Deadside

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"Deadside" is a massively multiplayer platformer game that offers both PVP and PVE elements in an open persistent world. Build bases, store loot, and engage in tactical gunplay with a variety of weapons and vehicles. The game features newly-added boats, challenging missions, and a mix of survival and extraction shooter elements. However, it is known for its bugs and grinding, but also for its atmospheric setting and occasional humor.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

77%

Audience ScoreBased on 16,629 reviews

story270 positive mentions

stability281 negative mentions

story
1,454 mentions
19 % positive mentions
76 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely absent, with players noting that there is no overarching narrative or structured quests. Instead, the gameplay revolves around completing repetitive missions that involve killing AI enemies for loot, which can become monotonous over time. While the missions provide some engagement, they lack variety and depth, leading to a sense of emptiness in the game's world. Overall, players express a desire for more content, including diverse mission types and a more developed storyline to enhance the experience.
- “While the world isn’t packed with landmarks or story-driven quests, it offers enough environmental storytelling to keep you engaged.”
- “The missions are challenging and varied due to the changing locations, and even outside them you regularly have engagements with wandering patrols and hostiles manning checkpoints and industrial sites.”
- “The missions feature was such a simple yet great idea to implement so there's always something to do.”
- “☑ no story”
- “The missions are very high risk and high reward.”
- “The gameplay loop ends incredibly quickly, the missions become boring after doing them for a playtime of about 40 hours, and the world doesn't have any story.”
gameplay
1,197 mentions
33 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Deadside" has received mixed reviews, with players appreciating its blend of survival mechanics, gunplay, and PvP elements reminiscent of games like DayZ and Escape from Tarkov. However, many critiques highlight issues such as repetitive gameplay loops, clunky mechanics, and a lack of engaging content, leading to a sense of monotony over time. While the game shows potential with solid graphics and a decent foundation, players express a desire for more depth, improved AI, and additional features to enhance the overall experience.
- “Deadside offers an intriguing foundation for gameplay, though there are areas with room for improvement.”
- “Its blend of PvP and PvE mechanics, coupled with a realistic approach to survival, makes for a compelling and challenging experience.”
- “The gameplay loop is fun and the foundation this game lays down could turn into something better than the sum of its influences.”
- “Extremely slow and boring gameplay, and when I spent so much time to get some loot and money, I enter the game and see everything was reset back to 0.”
- “The gameplay loop lacks compelling incentives to keep players engaged over the long term, feeling somewhat unrewarding as hours progress.”
- “The gameplay is so arcade-like and simple it feels like there was no work put into it.”
graphics
716 mentions
56 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players praising the visuals as "great" or "amazing," particularly for an early access title. However, some users noted that while the graphics are decent, they are not groundbreaking and could benefit from further optimization and polish. Overall, the game is seen as visually appealing, with a solid aesthetic that enhances the gameplay experience, but it still has room for improvement in terms of technical performance and detail.
- “The graphics are stunning, especially considering its indie roots.”
- “Visually, Deadside doesn’t aim for cutting-edge realism, but it delivers a gritty, grounded aesthetic that fits its tone perfectly.”
- “The graphics are first class, in my humble opinion, and the actual gameplay as a result is fun and immersive.”
- “Deadside's graphics provide a solid foundation, though there's room for improvement when compared to other modern games in the genre.”
- “Graphics settings are adjustable, which helps with performance balancing, but some players report the game could benefit from further polish in reducing these stutters and enhancing overall stability.”
- “The graphics and engine are quite dated.”
optimization
331 mentions
40 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while it runs well on lower-end systems and has a solid foundation, there are still significant issues such as frame drops, stutters, and server performance problems, particularly in high-action scenarios. Some users report a smooth experience with good graphics, while others express frustration over persistent optimization challenges that detract from gameplay. Continuous updates and improvements are expected, but many agree that further optimization is necessary for a more stable and enjoyable experience.
- “They optimized the game and it runs like butter with great visuals and texture improvements.”
- “The game is well optimized at this stage and will run well on most PC setups.”
- “This game is easily one of the most optimized games I've ever played.”
- “Optimization and performance: while playable on most systems, many players encounter frame drops, stutters, and occasional lag, especially in areas with a lot of action or complex terrain.”
