Insecticide
- April 11, 2008
- Crackpot Entertainment
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"Insecticide" is a single-player mystery shooter game with a good plot and plenty of humor. As Detective Chrys Liszt, you'll explore a futuristic world of mutant insects and solve puzzles, collect clues, and interrogate suspects to uncover a gripping mystery. Utilize unique insect abilities and specialized bug weaponry to navigate the action-based platforming and weapons-based combat.
PC
Windows
Nintendo Ds
Reviews
- Insecticide features a unique and charming setting with a film noir aesthetic, populated by anthropomorphic insects, which adds a fun twist to the gameplay.
- The game combines puzzle-solving and action elements effectively, providing a mix of point-and-click adventure and third-person shooter mechanics that keeps the experience engaging.
- The voice acting and humor, filled with clever insect puns, contribute to the game's charm and make it an enjoyable experience despite its flaws.
- The game is incomplete, ending on a cliffhanger with no plans for a sequel, which can be frustrating for players looking for a full narrative experience.
- Gameplay mechanics, particularly in the action segments, can feel clunky and unpolished, leading to frustrating moments during platforming and combat.
- The graphics and overall presentation feel dated, especially for a game released in 2008, which may detract from the experience for players expecting modern visuals.
- story61 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of *Insecticide* is described as unique and engaging, featuring a charming protagonist and a mix of detective and action elements, though it suffers from being only the first part of a larger narrative, leaving players with an unsatisfying cliffhanger. While the plot is filled with familiar crime story clichés and insect-themed humor, many reviewers found the characters and dialogue enjoyable, despite the overall experience feeling incomplete without the promised sequel. The game’s storytelling is praised for its creativity, but the abrupt ending and lack of resolution detract from its potential impact.
“The storyline of the game was charming, and fun with interesting characters.”
“You've got your grumpy police chief, your stakeout mission, your conspiracy that goes all the way to the upper echelons of power… all of the dialogue is peppered with insect puns that may have you rolling your eyes at first, but they end up being endearing.”
“The plot and characters are engaging and well written, but, unfortunately cut short, as this is the first half of an incomplete series.”
“Yes, the developers released only the first part of a story onto PC, probably gauging audience interest before releasing the second half.”
“The story, as far as it goes, is decent, but there is no getting away from the fact that this is only half the game; just as it gets into its swing, the game ends.”
“Unfortunately, 'Insecticide - Part 2' was never released; so you're left with an incomplete story and an unfinished game.”
- graphics37 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are a mixed bag, with many reviewers noting that while the art style is charming and reminiscent of classic titles, the overall visual quality is outdated and lacks polish, especially for a PC port of a 2008 DS game. Some players appreciate the unique aesthetic and detail, likening it to a stylized fever dream, while others criticize the low resolution and poor cutscene quality. Overall, the graphics are seen as average to below average, with a nostalgic charm that may appeal to some but could deter others seeking modern visuals.
“The art style is gorgeously detailed, capturing the essence of an insect-infested city.”
“The graphics looked fine, sharp and scaled surprisingly well to my 1440p display.”
“It has a cool art style reminiscent of Psychonauts and an interesting story, and the voice acting is of good quality.”
“I guess nostalgia and the detective part inspire some people to play this through, but I just found the controls, dated graphics, and constant crashes to be a bit too much to continue playing this game.”
“The cutscene graphics and sound were of terrible quality though.”
“It has the means to be an okay if not a good game, but the bugged controls, fairly crappy graphics (especially during cutscenes), and flat-out lack of quality sadly pretty much ruins it.”
- gameplay37 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a mixed bag, featuring a blend of point-and-click investigation and action-platforming elements reminiscent of classic titles. While some players appreciate the nostalgic feel and engaging storytelling, many criticize the controls, hitbox issues, and overall execution, leading to a frustrating experience marred by bugs and awkward mechanics. Despite its potential, the gameplay often feels uneven and outdated, leaving players wanting a more polished version.
“The gameplay shifts between investigations (a point-and-click adventure style mode where we walk about examining clues, collecting objects to use on puzzles, and talking with NPCs), and chases (sections with a combat focus, tricky platforming, and waves of enemies).”
“Part one provides a hybrid gameplay style consisting of action blasting platforming with point-and-click detective work.”
“I like that the gameplay differs from level to level, the dialogue is witty and funny, the characters are interesting, and the plot makes you want to continue playing.”
