Lemnis Gate
- September 27, 2021
- Ratloop Games Canada
- 2h median play time
With its well executed timeloop concept, Lemnis Gate could be the sleeper shooter of 2021.
In Lemnis Gate, a turn-based FPS game, you'll engage in 4-dimensional battles within a 25-second time-loop, thinking differently to outsmart and outmaneuver opponents with a varied cast of deep-space operatives. Each of the five rounds offers the chance to alter the timeline as past, present, and future converge in this mind-bending, strategic combat experience. Note that online multiplayer services will be discontinued from 11 July 2023.
Reviews
- Lemnis Gate offers a unique blend of FPS and strategy, allowing players to think several moves ahead like in chess.
- The time loop mechanic is innovative and adds depth to gameplay, making each match feel fresh and engaging.
- The game has a strong community and potential for competitive play, with diverse operatives and strategies.
- The player base is very small, leading to long matchmaking times and difficulty finding games.
- The game has been plagued by bugs and crashes, affecting the overall experience and enjoyment.
- The developers have ceased support and are shutting down servers, making the game unplayable in the near future.
- gameplay142 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Lemnis Gate is widely praised for its innovative time loop mechanics and strategic depth, offering a unique blend of FPS skills and tactical planning. Players appreciate the engaging and intricate gameplay, which rewards both mechanical skill and thoughtful decision-making, although some note that mastering the mechanics can be challenging. Despite some networking issues and a limited player base, the game is considered a refreshing and fun experience that stands out in the competitive shooter genre.
“A very unique and niche game, Lemnis Gate offered engaging and deep gameplay that exercises both FPS skills and strategic thinking in a time loop setting.”
“The gameplay is so intricate, the concept intriguing, very innovative, and complicated as well.”
“Everything runs and feels smooth, the gameplay mechanics are unique and well thought out, and the skill ceiling is basically as high as your ability to understand the construct of time.”
“The amount of time in rounds is too low for much variance in gameplay.”
“I could forgive every single major bug and poor mechanic if the matchmaking were good, and by good I mean fast queue times.”
“Asynchronous time loop gameplay is even more stressful than other shooters.”
- graphics20 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their modern, high-resolution quality, especially when played at 4K, contributing to solid visuals and performance. However, some users note issues with aesthetic diversity and hitbox inconsistencies during gameplay, which detracts from the overall experience. While the graphics are impressive, there are concerns about the lack of polish and clarity in settings, impacting the user experience.
“Memorable and distinct characters, truly innovative gameplay (you actually probably have never played anything like this) and great graphics.”
“Graphic is modern and high res.”
“[original premise and sleek graphics, plenty of modes and maps, great variety of characters]”
“The unlockable aesthetic is garbo.”
“Everyone kind of has the same aesthetic, but not much personality.”
“Good luck trying to headshot Karl, especially when he is sliding. The hitboxes are weird when people slide, so it doesn't match up with visuals when trying to headshot people; sometimes you hit their shoulder or miss entirely.”
- monetization13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- -15 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
The game's monetization strategy was ineffective, leading to its early shutdown due to a lack of players. Reviewers suggest that a shift to a free-to-play model with a battle pass, along with better advertising and communication, could have attracted a larger audience and potentially saved the game. Despite its promising design and gameplay, the absence of a solid marketing campaign contributed to its downfall.
“The solid visuals and performance enhance the experience, and I appreciate that there are no microtransactions involved.”
“The basic FPS action is up to snuff, and it's refreshing to see a game that doesn't rely on monetization tactics.”
“The time-loop concept is genuinely clever, and the absence of microtransactions allows for a more immersive gameplay experience.”
“The game can't be bought any longer as of April 11, and the server shut down on July 11, 2023. It was such a good game with potential; the only problem was that it didn't have enough players. If they had started a real campaign with ads and trailers on social media and made it free-to-play with a battle pass, they could have saved this game.”
“This has somehow been hidden from the front page of the store and didn't even show up on new and trending on its release day, so I hope they start advertising soon to make sure this game doesn't die.”
