Heat Signature

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 11,707 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • replayability
Heat Signature Game Cover
By making excellent use of its procedurally generated world and wacky gadgets, Heat Signature is a mission worth taking.
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Heat Signature is a spaceship-breaking game that lets you dock with any spaceship, sneak inside, and complete missions such as stealing loot or assassinating VIPs. You can take your time to formulate a plan, using gadgets and slowmo gunfights to outsmart the crew. The Supporter's Edition includes early prototypes, developer commentary videos, and the full soundtrack.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 11,707 reviews
story751 positive mentions
grinding168 negative mentions
  • story6,564 mentions

    The story in "Heat Signature" is minimal and largely procedural, focusing on the personal missions of randomly generated characters who aim to achieve specific goals, such as revenge or rescue. While the overarching narrative involves liberating space stations from various factions, the game emphasizes emergent storytelling through player choices and character experiences rather than a linear plot. Players often create their own narratives based on the unique situations that arise during missions, leading to memorable and sometimes humorous outcomes.

    • “Really good meta progression and good enough story that it makes sense; it doesn't feel like a loss when you lose most characters, and you're quickly back into it with a new character.”
    • “This is how perma-deaths are fun, because each death isn't an end of the game, it's an end to that part of the story.”
    • “While the overarching plot may not be the focal point, the emergent stories that arise from gameplay create a sense of player agency and investment in their mercenary's journey.”
    • “The story is pretty back-seat to the action and leaves a lot to be desired, but the arcade-style shooter mechanics and sci-fi setting of the game still make it worth playing.”
    • “The story is minimal and is the least compelling trait of the game by far.”
    • “The game lacks a real incentive to tackle on the really dangerous missions and that is a shame; other than the challenge itself there is no point in doing them.”
  • gameplay2,513 mentions

    The gameplay of *Heat Signature* is widely praised for its innovative mechanics, particularly the ability to pause time, which allows for strategic planning in fast-paced scenarios. Players appreciate the emergent gameplay that arises from the combination of various gadgets and tools, enabling creative problem-solving and unique mission approaches. However, some reviews note that the gameplay can become repetitive over time, as the core loop of infiltrating ships and completing objectives remains largely the same, despite the variety of missions and character mechanics available. Overall, the game offers a satisfying and engaging experience, especially for fans of stealth and action gameplay.

    • “Very fun gameplay elements and there are lots of different approaches possible for completing missions.”
    • “Heat signature has such an amazing gameplay loop.”
    • “The core gameplay loop of breaking into ships, evading or eliminating security, and completing objectives is pretty cool and well-realized here.”
    • “Buuut, still I grew tired pretty fast and found a way to cheese the game for easy rewards which made a lot of the gameplay trivial.”
    • “The gameplay never, ever varies from this, start to finish.”
    • “The gameplay tends to have little variation and I really felt that this game could have been so much more, I usually love to dump a bunch of hours into a game of this type, but I just got tired and felt like nothing exciting or new was on its way in only several hours.”
  • replayability456 mentions

    The game is widely praised for its high replayability, with many players noting the endless variety offered by procedurally generated missions, characters, and gadgets. While some reviewers mention that it can become repetitive over time, the multitude of strategies and playstyles available keeps the experience fresh and engaging. Overall, it is considered a highly replayable title that encourages experimentation and creativity in gameplay.

    • “The multitude of ways in which your best laid plans can go horribly wrong keep things interesting, and the random generation means it has great replay value.”
    • “That said, it is immensely enjoyable, and has near infinite replay value for the combinations of all the absurd gadgets, character perks, and mission types, all randomly generated to keep things fresh each run.”
    • “Endlessly replayable, incredibly satisfying game loop, and the best example of 'plans never survive contact with the enemy' I've seen in a video game in a long time.”
    • “The only thing that changes is some background images, which doesn't help replayability at all.”
    • “Replay value is a little low, as the game becomes pretty repetitive...you kind of have to make little challenges yourself in order to keep it interesting.”
    • “In other words, it's a huge missed opportunity and doesn't have that much replay value.”
  • graphics331 mentions

    The graphics of "Heat Signature" are characterized as minimalistic yet charming, featuring a top-down view of a procedurally generated galaxy with vibrant colors that enhance the game's aesthetic. While some players appreciate the art style and find it fitting for the gameplay, others note that the simplicity can lead to confusion, as important elements may blend into the background. Overall, the visuals are generally considered decent for an indie title, though they may not impress those seeking high-end graphics.