- “Hot garbage of a game, don't buy. The game has poor optimization and their laggy mess of servers makes it impossible to play with more than like 5 people on.”
- “The game is good and has potential, but it does need major optimization.”
stability
324 mentions
12 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
87 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and server issues that significantly impact gameplay. While some users note that the game runs smoothly at times and shows potential, the overall consensus is that it remains quite buggy, especially in areas like AI behavior, base building, and hit detection. As it is still in early access, players are advised to expect ongoing issues and to be patient as developers work on improvements.
- “Even in beta form, it is well optimized and relatively bug-free; in fact, it is more stable than other similar games that have been out of early access for quite some time.”
- “The game is surprisingly smooth, almost bug-free (no game-breaking bugs), and it loads extremely fast!”
- “This game runs great for being so early in its early access release, and it has a lot of potential.”
- “Played the game just fine with a friend overnight, then the next day I get on with the same friend, and it's super stuttery and freezes for 2 seconds every 4 seconds. Keep in mind this is on one of their official servers, east 300 to be exact. It's so stuttery and freezing so much I can't even aim to hit the AI because they move as I pull the trigger, and the freezing causes them to move after the bullet hits where I was aiming. Then it gets worse; I try to get away but it's so bad that I can't move, and I die. So I respawn on my bag I placed 50m away from where I died, and I get to my corpse and then the server restarts. I log back in and everything I had is gone.”
- “The game is so incredibly buggy. Losing your loot to bugs/glitches on more than one occasion is extremely annoying.”
- “This game is a buggy crashy laggy mess. It's missing loads of basic stuff found in this type of genre game that the world of gamers have grown accustomed to over the years.”
grinding
232 mentions
1 % positive mentions
11 % neutral mentions
88 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a mixed experience, with some players finding it excessively tedious, particularly in base building and resource gathering, while others appreciate the balance between grind and reward. Many players note that while there is a significant amount of grinding involved, especially on official servers, it can be less frustrating compared to similar games like DayZ or Scum. Overall, the game's grindiness is seen as a double-edged sword, offering both challenges and opportunities for enjoyment, particularly when played with friends.
- “It's not too grindy, but there's still some late game gear fear because some stuff is pretty hard to get, but you can spawn in and have a decent setup within 30 minutes or less.”
- “Average grind level (grinding in this game relates to just defeating enemies, respawning them in again through the save feature and repeat. Grinding is only if you want to grab specific upgrades early; otherwise, it isn't necessary to progress).”
- “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
- “Development is very slow, not impressed with how each update 'improved gameplay loop' just means more grinding with durability and repair.”
- “The game itself seems okay at first, then quickly becomes tedious.”
- “You were shot by bots after grinding for however long in order to obtain high level gear, respawn and run *all the way* back to your body to be told you can't have your stuff.”
humor
74 mentions
99 % positive mentions
-3 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a major draw, with players enjoying absurd situations, comical bugs, and hilarious interactions with both the environment and other players. Many reviews mention the game's unintentional humor stemming from glitches, AI behavior, and the antics of cheaters, creating a lighthearted atmosphere that enhances the overall experience, especially when playing with friends. Despite its flaws, the game's comedic elements and community interactions make it a fun and entertaining choice for players seeking a humorous gaming experience.
- “The fact the game roasted the day before is funny as hell.”
- “I really do feel like my character is sluggishly thumping on the ground when I'm wearing 100lbs of armor and weapons, topped with 40 cans of that sweet, sweet tomato soup from campbe-, well whatever funny name they will come up with.”
- “The in-game chat is hilarious and proximity chat adds for some great trolling moments.”
- “So many bugs and crashes, it's not funny.”
- “The jokes fall flat and feel forced.”
- “I expected humor, but it was more cringeworthy than comedic.”
monetization
64 mentions
2 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been widely criticized, with many players labeling it a "cash grab" that fails to deliver on its promises. Users express disappointment over misleading advertising, lack of substantial updates, and the presence of microtransactions, leading to a perception that the game prioritizes profit over quality and player experience. Overall, the sentiment suggests that the game feels unfinished and exploitative, with many players feeling they have wasted their money.
- “Looks like they are going to be working on a toggle for ads, which I would love and suggest. Crouch already has that feature, and investing in some dedicated company-owned servers for players would also be wise.”
