Gloom and Doom
- January 17, 2021
- Neo Tegoel Games
Get on Steam"Gloom and Doom" is a side-scrolling shooter game set in a dystopian world overrun by monstrous creatures. As the player, you control the last hope of humanity, using an array of weapons and abilities to fight through hordes of enemies and challenging bosses. With fast-paced action and a dark, atmospheric setting, "Gloom and Doom" offers an intense and satisfying experience for fans of the genre.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Engaging story with well-developed characters and a nostalgic 90's aesthetic that resonates with fans of the era.
- Humor and light-heartedness effectively balance serious themes, making the narrative both thought-provoking and enjoyable.
- The game offers meaningful choices and multiple endings, enhancing replayability and player engagement.
- Excessive pop culture references can become tedious and detract from the overall dialogue quality.
- Some players may find the plot and action elements to be mediocre or underwhelming compared to the character-driven aspects.
- The game may offend some due to its subversive take on Christian mythology and certain ideological elements that feel out of place.
- story25 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The story is praised for its engaging characters and 90's-inspired themes, revolving around a grumpy old man and a kind, depressed teen who help each other heal. Reviewers highlight its relatable coming-of-age narrative, witty dialogue, and the exploration of mental health, making it both charming and thought-provoking. While some find the plot simple, the overall storytelling is described as compelling and enjoyable, with many hoping for a sequel or continuation.
“The basic plot here is a grumpy old man and the depressed but kind teen team up to achieve something and end up helping each other heal and discover themselves in the process.”
“Really enjoy the wholesome messages in the storyline, and the writing is witty and cheeky.”
“The story focuses on the mental aspects of people placed in different situations, which I found really relatable and led me to reflect on myself.”
“The plot is a little bit like Steven Brust's book 'To Reign in Hell.' Heaven and hell are not black and white but shades of grey.”
“These things are out of place and do not contribute anything to the story.”
“You won't find Shakespeare here, but the core story is solid.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their authentic 90s aesthetic, featuring edgy comic book art and elements reminiscent of text adventure games. The artwork is complemented by a beautiful layout and fitting music, enhancing the overall experience. The subversive character designs, such as fratboy Michael and punk girl Lucifer, further enrich the visual style.
“It has a very well-realized 90s aesthetic with an art style, consisting of that super edgy 90s comic book art style with a bit of text adventure game sprinkled in here and there.”
“The subversive take on Christian mythology, such as fratboy Michael and punk girl Lucifer, also fits in with the aesthetic.”
“Excellent artwork, beautiful layout, and well-paced.”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
“The character models are poorly designed and lack detail, making them feel lifeless.”
“The environments are bland and repetitive, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is characterized by a blend of creepy, underground, and quirky elements, featuring multiple nostalgic references. While some find the dialogue and comedic attempts to be a bit forced, the overall tone remains light-hearted and enjoyable, eliciting smiles rather than outright laughter. The combination of amusing antics, appealing visuals, and music contributes positively to the comedic experience.
“If you like creepy Halloween, underground, weird humor with multiple references to old cool things, then buy the game.”
“The comedy was smile-inducing, not laugh-out-loud funny, but it helped keep the mood light.”
“Funny antics, nice drawings, and music.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the visual novel is characterized by its impactful exploration of serious themes such as suicidal ideation and personal struggles, conveyed through philosophical yet relatable dialogues. Reviewers noted a range of emotions, from laughter to tears, highlighting the story's wholesome messages and witty writing that enhance its emotional depth.
“Generally, I’d say there were three parts to the visual novel: scenes where the protagonists discuss their circumstances and struggles, such as their suicidal ideation and efforts to be a good person, in a philosophical yet somber and down-to-earth sort of way, which managed to be pretty effective and touching.”
“I laughed out loud, I cried, and I learned many 80s movie trivia facts.”
“I really enjoy the wholesome messages in the storyline, and the writing is witty and cheeky.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is well-received, with players appreciating how it complements the overall experience and enhances the art style. Many enjoy the nostalgic 90s pop culture references embedded in the soundtrack, adding a humorous and engaging layer to the gameplay.
“Overall, I also liked the art style, and the music complemented the game very nicely.”
“Love the music and all the 90s pop culture references!”
“Funny antics, nice drawing, and music.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect tedious, as it is often interrupted by excessive pop culture references that detract from meaningful character interactions. While initially charming, the constant listing of movies and games becomes monotonous and detracts from the overall experience.
“The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“I found myself doing the same tasks over and over again, which quickly became boring and frustrating.”
“The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviewers suggest that the gameplay could have been improved with the inclusion of voice acting, as the current minimal vocal effects may detract from the overall experience.
“I do wonder, however, if this game had featured voice acting (apart from some vocal effects every now and then), it would have enhanced the gameplay experience.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development is well-paced, allowing players to genuinely engage with the characters' growth without feeling dragged out or impatient.
“The character development is perfectly paced, allowing you to truly connect with the characters without feeling like it drags on.”
“I love how the character arcs evolve throughout the game; it makes every decision feel impactful and meaningful.”
“The depth of the characters and their growth throughout the story is one of the highlights of the game.”
“The character development feels rushed and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with anyone.”
“I was disappointed by how one-dimensional the characters are; there’s little to no growth throughout the game.”
“The choices you make don’t seem to impact character development, leaving the story feeling flat and unengaging.”