“Bought day one, the game has lacked players since its beginning. It's such a shame because it's really original; the character design and artistic direction are really good. The game had everything to become something special, but the zero communication and advertising did not attract players. The emptier the game was, the emptier it became, and the developers abandoned it very quickly after realizing the flop, which is such a shame because the game was very promising.”
- optimization9 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews; while many players praise its smooth performance and well-designed gameplay loop, others report significant lag and frame stuttering that can severely impact gameplay, especially in timing-critical situations. Overall, the game performs well for most users, but optimization issues may hinder the experience for some.
“Performance is good and the main game loop is really well thought out.”
“Really good game, easy to learn, fun gameplay, runs smoothly. 10/10 would buy again.”
“[Solid visuals/performance, basic FPS action is up to snuff, time-loop concept is genuinely clever, local multiplayer supported, no microtransactions.]”
“Lag can make this game unplayable due to frame stuttering, and in a game where timing is essential, a missed shot can mean everything.”
“Lag can make this game unplayable due to frame stuttering, and in a game where timing is essential, a missed shot can mean everything.”
- stability8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the game enjoyable with good performance and visuals; however, there are notable issues with stability, including occasional bugs and server crashes. While many report a generally smooth experience, the instability detracts from the overall enjoyment for some users.
“Game plays and runs great otherwise.”
“Only played a few matches but it is awesome, runs great, and is a great concept.”
“Really fun, runs great, and looks good visually.”
“But that's not my experience; it can be buggy, and the server does crash every so often.”
- story6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is highlighted by a compelling narrative where the fifth team member saves the first four during their suicide missions, which players find incredible. However, some users feel that the overall story is limited and would have preferred a more extensive single-player campaign, as the multiplayer mode requires learning on the fly. While the gameplay experience is enjoyable for fans of FPS and strategy, the narrative depth may not meet everyone's expectations.
“Having the first four of your team go on suicide missions and then having the fifth deployed save and validate the first four is incredible.”
“While it might not come with a thrilling story, it does deliver a unique gameplay experience that will be enjoyable for FPS and strategy fans alike.”
“Having the first four of your team go on suicide missions and then having the fifth deployed to save and validate the first four is incredible.”
“I would have accepted a 10-mission bad story mode rather than having to learn on the fly in multiplayer mode.”
“[Limited story; some modes can get stale after a while]”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers nearly endless replayability, thanks to its diverse combinations and engaging concept, making each playthrough feel fresh and unique.
“Great concept, almost endless replayability due to the combinations.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players express that while grinding is a common aspect in many MMOs, Lemnis Gate offers a refreshing alternative that could appeal to those seeking a break from traditional grinding mechanics. If the developers continue to support and refine the game, it has the potential to become a leading online PvP experience.
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is praised for its originality and strong artistic direction, showcasing potential for depth and engagement. However, the lack of player engagement and subsequent abandonment by developers hindered the opportunity for further character growth and exploration, ultimately leaving a sense of unfulfilled promise.
Critic Reviews
Lemnis Gate Review – Time-Locked Potential
Lemnis Gate is a game at odds with itself. Its well-executed time loop mechanics could potentially appeal beyond the usual hardcore shooter crowd, but the game’s matchmaking shortcomings and lack of single-player content will keep that wider audience at arm’s length. Lemnis Gate is fun, but it feels like a concept that needed more resources to fully realize its promise. That said, if you are a dedicated shooter fan looking for something a little different, you may find yourself doing the time warp again (and again and again).
75%Lemnis Gate review — 4D chess with guns
Even if you are not a fan of competitive multiplayer, Lemnis Gate is worth checking out due to its highly original mechanics, tactical sandbox abilities, and fluid shooter action.
80%Lemnis Gate: Phenomenally Unique & Brilliantly Innovative – PS4 Review
Lemnis Gate is as complex as it is fun. While its complicated mechanics may seem overwhelming at first, when you actually jump into a match it feels both intuitive and easy to understand. Each of the seven heroes are incredibly unique and fun to play as, and the sheer amount of content on offer makes it a worthwhile package. For its low price point, it would be silly to pass up picking up Lemnis Gate.
90%