- “This is a cash grab.”
- “The game has turned into a cash grab, with no clear plans to ever finish development.”
- “Overall the game is overpriced and feels like an empty cash grab.”
atmosphere
53 mentions
72 % positive mentions
23 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Deadside" is widely praised for its immersive and tense post-apocalyptic setting, characterized by desolate landscapes and detailed environments that evoke a strong sense of danger and survival. While the sound design enhances the experience with atmospheric audio cues, some players note that certain elements, like NPC behavior and environmental sounds, could be improved. Overall, the game successfully captures a gritty, Soviet-inspired vibe that resonates well with fans of the survival genre.
- “Set in a vast, open world that feels desolate and unwelcoming, Deadside nails its atmosphere from the start.”
- “The game's post-apocalyptic setting is immersive, featuring desolate landscapes, abandoned structures, and an atmosphere of tension.”
- “With stronger weapon sounds and richer ambient effects, the game could achieve a more impactful atmosphere that draws players even further into its world.”
- “The atmosphere is quiet and tense, punctuated by the sudden sounds of distant gunfire or the howl of the wind through an empty building.”
- “No tutorial just sends you to a huge empty map without any goal except trying to find better weapons; traveled around the map for 30 mins at different spots and could only find 1 enemy to kill. The atmosphere and engine make you feel like a game from before the millennium; I just can't understand how people like playing this. Hope I can get a refund.”
replayability
30 mentions
30 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The reviews for "Deadside" present a mixed picture regarding replayability. While some players find it highly replayable due to its dynamic world and engaging gameplay, others criticize the lack of endgame content and bugs that hinder long-term enjoyment. Overall, the game shows potential for replayability, but many feel it requires further development and content updates to fully realize that potential.
- “That said, Deadside’s replayability is high, thanks to its dynamic world and player-driven economy.”
- “Overall fun experience and enough replay value for the price.”
- “Fighting is fun and fast-paced, loot progression is satisfying and not unobtainable, a few minor gripes but with this still pre-release the game is incredibly satisfying and very replayable.”
- “Could use some more content for long-term replayability, but overall it seems like a well-made game.”
- “Endgame and incentives: Deadside suffers from a glaring absence of endgame content, which diminishes its replay value.”
- “However, given its current state, the game is poor for replayability and enjoyability.”
emotional
19 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed, with players appreciating the wholesome community and relaxed gameplay compared to more intense survival games. However, many express frustration over a lack of emotional connection due to gameplay mechanics, bugs, and limited interaction with NPCs and other players. Overall, while some find it a comforting experience, others feel disheartened by technical issues and a lack of depth, leading to a sense of disappointment.
- “The game overall as a whole provides a wholesome experience.”
- “Only game that has come close to how H1Z1: JS made me feel when playing.”
- “I cried.”
music
18 mentions
17 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it lacking and monotonous, contributing to a sense of isolation during gameplay. While a few appreciate the background score as crisp and enjoyable, many express frustration over its repetitive nature and the potential for copyright issues. Overall, the music seems to detract from the experience for those expecting a more dynamic and engaging audio environment.
- “I relaxed for 5 minutes to this music long enough to realize that I was going to be okay.”
- “The music is great!”
- “Sound is also good, crisp with great positioning and if you're into background music, this is actually a great score; I think I'd even add it to my music collection.”
- “The lack of a dynamic music score enhances isolation but might feel lacking to players expecting richer audio cues.”
- “There's also no music aside from the menu, so when you spawn 2.5 km away from the nearest sign of human activity, it's a pretty boring trek.”
- “Just spent £15 on this game, I have all the recommended items and better, so I should be able to run the game easily. However, when I go to load up the game, I have a black screen with music; I have waited months for this game to spend money on it for it to just not work.”
character development
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that character development is minimal or non-existent, as the developers have prioritized base building and raiding over character progression. This decision has left players feeling that character growth is not a focus of the game.
- “They have decided that base building and raiding is what to do; no character development will happen at all.”
- “The character progression feels stagnant and uninspired, leaving players with little motivation to invest in their characters.”
- “I was hoping for a rich narrative and character growth, but instead, I found a lack of depth and meaningful choices.”