Metal: Hellsinger

Metal: Hellsinger masters its genre mashup and provides metalheads and shooter fans alike with an innovative campaign they won't soon forget.

86%Game Brain Score

music, gameplay

grinding, stability

97% User Score Based on 13,996 reviews

Critic Score 76%Based on 47 reviews

Platforms

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About

"Metal: Hellsinger" is a rhythm FPS game where you battle through hell to a metal soundtrack. Your gunfire and enemies' screams contribute to the beat, with higher ranks awarded for staying on rhythm. Progressing through the levels unlocks new weapons, skins, and abilities, allowing for a personalized gameplay experience. Fight through hell to the rhythm of metal music by slaying demons to the beat.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+11

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97%

Audience ScoreBased on 13,996 reviews

music3.8k positive mentions

grinding66 negative mentions

music
8,566 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
53%
2%
The music in *Metal: Hellsinger* is widely praised as its standout feature, with many reviewers highlighting the incredible soundtrack that features contributions from well-known metal artists like Serj Tankian, Alissa White-Gluz, and Randy Blythe. Players appreciate how the music enhances the gameplay experience, with the intensity of the tracks increasing as players perform better, creating a satisfying rhythm-based combat experience. However, some critiques mention that the game can feel repetitive due to similar boss music and a lack of variety in the overall soundtrack, leading to a desire for more diverse tracks and an official soundtrack release on streaming platforms.
- “Incredible soundtrack, great rhythm gunplay, I absolutely recommend it.”
- “The music is great throughout.”
- “The soundtracks are the true star of the show, enhancing every part of the gameplay.”
- “The only thing this game has going for it is the music, and if you're okay paying $30 for a game that has top-tier music but second-rate gameplay, then have at it... I myself would rather replay Bulletstorm or Titanfall 2.”
- “The music, which is a very high point in this already outstanding game, can be played from the codex section as you unlock it.”
- “The music is a complete banger, especially. However, there is the problem that you don't shoot to music but to the BPM of that music, and that can be quite disappointing when you totally should get a combo and don't get it.”
gameplay
2,823 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
46%
3%
The gameplay of *Metal: Hellsinger* is characterized by its unique rhythm-based mechanics that require players to shoot and move in sync with a heavy metal soundtrack, creating a highly engaging and satisfying experience. While the core mechanics are praised for their fluidity and integration with the music, some players note a lack of variety in weapons and enemy designs, leading to a somewhat repetitive gameplay loop. Overall, the combination of intense FPS action and a killer soundtrack makes for a fun, albeit short, gaming experience that appeals particularly to fans of metal music and rhythm games.
- “The gameplay is smooth and satisfying, with every hit on the beat dealing out more damage, and even on the normal difficulty (called goat), the enemies keep you on your toes and constantly in motion.”
- “The core gameplay loop is absolutely brilliant; it's super satisfying to keep chaining on-beat kills and successfully keeping the fury meter at x16. I have no complaints about that part of the game.”
- “Metal: hellsinger seamlessly blends tight first-person shooter gameplay with a fantastic soundtrack and rhythm mechanics that will constantly keep you on your toes.”
- “The first being that the game is lacking when it comes to content diversity, most of the abilities (sigils) you can put on aren't really worth using if you can keep in time and dodge well enough, only 2 or maybe 3 of the 7 sigils make a big difference on gameplay, the others are just crutches which even with some of the questionable times I've been taken damage, they weren't really needed.”
- “The gameplay loop gets a bit stale, and you are just playing for the music.”
- “The bosses of each level kind of blend together, with some having semi-unique gameplay mechanics, but it usually boils down to 'shoot boss, kill spawned in enemies, repeat'.”
story
1,760 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
61%
5%
The story in *Metal: Hellsinger* is generally considered a secondary aspect of the game, serving primarily as a backdrop to the rhythm-based gameplay and heavy metal soundtrack. While some players found the narrative engaging and appreciated its unique premise of a demon reclaiming her voice, many noted that it is short, simplistic, and often repetitive, with a playtime of around 3 to 6 hours. Overall, the story is seen as enjoyable but not the main draw, with most players emphasizing that the real appeal lies in the music and combat mechanics.
- “The environments and story are really cool, and surprisingly I found myself engaged in the story by the end and hyped for a potential sequel.”
- “The story follows this demon who's voice was stolen by hell and is trying to get it back and is narrated by the second weapon you get.”
- “The story is unique and interesting (with a great ending and several twists).”
- “The story and the cinematics were probably the weakest part of the game, but they aren't the selling point - the music and rhythm are, and they are executed really well.”
- “The story is quite lackluster and you could honestly play through the game without knowing the story and it wouldn't make a difference.”
- “The story is a tad lacking in depth, as it seems to be your typical 'must get revenge, too angry to die' kind of beat.”
graphics
720 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
48%
2%
The graphics in "Metal: Hellsinger" are generally praised for their stunning quality and immersive aesthetic, effectively capturing the game's heavy metal theme. While some players noted minor glitches and a few uninspired level designs, the overall visual presentation is considered impressive, with rich detail and a cohesive art style that enhances the gameplay experience. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to maintain smooth performance even on lower-end hardware, making it accessible while still visually appealing.
