Hold Out
- August 6, 2020
- Open Brains Studio
Get on Steam"Hold Out" is a VR strategy game where you defend your base from hordes of zombies. Use a variety of weapons and fortifications to survive as long as possible. With procedurally generated levels and permadeath, each playthrough offers a new challenge. Gather resources, make tactical decisions, and adapt to changing circumstances to fend off the undead.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game has a fun concept and can be enjoyable, especially when played with friends.
- Graphics are well done, reminiscent of mid to late 2000s games, and the environments are immersive.
- The developers are active in the community and responsive to feedback, showing potential for future improvements.
- The controls feel clunky and awkward, with issues like not being able to reload while moving and high recoil on weapons.
- The game has not been updated in a long time, leading to concerns about its development and potential abandonment.
- Gameplay can feel frustrating due to mechanics like zombies spawning unexpectedly and the lack of clear objectives.
- gameplay10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Gameplay is generally solid and enjoyable, with satisfying shooting mechanics, though some players find the gun controls unwieldy and difficult to master. There are concerns about optimization and bugs, leading to feelings of abandonment, but the basic playability is well-implemented. Future updates are anticipated to improve variety and address issues like recoil and supply placement.
“The actual gameplay is pretty solid.”
“The gun mechanics can be a little difficult to master, but then it's so satisfying to shoot at the same time.”
“They have provided the basic necessities of playability to the levels very well, and at this time, that's more important while they focus on removing bugs and adding more gameplay features.”
“The mechanics are unwieldy.”
“I liked the gameplay and the concept, but optimization is a mess and it seems abandoned, so I requested a refund!”
“Killing floor mechanic where you turn around and a couple of mobs spawn right behind you is utilized here.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics, while lacking RTX support, are well-executed and reminiscent of mid to late 2000s titles, such as the original Left 4 Dead and Payday. Overall, users find the visuals to be quite appealing and not disappointing.
“There isn’t RTX this time around, but I have to say, the graphics are actually really well done.”
“The graphics could be compared to a mid to late 2000s style (like the first Left 4 Dead game, Payday). I like them a lot.”
“The graphics could be compared to a mid to late 2000s game (like the first Left 4 Dead or Payday). I like them a lot.”
“Graphics are not that half bad at all.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is highly praised for its impressive textures and immersive design, creating a dark and foggy environment that enhances tension and suspense. The mansion's multiple paths add to the gameplay experience, though the obscured visibility from the atmospheric effects can make encounters with lurking zombies more challenging.
“The actual textures are awesome, and I really like the atmosphere and the way everything looks.”
“The mansion has multiple paths that can be traversed, and generally, these paths will form a loop, reducing the chance of getting cornered by zombies. However, more often than not, the zombies will be waiting for you, and the dark atmosphere plus the fog make it a little difficult to see them hiding in the darkness, waiting for an unlucky traveler to be their next meal.”
“The mansion has multiple paths that can be traversed, and generally these paths will form a loop, reducing the chance of getting cornered by zombies. However, more often than not, the zombies will be waiting for you, and the dark atmosphere combined with the fog makes it difficult to see them hiding in the shadows, waiting for an unlucky traveler to be their next meal.”
“The overall atmosphere feels stale and uninspired, lacking the tension and immersion that a horror game should provide.”
“Despite the potential for a chilling experience, the atmosphere falls flat, making it hard to feel any real sense of dread or urgency.”
- stability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that the game runs smoothly, which is a pleasant surprise given the typical expectations of EA titles being buggy. Stability appears to be a strong point for this release.
“It's EA, and it runs great, so that's nice for a change.”
“The game has been incredibly stable since the last update, making for a smooth experience.”
“I haven't encountered any crashes or major bugs, which is a relief.”
“I would normally chalk it up to EA and its usual bugs.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
“I've experienced constant lag and server issues that ruin the experience.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game has been criticized as a clear cash grab, with some users feeling that it falls short compared to other early access titles they have encountered.
“I've played far worse 'day zero' early access games and had my money refunded as they were clearly cash grabs.”
“But this is a clear cash grab.”
- story1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's story is centered around objective-driven missions where players must gather resources, fortify their base, and fend off waves of zombies while awaiting extraction, creating a tense and survival-focused narrative.
“The story is engaging and keeps you on the edge of your seat, with unexpected twists that make every mission feel fresh and exciting.”
“The character development is rich, allowing players to form emotional connections with the protagonists and their struggles throughout the narrative.”
“The world-building is impressive, creating a vivid and immersive environment that enhances the overall storytelling experience.”
“The story feels disjointed and lacks any real depth, making it hard to care about the characters or their fates.”
“There are moments that could have been impactful, but the writing is so cliché that it falls flat.”
“The narrative is predictable and fails to offer any surprises, leaving the player feeling unengaged.”