“With a better emphasis on solving minor cases before tackling a larger arc (that could allow the game to be released in multiple parts), with refined gameplay that didn't make me want to pull my hair out, with better sound design, this game could have been playable.”
“The platformer shooter parts of the game have absolutely terrible gameplay.”
“In the end, this game has a lot of bugs (no pun intended) and the gameplay is terrible but if you're the type of person who can appreciate other aspects of games other than the gameplay, I'd say it's worth a couple dollars and a few hours of time.”
- humor14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mix of dark, twisted jokes and clever character interactions, often drawing on pop culture and sci-fi references. While some jokes may fall flat, the overall comedic tone is engaging and entertaining, particularly for fans of quirky humor and adventure games. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and the variety of humorous situations, making it a fun experience despite some inconsistencies in comedic quality.
“You'll be laughing, you'll be scratching your head, but you won't be bored.”
“If you like bugs and dark, twisted humor, you'll be buzzing about this game.”
“The game is often funny, and there are lots of geeky references to 60s sci-fi movies and other areas of pop culture.”
- music14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the jazzy soundtrack for its catchy and fitting noir vibe, while others note issues with the looping and sound mixing. Voice acting is generally well-received, complementing the overall audio experience, but the soundtrack's limited variety has been pointed out. Overall, while not perfect, the music adds significant value to the game, with some considering it worth the price alone.
“The soundtrack to this game is absolutely top.”
“Big ups to the guys who put in the heart on that music.”
“But the music doesn't loop smoothly, so it stutters briefly as it restarts, like a DVD menu.”
“The soundtrack is a mix of seedy jazz and more intense, action-packed stuff.”
“The voice acting is pretty good, the CGI cutscenes are well-crafted (but could benefit from better sound mixing) and the admittedly limited soundtrack is kind of catchy and fits the noir setting (it's not sublime, but I would think there would be at least one YouTube video featuring the jazzy chase theme).”
- stability6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
The game "Insecticide: Part 1" has been criticized for its numerous bugs, with one reviewer humorously describing it as a "buggy adventure." Despite these issues, some players feel that the overall experience is still worthwhile given its solid gameplay.
“The game runs smoothly without any major glitches.”
“I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it rarely crashes.”
“The performance is consistent, making for a reliable gaming experience.”
“6.7/10 - it's really buggy...”
“I'd say that it's buggy.”
“It's a buggy little bastard, but for what it's asking for, it's worth it for the decently solid 3rd person action.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, particularly during the detective segments, which immerse players in a unique bug-themed city. The film noir style enhances the overall experience, making the investigative moments both engaging and atmospheric.
“Insecticide is a film noir-styled action and adventure game with a great atmosphere.”
“In my opinion, the detective segments are the most fun because they allow you to take in the atmosphere of a bug-themed city, despite being only two missions of detective fun.”
“I did quite like the detective moments where you investigate a scene and the atmosphere of the game.”
- character development3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Reviewers appreciate the character design, noting that it is visually appealing and effectively complements the game's jazzy soundtrack. However, there is no specific mention of character development in terms of growth or narrative depth.
“I like the character design.”
“Character designs.”
“The character designs and the jazzy soundtrack support the game well.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and frustrating, particularly due to large rooms and a lack of clear guidance on objectives. The presence of useless items in the inventory further complicates the experience, detracting from the overall enjoyment and flow of the game.
“The first and second parts are kind of tough, as the rooms are pretty big, and you don't get many hints on what to do. Also, items that are no longer useful don't always disappear from your inventory, making the tasks even more tedious to solve.”
“These investigation parts are supposed to be a reference to the old Sierra games, but they're really just boring and tedious, breaking the flow of the game.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's replayability primarily hinges on the collection of soda bombs scattered throughout the environments, offering players a reason to revisit levels for completionist goals.
“The game offers a wealth of collectables, like soda bombs, that are scattered throughout the environments, providing a strong incentive for replayability.”
“Each playthrough reveals new strategies and hidden items, making it enjoyable to revisit the game multiple times.”
“The diverse paths and choices available in the game encourage players to explore different outcomes, enhancing its replay value.”
“The only source of replay value here is the collectibles, which are soda bombs littered throughout the environments.”
“Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to return, as the story doesn't change and the gameplay feels repetitive.”
“The lack of meaningful choices and branching paths means that replaying the game feels more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization aspect of the game has been criticized for its overly serious tone, which some users feel detracts from the overall experience, although it is not directly related to performance issues.
