Deadside

About

Deadside is a single player and multiplayer shooter game. It was developed by Bad Pixel and was released on December 5, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"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.

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+10

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75%

Audience ScoreBased on 18,294 reviews

story284 positive mentions

stability301 negative mentions

The game offers a fun blend of survival mechanics and base-building, providing an enjoyable experience for casual players.
The atmosphere is immersive and gritty, effectively capturing the post-apocalyptic vibe that enhances the gameplay.
Many players appreciate the solid gun mechanics and addictive gameplay loop, making it engaging for both solo and cooperative play.

The game suffers from significant bugs, glitches, and performance issues that detract from the overall experience.
Grinding can feel tedious and overly time-consuming, particularly in base building and resource gathering, leading to frustration.
The lack of character development and depth in gameplay, along with repetitive missions, results in a monotonous experience for many players.

story
1,568 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
77%
5%
The game's story aspect is largely absent, with players noting that there is no overarching narrative or lore to engage with. Instead, the gameplay revolves around completing repetitive missions that involve killing AI enemies for loot, which can become monotonous over time. While the mission system provides some structure and objectives, many players express a desire for more variety and depth in mission types, as well as a more immersive world with a compelling storyline.
- “The missions are fun and engaging; it's always exciting to find new guns, and now there are even ground vehicles!”
- “The missions provide a steady sense of progression and reward players with valuable loot.”
- “The varied levels of missions are cool, but they don't mean much if the playing field isn't level.”
- “The game is extremely repetitive and you get the whole experience once you do one or two missions.”
- “The missions are just packs of AI.”
- “The missions get very repetitive quite fast, and maybe not for some, but I find building a base to be very expensive, taking a crap ton of time and hard to make so that other players can't get in it or raid it easily.”
gameplay
1,353 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
57%
11%
The gameplay of Deadside has received mixed reviews, with players noting both its potential and significant flaws. Many appreciate the solid gun mechanics and immersive atmosphere, likening it to a blend of DayZ and Tarkov, but criticize the clunky movement, repetitive gameplay loop, and various bugs that detract from the experience. While some players find the survival and base-building mechanics engaging, others feel they are underdeveloped and cumbersome, leading to a lack of depth and variety in gameplay. Overall, while the game shows promise, it requires further refinement and content to fully realize its potential.
- “The core gameplay centers on exploration and survival in a vast, unforgiving map filled with hostile human players, aggressive AI factions, and environmental hazards that demand constant vigilance.”
- “The world is atmospheric, the gameplay loop is addictive, and it’s clear the developers care about the experience they’re building.”
- “Deadside is a fun blend of rust’s base-building mechanics with the survival and exploration elements of dayz, with a touch of that gritty, post-soviet feel from games like ratkov.”
- “Buggy, glitchy, bad quality, janky gameplay.”
- “If anything, the game feels stuck in an eternal state of 'early access'—broken mechanics, repetitive gameplay, and bugs that never seem to get fixed.”
- “The vehicle and bot mechanics are nothing short of abysmal.”
graphics
776 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
40%
5%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players praising their quality and realism, often comparing them favorably to other survival games like DayZ and Rust. However, some users report issues such as graphical glitches, poor optimization, and a lack of detail in certain areas, particularly at long distances. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good for an early access title, there is a consensus that further polish and optimization are needed to enhance the visual experience.
- “The graphics are amazing and it really can run on a toaster.”
- “The graphics are stunning, the character models are well made and the audio is very good (especially in comparison to other games).”
- “The graphics are great and the weapon sounds and animations are pretty good, but that's really all I can pat the game on the back for, overall it's just a very 'meh' game.”
- “The graphics are worse than a 2000s McDonald's Happy Meal CD.”
- “Graphics are atrocious, gunplay is a joke, I mean where else do I start?”
- “The graphics are very low contrast, the lighting is flat, and the anti-aliasing blurs what little differentiation there is into oblivion.”
optimization
359 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
44%
16%
Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While many praise its performance, noting that it runs smoothly even on lower-end systems and has impressive graphics for an early access title, others report issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and long loading times, particularly on servers with high player counts. Continuous updates from developers show a commitment to improving optimization, but some players still experience significant performance problems that detract from the gameplay experience.
- “The developers have shown ongoing commitment to improving the game through patches and expansions, steadily refining gameplay balance and performance.”
- “The game is very well optimized, it also delivers high-quality graphics even on lower-end systems.”
- “This game is easily one of the most optimized games I've ever played.”
- “Tried it for free, don't buy it; it's very poorly optimized. I lag every 2 seconds; otherwise, this game was pretty fun with a friend.”
- “There are optimization problems even on my high-end system (including stutters), and vehicle driving is a complete mess.”
- “The game is good and has potential, but it does need major optimization.”
stability
346 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
1%
87%
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues that significantly detract from the gameplay experience. Many users have experienced game freezes, disappearing loot, and problematic AI behavior, leading to frustration and loss of progress. While some players note that the game runs well on certain systems, the overall consensus is that it remains a buggy and unfinished product, particularly in its early access state.
- “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 is way ahead of what you would expect from an early access title; it is well polished and bug-free so far.”
- “Overall, the game is buggy and clearly unfinished.”
- “Spent hours trying to make progress, only to have my efforts wiped out by glitches.”
- “The game is so incredibly buggy.”
grinding
268 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
14%
85%
The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a mixed experience, with some players finding it tedious and overly time-consuming, particularly in base building and resource gathering. While some appreciate the balance of grind and reward, noting that it is less grindy than similar games like DayZ or Rust, others express frustration over the repetitive nature of tasks and the potential for losing progress due to bugs or PvP encounters. Overall, the game offers a blend of grinding that can be enjoyable for those who prefer a more casual survival experience, but it may feel burdensome for players seeking a more streamlined gameplay.
