DEVOUR
- January 28, 2021
- Straight Back Games
- 7h median play time
Devour is a first-person shooter game that takes place in a dystopian, overgrown city. As a member of an elite military team, you must fight off hordes of mutated creatures and defeat a mysterious entity known as "Mother." With a variety of weapons and abilities at your disposal, you must strategize and adapt to survive in this brutal world.
Reviews
- gameplay1,580 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Devour* is characterized by a straightforward yet engaging loop that involves cooperative mechanics, where players must collect items and perform rituals while avoiding a pursuing demon. While many players find the game fun and intense, especially with friends, others criticize it for its repetitive nature and lack of depth, leading to a sense of monotony after several playthroughs. Overall, the game offers a mix of strategic planning and quick thinking, but its enjoyment heavily relies on playing with others to mitigate the potential boredom of its mechanics.
“The gameplay mechanics are straightforward yet engaging.”
“The gameplay demands strategic planning and quick thinking, making it a rollercoaster of emotions.”
“Devour has an addicting gameplay loop with a lot of replayability.”
“The gameplay loop is the same no matter how many times you repeat a story map.”
“The gameplay is so boring and repetitive.”
“The core gameplay loop is very redundant and not exciting, the atmosphere of the game isn't even scary and just uses cheap jump scares that are damn near unavoidable.”
- humor754 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in this game is predominantly highlighted as a key feature, especially when played with friends, leading to a mix of laughter and screams during gameplay. Players find the jump scares and character interactions amusing, often describing the experience as hilariously chaotic, particularly with the use of proximity chat. Overall, the game is seen as a fun, comedic horror experience that thrives on group dynamics, making it less effective when played solo.
“This game is actually fucking impossible, it is also actually fucking hilarious.”
“I cried laughing at the terrible animations and hilarious voice lines and for that I cannot fault the game.”
“Hilariously screaming and crying while playing this game- more fun to be had if you have a full group of friends playing.”
“It's not hard; it's those games that make it cancerously unfunny to pretend it's difficult.”
“Very funny, but not funny when you hear all your friends laughing while you are pissing yourself!”
- story652 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is often described as minimal and somewhat forgettable, primarily serving as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a central focus. While some players appreciate the unique narratives tied to each map and the character backstories, many find the overall plot to be clichéd or lacking depth, with repetitive missions that detract from the experience. Despite these criticisms, the horror elements and character designs are noted as engaging, contributing to a fun multiplayer experience, especially when played with friends.
“From the well-thought-out storylines to the absolutely astonishing graphics, you can tell that this game had a lot of thought put into it.”
“The game offers a depth of storytelling that is often missing in the horror genre, making every moment spent in this unholy nightmare both terrifying and thought-provoking.”
“Firstly, the game has a gripping storyline that keeps players engaged and on the edge of their seats.”
“This game is not that great, don't recommend, the kind of horror where you play it once and forget about it, with a story that is rather dumb.”
“The story of this game makes very little sense (other than the one map that explains how it all started), but it was entertaining enough and wasn't that important, so that fault was easy to overlook.”
“The story aspect is kinda neat but this game really is one of, if not, the most boring games I've ever played and I enjoy train simulators.”
- graphics616 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the dark, atmospheric visuals that enhance the horror experience. While some describe the graphics as good or even impressive for an indie title, others criticize them as outdated or lacking detail. Overall, the visuals effectively contribute to the game's eerie ambiance, though there are calls for improvements and optimization.
“From the well-thought-out storylines to the absolutely astonishing graphics, you can tell that this game had a lot of thought put into it.”
“The dark, ominous environments in Devour are well-crafted, with creepy visuals and ambient sound design that significantly contribute to the game’s tension.”
“The graphics and visuals are top-notch, with detailed environments and character models that immerse you into the game's world.”
“I wish the graphics were better, but I suppose that's part of the game's charm.”
