Cut to the Core
- July 31, 2022
- Plasma Press
"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.
Reviews
- Cut to the Core offers a compelling and intense horror experience, with a gripping story that keeps readers engaged throughout its runtime.
- The art style is reminiscent of classic horror comics, effectively enhancing the overall atmosphere and immersing players in its grotesque themes.
- The sound design and presentation elevate the experience, making it feel like a dynamic motion comic that captures the essence of body horror.
- The graphic content, including themes of animal abuse and abortion, may be too disturbing for many players, making it unsuitable for those sensitive to such topics.
- The story can feel slow and uneventful in the early chapters, which may deter some players from fully engaging with the narrative.
- There are technical issues, such as bugs that can disrupt the experience, and some characters may come off as unlikable, making it hard to empathize with them.
- story98 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story is a dark, disturbing, and often shocking narrative that effectively combines horror and splatterpunk elements, appealing to fans of the genre. While the visuals and sound design enhance the storytelling experience, some reviewers noted inconsistencies in character motivations and a shift towards excessive violence in later chapters. Overall, it is a gripping and memorable tale that may not be suitable for the faint of heart, but is highly recommended for those who appreciate macabre themes and well-crafted horror narratives.
“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!).”
- graphics37 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Cut to the Core" are characterized by a striking comic book aesthetic that effectively conveys a visceral and disturbing atmosphere, appealing particularly to horror and splatter fans. While the artwork is praised for its quality and ability to evoke dread, some reviewers note that the visuals sometimes overshadow the narrative, and the use of graphic content may not resonate with all players. Overall, the game's art style is seen as a standout feature, enhancing the chilling themes and emotional impact of the story.
“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.”
“Cut to the core's impressive aesthetic grabbed me the moment I saw it, and when I saw the price/format, I just knew I had to give it a go.”
“Whew, well, the part of the game that drew me in, the incredibly well-contrasted visuals are easily the best part.”
“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.”
“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.”
“While all of this is pretty graphic, soaked in red-dripping visuals and chilling words, accompanied by bloodcurdling sounds, it's not indulgent.”
- music16 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The music in this graphic novel enhances the immersive horror experience, featuring a chilling and atmospheric soundtrack that complements the disturbing visuals. While some users noted occasional repetitiveness in the sound effects and music, the overall presentation effectively builds tension and dread, making it a standout element for fans of the genre. The combination of retro art style and minimalist sound design contributes to a captivating and eerie atmosphere.
“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.”
“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.”
“Sound effects from the text roll that turns all speech into a grotesque, distorted muffle to all those icky, squishy sounds of cutting through, tearing the flesh, are complemented by a rather anxiety-inducing, tension-building, dramatic industrial-ish music.”
“As you can properly tell, 'Cut to the Core' is a very digital comic book with a very stylized art style with a subtle light, but cold gradient color palette that quite resembles older comics, but is more modelized which helps make the comic come to life thanks to onomatopoeia popping out or character sliding across the panel, plus an ominous and creepy soundtrack playing in the background.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % 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.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is deeply intertwined with its body horror elements, focusing on the psychological impact of its disturbing themes and actions on the player.
“But it is body horror in more ways than one, primarily interested in the emotional and psychological effect of the ghastly acts.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players generally find the game highly replayable, citing diverse gameplay options, multiple endings, and varying character builds that encourage repeated playthroughs. The inclusion of random events and challenges also adds to its longevity, making each session feel fresh and engaging. Overall, the game offers substantial incentives for players to return.
“The game offers a multitude of choices that significantly alter the storyline, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
“With various character builds and strategies to explore, I find myself coming back to this game time and again.”
“The dynamic world and random events ensure that no two playthroughs are ever the same, keeping the experience exciting.”
“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 means that replaying the game feels more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
- 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.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users highlight that the grinding aspect of the game involves intense and graphic elements, such as limb cutting and visceral gore, contributing to a brutal and immersive experience.
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % 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 exploitative, as it seems designed to squeeze every last penny from players rather than enhance the gaming experience.”
“I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game fully without spending extra money.”
“The constant push for in-game purchases detracts from the overall enjoyment, turning what could be a great game into a frustrating cash grab.”