Helium
- March 10, 2017
- rocketship
Get on Steam"Helium" is a hardcore first-person shooter set in a distant future where you, the liaison on Vega 2
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique atmosphere and interesting worldbuilding that stands out in the indie sci-fi genre.
- It offers easy achievements for completionists and has a fitting soundtrack that enhances the experience.
- Some players found enjoyment in the gameplay mechanics and the novelty of the alien enemies, particularly the hoverbike segment.
- The gameplay is often described as boring and frustrating, with poor controls and a lack of engaging content.
- Graphics are criticized for being bland and repetitive, with a limited color palette that detracts from the overall experience.
- Many players reported technical issues, including bugs, poor AI, and a frustrating checkpoint system that disrupts gameplay.
- graphics11 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players finding them acceptable for a low-budget indie title, while others criticize the visuals as inconsistent and lacking polish. The limited graphical options (only low and medium settings) and issues like screen tearing detract from the experience, although the unique abstract aesthetic and creative enemy designs are noted as positives. Overall, the visuals contribute to an atmosphere that some find intriguing, but many feel they fall short in execution and clarity.
“Although the game started on a pretty poor note and at times it can look pretty sweet one moment and then turn around and look like hot garbage the other, what is presented here overall has a unique, abstract aesthetic with cool, strange enemy and weapon designs.”
“For a cheap indie game, the graphics are fine, along with the sounds and level design.”
“They forgive the bad graphics, translations, sounds, limited gameplay options, etc., but at the very least you could try and make what you have work well and smoothly.”
“I think the developers knew it looked hideous because your options menu is limited to two choices - graphics low or graphics medium.”
“Graphics are made in gray tones, which additionally creates an atmosphere of unreality of what is happening.”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 36 % negative mentions
The gameplay has been criticized for its rough mechanics, poor controls, and lackluster level design, leading to a frustrating experience for players. Many found the minimal HUD and absence of guidance to be a hindrance, making navigation and item collection tedious. Overall, the gameplay feels repetitive and unrefined, detracting significantly from the game's potential.
“For a cheap indie game, the graphics, sounds, and level design are fine, but the gameplay could use improvement.”
“The story and worldbuilding were pretty nice, but the gameplay felt rough and the visuals were very repetitive throughout.”
“The gameplay is quite standard; you walk from one end of the map to the other and shoot at a few different types of enemies.”
“Controls are terrible, level design is poor, story/presentation is weak, gameplay can be boring/frustrating.”
“Gameplay is bog standard, you walk from one end of the map to the other and shoot the 3-4 different types of enemies.”
“It does a poor job explaining the game mechanics and it's a technical mess; the audio doesn't always sync with visuals, the enemy AI automatically knows where you are but has no attack animation so you can't tell when you're getting hit, the sprint mechanic is awful because you don't know how long you can run and the speed increase is barely noticeable.”
- story11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The story and worldbuilding are generally considered underwhelming, with many reviewers noting a lack of depth and coherence, often feeling rushed or poorly presented. While some appreciate the attempt to integrate a narrative into a first-person shooter format, the execution is criticized for being weak, with minimal voiceover and limited storytelling elements. Overall, the narrative fails to leave a significant impact, often feeling like an afterthought amidst gameplay frustrations.
“Out of all story-driven adventure games, this one stands out because it's a first-person shooter.”
“The story/worldbuilding was pretty nice but the gameplay was rough and the visuals are very samey throughout.”
“Music, design, atmosphere, and story all contribute to the overall experience.”
“The story is very meh, and the one bit of voiceover in it is laughable.”
“There seems to be no story purpose for this thus far and seeing the disparity between them is jarring and seems rushed/cheap.”
“In addition to that, the 'story' amounts to nothing more than a few snippets of text that barely qualify.”
- music8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the ambiance, with many players expressing interest in obtaining the soundtrack as downloadable content. While the soundtrack is considered fitting and well-executed, some reviews note that the outdoor environments may not match the quality of the music. Overall, the sound design contributes positively to the game's atmosphere.
“Great ambiance and music without a doubt.”
“The game's sound effects and music seem well done, and some of the environments and technology are sleekly designed.”
“The game's sound effects and music seem well done, and some of the environments and technology (warp gates, doors, weapons, etc) are sleekly designed; however, the outdoor environments in between can be awash in mediocrity.”
“The music goes very well with the ambiance, and I'd be interested to get the game soundtrack as a DLC (free would be very appreciated).”
“Soundtrack is fitting.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by its gray-toned graphics that evoke a sense of unreality, complemented by a well-chosen soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers note that it effectively creates a strange and dangerous world, making it particularly appealing to fans of sci-fi, though it may not resonate with those less inclined towards the genre.
“The one thing I can say I found interesting here is the atmosphere.”
“Graphics are made in gray tones, which additionally creates an atmosphere of unreality of what is happening.”
“The atmosphere is enhanced by a well-chosen soundtrack.”
“The graphics are made in gray tones, which further creates an atmosphere of unreality regarding what is happening.”
“If you are not interested in sci-fi, the atmosphere of a strange and dangerous world, and you are not ready for difficulties in gameplay, then you better refrain from buying.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The reviews do not provide specific insights into the monetization aspect of the game, focusing instead on the positive experience of controller support and button mapping. Therefore, no summary regarding monetization can be derived from the provided text.
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is noted for its unusual performance, which contributes to its overall intrigue and appeal.
“The game is interesting primarily due to its unique performance optimization.”
“The optimization features allow for a smooth gameplay experience, enhancing overall enjoyment.”
“I appreciate how the developers have fine-tuned the game for better performance on various systems.”
“The game suffers from severe optimization issues, making it unplayable on lower-end systems.”
“I experienced frequent frame drops and stuttering, which ruined the overall experience.”
“Despite its potential, the game feels unfinished due to poor optimization and long loading times.”