- “Metal Hellsinger has stunning, high-quality graphics that truly bring the hellish world to life.”
- “The graphics are visually striking, capturing the metal aesthetic perfectly.”
- “Simply brilliant, finally a shooter that adds a challenging layer to the gameplay (having to follow the musical rhythm) combined with amazing graphics, flawless character movement, decent and simple story and strong diversity in weapons, enemies and map layouts.”
- “The reason is that the graphics and mechanics are super bad for 2022 and this is too boring and bland for me.”
- “On the other hand, Doom Immortal's graphics are lackluster and even at times, cartoonish.”
- “The graphics and the story have the bare minimum budget and effort put into it, they're enjoyable but nothing to cry home about.”
replayability
473 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
63%
6%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while it offers various modes, including higher difficulty levels and a leaderboard system for score chasing, many players find the overall content limited due to its short campaign length of around 4-6 hours. Some enjoy the challenge of improving scores and unlocking collectibles, while others feel that the lack of diverse content and secrets diminishes long-term replay value. Overall, it appeals to those who appreciate rhythm-based gameplay and competitive scoring, but may not satisfy players seeking extensive replayability.
- “The gameplay is smooth if you get used to matching bullets with the beat and the replayability is good, with the archdevil difficulty, torment levels, etc. Personally one of my favorites!”
- “Metal: Hellsinger offers fast-paced combat, impeccable sound design, a killer soundtrack, and plenty of replayability: even without mechanical incentives to keep playing, it's just that damn fun.”
- “The amount of replayability is really solid, too, since the multiple difficulty levels and different weapon/sigil loadouts give you options to mess around with.”
- “The story and length are its main drawbacks; the story is a bit bland and the game can be finished in 3-5 hours, so for 20 euros (as I originally bought it), it's not that worth it. I also find it to be not that replayable as there aren't any secrets in levels.”
- “I finished it in about 4 or 5 hours and I don't see a lot of replayability here. From what I've seen of higher difficulties, it's basically spongier enemies and you need to be a bit more accurate with your rhythm. I don't really care.”
- “The game is entirely linear and very short, and unless you're a huge score attack fiend, you're unlikely to get much replay value from it.”
optimization
209 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
58%
12%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance issues, including frame drops and glitches that can disrupt gameplay. While some users report smooth performance on higher-end systems, others experience poor optimization, particularly on lower-end hardware, leading to a frustrating experience. Overall, there is a consensus that the game requires further optimization to enhance the rhythm-based gameplay and ensure a more consistent performance across various setups.
- “The game is well optimized, even on my 6 year old PC, the game runs on high settings at 75-80 frames at 2k.”
- “Between outstanding and well optimized graphics, lovingly made animations and last but certainly not least a custom soundtrack that will warm the heart of every metal fan and those who will become one after playing this game, I have no idea how it's not what everyone is talking about!”
- “Incredible soundtrack that is highlighted even further by the gameplay, the performances make you want to get better to hear more.”
- “The game is not very optimized.”
- “I'll say right off the bat - this game is horribly optimized.”
- “With this, this game does struggle with optimization issues, which can really deteriorate from the rhythm game experience side of things.”
grinding
99 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
30%
67%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant effort to unlock basic abilities and upgrades. The roguelite mode, in particular, is criticized for its restrictive mechanics and stingy resource allocation, leading to frustration during gameplay. While some players appreciate the challenge and replayability associated with high scores, others feel that the grind detracts from the overall enjoyment and fluidity of the game.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy.”
- “Grindy (60 - 100 hours).”
- “And the main piece of content that is supposed to keep you playing, the Leviathan mode, just feels super grindy and restrictive for no reason. Not only is it a roguelite mode which already makes you rely on RNG, the maps they put you on are tiny, the enemies get super tanky and deal near 1-shot range amounts of damage to you. They lock basic mechanics like dodging and executions behind said RNG until you unlock them with the mode's currency, Void Echoes, which they are very stingy with. You'll be lucky to finish a 20-30 minute run with 50-60 Void Echoes, which won't even be enough to unlock most of the upgrades, which you can't even unlock all of anyways because there is a cap to how many Echoes you can spend. It also costs those Echoes to respect; the first time is free but if you don't like what you've unlocked after that, better cough up 100 Echoes to reset it. There is an end to it and the final boss was cool until they pulled out the AOE 'put you at 1 health and heal to near full' move. On top of spending another 15 minutes on another really good run after that only to lose all of it to a crash, I just gave up on the mode.”
- “It requires extreme amounts of grinding just to achieve base-game abilities (why!?), the arenas are not well-designed with tons of hooks and crannies that can screw you over, and you can face enemies with none of the tools you're supposed to use to counter them.”
- “Since the core of the game revolves around you killing the same handful of mobs each room, going for high scores can feel grindy.”
atmosphere
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
41%
