Kvark

About

"Kvark" is a game where you interview for a position in a secure facility, boasting top-notch security and advanced research. Your duties, while not specified, promise a sense of pride and accomplishment in advancing humankind. The job comes with perks, including a guaranteed lunch of dill cream sauce, dumplings, and a precisely weighed beef sirloin steak.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 168 reviews

graphics12 positive mentions

monetization4 negative mentions

The game features enjoyable gameplay with a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic FPS titles like Half-Life and HROT.
Graphics and sound design are praised for their quality, creating a distinct and immersive atmosphere.
Many players appreciate the humor and charm present in the game's writing and character interactions.

The enemy AI is criticized for being simplistic and predictable, often leading to repetitive combat encounters.
Level design is seen as linear and lacking variety, with many areas feeling similar and uninspired.
Performance issues are reported, with some players experiencing lag even on lower settings, detracting from the overall experience.

graphics
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
42%
12%
The graphics in Kvark are generally praised for their retro aesthetic and polished visuals, effectively complementing the game's setting and level design. While some reviewers note the simplistic style fits well with the socialist architecture, others feel the visuals are decent but not groundbreaking. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's atmosphere, though they are accompanied by critiques of enemy variety and gameplay mechanics.
- “It looks so good, the graphics are retro yet very satisfying ... perfectly nailed, gameplay is fun.”
- “As far as I have seen, the graphics are polished, textures are decent, and water reflection is also quite well done.”
- “The graphics are simplistic, but it fits the setting perfectly.”
- “The visuals are alright, but nothing special, the music is alright.”
- “Graphics are decent, levels are pretty samey, combat is decent, although enemies seem to have too large health pools and the floating drones seem unbalanced.”
gameplay
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
21%
13%
The gameplay of Kvark is generally enjoyable, featuring smooth controls and satisfying gunplay, reminiscent of classic shooters like Half-Life. However, it suffers from a lack of enemy variety, weak boss design, and a somewhat predictable level layout that diminishes suspense. While the graphics and level design are praised, the overall gameplay experience is seen as fun but not groundbreaking, with a bare-bones upgrade system.
- “With nice graphics (really appreciated them, especially the color scheme), level design, and enjoyable gameplay, Kvark is rightfully a 'good game'... but not a masterpiece, due to enemy variety, gunplay (a little too weak), and weak boss design.”
- “Guns feel good to shoot; core gameplay and moment-to-moment action are enjoyable.”
- “Great level design, super fun gameplay.”
- “Kvark's whole gameplay loop for what I'd played was similar to this, with everything being deliberately laid out environmentally to the player before it's necessary, ruining the atmosphere and suspense for its own level design.”
- “The levels are samey, the enemies are not very varied, the combat mechanics are worse than 'Forgive Me Father'.”
- “A Czech version of Half-Life (at least, some of the gameplay reminded me of Steam's most fortunate product), set in what is quickly becoming a saturated time period, but still a hell of a lot entertaining.”
atmosphere
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
39%
17%
The atmosphere in Kvark is described as heavy and eerie, contributing to an immersive experience that enhances the gameplay. While some players appreciate the rich and engaging environment, others feel that the level design occasionally undermines the suspense. Overall, the game successfully combines solid gunplay with a unique atmosphere reminiscent of classic FPS titles like Half-Life.
- “Kvark doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it's an extremely solid Half-Life style game with a rich atmosphere and satisfying combat.”
- “Incredible atmosphere, punchy guns, and good feedback from enemies.”
- “The atmosphere is lovely and immersive.”
- “Kvark's whole gameplay loop for what I'd played was similar to this, with everything being deliberately laid out environmentally to the player before it's necessary and ruining the atmosphere and suspense for its own level design.”
- “Unfortunately, I don't think this small team managed to really nail the atmosphere or the setting besides the short animated videos, though.”
- “Kvark is an FPS that resembles Hrot and Half-Life, a 'half-like', if you will, with a dire atmosphere (despite some tongue-in-cheek instructional videos), solid gunplay, a no-frills upgrade system, and great visuals.”
story
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The game's story is described as sparse and lacking depth, with optional engagement that primarily consists of notes that offer minimal substance. While some players find the hints intriguing and appreciate the unique setting involving a failed communist nuclear power plant, many feel the narrative could benefit from more content and coherence. Overall, it presents a sad backdrop but leaves players wanting more from the storytelling experience.
- “I love a good 'failed communist nuclear power plant resulting in radioactive anomalies and zombies' period story.”
- “You find various notes over the course of the game, but none of them really add anything to the story.”
- “Whatever led to finishing the game this way, it's a sad story.”
- “It's obviously sparse on content or depth of story, but there's enough hints to keep me interested and curious about what's happening in this universe.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The music in the game is highly praised for its quality and effective use, enhancing the overall atmosphere and mood of the levels. Many reviewers recommend the soundtrack as a worthwhile addition, noting that it stands out even beyond its in-game application. While visuals may be considered average, the music consistently receives positive remarks for its contribution to the experience.
- “It's worth picking up the soundtrack; it's not just used well but very good in its own right.”
- “Love the levels (Half-Life inspired) and the music and locations set the mood very well.”
- “The music is used sparingly and very well.”
- “The visuals are alright, but nothing special; the music is alright.”
- “Love the levels (Half-Life inspired), and the music and locations set the mood very well.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in Kvark is consistently praised for its darkly comedic tone, particularly highlighted by a stylized instructional video that sets the stage for the game. Reviewers appreciate the well-written and amusing lore, as well as the humorous design of enemy types, contributing to an overall hilarious experience.
- “There is also just about the perfect amount of lore for such a game, and it is well written and funny.”
- “Kvark is set in an alternate-history 80s Czech Republic in a mining facility, and it opens very strongly with a stylized instructional video that's, as dystopias often are, darkly humorous.”
- “Enemy types were funny.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game features a basic upgrade system that some players find lacking, while the presence of ads is noted as a rough experience, despite the overall smooth and responsive controls enhancing gameplay. Players appreciate the fun elements, such as sprinting and gun mechanics, but the ads detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “The guns are fun, but the ads are rough.”
- “The upgrade system is bare bones, but it is something, I guess.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game, particularly the hl1-inspired railway section, to be tedious and lacking in enjoyment, contributing little to the overall experience.
- “-hl1-inspired railway section is tedious and adds nothing fun whatsoever to the game”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report experiencing intense emotions, particularly panic, during high-pressure moments, such as being overwhelmed by enemies and needing to make quick decisions. This aspect of the game effectively heightens the sense of urgency and engagement.
- “It made me feel panicked when I was cornered by a swarm of enemies and had to quickly switch weapons.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization is highly praised, with users noting solid performance, smooth weapon handling, and fluid movement, all without encountering any bugs throughout their experience.
- “Weapons and movement feel good, performance is rock solid, and I don't think I encountered a single bug the whole way through.”