Demonologist
- September 25, 2023
- Clock Wizard Games
- 7h median play time
Get on Steam"Demonologist" is a dark, fast-paced first-person shooter where you play as a powerful exorcist. Battle against hordes of hellish demons using an arsenal of weapons and occult powers. Chain together combos and strategic spells to survive intense encounters in this adrenaline-fueled, supernatural thriller.
Reviews
- The game features impressive graphics and a spooky atmosphere that enhances the horror experience.
- Jump scares are frequent and effective, keeping players on edge throughout the gameplay.
- The ability to exorcise ghosts adds a unique twist to the gameplay, making it more engaging than similar games.
- The game suffers from numerous bugs and crashes, making it frustrating and often unplayable, especially in multiplayer.
- Progression can be grindy, with players needing to replay the same maps multiple times to unlock new content.
- Voice recognition features are often broken, hindering gameplay and reducing the effectiveness of certain mechanics.
- graphics627 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Demonologist" have received widespread praise for their stunning quality, often described as superior to those of "Phasmophobia." Players appreciate the immersive atmosphere created by the detailed visuals and effective sound design, which enhance the horror experience. However, some users have noted performance issues and graphical glitches, suggesting that while the aesthetics are impressive, the game's optimization could use improvement.
“The graphics are stunning and the gameplay is fun.”
“Demonologist boasts breathtakingly beautiful visuals that transport you into a meticulously crafted world.”
“The graphics, sounds, and ambiance are really great though, and has a huge potential.”
“It just looks bad, like there was no thought put into the aesthetics of it, and well it just looks soulless...”
“The game sucks and I couldn't even play because it wasn't loaded into the game and it kept crashing even on the lowest graphic setting and I wouldn't recommend it even on sale, so save your money.”
“The graphics look nothing like the trailer even with everything on max settings; the game is nothing like any of the trailers either.”
- gameplay570 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Demonologist" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its similarities to "Phasmophobia" in terms of mechanics, such as ghost hunting and evidence gathering. While the game features engaging cooperative elements and impressive graphics, it suffers from repetitiveness, a lack of depth in gameplay mechanics, and optimization issues, particularly for gamepad users. Players appreciate the unique exorcism mechanic and voice recognition features, but many feel that the overall experience is hindered by bugs, a steep learning curve, and a grind-heavy progression system.
“The gameplay is tense and exciting, especially when playing with friends.”
“The game's immersive storyline, combined with its challenging gameplay mechanics, makes it an excellent choice for anyone seeking an enthralling and rewarding gaming experience.”
“Demonologist is a thrilling and immersive experience that masterfully combines the dark arts of demonology with intense, strategic gameplay.”
“Boring and repetitive, no sense of progression, same ghost events, too slow gameplay, voice recognition not always working.”
“The gameplay is mostly just 'waiting around simulator.' The evidence gathering for the ghosts is slow and felt clunky, and to be honest, the actual 'hunts' are not exactly something of interest.”
“The gameplay loop is the same, the grind is the same, the premise is the same, and each game will need a steady stream of maps/locations to retain interest but there are some simple and cool additions to demonologist that proc the ole warm fuzzies when it's not scaring the bajeezus outta ya.”
- atmosphere265 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive and chilling qualities, with many reviewers highlighting the stunning graphics, eerie sound design, and effective use of jump scares that enhance the overall horror experience. Players appreciate the unique and detailed map designs that contribute to a sense of dread, making it a standout in the ghost hunting genre compared to similar titles like Phasmophobia. However, some critiques mention that the reliance on scripted jump scares can diminish the tension over time, suggesting a need for more varied atmospheric elements to maintain engagement.
“The atmosphere is amazing, the rooms and decor are incredible.”
“The spine-tingling atmosphere, eerie visuals, and bone-chilling sound effects create an immersive experience that keeps me on the edge of my seat.”
“Demonologist is a great horror game with an awesome atmosphere, there are already a few maps, and items, items' designs are original, this ghost hunting game successfully created itself a personality.”
“Unfortunately for them, the atmosphere in this game is lifeless once you see through the charade.”
“These scares become all too familiar after a few missions while trying to 'grind' enough money and experience to reach newer levels and items, rendering them ineffective in creating a thrilling atmosphere.”
“There is absolutely no atmosphere; the game decides to not focus on the very thing that makes scary games but instead tries to be very quiet and get you with super poorly rendered jump scares that happen in the same spots every time.”