“The graphics are flat and boring, making the whole game feel like a test demo.”
“Boring game with broken mechanics and awful graphics.”
- atmosphere318 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in *Devour* is widely praised for its unsettling and immersive qualities, characterized by dark environments, eerie sound design, and chilling visuals that keep players on edge. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to create a tense and foreboding atmosphere, particularly in its cooperative gameplay, where teamwork is essential to navigate the terrifying settings. However, some players note that while the atmosphere is initially captivating, it can lose its impact over time due to repetitive gameplay and predictable scares.
“The atmosphere is genuinely unsettling, with dark environments and eerie sound design that keep you on edge.”
“The dilapidated farmhouse, set in an eerie rural landscape, oozes an oppressive atmosphere that seeps into your very soul.”
“The dark and foreboding atmosphere of the farmhouse and its surroundings are perfectly captured, and the game's sound effects and music add to the overall feeling of terror and dread.”
“The scares become predictable, and the atmosphere quickly loses its impact due to the game's numerous flaws.”
“Everything is incredibly dark, which is surely meant to create atmosphere but does the exact opposite when porch lights have a radius of 6 inches and everything outside your narrow flashlight beam is pitch black.”
“While the atmosphere and build up during the first hour or so was great, the gameplay quickly got frustrating and boring as the scares got repetitive and the instakills annoying.”
- replayability272 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game "Devour" is noted for its high replayability, primarily due to its uniquely designed maps, varied gameplay mechanics, and a perk system that encourages different strategies. While many players find it engaging and fun, especially in multiplayer settings, some express concerns about the potential for repetitiveness and a lack of content, particularly with only a limited number of maps currently available. Overall, it is considered a worthwhile experience for its price, especially for those playing with friends.
“One of the most engaging aspects of Devour is its replayability.”
“The varied gameplay, skill ceiling, strategies, and the randomly placed items make this game very replayable and worth it for the price.”
“The game is also very replayable, as the maps are randomized and the AI is dynamic.”
“Where this game falls is its replayability due to its small amount of playable maps and fairly repetitive gameplay when trying to kill the inner demon.”
“You can also only play each level once; this game has no replayability.”
“After you beat the game once, the replay value kind of dies there.”
- grinding184 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 61 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being excessively tedious and repetitive, often requiring players to engage in monotonous tasks like collecting items or completing objectives multiple times. Many reviewers noted that while the game can be enjoyable with friends, the grinding can quickly drain the fun and excitement, making it feel more like a chore than an engaging experience. Overall, players suggest that the grinding mechanics detract from the game's potential enjoyment, leading to frustration rather than satisfaction.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“A bit grindy... sometimes.”
“One long, tedious grind.”
“No, grinding for perks in the same maps over and over again is just an unhealthy and boring grind.”
“It's too grindy and repetitive to be enjoyable over the long term.”
“After a few hours, it turns into a big grinding fest to get through every level.”
- stability136 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The game is frequently criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, which can significantly disrupt gameplay, especially in multiplayer modes. While some players find the glitches add a layer of fun and unpredictability, many report issues like freezing, collision problems, and pathing errors that detract from the overall experience. Despite these stability concerns, the game's engaging mechanics and social aspects often keep players entertained.
“Runs great in VR and on desktop.”
“Surprisingly, no glitches at all really occur, at least for me.”
“Incredibly creepy, gameplay is good, the game runs great, the graphics are actually done well for a game this cheap.”
“Game randomly freezes in multiplayer, can't see the monster and all players are running in place.”
“Unplayable buggy mess, literally got softlocked because little shit won't eat.”
“Most buggy game I've played and how long has it been out?”
- music84 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as atmospheric and eerie, effectively enhancing the sense of dread and tension throughout the gameplay. While some players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to complement the horror experience, others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking variety. Overall, the sound design, including music and ambient effects, contributes significantly to the game's immersive and terrifying atmosphere.
