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
- gameplay790 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Devour* is characterized by a straightforward yet engaging loop that involves collecting items and performing rituals while avoiding a pursuing demon. While many players find the cooperative aspect enjoyable and the mechanics easy to grasp, the repetitive nature of the objectives and some clunky mechanics can lead to frustration, especially in solo play. Overall, the game is best experienced with friends, as it enhances the fun and strategic elements, despite some criticisms regarding balance and variety in gameplay.
“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 gameplay loop is stupid, the jump scares are cheap/randomly sudden, you can literally walk up the main enemy and it does nothing, the maps are absolutely confusing, the list could go on.”
- humor377 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 hilarious moments filled with screams and laughter. Players enjoy the combination of jump scares and comedic elements, such as funny character designs and voice lines, which enhance the overall experience. While the game can be scary, the shared experience with friends often turns tense situations into uproarious fun, making it a recommended choice for group play.
“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.”
“It's hilariously horrifying chaos!”
“It's not hard; it's those games that make it cancerous and unfunny to pretend it's difficult.”
“Very funny, but not funny when you hear all your friends laughing while you are pissing yourself!”
- story326 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is often described as minimal or basic, with many players noting that it primarily serves as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a central focus. While some appreciate the unique narratives tied to different maps and characters, others find the overall plot to be repetitive and lacking depth, often comparing it to fetch quests. Despite these criticisms, there are moments of intrigue and horror that resonate with players, particularly when played in a multiplayer setting.
“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.”
“The story is succinct enough and provides just the right amount of background to make you interested in the lore but does not force it upon you.”
“The story is nonexistent, but for $5 this is so worth it.”
“The story of this game makes very little sense, but it was entertaining enough and wasn't that important, so that fault was easy to overlook.”
“They try to have a storyline, but they botched that as well.”
- graphics308 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the atmospheric and immersive 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 contribute significantly to the game's tension, though there are calls for improvements in graphical quality 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 sound design are top-notch, creating a truly immersive and terrifying atmosphere.”
“I wish the graphics were better, but I suppose that's part of the game's charm.”
“The graphics look like models that you could honestly find on Roblox.”
“The graphics are flat and boring, making the whole game feel like a test demo.”
- atmosphere159 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in *Devour* is widely praised for its unsettling and immersive qualities, characterized by dark environments, eerie sound design, and chilling music that heighten tension throughout gameplay. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a foreboding ambiance that keeps them on edge, particularly in cooperative settings where teamwork is essential to navigate the terrifying landscapes and face relentless enemies. While some critiques mention issues with predictability and gameplay mechanics, the overall consensus is that the atmospheric elements significantly enhance the horror experience.
“The atmosphere is genuinely unsettling, with dark environments and eerie sound design that keep you on edge.”
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, and the sound design really heightens the tension.”
“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.”
- replayability136 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its high replayability due to uniquely designed maps, a variety of challenges, and a perk system that encourages different strategies. While many players find it engaging and fun, especially in multiplayer settings, some express concerns about repetitive gameplay and a limited number of maps, which may diminish replay value over time. Overall, it is considered a worthwhile experience for its price, particularly when played 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 decently scary, and with five maps that all have a very different feeling to them, there is plenty to do before the game runs out of replayability.”
“The game can be completed in a few hours, and while the game is designed for replayability, some players may find the game's content to be lacking.”
“While I don't see this as having a ton of replayability once you've beaten each level, it's definitely worth picking up to play with a few friends for a couple of days.”
“There are only 2 available maps at the moment and while they have fine replayability, it would be nice for the item locations to either be randomized or rotate between 3-6 different layouts, and that could depend on the difficulty setting.”
- grinding92 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 36 % 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.”
“One long, tedious grind.”
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“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.”
“The gameplay is incredibly tedious, with repeated objectives that never change.”
- stability68 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The game is widely reported to be plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, affecting both single-player and multiplayer experiences, such as characters clipping through walls and UI issues. While many players find the gameplay enjoyable and fun, especially with friends, the instability can detract from the overall experience, leading to frustrations like random freezes and high GPU usage. Despite these issues, some players appreciate the chaotic nature of the glitches, viewing them as part of the game's charm.
“Runs great in VR and on desktop.”
“Surprisingly, no glitches at all really occur, at least for me.”
“The game runs great; the graphics are actually done well for a game this cheap.”
“It is still pretty buggy; the ghost has clipped through walls and killed me.”
“Game randomly freezes in multiplayer; can't see the monster and all players are running in place.”
“Devour is riddled with bugs and glitches.”
- music42 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game is a polarizing aspect, with some players praising its atmospheric and eerie qualities that enhance the sense of dread and tension, while others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking variety. Many reviews highlight the effective sound design that complements gameplay, creating a horrifying experience, though some feel it could benefit from more diverse compositions. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as integral to the game's immersive and chilling atmosphere, despite some mixed opinions on its execution.
“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 sound effects and music, while occasionally effective at building tension, are often repetitive and lacking in variety.”
“The game's atmosphere is incredibly tense and unnerving, with the sound effects and music adding to the sense of dread.”
“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.”
- optimization40 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 inconsistent frame rates even on capable hardware. While some users report smooth gameplay on lower-end PCs, others experience crashes and severe lag, indicating that the game requires further optimization to enhance the overall experience. Despite these challenges, a few players found the performance satisfactory, suggesting that improvements could elevate the game's potential.
“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 and monsters and mini stories.”
“It is very unoptimized or maybe there is mining going on in the background...”
“The game is very unoptimized and feels more like watching a PowerPoint than playing a game.”
“Full of bugs and very little optimization!”
- emotional35 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of feelings, from genuine fear and sadness to laughter and warmth. Many players report crying due to the game's intense horror elements and heart-wrenching moments, while others find it to be a wholesome and relaxing experience. Overall, the game successfully combines spooky thrills with emotional depth, leaving players feeling both scared and touched.
“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 development7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is marked by engaging designs and backstories that enhance the horror experience, particularly through the unsettling portrayal of characters like the demon. While most characters have brief introductions and some undergo possession by evil spirits, opinions on the quality of character designs vary, with some finding them effective and others less impressive. Overall, the combination of neat graphics and a diverse cast contributes to an immersive atmosphere, despite some inconsistencies in character portrayal.
“The character designs and storyline are engaging, making it easy to get lost in the terrifying world.”
“Neat graphics, an 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 is far scarier than Anna from the farmhouse, who staggers around drunk most of the time and simply cannot be taken seriously.”
“Character designs are okay, except those wheelchair boys that look funny to me.”
- monetization7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 57 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players labeling it a "cash grab" due to an abundance of purchasable cosmetics and a perceived lack of substantial content. While some appreciate the low initial price and ongoing free updates, others express frustration over the game's repetitive nature and the focus on in-game purchases rather than meaningful development. Overall, the sentiment suggests that while the game offers cosmetic options, it may not provide enough engaging content to justify its monetization strategy.
“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.”
“Terribly unbalanced and feels like a time-wasting cash grab.”
“I'm deleting, that was a good cash grab.”
“Seriously, always potential but the development is just bull$hit promises... had this game for a while no updates, no game growth just steam cash grab...”