6%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique blend of surreal and macabre visuals, complemented by a killer soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers note that the chaotic and engaging atmosphere, reminiscent of titles like Doom, creates an immersive environment that captivates players, even those who may not typically enjoy rhythm games. The combination of music, art style, and gameplay mechanics contributes to a rich and memorable atmosphere that resonates with metal fans and gamers alike.
- “The game's visuals, which combine elements of the surreal and macabre, add an ominous undertone to the overall experience, creating an unmistakable atmosphere of madness.”
- “Hellsinger is a short game clocking in about 4 hours to beat, but the game is rich in atmosphere.”
- “Atmospheric and engaging all the way through, this is a product of love for every metal fan out there that will have you headbanging until the bitter end.”
- “The atmosphere of this game is literally hell.”
- “In comparison with Doom, the atmosphere and graphics are all poor.”
- “Typically, games have just some music to improve the atmosphere a bit.”
stability
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
8%
72%
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches, particularly in the Leviathan mode, which can hinder gameplay progression. While some users experienced smooth performance and no major issues, others faced frustrating problems like freezing bosses and invisible textures. Overall, while the base game is generally enjoyable, the extra content suffers from notable stability issues that detract from the experience.
- “The game is very smooth and fluid and runs great too.”
- “Runs great on Linux.”
- “For Steam Deck owners; this runs great (through the first few levels at least) and is a blast to play.”
- “This is a great game in its campaign, great music and fantastic if you love Doom-like games. However, the Leviathan mode is buggy and full of broken and textureless areas. I went to a boss room and there were 0 floor colliders, and I was falling until I died. In short, I recommend the base game, not the extra Leviathan; it is complete garbage with all the bugs.”
- “I also don't appreciate playing the 20-minute level again, only to be hit with a common bug where the stage 6 boss freezes in the final stage, so you can't complete it.”
- “This game also has some annoying glitches where boss fights or levels will not progress at all, even though you cleared everything, and you are literally stuck.”
humor
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying the witty dialogue from the sidekick, a skull character, and the entertaining narration that adds a comedic touch to the gameplay. The combination of funny quips, engaging music, and absurd situations creates a lighthearted atmosphere that keeps players chuckling throughout their experience. Overall, the humor is described as clever and well-integrated, enhancing the enjoyment of this unique rhythm shooter.
- “The dialog with your sidekick (who just so happens to be both a skull and your weapon) is entertaining and funny at times.”
- “The southern accent fits perfectly, and there are some lines that genuinely got me chuckling so hard, it messed up my beat matching.”
- “You play as a voiceless protagonist alongside your companion Paz, a skull of a former demon, who narrates your journey and gives funny quips in his deadpan, yet smooth voice.”
character development
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
18%
18%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the character designs and art style as visually stunning and compelling. However, several users expressed disappointment in the overall depth of character development and storytelling, describing it as lacking and unmemorable despite the interesting elements present throughout the gameplay. While the main character has some personality, the game ultimately falls short in providing a rich narrative experience.
- “The environments are highly detailed and the character designs are beautifully crafted.”
- “This was such an amazing game, short yes but the character design, the simple yet compelling story left me wanting more!”
- “Very fun gameplay, neat character design and cool art (especially the cut scenes), intriguing story, and a metal as frick soundtrack in every sense of the word.”
- “One of my biggest gripes with Doom Immortal is its poor story and character development.”
- “The character designs are okay apart from the main character who is pretty good; it has some personality, but overall, the character development feels lacking.”
- “While I appreciate the character design, I find that the character development does not meet my expectations.”
emotional
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while the story is described as cringy and not particularly deep, the soundtrack is highly praised for its ability to evoke strong feelings and enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the passion behind the music, which resonates even with those who typically don't enjoy the genre, making them feel empowered and connected to the game. Overall, the emotional impact is more tied to the music than the narrative itself.
- “No other game made me feel like this.”
- “I genuinely adore this game's soundtrack and continue to spin it outside of my playtime. Songs such as Serj Tankian's 'No Tomorrow' and Alissa White-Gluz's 'Stygia' genuinely reached into the depths of my soul and pulled out plenty of involuntary emotional responses: it's just that good. There's not a single song that I would call bad or even mediocre.”
- “It's just a detail, but it made me feel like the game wasn't only trying to kill me.”
monetization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The monetization aspect of the game has received criticism for its heavy reliance on ads, particularly during arena battles and boss fights, which detracts from the overall experience. While some users noted a lack of traditional monetization methods, the pervasive presence of advertisements has led to a frustrating gameplay environment.
- “It's also discouraging to see so many arena battles with ads during boss fights, since arena battles were all you were doing before the boss.”
- “The boss fights all feel samey, with the same boss at the end of every level, and a slightly different environment and different combinations of ads to swarm you.”
- “[*] advertising with Serj Tankian, but there is only 1 song from him at the end boss.”