- story197 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story is characterized by a rich tapestry of lore and unique narratives tied to each map, enhancing the overall experience for players. While many appreciate the depth and intrigue of the overarching story and side quests, some find the execution lacking, with criticisms aimed at the grind required to unlock content and the repetitive nature of missions. Overall, the storytelling elements are engaging but could benefit from further development and polish to fully realize their potential.
“I love the fact that this game has an overarching story and all the maps have lore behind them; it adds depth to the things going on around you.”
“The game's immersive storyline, combined with its challenging gameplay mechanics, makes it an excellent choice for anyone seeking an enthralling and rewarding gaming experience.”
“The storyline is brilliantly crafted, seamlessly weaving together elements of mystery and intrigue.”
“I'm also struggling to fathom why your character has chosen to be a demonologist and then just goes insane within 5 minutes in the dark or from seeing a little poltergeist activity, which puts unnecessary pressure on you to finish the run and makes the additional quests leading to an actual exorcism feel impossible.”
“Another criticism is the 'Susie storyline.' One of the secrets of the game is a badly written, badly told story about a mad person called Susie, and you have to go back and forth between the most expensive safehouse and the asylum map reading exhaustive notes.”
“In summary, it's a fun take on the ghost hunting experience with the coolest map integrated stories, but the amount of time it takes to reach that story paired with the inconsistent nature of the gameplay along with the amount of bugs and disconnecting issues, I cannot recommend this game.”
- stability144 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous players reporting frequent crashes, loading issues, and various glitches that disrupt gameplay. While some users find the game enjoyable despite these bugs, many express frustration over the unplayable state it has reached, particularly after recent updates. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess," with calls for developers to address these persistent issues to improve the experience.
“Definitely recommend if you're willing to be patient with the odd glitch that pops up (obviously no glitches are the ideal but... I'll take what I can get!)”
“Was great, not too buggy, the scares were scary.”
“Not very often when things don't pop up, seems relatively bug free.”
“This game is so buggy with the mic and even simple moving around.”
“From frequent crashes to game-breaking glitches, attempting to navigate through this title is an exercise in frustration.”
“The amount of unfixed bugs and the amount of time we had to spend troubleshooting problems really killed the overall experience for me.”
- grinding136 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 87 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with players finding it excessively tedious and repetitive. Many reviews highlight the long hours required to unlock new maps and level up, often forcing players to replay the same content multiple times, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some players appreciate the game when played with friends, the grind is seen as a significant barrier to fully experiencing the game's potential.
“Feels very good progressing through the maps, making you want to at least max out all your gear as well (not too grindy).”
“Better than Phasmophobia, it is a pretty scary game fun with friends. There is a lot to do, different maps, and cool features. The game is grindy but not too grindy.”
“The jump scares and secrets of the maps are really cool, but we want to try the new map. However, forget it, I'm not grinding for level 15 to try it.”
“It was fine for the first hour, and then afterwards it just got boring because of how long it took to get to the next maps. You have to get to level 3 to unlock the next 2 maps; otherwise, you can only play 1 map, and it takes about 8 correctly guessed games to get to level 3. The grinding is absolutely horrendous.”
“The game for some inexplicable reason has locked you out of maps and expects you to level through to unlock more, which would be fair enough if not for the absurd amount of grinding required.”
“Way too much grinding the same thing over and over again to reach a new level.”
- humor106 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- -2 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is predominantly highlighted as a shared experience, with players finding it particularly funny when playing with friends, especially during moments of panic and jump scares. Many reviews emphasize that the game is best enjoyed in co-op mode, where the combination of fear and laughter creates memorable and hilarious moments, often leading to uncontrollable laughter at each other's reactions. While some players note that the humor can diminish when playing solo, the overall consensus is that the game offers a fun and entertaining experience, especially in a group setting.
“One of the most fun and funny games I've ever played with friends.”
“Had me screaming bloody murder then laughing my ass off, very spooky would recommend.”
“My friends and I always have a huge laugh when someone gets super scared, or when the ghost is chasing us in funny ways.”
“The jokes fall flat and feel forced.”
“I expected more clever humor, but it was mostly cringeworthy.”
“The attempts at comedy just missed the mark entirely.”
- optimization94 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting severe performance issues, crashes, and stuttering, particularly after recent updates. While some users noted improvements in graphics and performance, the consensus is that the game is currently poorly optimized, making it difficult to recommend in its present state. Players are hopeful for future updates to address these significant optimization problems.
“The beauty of the locations is simply amazing and at the same time the optimization is also at the highest level, everything works smoothly and without lag.”
