Exanima

The story aspect of "Exanima" is described as minimal and fragmented, requiring players to piece together lore through environmental storytelling, notes, and scrolls scattered throughout the dungeon. While some players appreciate the atmospheric and immersive nature of the storytelling, many criticize the lack of a clear narrative, objectives, and the overall unfinished state of the story mode, which is still in early access. Overall, the game offers a challenging experience with a focus on combat, but the story may not satisfy those looking for a traditional narrative structure.

The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and dark qualities, drawing comparisons to titles like Dark Souls and Diablo. Players appreciate the detailed sound design, lighting, and environmental storytelling that create a tense and foreboding experience, enhancing the overall gameplay. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics and repetitiveness, the game's atmosphere remains a standout feature that captivates and engages players throughout their exploration.

The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful visuals, intricate lighting, and atmospheric design that enhance the overall experience. However, several users report significant graphical issues, including bugs and performance problems, particularly with AMD graphics cards, which can detract from gameplay. Overall, while the aesthetic appeal is often highlighted, the technical execution appears inconsistent, leading to a varied reception among players.

The humor in the game is largely derived from its physics-based mechanics, leading to numerous hilarious moments such as characters tripping, falling, and engaging in clumsy combat reminiscent of drunken brawls. Players find the combination of frustrating controls and unexpected comedic outcomes both entertaining and addictive, often resulting in laughter during gameplay. While some may find the humor wears thin over time, many appreciate the game's ability to create unique and funny scenarios through its unpredictable physics engine.

The music in the game is generally praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the dark and eerie ambiance of the dungeon setting. However, many players note that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time, particularly during extended exploration, and some express a desire for more variety and the ability to adjust sound levels separately. Overall, while the music contributes significantly to the game's mood, its repetitiveness and lack of customization options are common points of criticism.

The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly in arena mode, where players must engage in numerous battles to earn basic gear and experience. While some players find enjoyment in the combat mechanics and the challenge of mastering them, many express frustration over the lack of meaningful rewards and the time-consuming nature of progression, often leading to a sense of burnout. Overall, the grinding is seen as a significant barrier to fully enjoying the game, with many players wishing for a more balanced approach to progression.

The game offers significant replayability, particularly through its engaging arena mode and the challenge of dungeon crawling, with players noting the satisfaction of mastering its unique combat system. While many enjoy the randomized loot and secrets that enhance replay value, some feel that the story mode lacks variety and could benefit from additional content or multiplayer features. Overall, players find the game worth its price, with potential for extensive playtime, though some express concerns about diminishing replayability over time.

The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and crashes affecting gameplay, particularly in character creation and combat scenarios. Many players experience frustrating issues such as freezing, memory leaks, and unresponsive controls, which detract from the overall experience. While some find the glitches amusing, the consensus is that the game remains unpolished and in need of significant improvements to reach a stable state.

Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance and impressive graphics, even on lower-end systems. However, some users report issues with menu glitches, stuttering, and performance drops in specific scenarios, indicating that while the core game runs well, certain aspects still require improvement. Many players express a desire for the developers to prioritize optimization and stability over adding new content.

The emotional aspect of the game is profoundly impactful, with players frequently expressing feelings of attachment, frustration, and heartbreak due to the game's mechanics and character interactions. Many reviews highlight the intense emotional experiences tied to character deaths and the steep learning curve, often leading to tears and a sense of loss. Overall, the game evokes a strong emotional response, making it both a rewarding and punishing experience for players willing to engage deeply with its challenges.

Character development in the game is described as complex and somewhat overwhelming, with players feeling disoriented and challenged from the outset. While there are elements of character design that are appreciated, such as the visual aesthetics and armor sets, the actual development process is perceived as lacking depth, offering only basic customization options. Overall, the experience emphasizes a steep learning curve and a harsh world, setting a serious tone for player engagement.

The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized as a potential cash grab, with users expressing frustration over aggressive advertising and labeling it as a scam. Despite some acknowledging the game's quality, the overall sentiment leans towards disappointment in its monetization practices.