INCISION
- October 4, 2020
- SmoothBrainDev
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Incision" is a horror shooter game with a single-player mode, showcasing brilliant game mechanics, stunning visuals, and an immersive soundtrack. Inspired by classic FPS games like Doom, Quake, and Blood, it promises a challenging, gory experience that requires skill and focus. Clearing forts filled with monsters while avoiding detection adds depth to the intense, merciless carnage.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- INCISION features a unique and brutal aesthetic that combines elements of body horror and industrial design, creating an immersive atmosphere.
- The gameplay is fast-paced and satisfying, with a variety of weapons that feel powerful and impactful, encouraging players to experiment with different combat styles.
- The level design is intricate and engaging, with plenty of secrets to discover, making exploration rewarding and enhancing the overall experience.
- The lack of a save system can be frustrating, as players must restart levels upon dying, which can lead to repetitive gameplay and loss of progress.
- Some players may find the game too dark, making it difficult to see enemies and navigate certain areas without relying heavily on the flashlight.
- The difficulty curve can be steep, especially for those unfamiliar with the genre, which may deter more casual players from fully enjoying the experience.
- music113 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its unique and immersive industrial soundtrack, which effectively enhances the atmosphere and gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight its ability to transition dynamically with the action, creating a fitting backdrop that complements the game's themes of horror and intensity. While some found certain tracks less memorable, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
“The soundtrack is used so well here, not just heavy metal tracks that are tied into this genre, but there are also tense, almost horror-like sections where things go totally silent, really helps to build the mood per level and let you know when a tonal shift is coming.”
“You feel as though the soundtrack is bending around the very world you traverse, celebrating your victories in a deep swell of synths while instilling paranoia for what's to come with creeping ethereal tones.”
“The music evolves as you progress through each level.”
“Sometimes the sound pool gets filled and the minigun stops making some of its sounds while firing; other times, music outright stops, probably due to the way I moved into a music transition zone.”
“Another con is the music for the beginning of the game, and just the beginning.”
“Its difficult to discern the enemies from the environment, things are surprisingly dark, and the music is a little grating (which might be the point).”
- graphics108 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a unique and brutal aesthetic that blends elements of body horror and industrial themes, reminiscent of classic FPS titles. Many players appreciate the consistent art style and level design, which contribute to an immersive atmosphere, though some express concerns about limited graphical options and certain visual effects that may detract from the experience. Overall, the visuals are praised for their creativity and ability to evoke a distinct mood, making it a standout feature for fans of retro-inspired shooters.
“The art style and level design is immaculate.”
“The aesthetic is incredible.”
“The visuals and the music work really well together.”
“The visuals honestly aren't the best to me; there's the usual grainy TV filter but you can't turn it off, and bumping the resolution doesn't do much to it.”
“My main gripe is the visual aesthetic forcing on a dark red dithering filter the entire time that gives me a headache, and there is no option to turn it off.”
“The game graphic conceit seems acceptable and even interesting for creating atmosphere and mood, until you realize that Incision’s featureless enemies can’t be seen at any distance against a background (even when not matching) until they move.”
- gameplay66 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its fast-paced, satisfying mechanics and unique level design that keeps players engaged with fresh challenges and clever loops. Players appreciate the visceral feel of the weapons and the addictive nature of the combat, although some express concerns about certain mechanics and enemy designs. Overall, the game successfully combines a striking aesthetic with solid gameplay, appealing particularly to fans of the boomer shooter genre.
“The gameplay is strong and the atmosphere is like a horror dream, and the feel of the gameplay has depth.”
“Incredible weapons, gameplay, and soundtrack.”
“The gameplay is fast and challenging but not unfair; it just makes you think in every battle.”
“People keep making these shallow lo-fi shooters that fall short of their inspirations, with gameplay that consists simply of wandering around environments of varying comprehensibility while reflexively clicking on anything that moves.”
“Besides basic jank -- the gameplay is just set too hard with checkpoints being too far apart.”
“When you combine the aesthetics, the odd mechanics, the bolted together world that does not explain itself you end up with something that never settles into a state of normality.”
