Hellbound: Survival Mode

About

Hellbound: Survival Mode is a single player action game. It was developed by Saibot Studios and was released on November 22, 2019. It received positive reviews from players.

90's style First Person Shooter, 20 years later.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,153 reviews

graphics58 positive mentions

story7 negative mentions

Fast-paced, chaotic gameplay reminiscent of classic 90s shooters like Doom and Quake.
Satisfying gunplay with a variety of weapons that feel impactful and fun to use.
Free to play, making it accessible for anyone looking for a nostalgic FPS experience.

Performance issues, especially with frame rate drops during intense enemy waves.
Limited content with only one map and no campaign mode currently available.
Some players experience bugs and glitches, such as mouse control issues and menu navigation problems.

graphics
144 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
55%
5%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the nostalgic '90s aesthetic and modern enhancements, while others criticize performance issues and a lack of optimization. Players appreciate the vibrant visuals and intense atmosphere, but some report lag and low frame rates, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, the graphics are seen as a strong point, evoking classic FPS vibes, though there is room for improvement in optimization and variety.
- “The graphics are superb, the gameplay smooth, and the setting very indicative of a bygone era...”
- “The great graphics mixed with Doom/Wolfenstein-esque 90s FPS gameplay is amazing!”
- “This game is intense, exciting, and made for the 90's type FPS game style, but with graphics from 2018.”
- “Doesn't run too well, I had to play on lowest graphics because otherwise it was laggy as hell.”
- “The visuals are serviceable; they don't look bad, but the bland stereotypical hell aesthetic with no interesting spin on it, coupled with the forgettable enemies that blend together, doesn't help the game.”
- “The framerate is also pretty spotty, and lowering the graphics settings doesn't seem to have any effect.”
gameplay
116 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
51%
8%
The gameplay is characterized by fast-paced, chaotic action reminiscent of classic '90s first-person shooters like Doom, featuring smooth controls and satisfying gunplay. While many players appreciate the nostalgic graphics and mechanics, some criticize the limited content and repetitive nature of the gameplay. Overall, it offers an enjoyable experience for fans of the genre, though it may lack depth compared to more polished titles.
- “The gameplay is as fast and furious as a demon on a caffeine high, and the graphics are delightfully old-school, making every pixel an explosion of ‘90s glory.”
- “The game runs smoothly on high FPS and high refresh rate monitors, which I must say adds greatly to the gameplay experience.”
- “Awesome fast-paced gameplay with big guns and even bigger bad guys.”
- “Gameplay was stale really quick.”
- “Overall it leads to a lot of repetition in the gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is initially disappointing; the ground is visually covered with bumps and ditches and cracks but is in fact perfectly flat outside of the start platform, making the movement feel very boring.”
optimization
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
68%
13%
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems, leading to frame drops and lag even at low settings. While some users experience smooth gameplay on high-end setups, others struggle to maintain playable frame rates, especially during intense moments. Overall, there is a consensus that the game requires further optimization to enhance performance and stability across a wider range of hardware.
- “The game runs smoothly on high FPS and high refresh rate monitors, which adds greatly to the gameplay experience.”
- “Unfortunately for people with 165/240Hz monitors, it is capped to only 144 FPS, which it consistently holds on my 1070 Ti. However, only using 2-3 GB of VRAM means the game should run the more common 1080p 60 FPS well on cheaper RX 580 4GB GPUs, so I would say it is optimized well enough by 2019 standards.”
- “Fun old school style FPS shooter that actually reminds me of Painkiller. The survival demo gives a bit of a taste, and I like what I see with some meaty weapons and a few enemies, and I only had a few performance hiccups; the graphics and sound look pretty decent to me.”
- “In theory, this game should be able to run; however, there is so much happening on screen or in the background that is so poorly optimized. Even at the lowest settings, everything moves at a snail's pace.”
- “My only complaint with this game is the performance. I have more than the necessary specs to play it, but I can't. I need to drop the internal resolution to minimum because enemies don't drop my framerate, but the environment has something that causes drops from 50-40 fps to 5 fps.”
- “If you have a very high-end PC, you may be able to play this game at around 60-70 fps. If you have anything other than a high-end PC, prepare to play the game in slideshow mode. Overall, it's a fun game, but the optimization is terrible.”
music
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
33%
8%
The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many players praising its intense, metal-inspired tracks that enhance the fast-paced, demon-slaying gameplay, often drawing comparisons to the iconic soundtracks of Doom and Painkiller. However, some users noted that the music can become repetitive over time, leading them to prefer listening to their own playlists while playing. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing to its nostalgic and engaging atmosphere.
- “Wicked awesome soundtrack that keeps you pumping rounds and grinding teeth till the sun comes up.”
- “I opened the game, heard the music, and thought 'yes...this is exactly what I need.'”
- “The music is awesome and, like the game setting, feels like it was very inspired by the recent Doom game, with the weapons being like Doom 2 but different at the same time.”
- “The music is repetitive and becomes annoying after a while.”
- “Still not such a high score for audio since there is a lack in variety of sounds and music.”
- “Plus, the music got a bit repetitive.”
story
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
67%
21%
The game's current state lacks a substantial story, with many players noting it primarily features random enemy encounters in a circular arena format, reminiscent of survival modes rather than a narrative-driven experience. While some users express hope for a future story mode and acknowledge the potential for a more engaging campaign, the absence of a fleshed-out narrative in the present version has led to mixed feelings about its overall quality. Overall, players are eager for a more developed storyline to enhance the gameplay experience.