“The music and creature designs, map and mechanic variety, as well as the escalating intensity as you progress (and the creepy little details that develop) are all 10/10 and create a perfect horrifying (and satisfyingly challenging) experience.”
“The eerie soundtrack, coupled with dimly lit environments, creates a sense of dread that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the game.”
“The game's sound design is particularly impressive, with eerie music and ambient sounds that add to the tension and fear.”
“The sound effects and music, while occasionally effective at building tension, are often repetitive and lacking in variety.”
“❎ poor: low-quality or repetitive sound/music, detracts from the experience.”
“I had Lovecraft-inspired music playing in the background that was scarier than this game.”
- optimization80 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance issues, particularly in VR and on higher settings, leading to low frame rates and crashes even on capable hardware. While some users report that it runs smoothly on older PCs and appreciate the variety of settings, the consensus is that the game requires substantial optimization improvements to enhance the overall experience.
“Even if you have a potato PC, you can still play this game because it's well optimized.”
“The game runs smoothly and I've never encountered any bugs.”
“Performance is smooth, and there is a lot of variety in settings, monsters, and mini stories.”
“The game is very unoptimized and feels more like watching a PowerPoint than playing a game.”
“Horribly optimized on VR though, even with a beefy rig.”
“Full of bugs and very little optimization!”
- emotional70 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional responses to the game are highly varied, with players expressing a mix of fear, laughter, and heartfelt moments. Many report feeling genuine fear and sadness, often crying during intense or poignant scenes, while others find humor in the game's quirks and animations. Overall, the game elicits strong emotional reactions, ranging from terror to warmth, making it a memorable experience for players.
“It may be a smallish/medium horror game but it's fun and heartbreaking as hell and I love it.”
“I don’t think any other game has made me cry as much as this one.”
“The horror level is therefore unmatched and wholesomely immersive, and I can’t wait to unpack this in therapy.”
- character development14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is marked by engaging designs and backstories, particularly as characters become possessed by evil spirits, enhancing the horror experience. While some designs are noted as unsettling and effective, others, like the wheelchair characters, evoke mixed reactions. Overall, the combination of interesting character designs and a compelling storyline allows players to immerse themselves in the game's terrifying world.
“The character designs and storyline are engaging, making it easy to get lost in the terrifying world.”
“Neat graphics, active community, interesting character designs, fleshed out backstories, and a multitude of maps to choose from.”
“There is some character development since every character gets possessed by the evil spirits.”
“The character design for the main enemy in that map too is also far scarier than Anna from the farmhouse, who staggers around drunk most of the time, and simply cannot be taken seriously.”
- monetization14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 57 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players feeling it leans towards being a cash grab due to an abundance of purchasable cosmetics and a lack of substantial content. While some appreciate the ongoing free updates and consider the low price point reasonable, others express frustration over the perceived imbalance and stagnation in game development. Overall, the focus on cosmetic purchases rather than meaningful gameplay enhancements has left a significant portion of the player base dissatisfied.
“But for 4 euro and the fact it's being updated for free, I'd say it's worth it, and I myself have also supported the devs by making in-game purchases.”
“Unfortunately, the game does have in-game purchases, but they all seem to be cosmetics.”
“The game offers a variety of cool cosmetics, which adds a fun element to the experience.”
“Terribly unbalanced and feels like a time-wasting cash grab.”
“Its alright with friends; it's fun when you first try all the maps, but soon you will realize there are more purchasable cosmetics than there is content. Every map is just running from AI and banishing her by sacrificing something, and she just moves faster as you get closer to winning. It's pretty bland after 2 hours, but hey, at least they have a lot of cool cosmetics. Look at Phasmophobia; they put hours and time into content, not in-game purchases. I don't even own Phasmophobia, but this game feels more cash grabby with every update.”
“Seriously, always potential, but the development is just bull$hit promises... I've had this game for a while, no updates, no game growth, just a Steam cash grab.”