Infectonator: Survivors

63%
Game Brain Score Based on 656 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Infectonator: Survivors Game Cover
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In "Infectonator: Survivors," survive in a challenging, permadeath zombie apocalypse, where every decision matters. As you scavenge resources, build defenses, and manage survivors, you'll face permanent death and randomized levels, combining RTS, tower defense, roguelike, and management-simulation gameplay. With pixel art graphics, this game offers an old-school aesthetic in a difficult, unforgiving world.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

63%
Audience ScoreBased on 656 reviews
gameplay37 positive mentions
story10 negative mentions
  • The game features a good amount of content and variety, including different starting teams and upgrades.
  • The pixel art and music are well-received, adding to the overall atmosphere of the game.
  • The exploration and scavenging mechanics provide a rewarding experience for players who enjoy strategy and resource management.
  • The game has a steep learning curve and can feel unbalanced, with random events leading to unfair character deaths.
  • There are significant bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including issues with saving progress and character behavior.
  • The lack of difficulty settings and the punishing nature of the game can lead to frustration, especially for new players.
  • gameplay140 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it repetitive and tedious, often revolving around scavenging and managing resources in a cycle that can feel unengaging. While some appreciate the strategic elements and potential for fun, numerous complaints highlight issues such as crashes, clunky mechanics, and a reliance on RNG that can lead to frustrating experiences. Overall, the game shows promise but suffers from execution flaws that detract from its enjoyment.

    • “Fun gameplay, collecting supplies and weapons, managing the base, planting crops, and fighting zombies with melee and ranged weapons.”
    • “Great concept, fun gameplay, and a good time overall.”
    • “The gameplay is awesome and so is the whole idea of the game.”
    • “Unfortunately, all the good things this game has to offer are sorely interspersed with and totally outbalanced by a lack of cohesion, unengaging and flimsy gameplay, and a pervasive feeling of 'why am I even playing this' at every setback on any scale.”
    • “The gameplay is boring; controlling every step of every character manually is tedious, difficulty seems unfair at times, and lots of clicking around (scavenging a single bag takes a lot of clicks just to get through the same text over and over again).”
    • “However, this game is just one big tedious gameplay loop that is almost entirely dictated by RNG and luck more than skill.”
  • story79 mentions

    The story of "Infectonator" revolves around survival in a zombie apocalypse, where players must repair a car to escape a city overrun by zombies and bandits. While the game features unique scenarios and missions, many players find the narrative lacking depth and excitement, describing it as predictable and repetitive, with a need for a stronger storyline and character development. Overall, the gameplay mechanics overshadow the story, leading to a sense of monotony and frustration during missions.

    • “This game tells the story of survival from a zombie attack, and we have to leave the city by repairing the car before the allotted time. Materials for repairing the car can be obtained by searching in various places filled with zombies or bandits.”
    • “The game has a high potential for good storytelling, but a strong storyline is missing. A story with a main protagonist and background could really be impactful.”
    • “Once you get past those first couple of missions, you soon will be challenging yourself to do as much as you can with skeleton teams of one and two as you race to collect as many supplies as you can while still leaving room to fix your ride and develop the latest generation of zombie-killing weapons.”
    • “The story is, it's the zombie apocalypse and your car has run out of fuel.”
    • “The bit that is definitely lacking in the game is story.”
    • “A story with a main protagonist and background story could really be impactful.”
  • graphics60 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many praising its charming pixel art style and retro aesthetic, which evoke nostalgia for classic games. However, some users note inconsistencies in quality, with certain elements appearing low-resolution or overly pixelated. Overall, while the visuals are considered attractive and fitting for the genre, there are calls for improvements, particularly in resolution and variety.

