Final Directive
- February 1, 2018
- Lazy Monday Games
Get on SteamIn "Final Directive," players navigate a space station overrun by mutant aliens, with estensions including a helpful robot companion, flirtatious spiders, and various gameplay modes. The game emphasizes combat, offering a range of weapon options and encouraging players to take action against the alien threat. The ultimate goal is to survive and escape the station, with local co-op play adding an additional layer of strategy. The game features a mix of humor and intensity, with a unique blend of flavors and a memorable door to discover.
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Reviews
- Final Directive features a cool art style and fantastic comic book cutscenes that enhance the overall experience.
- The gameplay is fast-paced and challenging, with a variety of weapons and satisfying combat mechanics.
- The game offers great value for its low price, providing enjoyable gameplay and a fun soundtrack.
- The controls can be frustrating, particularly with mouse aiming and the dodge roll mechanic, which lacks invincibility frames.
- There are notable technical issues, including bugs that can cause the game to freeze or display incorrectly.
- The health system and enemy design can lead to confusion, making it difficult to distinguish between characters and threats during chaotic moments.
- music31 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many players praising its energetic and engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall gameplay experience. Reviewers noted that the music effectively pumps adrenaline during action sequences and is enjoyable enough to warrant a standalone purchase. Overall, the soundtrack is described as phenomenal, catchy, and a standout feature that complements the game's charming art style and fast-paced action.
“It's fast, has a good soundtrack, and every hit feels so rewarding.”
“The music is pretty fantastic, and I never got tired of hearing a single track.”
“The soundtrack is phenomenal, and the art direction is both charming and memorable.”
“When I was playing, I actually thought I left on some music in the background and couldn't figure out where it was coming from until I clued in that it was from the game.”
“The thing is, I usually listen to music like what is in the game just in the background while I'm working on stuff, so it was a welcome surprise to find the music in the game so good.”
“Awesome graphics (love that comic strip style), scary (tricky to outrun) zombies, catchy music (beat that beat out of my head), and plenty of different 'killer' guns.”
- gameplay26 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its core mechanics, fast-paced action, and challenging elements, making it enjoyable and engaging for players. However, some reviews highlight issues such as repetitiveness, bugs during climactic moments, and a lack of invincibility frames that can lead to frustrating experiences. Overall, while the game offers a fun and visually appealing experience, it could benefit from further refinement and variety in its gameplay mechanics.
“Absolute blast to play with excellent core mechanics.”
“The gameplay itself is simple but challenging, as you have to be pretty precise since it's a shoot 'em up.”
“A challenging game with simple, but refreshingly refined mechanics, that also features exceptional art direction.”
“It's just sort of barebones in terms of gameplay, and at the climax, the game bugged out on me, with some of the cutscenes and playable segments being entirely black.”
“One gripe with the gameplay is the lack of iframes on hurt, so if you screw up your positioning and get hit by a cluster of bullets, it can take 3/4 of your health even if you try to roll away.”
“When it comes to gameplay, though, Final Directive falls pretty flat.”
- story22 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story is presented through charming comic panels, offering a lighthearted and humorous narrative that complements the gameplay. While the overall plot may not be deeply engaging, it features enjoyable moments and a satisfying conclusion, with a total playtime of around 90 minutes. The combination of appealing art and a buddy comedy theme enhances the experience, making it a delightful addition to the game's arcade-style action.
“The art is super fun, and the portrayal of the story through comics was charming and funny.”
“The story is short but sweet and told through comic cutscenes between levels.”
“The story mode is short but hair-pullingly sweet, and each level rewards you with a charming comic panel of the two protagonists.”
“Gameplay was alright but it got a bit repetitive; good thing the story was short enough for me to get through it without giving up on it.”
“The only issue I think anyone could complain about would most likely be the length of the story, which took me roughly 90 minutes, but it truthfully isn't that big of an issue for a game that's $2.”
“Saying final directive is a story-driven game might be a bit of a far fetch, but given the price of the game I'm not going to complain.”
- graphics20 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique art style, particularly the comic book interludes and pixel art, which many players find charming and visually appealing. However, technical issues, such as performance problems on older graphics cards and control difficulties, detract from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the aesthetic quality and vibrant visuals contribute positively to the game's appeal.
“Total arcade style shoot 'em up with a cool storyline, tons of cool weapons, and beautiful graphics.”
“Very fun indie game with an awesome soundtrack and great graphics!”
“Awesome graphics (love that comic strip style), scary zombies, catchy music, and plenty of different 'killer' guns.”
“On an older graphics card, I could not get it to run at all, despite meeting system specifications.”
“I can't raise the graphics quality above the lowest setting as my character disappears.”
“Though I do recommend this game, I don't think that this game is particularly good from a gameplay perspective, while the aesthetic and charm does wonders.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by over-the-top writing and charming comic portrayals that enhance the storytelling. Players appreciate the funny characters, particularly the robot sidekick, and the clever, humorous art that adds life to the gameplay experience. Overall, the combination of a solid soundtrack and engaging comedic elements contributes to a delightful atmosphere.
“The writing is also hilariously over the top and enjoyable.”
“The art is super fun, and the portrayal of the story through comics was charming and funny.”
“A synthy groove keeps you motivated through the action, and the humorous comics between each level give context and breathe some life into this wonderful little universe.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers strong replayability through an endless wave mode and local co-op for two players, complemented by a charming story, appealing pixel art, and an engaging soundtrack. Players appreciate the combination of fun gameplay mechanics and visual aesthetics that encourage multiple playthroughs.
“The cute story and replayability are enhanced by an endless wave option with 2-player local co-op.”
“Great shooting mechanics, adorable art style (both the in-game pixel art and comics between levels), an amazing soundtrack, and solid potential for replayability.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game suffers from frequent hangs, indicating poor optimization, which is especially detrimental for an action title that requires smooth performance.
“The game frequently hangs for a bit, which suggests it is not optimized, particularly detrimental for an action game.”
“The performance issues are frustrating, as the game often stutters and lags, indicating poor optimization.”
“I experienced constant frame drops and long loading times, making the overall experience feel unpolished and poorly optimized.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, particularly in "Reveal the Deep," which is noted for its immersive qualities. However, the sequel from the same developer is described as a stark departure from this atmospheric experience, leaving some players surprised by the contrast.
“I loved the deep atmosphere of the first game (get it now if it’s not already in your collection; it's so atmospheric), but this second game from the developer is completely different... hard to believe it’s the same dev.”
“The atmosphere in this game is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its world and making every moment feel significant.”
“From the haunting sound design to the beautifully crafted environments, the atmosphere creates a sense of tension and wonder that keeps you engaged.”