- “Epic story.”
- “Overall while I do like to compare it to Doom, I do think this has a chance of being more than just a 'Doom clone' and I'm very excited to see where this will go story/gameplay wise.”
- “A storyline to this would be amazing.”
- “This game has no story.”
- “The story mode is currently not present in Hellbound, but the devs are working on it (and still sometimes publish smaller updates to the survival mode).”
- “This is a game where you have to shoot to kill and die peacefully, no BS, no story.”
monetization
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
94%
The monetization aspect of the game is heavily criticized for being misleading, as it primarily serves as an advertisement for the upcoming title "Hellbound" rather than a standalone game. Reviewers express frustration over the practice of publishing demos and advertisements as full games, arguing it detracts from genuine developers and misleads consumers. While the game is free to play, it is viewed as a promotional tool rather than a valuable addition to a gamer's library, raising concerns about the integrity of such marketing strategies.
- “The game avoids the pitfalls of excessive microtransactions, focusing instead on delivering a fair and enjoyable experience for all players.”
- “I appreciate that the developers have chosen not to include any intrusive monetization strategies, allowing me to fully enjoy the game without constant interruptions.”
- “It's refreshing to see a game that prioritizes player experience over aggressive monetization tactics, making it accessible and enjoyable for everyone.”
- “If you enjoy advertisements, you can consume them for free on the web or on YouTube without needing to add them to your game library, download them, and then launch the advertising.”
- “While it might seem like an innocuous mistake, publishing demos and advertisements as if they are full games is misleading and in some ways harmful.”
- “It's impossible for me to recommend this incorrectly published advertising spam to gamers; you deserve better than adverts.”
stability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
80%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed among users. While many report smooth performance with minimal glitches, some have encountered significant bugs, particularly in menus and gameplay mechanics. A few players noted issues like model glitches and unoptimized features, but most agree that these do not detract significantly from the overall experience.
- “Runs great on Proton.”
- “Runs great, looks great, sounds great.”
- “I reviewed this a while back calling it buggy and glitchy, which I still stand by!”
- “Buggy, repetitive, unoptimized, and opens a weblink to the game's Kickstarter on each quit.”
- “Couldn't really play the game due to menus still being too buggy and extremely low sensitivity made it rather frustrating to play since I couldn't get into the options screen.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The game's replayability is viewed as mixed; while some players find it infinitely replayable due to its survival mode and potential for user-generated content, others feel it offers limited replay value unless focused on competing for high scores. A level editor and additional content creation tools could significantly enhance its longevity.
- “This game is infinitely replayable.”
- “Only survival mode and still very fun and replayable!”
- “We really need a level editor; being able to create maps, campaigns, survival maps, etc., would add a lot of replay value and help the game live on.”
- “This game offers minor replayability unless you want to try to compete for the highest scores on the global ranking.”
- “Replay value: 3/10.”
- “Replay value is limited; there's not much to keep you coming back.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is highlighted by its absurd and unexpected moments, such as the witty commentary after completing the main objectives and the chaotic interactions between enemies. Players appreciate the nostalgic nod to 90s shooters, with a blend of gore and comedic cutscenes that enhance the overall fun experience. While it may not reach the comedic heights of some classics, it still delivers plenty of laughs and entertaining scenarios.
- “Made me laugh! Once you unlock the 5 weapons—starting AK, baseball bat, shotgun, minigun, and rocket launcher—you've finished the game, and then it says, 'Well, sh*t, they're done, what now?' All the enemies become buff totems.”
- “The fact that enemies can kill each other is very interesting and can lead to really funny moments.”
- “This is attempting to reflect the 90s era shooters, so I am just looking for some gory fun and hilarious/awesome cutscenes.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
40%
20%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its nostalgic homage to classic titles like Wolfenstein and Doom, featuring impressive graphics, fluid movement, and an engaging soundtrack that enhances the experience of intense action. Players appreciate the overall aesthetic and immersive environment, although some note that weapon reactions and gore mechanics could be improved. Overall, the game successfully captures a brutal, old-school vibe that appeals to both veteran gamers and newcomers alike.
- “My experience with the survival mode of Hellbound was great. The game feels nice, the weapons feel good, the graphics are pretty (especially the particles), and the overall atmosphere in the arena looked great. The impressions I had are that the game will be a love letter to old Wolfenstein/Doom, and that's the best part of it.”
- “I liked the atmosphere of non-stop old-styled action in Hell (literally there).”
- “This game is for all of us: the old and bitter ones craving that 90's uncompromising brutality, and the young ones yet to experience the atmosphere of facemelting savagery this game offers.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious at times, requiring significant effort to progress. However, the introduction of bunny hopping mechanics adds a dynamic element, enhancing movement speed and making the gameplay feel more engaging despite the repetitive nature of grinding. The soundtrack also contributes to maintaining player motivation during these grinding sessions.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The gameplay feels tedious until you start bunny hopping. This game has bhops straight from Quake to an extreme level. Often, you get so fast it becomes difficult to avoid the lava, and then you slam into an enemy or thorny tendril, slowing down and thinking, 'Damn, who put that there?' I must go faster. The vertical movement from the bhops makes the boring flat levels look much better and the otherwise slow combat feel more fast-paced.”
- “Grinding feels like a never-ending chore that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”