    • “The graphics are minimalistic yet charming, with a top-down view of the vast, procedurally generated galaxy.”
    • “The use of vibrant colors for different factions and elements of the game adds a touch of personality to the overall aesthetic.”
    • “It's a great game, with great gameplay, beautiful graphics, numerous styles and items, nice randomized runs, and cool space stuff.”
    • “The controls seemed unintuitive, the graphics mediocre, the game itself quite pointless and repetitive.”
    • “The only downside for me is the very flat looking 2D visuals, as 2.5D would've helped to create more immersion.”
    • “Graphics are so cluttered I can't tell the difference between a guard and a bush until one shoots me.”
  • music294 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its quality and ability to enhance the gameplay experience, often likening it to the soundtracks of other popular titles like "FTL" and "Hotline Miami." While some players find the soundtrack engaging and immersive, others describe it as forgettable or repetitive, suggesting it may not stand out in the long run. Overall, the music is generally considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing positively to its atmosphere and enjoyment.

    • “The music is great, the art is great, you can pick it up and put it down very easily, and it runs on anything.”
    • “The soundtrack is astounding!”
    • “The music transitions between bright and peppy, grand and echoing, and dramatic and fast-paced without ever seeming jarring.”
    • “Music is forgettable (was there music?) ...all in all, cannot recommend.”
    • “I can't remember much about the music, I probably turned it off, if there was any.”
    • “Right now, the music just...exists.”
  • humor258 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its sharp, witty writing and the ability to create hilarious situations through clever gameplay mechanics. Players enjoy the unexpected comedic moments that arise from chaotic interactions, gadget mishaps, and absurd character actions, making for a consistently entertaining experience. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with strategic gameplay, resulting in a fun and engaging atmosphere that keeps players laughing throughout their missions.

    • “One of the few games that has ever made me laugh out loud.”
    • “Each playthrough is rich with funny, heroic, incredible moments.”
    • “You're pretty much always guaranteed a few laughs at the least as you gloriously succeed to far more often die hilariously.”
  • grinding172 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the initial gameplay can be engaging, it quickly becomes repetitive and tedious as missions start to feel samey. Some appreciate the strategic elements that can mitigate the grind, but others find the necessity to repeatedly complete similar tasks for gear and upgrades to be a significant drawback, leading to a sense of aimlessness. Overall, while some players enjoy the grind as part of the experience, many feel it detracts from the game's long-term enjoyment.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “More grinding than a blackout drunk boilermaker with an arc welder... really want to like this game but it gets very mundane rather quickly, nothing amazingly new after a couple of hours.”
    • “Unfortunately, it's incredibly grindy, even for roguelikes.”
    • “The early-game stages are a particularly tedious grind, and the unforgiving permadeath mechanic promotes a very slow, deliberate playstyle to maximize success.”
  • stability46 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players noting occasional bugs and glitches, particularly during missions and game startup. While some users report a smooth experience, especially on platforms like the Steam Deck, others have encountered frustrating freezes and gameplay interruptions. Overall, the game is considered enjoyable despite its stability issues, with players appreciating its innovative design and storytelling potential.

    • “The game runs great on the Steam Deck.”
    • “Besides that, the game is well made with no glitches (that I have found).”
    • “It's not buggy at all, but it feels like it could have used more content.”
    • “Due to an update to the game or a hardware update on my end, the game starts and immediately freezes with no audio and a frozen visual of the initial constellation screen.”
    • “The game is fun but it freezes every time after a liberation mission.”
    • “It is not the most polished (having just come out, you'll encounter quite a few bugs and, in my case, freezes) but it is very enjoyable nonetheless.”
  • atmosphere40 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its engaging and immersive qualities, enhanced by a well-crafted soundtrack and vibrant graphics. Players appreciate the sense of freedom in gameplay, which allows for creative approaches to tasks, contributing to a captivating experience. Overall, the combination of polished mechanics, sound design, and visual aesthetics creates a standout atmosphere that resonates with fans of stealth and action genres.