“This game has good bones and great optimization to match.”
“The game is extremely well optimized, and even on my and a friend's older computer the FPS is amazing.”
“The game's optimization is terrible.”
“One of the worst optimized games I have ever played.”
“It's so poorly optimized, it's a waste of money in its current state, which is really disappointing because this game looked really promising and I've wanted to play it with my friends for a while.”
- replayability45 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the random elements and branching storylines that keep the experience fresh, many feel it lacks the depth and variety found in competitors like Phasmophobia. Some users enjoy the game for its scares and multiplayer fun, but others criticize repetitive puzzles and limited content, suggesting that it may not hold long-term interest. Frequent updates and unique events contribute positively to replay value, but the consensus indicates that improvements are needed for it to reach its full potential.
“With fun choices and a branching storyline, Demonologist offers depth and replayability.”
“The replay value for me is high; I love jumping in for a few hunts with friends or even alone.”
“Entities look visually different, giving each haunted location more replayability and increasing the fear of getting jumped by anything, from big pig men to minor black demons or an old hag with sharp teeth.”
“The reason that I'm giving it a thumbs down simply has to do with the method by which they scare you, and how that ties in with the replayability.”
“Worst of all is these puzzles have no replay value; it's just the same painful chores over and over.”
“The emphasis on jumpscares seems more suited to a one-and-done type game, rather than the replayable experience this game is trying to be.”
- music33 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game is primarily ambient, enhancing the eerie atmosphere with subtle sound effects rather than a prominent soundtrack. Players appreciate the immersive audio that complements the gameplay, creating tension and a sense of dread, although some find the lobby music out of place. Overall, the atmospheric sound design is praised for its ability to draw players into the game's haunting world.
“The atmospheric soundtrack perfectly complements the on-screen action, immersing you deeper into the game's world.”
“The game's hauntingly beautiful environments and eerie soundtrack create a truly immersive experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.”
“Immersive audio: the sounds and music truly enhance the game's atmosphere.”
“A quiet, dark place where something is stalking me is way scarier than loud chair slamming into the wall while music blasts in your ears...”
“Game is fun no doubt but at least right now it's so flawed mainly hunts and dying. It comes out of nowhere, no music cue, and it just claps you. If they add a noise maybe it would be bearable.”
“It plays random bad rap and EDM songs that just seem super out of place in this type of game.”
- emotional26 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a wide range of emotions while engaging with the game, often highlighting moments that evoke laughter and tears, with some even describing experiences of heartache and joy. The emotional connections fostered through gameplay and community interactions are frequently praised, though some users also note frustrations that detract from their overall enjoyment. Overall, the game is recognized for its ability to create a deeply emotional experience, making it memorable for many players.
“This game made me cry and laugh simultaneously with my friends.”
“Ngl this game almost made me cry... it was very spoopy 7/10”
“As players embark on their journey to battle demons, they are immediately drawn into a world filled with mystery, adventure, and emotional connections.”
- monetization17 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been heavily criticized, with many users labeling it as a "cash grab" that capitalizes on the popularity of other ghost hunting games without delivering a polished experience. Players express frustration over the lack of transparency from the developers and the feeling that the game was rushed for profit, with some noting that in-game purchases could have been better utilized to support ongoing development rather than merely extracting money from players. Overall, the sentiment suggests a strong discontent with the game's monetization strategy, which many feel prioritizes profit over quality.
“This means players can be enticed to spend real money on in-game purchases, such as virtual items or enhancements, to gain a competitive edge or progress faster.”
“I, for one, don't mind microtransactions for cosmetics for the avatars in the game, and that's something that could seriously fund the continuation of this game.”
“This game is just a cash grab and is another haunt chaser with a different name that the devs are slowly abandoning after getting their money.”
“Currently the game doesn't feel like much more than a cash grab riding the coop, find the spooky thing, rinse repeat, hype train.”
“This was just another cash grab in the long list of phasmophobia clones.”
- character development5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised for its depth and craftsmanship, allowing players to form genuine emotional connections with the characters. The intricate designs and attention to detail in both environments and character aesthetics enhance the overall immersive experience, making the storyline even more engaging.
“The character development is well-crafted, making players genuinely care about the fate of the in-game personas.”
“Intriguing storyline and character development.”
“Whether it's the vibrant landscapes, intricate character designs, or the subtle lighting effects, everything feels meticulously handcrafted, drawing you further into the game's immersive universe.”