    • “I loved the pixel graphics and the idea of a strategic survival zombie game, especially from the Infectonator series.”
    • “The game has loads of style, a lovely grim 8-bit soundtrack, and polished artwork in every single location.”
    • “The pixel art is great - it's animated well and fits the aesthetic.”
    • “The game also lacks some of the minimum standard features a game should have this decade, like support for higher than 1080p graphics.”
    • “It's a low-quality phone game with deceptively decent pixel graphics, stuffed chock-full of 'features' designed from the ground up to force you to spend real money on in-game purchases in order to make the game even vaguely playable.”
    • “I feel that the sheer heart that other developers have toward their games will outpace this one; when you then add graphics and inspiration to a passionate developer, the disparity will become even more noticeable.”
  • music45 mentions

    The music in the game has received generally positive feedback, with many players praising its engaging and nostalgic chiptune style that complements the pixel art graphics. However, some users noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time, detracting from the overall experience. Despite this, the music is often highlighted as a key element that enhances gameplay and keeps players motivated.

    • “Fun gameplay, great music, absolutely worth it.”
    • “The game has loads of style, a lovely grim 8-bit soundtrack, and polished artwork in every single location.”
    • “An amazing game with an amazing soundtrack, a must for all indie supporters and zombie fans.”
    • “Overall rating: 2 (1 = worst, 5 = best) - thanks to the music.”
    • “The music is repetitive and can drive a person crazy.”
    • “Repetitive but okay retro music, sweet pixel art graphics, lousy crafting and item variation sadly, some replayability.”
  • grinding45 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being excessively tedious and unbalanced, often punishing players unfairly with repetitive tasks and a reliance on luck rather than skill. Many reviewers noted that the gameplay loop feels monotonous, with excessive micromanagement and a lack of meaningful progression, leading to frustration rather than enjoyment. Overall, the grinding mechanics detract significantly from the experience, making it feel more like a chore than a fun challenge.

    • “It is a bit unbalanced, grindy, punishes you unfairly, and has game-breaking bugs that can sabotage your run.”
    • “The gameplay is boring; controlling every step of every character manually is tedious, and the difficulty seems unfair at times, with lots of clicking around (scavenging a single bag takes a lot of clicks just to get through the same text over and over again).”
    • “This game is just one big tedious gameplay loop that is almost entirely dictated by RNG and luck more than skill.”
  • replayability21 mentions

    The reviews on replayability are mixed; while some players appreciate the randomized elements and unlockable modes that enhance replay value, others criticize the game for being overly repetitive and lacking meaningful variation in gameplay. Several users noted that despite its fun aspects, the overall replayability is limited, with some feeling that the game does not offer enough new experiences on subsequent playthroughs.

    • “Plenty of replay value with unlockable special modes and different starting teams.”
    • “Good longevity and replayability; every time you play will be a little different with different starting options.”
    • “+ randomized maps and items make for a lot of replayability.”
    • “Not really any replay value.”
    • “Replay value, however, for this game is extremely lackluster; there isn't very much you can do differently on each run that would actually give you a new gameplay experience.”
    • “Point is, there is no replay value except for grinding out achievements; there are no special endings, no leaderboards, no functional endless/survival mode, and no actual new things to explore or discover.”
  • stability14 mentions

    The game's stability is a significant concern, with users reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and unresponsive controls that hinder gameplay. Despite its promising concept, many players feel it remains in an unfinished state, with little to no developer support over the years, leading to frustrating experiences and lost progress. Overall, while the game has potential, its current stability issues make it largely unplayable for many users.

    • “A great concept with amazing potential, but seemingly abandoned by the devs, left in a semi-buggy state with no replayability.”
    • “The different versions over the years always messed up your progress, but added some content, added bugs and glitches, removed them again... it just never got much better.”
    • “I'm all for forgiving glitches, bugs, and crashes for early access games, but I think that this game is pretty unplayable right now, and for only one simple reason: the user interface is super unresponsive.”
  • humor8 mentions

    The humor in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players find it funny and enjoyable, others feel it lacks the comedic elements present in previous installments, leading to a sense of boredom after initial gameplay. Despite some good ideas, the humor may not sustain interest over time, though it can still be appreciated by fans of the genre. Overall, the game has moments of humor that appeal to certain players, particularly those who enjoy a blend of tower defense and RPG elements.

