Inferno: Beyond the 7th Circle
- April 30, 2021
- 68k Studios
Get on SteamInferno: Beyond the 7th Circle is a first-person shooter set in a hellish underworld. Players fight their way through hordes of demons using an arsenal of futuristic weapons. The game features a unique twist on the shooter genre, with puzzles and platforming elements integrated into the fast-paced combat.
Reviews
- The game features beautiful artwork and an engaging combat and leveling system that many players find satisfying.
- It offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic dungeon crawlers, with a unique character progression system that allows for various builds.
- The atmosphere is dark and immersive, with clever puzzles and a wide world to explore, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.
- The game can be extremely punishing, especially for new players, with limited resources and a steep learning curve that can lead to frustration.
- Combat mechanics are heavily reliant on RNG, leading to inconsistent experiences where players may feel overwhelmed or underpowered without clear explanations.
- Quality of life issues, such as slow loading times, clunky UI, and a lack of guidance on essential mechanics, detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- gameplay18 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a mix of complex mechanics, including hereditary points, resource gathering, and survival elements, which can enhance the experience but may also hinder enjoyment due to extreme RNG and basic combat systems. While the game offers interesting twists on classic dungeon crawler mechanics and quality of life improvements, it may pose challenges for modern gamers unfamiliar with the genre. Overall, it provides a nostalgic yet innovative experience for fans of traditional RPGs.
“There is even a mechanic, 'hereditary points', a limited amount of points you get if you reach far enough to benefit a new character, which shows they had it in mind.”
“A game with many interesting mechanics, survival, leveling, crafting, and for anyone who would find it too hard to progress - possibility to both grind and save scum loot and some rewards.”
“Awesome adaptation of the dungeon crawler concept with an interesting new fighting mechanic.”
“The RNG works to such an extreme that it can seriously disrupt your gameplay.”
“All the complex mechanics he's so proud of either don't affect the fun or get in the way.”
“Combat gameplay is way too basic for me to recommend this.”
- music14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding the combat music to be jarringly inappropriate for the setting, likening it to "your step uncle's rock band" and leading them to turn it off. Conversely, others appreciate the soundtrack's inspiration from classic Italian horror composers, noting that it enhances the atmosphere and complements the game's art. While some players enjoyed the music overall, they expressed a desire for more variety, particularly in exploration themes.
“The art and music are great, albeit the latter slowly got stale over my 50-hour run.”
“Now a few words about the soundtrack – it is just right for this type of game and setting.”
“The special thing about it is that it was inspired by none other than Goblin and Fabio Frizzi – composers who have made memorable music for a range of excellent Italian horror and thriller movies, particularly in the 70s, 80s, and to some extent early 90s.”
“The combat music is some of the most unfitting music I have ever heard in my life. I had to turn off the music in the menu because I could not stand the insane mood clash between the hellish monsters and generic 'your step uncle's rock band' music.”
“Just wish it had more exploration music themes since it's only one on loop.”
“Graphics seem decent and music/atmosphere definitely make you feel like you're in a survival type situation.”
- graphics11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are characterized by a unique illustrated art style that is both dark and atmospheric, featuring imaginative and grotesque monster designs. While some players appreciate the artistic quality and improved interface, others criticize the outdated graphics and technical issues reminiscent of older games. Overall, the visuals are seen as decent but not groundbreaking, with the art style being a standout feature that enhances the game's appeal.
“I particularly enjoyed the illustrated art style and its details, with monsters in particular being very grotesque and imaginative.”
“Dark, atmospheric, fantastic artwork, challenging and plenty of build options.”
“The art style in the game really sets it apart from others in the genre.”
“Decent old-school graphics, but that doesn't make up for this game's other shortcomings.”
“It'd be one thing if there were solutions available somewhere but there don't seem to be, and what precious little free time I have ought not be wasted clicking through menus, waiting for graphics from 1998 to load, or being forced down one very specific path because the creator couldn't be bothered to balance his own game.”
“Graphics seem decent and music/atmosphere definitely make you feel like you're in a survival type situation.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its oppressive and immersive qualities, enhanced by strong art direction and effective sound design that evoke a sense of survival and horror. While the initial experience is gripping, some players feel that the intensity diminishes as resource management becomes easier. Overall, it successfully creates a dark and engaging environment that appeals to fans of atmospheric horror and dungeon crawlers.
“The start of the game was great, every single step mattered and being forced to drink dirty water just to survive along with the oppressive atmosphere really hammered in the point of just how screwed I was.”
“A fantastic atmosphere with some great art direction and enemy designs.”
“It's dark, atmospheric, and the monsters are just grotesque and creepy.”
“The start of the game was great; every single step mattered and being forced to drink dirty water just to survive, along with the oppressive atmosphere, really hammered in the point of just how screwed I was. Unfortunately, this feeling doesn't really stick around for long as farming for resources becomes trivial rather quickly, and always having food, water, and a flint for a campfire becomes a non-issue.”
“Incredibly oppressive atmosphere.”
“Graphics seem decent, and the music and atmosphere definitely make you feel like you're in a survival-type situation.”
- story10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's story is criticized for being simplistic and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting that it often feels secondary to gameplay. While there are elements of a narrative, it is overshadowed by clunky mechanics and a lack of engaging lore, leading to a sense of frustration rather than immersion. Overall, the plot is deemed uninspired and fails to provide a compelling backdrop for the player's journey.
“Every once in a while, a game comes along that offers a fair but doable challenge, a fantastic storyline, and a real sense of accomplishment.”
“And at a place called the shelter you will find trainers, merchants, and people who will give you quests and bounties for various rewards.”
“- while there is a story, it stays in the background for a lot of the game.”
“Absolutely no sense of progression or any plot whatsoever.”
“There is very little to interact with in the environment and the story/lore is close to nonexistent.”
“While there is a story, it stays in the background for a lot of the game.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find that while the initial survival mechanics create a compelling atmosphere, the grinding aspect quickly becomes tedious as resource management turns trivial. The game's clunky user interface exacerbates the frustration, making the experience feel uninspired and overly reliant on convoluted puzzles for progression. Overall, the grinding detracts from the initial excitement, leading to a lack of engagement.
“The lack of interrogation of his intentions vs. implementations means this game becomes remarkably tedious almost immediately.”
“Add to this the simple, constant, grating frustration of an impressively clunky UI that needs to reload the game every time you exit out of a menu (I'm not kidding) and where you thought you'd be playing Ravenloft: Stone Prophet 2021, you actually end up with a tedious, uninspired stinker that's so far up its own ass the creator expects you to teach yourself Picross (or nonogram) puzzles just to get some loot and perhaps advance the story.”
“Unfortunately, this feeling doesn't really stick around for long as farming for resources becomes trivial rather quickly and always having food, water, and a flint for a campfire becomes a non-issue.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the humor in RPGs, often enjoying the opportunity to experiment with unconventional and amusing character builds rather than sticking to traditional, effective strategies. This playful approach adds a layer of fun and creativity to the gameplay experience.
“RPGs tend to be a genre where I try to experiment with unusual, funny builds rather than going for something that obviously works.”
“The humor in this game is so clever and unexpected; it keeps me laughing throughout my entire playthrough.”
“I love how the game incorporates witty dialogue and hilarious situations that make even the most serious quests feel lighthearted.”