- “A rags to riches process that is not too grindy but not too easy.”
- “Probably the least miserable game in the genre, and by least miserable I mean not grindy and actually fun to play.”
- “It's not too grindy, but there is 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.”
- “There's nothing worse than grinding for hours just to have that entire time wasted more than playing games already wastes your time.”
- “I hate grinding for hours just to get a base down, and raiding is also very fun.”
- “The game itself seems okay at first, then quickly becomes tedious.”
humor
80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
4%
The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a major draw, with players enjoying the absurdities of gameplay mechanics, such as crafting and character interactions, which often lead to hilarious moments. Many reviews mention the comedic potential of player interactions, bugs, and the overall chaotic environment, making it a fun experience, especially when played with friends. However, some players also note that the humor can stem from frustration with game mechanics and bugs, adding a layer of irony to their enjoyment.
- “The in-game chat is hilarious and proximity chat adds for some great trolling moments.”
- “Had such a great time running around killing people and laughing with these guys, would 10/10 recommend.”
- “Even in the safe zones or in the most random encounter in the wilderness, you can have the most funny moments with randoms and just team up and have really cool experiences.”
- “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
77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
4%
95%
The monetization aspect of the game has been heavily criticized, with many users labeling it a "cash grab" due to its high price and numerous microtransactions, especially given the game's unfinished state and lack of promised content. Players express frustration over the perceived exploitation of the community, citing misleading advertising and a lack of meaningful updates, which contribute to a toxic environment and low player engagement. Overall, the sentiment is overwhelmingly negative, warning potential buyers to avoid the game.
- “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.”
- “For a game in this state, asking players to pay so much is nothing short of a cash grab.”
- “At this point, it feels like nothing more than a cash grab filled with false promises.”
- “The game has turned into a cash grab, with no clear plans to ever finish development.”
atmosphere
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
28%
5%
The atmosphere in "Deadside" is widely praised for its immersive and gritty portrayal of a post-apocalyptic world, drawing strong comparisons to genre staples like DayZ and Escape from Tarkov. Players appreciate the game's intense ambiance, solid gunplay, and detailed environments that evoke a distinct Russian post-Soviet feel, although some note that certain areas can feel sparse and could benefit from additional content. Overall, the game's atmospheric design significantly enhances the survival experience, making it engaging for both solo and cooperative play.
- “For those willing to embrace its unforgiving nature, Deadside offers a compelling and atmospheric dive into post-apocalyptic survival warfare.”
- “The atmosphere immerses players in a gritty post-apocalyptic world, and the gameplay strikes a decent balance between action and exploration.”
- “The world of Deadside is beautifully crafted and brimming with atmosphere.”
- “While the atmosphere nails the post-apocalyptic vibe, some areas feel sparse, leaving room for the developers to add more content and variety in future updates.”
- “With stronger weapon sounds and richer ambient effects, the game could achieve a more impactful atmosphere that draws players even further into its world.”
- “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... atmosphere and engine make you feel like a game before the millennium, just can't understand how people like playing this. Hope I can get a refund.”
replayability
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
64%
9%
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while many players find it highly enjoyable and addictive, citing the unpredictability of human opponents and engaging gameplay, others point out significant flaws and a lack of endgame content that hinder long-term replay value. Some reviews highlight the potential for improvement with future updates, suggesting that while the game currently offers a decent amount of replayability, it could benefit from additional content and fixes.
- “Whether playing solo or with friends, the unpredictability of human opponents adds a unique layer of replayability.”
- “Replayability is sky-high!”
- “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.”
- “Endgame and incentives: Deadside suffers from a glaring absence of endgame content, which diminishes its replay value.”
- “Could use some more content for long-term replayability, but overall it seems like a well-made game.”
- “However, given its current state, the game is poor for replayability and enjoyability.”
music
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
66%
13%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the relaxing soundtrack and its potential for expansion, while others criticize it for being repetitive or lacking dynamic elements. Some users find the menu music enjoyable, but there are complaints about the music's impact on gameplay, with instances of it causing confusion or detracting from the experience. Overall, while the audio quality is noted as crisp, the music's effectiveness varies significantly among players.
- “The music is a nice touch; I didn't think I'd like it so much.”
- “I hope the soundtrack expands, or is maybe specific for certain areas.”
- “Sound is also good, crisp with great positioning, and if you're into background music (I'm not), 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.”
- “Absolute dog shit song. Get this game if you are expecting to live for the next 20 years as a normal functioning person.”
- “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.”
emotional
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits mixed feelings among players. While many appreciate the wholesome community and the developers' efforts to improve the game, others express frustration over gameplay mechanics that hinder emotional connection, such as a lack of voiced NPCs and a repetitive gameplay loop. Overall, players find moments of joy and connection but also experience disappointment due to bugs and gameplay limitations that detract from their emotional investment.
- “Playing the game in 2025 made me feel really good seeing the devs putting serious effort into a game because every aspect just got better in some way.”
- “The game overall provides a wholesome experience.”
- “My time in this game has been brought to a discouraging and heartbreaking end because I was recently banned on a server I was doing really well in.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that character development is minimal, as the developers have prioritized base building and raiding over character progression, leading to a lack of depth in character growth.
- “They have decided that base building and raiding is what to do; no character development will happen at all.”
- “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, leaving players wanting more depth and growth.”
- “I was hoping for a rich narrative and character arcs, but instead, it feels like the characters are just placeholders.”