- atmosphere52 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its chilling and immersive qualities, blending horror elements with a powerful fantasy aesthetic. Reviewers highlight the exceptional sound design, level design, and a unique industrial vibe that creates a tense and engaging experience. While some players note challenges in enemy visibility against the backdrop, the overall ambiance is described as intense, captivating, and reminiscent of classic retro shooters.
“The atmosphere is both chilling and electrifying, finding the exact balance between horror and power fantasy that puts it on par with Dusk.”
“Incredible atmosphere and music, the atmosphere rivals that of Dusk and even Quake.”
“The atmosphere is creepy in a not-so-desirable way.”
“The aesthetic is so utterly grimy, the atmosphere so tense and apocalyptic, and, most importantly, the gameplay is just good.”
“This game has a dripping wet atmosphere that makes you think it's holding a full house in its hand but when the time comes to throw cards on the table it actually had a royal straight.”
- story33 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story of "Incision" is characterized by its intriguing environmental storytelling and Lovecraftian themes, offering players a narrative that is open to interpretation and rich in existential cosmic horror. While some players appreciate the well-placed story elements and aesthetic design, others feel that the narrative could benefit from more explicit exposition and dynamic progression, as it sometimes relies heavily on the surroundings for context. Overall, the game presents a compelling story that engages players, though its delivery may leave some feeling uncertain about the details.
“Upon first discovering Incision, it definitely was my 'mad god the game' candidate, but going deeper into the growth vivarium and beyond, I felt much more like I was in a Lovecraftian story, where I was able to influence a level of eldritch politics I could never fully understand.”
“Incision's story, unlike Mad God, is not completely surreal, but is very open to interpretation, and that's my favorite kind of story.”
“Well-written story tidbits that you get while exploring the environment of metal, grunge, rust, and flesh.”
“I'm probably missing something in the story department because... well actually I'm unsure about the story; either I missed the messages or they didn't show for me.”
“Incision’s story seems to hint at this progression, but locations, encounters, and enemies largely lack the sense of sequence that is necessary to generate continued interest, creating a feeling of repetition very quickly.”
“Originally said the story was bland, but it's more so that it goes with the Quake/HROT/Dusk way of thinking where it uses environmental storytelling and relies on surroundings to be unique.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as both addictive and subtly woven into the experience, often blending with elements of gore. While it may not always be overt, players appreciate the cleverness and underlying comedic aspects that enhance the overall enjoyment.
“Very addictive game, so funny and a lot of gore.”
“But what virtually every one of them has had, until incision, is humor.”
“Not always obvious or blatant, but humor, nonetheless.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users report that the game's optimization is lacking, as they experienced no performance improvement when adjusting resolution settings and noted low resource utilization, even while streaming other AAA titles at ultra settings without issues.
“I tried running it at 1440p and 1080p, and I didn't see any improvement whatsoever to performance, and the game had very low utilization of my resources.”
“I tried running it at 1440p and 1080p, and I didn't see any improvement whatsoever in performance; the game had very low utilization of my resources.”
“I was also streaming at the same time, but if I can stream all the latest AAA games at ultra settings without any noticeable dip in performance, I don't believe that had any impact.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect has received criticism for breaking immersion, particularly in Chapter 2, where the presence of a radio and a neon store sign detracts from the game's intended atmosphere of horror, making it feel more like an ordinary world rather than a unique, unsettling experience.
“Sadly, the one criticism I have so far regarding this is in the new Chapter 2 level, as there is a radio with audio lines and a neon sign advertising a store, which took me out of this unspoken and unknowable horror that has befallen humanity and placed me in just an ordinary world where bad things happened.”
“The constant push for in-game purchases really detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a cash grab than a genuine game.”
“I was disappointed to see that many features are locked behind a paywall, which makes it hard to enjoy the game fully without spending extra money.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that the game "Incision" runs smoothly without any noticeable glitches, indicating a stable performance during gameplay.
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report that the game creates a strong emotional investment, with elements of gore and dread that can deeply affect the player’s experience.
“It's an emotional investment; the sense of dread and vulnerability can truly overwhelm you.”
“The game evokes a deep emotional response, making you feel connected to the characters and their struggles.”
“Every choice you make carries emotional weight, leaving you reflecting on the consequences long after playing.”
