Crunch Element
- December 19, 2020
- Dreamlab XR
- 80h median play time
Get on Steam"Crunch Element" is a fast-paced, action-packed platformer game that challenges players to navigate through dangerous levels filled with obstacles and enemies. Use a variety of weapons and abilities to defeat enemies, and collect power-ups to increase your speed and strength. With procedurally generated levels, each playthrough is unique and offers a new challenge.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game has a solid foundation with great potential for future updates.
- Destruction mechanics are satisfying and add a fun element to gameplay.
- The customizable loadout system allows for personal preference in gear placement.
- The game has been abandoned by the developer, with no updates for an extended period.
- AI behavior is poor, often resulting in unchallenging gameplay.
- There is a lack of content, with repetitive maps and limited objectives.
- gameplay112 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitiveness and lack of updates, leading to a feeling of stagnation. While some appreciate the solid gun mechanics and potential for fun, others criticize the poor AI, bland environments, and underdeveloped features, suggesting that the game feels unfinished and in need of more content and polish. Overall, while there are enjoyable elements, significant improvements are necessary for a more engaging experience.
“Great game, of course there are a few bugs, but the gameplay is quite pleasant and unique.”
“This game is probably some of the most fun I've had in VR; it combines multiple core mechanics like procedural compounds, well-done destruction, and good gun handling.”
“The shooting is tight and the gameplay is addictive.”
“The gameplay is horrendous, the AI more so, the mechanics are dreadful, and the maps are boring.”
“Never gets updates and gameplay is very repetitive with the issue of ammo being always present, no way to get more when you start a level.”
“Precedural generation doesn't prop up the barren mechanics.”
- story76 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 87 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is virtually non-existent, as it relies on procedural generation for missions without a cohesive narrative. Players express disappointment over the lack of a structured storyline, with missions primarily focused on objectives like bomb defusal in randomly generated environments. Overall, the absence of a compelling story detracts from the experience, leaving players wanting more depth and context.
“Every time you start a mission, a new compound is generated which prevents the game from becoming stale.”
“Setup for a mission, get in the van, then breach & clear a randomly generated compound, disable a bomb and head back...what makes it less basic is the tools you take, ranging from basic frag grenades to breaching charges that allow you to create your own doors.”
“There's a mission selector where you choose a procedural day or night map, then the back of a truck opens and you go in, so far so good.”
“☑ no story (every map is procedurally created at the time of joining)”
“It could've been good, but the developer abandoned it, so it's bad. I will never play this game again unless the developer comes back, but it's a sad story.”
“In my first session, I had a few bugs crop up here and there, ranging from my hand being inside out to enemies spawning in front of me to not being able to wrap up a mission... if you don't like bugs, I can't really recommend this game to you in this state.”
- optimization62 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including choppy gameplay and frame rate drops during intense moments. While some users with lower-end hardware have experienced stable performance, others with high-end setups have encountered severe lag and bugs. Many reviewers express hope for future updates to improve optimization and address the numerous glitches affecting gameplay.
“Game runs very well, I use a 1650 Ti and it seems to run fine, no performance issues yet, although seeing the fact it has that low-poly look, it makes sense.”
“Performance and framerate solid on max settings sans all the bugs/glitches.”
“With some optimization and patches adding content, this game has some real potential.”
“With all the bugs, performance issues, and lack of players, it's not worth the $23 Canadian dollars they're asking for it.”
“Both my friend and I found the game performance to be extremely choppy during mission gameplay. We checked various settings (including lowering graphics to minimum) and ran through the typical VR performance troubleshooting laundry list. Unfortunately, nothing we tried improved the performance.”
“Right now there are way too many bugs, recoil is way too hard to control, AI is a little jank, optimization is a huge issue; this game runs pretty choppy. A big issue is when you blow up windows or walls, your friend can't see them and you go through the wall.”
- graphics46 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the low-poly art style and its suitability for VR, describing it as simplistic yet enjoyable. However, some users noted performance issues and a lack of detail in the scenery, comparing it unfavorably to other titles like Pavlov and Arizona Sunshine. Overall, while the aesthetic is generally liked, there are calls for a graphics overhaul to enhance the visual experience.