    • “You could print it and use it for toilet paper while laughing maniacally.”
    • “It might be true but it's pretty addictive and funny.”
    • “I have high hopes for this game and anyone debating it should jump on now for early access, even if only to enjoy its diversity and humor while they continue to make this game a standout purchase.”
  • monetization5 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is mixed; while some players appreciate the absence of microtransactions and the ability to unlock features through in-game tickets, others criticize the presence of currency systems that may encourage spending real money. Overall, the game seems to balance free-to-play elements with a focus on gameplay, though concerns about potential hidden costs remain.

    • “With this in mind, you will die early on for your first few runs or attempts to win and will have to wait to unlock some mutators to help via buying them with unlockable in-game tickets (no microtransactions thankfully).”
    • “In short, these aspects of the game feel like one part Fallout Shelter (all the good parts in that regard without the microtransactions) one part Gears of War horde mode/tower defense (mainly the build and enhance a base of sorts whilst you fight waves and waves of zombies) Left 4 Dead, that part being the teamwork and being together (pun intended) is key to survival, and the gameplay otherwise feels like a Fire Emblem strategy RPG, given the movements of characters and the pace of the game.”
    • “It's a low-quality phone game with deceptively decent pixel graphics, stuffed chock-full of 'features' designed from the ground up to force you to spend real money on in-game purchases in order to make the game even vaguely playable.”
    • “The only downside that I noticed is this game uses coins and 'gems' as the currency, though I don't know for sure, and I could definitely be wrong; this game might have microtransactions.”
    • “With this in mind, you will die early on for your first few runs or attempts to win and will have to wait to unlock some mutators to help via buying them with unlockable in-game tickets (no microtransactions, thankfully).”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is praised for its immersive qualities, particularly through effective audio design that enhances the sense of impending danger. However, some players feel that the reliance on luck for resource gathering detracts from the overall experience, as it contrasts with the desire for more depth and agency in gameplay.

    • “Good atmosphere, and the early difficulty is immersive in the whole 'everyone is gonna die' feeling.”
    • “The developers really know how to match the audio and the atmosphere of the game really well.”
    • “The building mechanic is interesting but it lacks depth and is completely luck-based. In relation to the materials, you can't make a wood farm, for example; you have to loot boxes and hope for the things that you need. This is fine for the atmosphere, I guess, but I feel like if I could walk out and get a piece of wood in real life, it should be pretty easy in-game.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with players noting issues such as stuttering, unresponsive mouse controls, and bugs that prevent saving. While it runs smoothly overall, the experience can be frustrating for newcomers due to its difficulty and the lack of implemented features.

    • “The game runs smoothly despite some bugs and non-implemented features, showcasing effective optimization.”
    • “It's impressive how the game maintains performance, even with some minor issues present.”
    • “It's like the game was optimized for touch screens or something and doesn't register half of the mouse clicks.”
    • “Stutterings, unfriendly to starters, death comes too easily.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is largely overshadowed by repetitive gameplay and a lack of engaging mechanics, leading to a sense of boredom rather than excitement or investment in the story. Players feel that after mastering the game, it becomes too easy and monotonous, detracting from any potential emotional connection to the narrative or characters.

    • “After about 15 hours of playing, I can safely say that everything boils down to: a) equip your squad with SMGs/shotguns, b) upgrade food production in base, c) get at least 8 survivors total, d) grind about 5 location types ad nauseam killing about 5 different zombie types with about 2-3 weapons for 10 hours to finish 4 boring story quests, reaching level cap with your main team in half of that time, e) try not to die of boredom in the meantime.”
  • character development1 mentions

    The character development in the game is praised for its RPG-style mechanics, allowing players to customize and evolve their characters in meaningful ways. This system enhances player engagement and investment in the storyline, as characters grow and change throughout the game. Overall, the depth of character development is a standout feature that enriches the gaming experience.

    • “The RPG-style character development allows for deep customization, making each character feel unique and personal.”
    • “I love how the character development system evolves throughout the game, providing meaningful choices that impact the story.”
    • “The progression of characters feels organic, with each decision shaping their abilities and personality in a compelling way.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression.”
    • “I was disappointed by how little my choices impacted the character's growth.”
    • “The RPG-style character development is overly simplistic and doesn't offer enough depth.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

5hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
4-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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