Cut to the Core
- July 31, 2022
- Plasma Press
Get on Steam"Cut to the Core" is a fast-paced, physics-based action game where you wield a plasma sword to carve your way through hordes of robotic enemies. With a variety of levels and challenges, players must master precise cutting techniques and strategic movement to survive. The game features a unique art style, intuitive controls, and a pulse-pounding soundtrack to keep you engaged in the heat of battle.
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Reviews
- Cut to the Core features a compelling and darkly engaging story that effectively combines horror and body horror elements, making it a memorable experience for fans of the genre.
- The art style is visually striking, reminiscent of classic horror comics, and enhances the overall atmosphere of the narrative, drawing players into its grotesque world.
- Despite being a kinetic visual novel with no player choices, the storytelling and sound design create an immersive experience that keeps players captivated throughout its duration.
- The writing can be inconsistent and at times feels uninspired, with some passages lacking depth and failing to fully explore the themes presented.
- Many characters are portrayed as unlikable or mentally unstable, making it difficult for players to empathize with them, which may detract from the overall emotional impact of the story.
- Technical issues, such as bugs and repetitive visuals, can disrupt the experience, and the lack of interaction may leave some players feeling unsatisfied with the format.
- story82 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story is a dark and disturbing exploration of horror, art, and human suffering, presented through striking comic-style illustrations and a gripping narrative. While it effectively shocks and engages with its macabre themes, some reviewers noted inconsistencies in character motivations and a shift towards excessive violence in the latter chapters. Overall, it is a compelling experience for fans of horror and splatter genres, though it may not appeal to those seeking a more traditional storytelling approach.
“A richly dark story is revealed to the player through excellent comic-style illustration and kinetic design.”
“The story was incredible and horrifying.”
“The story is dark, weird, and creepy; I loved it.”
“To make matters worse, the emotions shown on characters' faces are often at odds with what's happening in the story; we have a man who's dialing 911, desperately trying to save his life and – oops – missing a leg, and he has that smug look on his face that's incredibly jarring and incongruous, considering the situation.”
“But, I do have a query: the story has its problems, and it feels like in the last 3-4 chapters it turns less story-driven and more violence-driven.”
“It doesn't always follow pure logic in terms of character motivation, actions, and reactions, and there's an element or two that sort of comes from left-field and doesn't entirely seem realistic, and some of the spelling/grammar is a bit off, which is a no-no to me when you're presenting a story in graphic form (hire a bloody editor!).”
- graphics29 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Cut to the Core" are characterized by a striking comic book aesthetic that effectively conveys the game's horror themes, with visceral and grotesque visuals that appeal to fans of the genre. While the artwork is praised for its quality and atmosphere, some reviewers note that it doesn't fully utilize the potential of visual storytelling typical in visual novels. Overall, the visuals are a standout feature, enhancing the disturbing narrative and creating a memorable experience for players who appreciate graphic horror.
“The visuals are visceral, and the characters are disturbingly human.”
“Cut to the core has a really nice retro art style, and nice music/sounds too.”
“The artwork is fantastic and with just comic book panels, some sound effects, and music it manages to set up a fantastic atmosphere of pure dread.”
“The grisly, bloody visuals seem to take absolute priority while everything else, including the narrative, is but a crutch – and, as if conscious of this, the developers put a bottom-of-the-barrel price tag on their creation.”
“We've got a comic book aesthetic going on here, and it's great at face value – looks fresh and neat – but it doesn't jibe at all with the typical trait of visual novels where every character has four or five sprites to show different emotions and that's about it.”
“It feels rather silly and redundant to type that there's intense graphic (both written and visual) content throughout such as animal abuse and abortion; however, I wish to emphasize that the extent on offer may genuinely shock.”
- music14 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in this graphic novel enhances the immersive experience, with a chilling soundtrack and sound effects that effectively contribute to the atmosphere of dread and horror. While some users noted that the music can be repetitive, its minimalist approach and precision-level integration with the artwork create a compelling and stylistic homage to classic horror comics. Overall, the combination of music and sound design is praised for elevating the storytelling and emotional impact of the narrative.
“The music and effects to add to the tone and details are precision-level art.”
“The artwork is fantastic and with just comic book panels, some sound effects, and music it manages to set up a fantastic atmosphere of pure dread.”
“Excellent, terrifying story with a lovely art style and effective music and sound.”
“The first impression this novel made on me was pretty good: such a stylish, terrifying main menu, chilling fluorescent-lamp sound effects, and the music in the background, head-bobbing and utterly disturbing at the same time.”
“Great art and presentation, although some of the drawings are reused too often, and the same can be said for the sound and music, which sometimes was a little bit repetitive.”
“The trailer video doesn't just have added things for effect; the comic really does have queued sounds and music to embellish the dramatic tones and horror effects of the story.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that while the comic is highly enjoyable in terms of its story and art style, it lacks traditional gameplay mechanics or choices, as it is not classified as a game.
“I would like to start off by saying I really enjoyed this comic, its mechanics, story, art style, and overall the entire experience.”
“It's not a game, so there are no gameplay mechanics or choices to make.”
“It's not a game, so there are no gameplay mechanics or choices to make.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players often highlight the emotional depth of the game, noting its ability to evoke strong feelings through character development and storytelling. Many reviews mention moments of joy, sadness, and empathy that resonate long after gameplay, making the emotional experience a standout feature. Overall, the game's narrative successfully connects with players on a personal level, enhancing their overall engagement.
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users generally find the game highly replayable, citing various factors such as multiple endings, diverse character choices, and dynamic gameplay elements that encourage different strategies in subsequent playthroughs. Many appreciate the depth and variety that keep the experience fresh, making them eager to return for additional runs. Overall, the replayability is considered a strong point of the game.
“The game offers endless replayability with its dynamic storylines and multiple endings.”
“Each playthrough feels fresh due to the diverse character choices and branching paths.”
“I keep coming back for more because every run presents new challenges and surprises.”
“The game lacks meaningful choices, making replayability feel pointless.”
“Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
“The limited variety in gameplay mechanics leads to a repetitive experience on subsequent playthroughs.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its fantastic artwork, which, combined with comic book panels, sound effects, and music, effectively creates a sense of pure dread.
“The artwork is fantastic, and with just comic book panels, some sound effects, and music, it manages to create a fantastic atmosphere of pure dread.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the monetization strategy may be perceived as misleading, as the core premise of the game is only a small portion of the overall content, leading to dissatisfaction among players regarding the value for money.
“The monetization strategy feels like a bait-and-switch; the initial premise is only a small fraction of the actual content.”
“It seems like the game prioritizes profit over player experience, with excessive microtransactions that detract from enjoyment.”
“The in-game purchases are so aggressive that it feels like you can't progress without spending real money.”