“Side note, I know some people want super realistic looking games, but I love the art style.”
“Graphics honestly I like it a lot; simplistic in design, I know, but the art direction is really nice in my opinion.”
“Absolutely brilliant concept; the low-poly art style is great and perfect for VR.”
“It was super fun, but my biggest issue is the performance... it's kind of low considering the graphics quality.”
“Also, I know you may be trying to make sure the game is still playable in VR, but the graphics are a bit lacking on the scenery.”
“Graphics are cartoony in nature (not great fidelity, but works for this game) and falls somewhere between a voxel feel mixed with Minecraft.”
- stability36 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. Many feel it has been abandoned in a poorly developed state, leading to a frustrating experience, despite some potential and interesting mechanics. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess," with players expressing disappointment over its lack of polish and ongoing support from the developers.
“The game has been abandoned in a buggy, under-developed state.”
“No, it's the most glitchy, broken VR game I've ever played, and with my sad 3300 hours of VR, this left me feeling disappointed and unsatisfied.”
“Currently, the game is much too buggy and the community loves to friendly fire and kill you for no reason. When you die, you can't leave the session until you respawn, if you can even find one.”
- replayability16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the procedural generation of maps that enhances replay value, others find the overall experience too barebones for multiple playthroughs. Despite its current limitations, many believe that with ongoing updates, it has the potential to become a must-play for fans of tactical VR games.
“Procedurally generated operations mode adds a lot of replay value; enemies can spawn anywhere, which forces you to really take a slow-paced approach.”
“This game has only just launched in early access, and yes, it is 'bare bones' from the outside looking in, but with procedurally generated maps every round, the replayability is there 100%.”
“With some constant patches and updates for replay value, this game is a must-buy for all tactical VR lovers.”
“I thought this game was gonna be VR Siege, but it was way too barebones to play a second run; there is no replay value.”
“It's a really fun infiltration game, similar to Rainbow Six Siege's training mode, but right now the only replayability you get from it is a procedural level.”
“This game has only just launched in early access and yes, it is 'bare bones' from the outside looking in, but with procedurally generated maps every round, the replayability is there 100%. So I'm not sure how a negative review with 0.3 hours can say they saw everything there was.”
- monetization6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is widely criticized as a cash grab, with users expressing disappointment over the perceived abandonment by the developers after initial purchases. Many feel that the game had potential but was not developed further, leading to a sense of wasted investment.
“Just a quick little cash grab that we wasted our money on.”
“Dev abandoned game - kinda was a cash grab.”
“I hope you have not abandoned this game after your first cash grab; you can turn this into something that could be monumental and get even more money!”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is well-received, featuring amusing jokes and playful references to Valve's Team Fortress 2, contributing to a lighthearted atmosphere. While the presence of bugs can lead to frustrating moments, many players find these mishaps entertaining if approached with a sense of humor. Overall, the game balances its comedic elements with chaotic gameplay, making for a fun experience.
“It has good reviews, more weapons, it's not all realism, it has some funny jokes, and Valve references to TF2 and other games.”
“Now there are an abundance of bugs and yes some are game ruining such as falling through the map or the grenade launcher exploding in your face but then again it's also extremely funny if you're not taking it too seriously.”
“I boom boom through wall then shoot shoot funny guy with red glowing mask, very funny have fun funny fun gaming.”
- music6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is notably absent during missions, leaving players with only the sounds of gunfire and minimal enemy vocalizations. While some users found the music and sound effects to be satisfactory, the initial volume of the music was criticized for being excessively loud.
“The music and sound effects seemed fine.”
“There's also no music, so all you hear in missions is gunfire, and enemies make no vocalizations.”
“The music starts very loud.”
“There's also no music, so all you hear in missions is gunfire, and enemies make no vocalizations.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect in the game somewhat tedious, particularly when tasks like axing doors without handles become repetitive. Some users suggest that the grind can be so demanding that it feels like players might need an extra life to manage it effectively.
“Grinding can feel like a second job; you'll need a second life for it.”
“Mining in Minecraft, like axing doors with no handles, can get a little tedious sometimes.”
“Grinding can become repetitive and exhausting, making the game feel more like a chore.”
