, love the game mechanics; it's different and very immersive.”
“For sure, there are some mechanics that need to be tuned a bit, or more support for Oculus Rift Touch controllers as well.”
“[-] Unintuitive reload mechanics.”
“I will play more and see if the gameplay improves.”
- story8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The story revolves around a single mission where players control a mechanized agent tasked with eliminating enemies while conserving energy. While the gameplay is engaging and enjoyable, many users feel that the lack of a deeper narrative limits its potential, suggesting that with more story elements, it could evolve into a full-fledged game.
“For a free game, it's very well done; I couldn't stop thinking that with a little more story, this could be a full game.”
“I finished the mission alone, and it was pretty enjoyable, ducking to take cover and backtracking to get a better position.”
“For a free game, it's very well done, but I couldn't stop thinking that with a little more story, this could be a full game.”
“Only one mission.”
“Player takes possession of a mechanized agent with a mission to eliminate all enemies while minimizing unnecessary usage of energy.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally positive, with many users noting that it runs smoothly. However, some players have pointed out issues with blurriness and a lack of optimization in certain areas, despite the game's strong graphical quality and being free to play.
“Works well, runs smoothly.”
“The graphics are very good, but there are some blurry elements that indicate a lack of optimization.”
“The game looks great, but the optimization is lacking, resulting in a blurry experience.”
“While the graphics are impressive, the overall optimization leaves much to be desired.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game currently experiences stability issues, including occasional crashes and a lack of resolution options, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these bugs, it was noted for its unique approach as a corridor shooter with teleport locomotion, especially when it was released in 2017.
“These days it's a bit buggy for me; it seems to crash every so often. I can't change the resolution, so it's stuck at 'not so great.'”
“The game frequently crashes, making it frustrating to play. Stability is definitely an issue.”
“I've experienced numerous bugs that disrupt gameplay, and the overall stability leaves much to be desired.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -400 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment or multiple attempts to progress effectively.
“Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
“The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
“I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with users noting it as a positive aspect.
“The music is fantastic and really enhances the overall experience.”
“I love the soundtrack; it perfectly complements the game's atmosphere.”
“The variety of music tracks keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its amusing voice lines, such as a male voice humorously warning players not to shoot the speaker, which adds a lighthearted touch to the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the comedic elements, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.
“I played about an hour with my son in New Jersey while I am in Tokyo, and there was no lag whatsoever. It's just a great game! Plus, it's free! It's funny how a male voice kept saying, 'Don't shoot the speaker.'”
“The humor in this game is top-notch! I found myself laughing out loud at the quirky dialogue and unexpected situations.”
“Every time I encounter a funny character or a silly situation, it just adds to the overall enjoyment of the game. The humor really makes it stand out!”