    • “Its simple yet vibrant graphics combined with the well-suited and high quality sound effects create an excellent atmosphere, and the intuitive controls only add to the experience.”
    • “The game-play loop is amazingly addicting and fun, while the atmosphere and music also don't disappoint.”
    • “It's also well written, sounds good and beautiful; I mean, space looks 'deep' (feels atmospheric as hell), factions have their personalities and space stations are decorated with this sci-fi cool stuff.”
    • “Most of the time I have to escape the ship by shooting a window open to space and have the internal atmosphere shoot me out into space and have my shuttle pick me up.”
    • “Highly recommend if you enjoy something along the lines of FTL, both because of the atmosphere (or lack thereof, sorry) and the pause tactics.”
    • “Unless you're really wanting the spaceship atmosphere, I just think Gunpoint was a better game (but hey, maybe that's just nostalgia talking).”
  • emotional36 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of heartbreak and exhilaration, as players experience intense highs and lows through challenging missions and character attachments. While some feel a lack of emotional investment due to minimal narrative, others find themselves deeply affected by the game's mechanics, leading to moments of genuine frustration and joy. Overall, it creates a unique emotional rollercoaster that resonates with players, making them feel both powerful and vulnerable.

    • “I cried.”
    • “This game had me hypnotized for 50 hours coming up with all sorts of builds and ways to abuse the system, and pull off some of the most ridiculous missions, and it still had more difficult ones to throw at me, at which point I cried and stopped trying.”
    • “A game that can naturally create emotional situations and desperate encounters, that does so without heavy scripting and lots of dialogue and voice acting, is really special.”
  • optimization22 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with many players noting it functions effectively and is reasonably well-optimized for most systems. However, some users report performance issues, particularly on older hardware, where framerate can degrade after extended play. While the game is praised for its price-to-optimization ratio, potential buyers are advised to consider waiting for a sale due to occasional frustrations and the need for decent system specifications.

    • “Heat Signature is a well-optimized semi-roguelike action game and an epic moment generator, set in an unforgiving nebula in the depths of a vast sci-fi universe.”
    • “As far as I can tell, the game does everything it sets out to do, is reasonably well optimized, and is functional from top to bottom.”
    • “Optimization: very well done.”
    • “The only negative for me is that the performance is a bit lacking.”
    • “Performance-wise, if the game's been running for more than 2 or 3 consecutive hours on an older system (4 GB RAM, Intel HD 3000 graphics), the framerate slows down slowly but continuously.”
    • “However, there are some performance problems and the game requires a decent amount of RAM, but nothing too serious.”
  • monetization8 mentions

    The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions and ads, reflecting a commitment to quality and player experience. Reviewers commend the developers for their dedication over three years, contrasting it with the trend of releasing unfinished games for profit. Overall, the monetization approach is seen as respectful and player-friendly.

    • “I think the advertising doesn't hit the experience exactly.”
    • “I have a huge amount of respect for the developers, especially for developing the game for three years before release, when so many others pump out half-finished games in early access and settle for the cash grab.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development in the game is noted for its simplicity, with each character having a personal mission that provides some backstory. While the dialogue is well-crafted, particularly in interactions like the one with Geneva Stonelock, overall, there is a lack of depth and extensive character development throughout the game.

    • “The game's character design is simplistic, yet effective, with each character having a personal mission that enriches their backstory.”
    • “The dialogue was good, and I particularly enjoyed the conversation with Geneva Stonelock, but in general there wasn't much use of dialogue or character development.”
    • “The game's character design is simplistic, yet effective, with each character only having a personal mission to give them backstory.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

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Play time

14hMedian play time
26hAverage play time
8-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 88 analyzed playthroughs

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