Neckbreak

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Project Downfall is a single-player, narrative-driven, atmospheric horror game. You play as a detective investigating a mysterious facility where things have gone terribly wrong. Uncover the dark secrets of the facility through environmental storytelling, notes, and interactions with unsettling entities. Your choices and investigative decisions will impact the outcome of the story.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 264 reviews

graphics22 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

The game features a unique visual style that combines 2D and 3D elements, creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere reminiscent of Hotline Miami.
The combat is fast-paced and satisfying, with a variety of weapons and a pill mechanic that adds depth to gameplay, allowing for strategic choices during encounters.
The soundtrack is excellent, enhancing the overall experience and fitting well with the game's intense and chaotic action.

The game suffers from frustrating level design, with enemies often placed in ways that lead to cheap deaths, making it difficult to progress without repeated trial and error.
The hit detection and enemy reaction times can feel inconsistent, leading to moments where players are killed by unseen enemies or unfairly quick attacks.
The stamina system and penalties for using pills can detract from the gameplay experience, making it feel more punishing than enjoyable at times.

graphics
59 mentions
37 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stylish and unique aesthetic, drawing comparisons to the vibrant, chaotic visuals of "Hotline Miami" while incorporating a cyberpunk twist. Many reviewers highlight the game's beautiful art design and atmospheric effects, although some note that the intense lighting and color palette can make it difficult to distinguish enemies during gameplay. Overall, the visuals are considered a significant strength, contributing to the game's immersive experience.
- “The graphics are good, the music is good, and the gunplay is good.”
- “This game is an absolute work of art and the pinnacle of indie games, with fantastic hidden artwork within the game, stunning visual appearance, great soundtrack, and the lot.”
- “The visuals for me are the game's biggest strength; it's so stylish and hypnotic with this smoky stupor atmosphere that feels just as haunting and transcendental to the world as it does to the player character.”
- “With Neckbreak, it's painfully obvious where each of the game elements was taken: the graphics and trippy vibe of Hotline Miami, the gameplay of Superhot, or the alleged ability to use multiple approaches to problem-solving, a la Deus Ex.”
- “At first, it feels super janky and I got a general feeling of it being kind of surface level only; 'unique art style is all it has going for it' types of vibes.”
- “Unfortunately, the flat color palette hurts the game here--while it does wonders for the grimy and depressing aesthetic, it also makes it harder to tell the enemies from the background.”
gameplay
46 mentions
24 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a mix of fast-paced, trial-and-error mechanics reminiscent of titles like Hotline Miami and Superhot, featuring a unique pill system that adds complexity but can feel essential to progress. While many players appreciate the fluid controls and engaging combat, some criticize the chaotic nature and lack of clarity in mechanics, leading to frustration. Overall, the game offers a visually striking experience with potential for replayability, though it requires further polish to fully realize its gameplay ambitions.
- “A very unique visual style mixed with really fun and challenging gameplay makes for one hell of a game that you really don't want to miss (especially if you're a Hotline Miami fan) and at the current sale price of $3.99 it's practically a steal!”
- “Gameplay feels very tight and I don't feel it comes across in screenshots - this game is absolute eye candy in motion.”
- “The gameplay itself is very very good.”
- “There is also virtually no documentation for any of the game mechanics or levels anywhere, at least not in anything resembling a meaningful shape or form.”
- “The gameplay loop is much like Hotline Miami; enemies die quickly, but so do you.”
- “Sorry, but this type of gameplay doesn't work with such trolling enemy placement, non-visibility, darkness, and effect overdoses.”
music
39 mentions
41 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the gameplay experience, with many players praising the soundtrack as fitting, exhilarating, and well-integrated into the game's atmosphere. The techno beats and dynamic intensity adjustments based on in-game events contribute to a thrilling ambiance, making it a standout feature that some players even purchased separately. However, a few critiques mention issues with repetitive loops and sound design, indicating that while the music is generally well-received, there are areas for improvement.
- “Aside from the constant flow of adrenaline, the soundtrack is an on-point techno ride that revs up when things get crazy.”
- “The soundtrack is lovely; I would pause the game for a hot minute to listen to the in-game music.”
- “The way that the music is modified by your pills/damage is a stroke of brilliance.”
- “3- annoying sound design, the music is awful, enemies have the most annoying sounds.”
- “The music is pretty decent, the first 10 times you hear the soundtrack loop.”
- “The soundtrack definitely evokes what I feel I'd want to listen to whilst experiencing an existential crisis and murdering innocent commuters.”
story
38 mentions
21 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as dark, vague, and often incomprehensible, with a freeform narrative that can feel fragmented and confusing. While some players appreciate the intriguing elements and replayability tied to different story paths, many express frustration over the lack of clarity regarding choices and their impacts on the plot. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a mixed bag, with potential for depth but currently hindered by its obscurity and execution.
- “I've only gotten one ending but the story is alright, it's intriguing and kind of like Hotline Miami, where it slowly gets darker and more complex, and your choices make differences, not just endings but NPC interactions and the apartment you're in.”
- “It may not be perfect at the moment, but it is a work in progress and this game has a lot of potential with combat and general storytelling, reminding you that your actions do have consequences.”
- “The storytelling and, with it, level structure are big ones.”
- “The obtuse story doesn't help, either.”
- “Sure wish the story was a little more clearly delivered because I was genuinely interested, which is unusual these days, so thanks a lot for the narrative blueballs.”
atmosphere
17 mentions
59 % positive mentions
24 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique and stylish design, drawing influences from titles like Hotline Miami and Blade Runner while maintaining a distinct identity. Reviewers highlight the haunting and immersive quality of the visuals and music, which contribute to a visceral experience that enhances gameplay. However, some players note that while the atmosphere is compelling, it can sometimes be overshadowed by frustrating gameplay mechanics.
- “Drenched in style, incredible atmosphere, and Hotline Miami influence.”
- “The game's look, while obviously inspired by Blade Runner, Hotline Miami, and Tron, still manages to look unique because of its combination of 3D and 2D assets, and the whole game exudes a sort of creepy, messed-up atmosphere I don’t think I have experienced in any other game.”
- “The game’s look, while obviously inspired by Blade Runner, Hotline Miami, and Tron, still manages to look unique because of its combination of 3D and 2D assets, and the whole game exudes a sort of creepy, messed-up atmosphere I don’t think I have experienced in any other game.”
- “The visuals for me are the game's biggest strength; it's so stylish and hypnotic with this smoky stupor atmosphere that feels just as haunting and transcendental to the world as it does to the player character.”
- “Game is good in general, has a correctly designed world that creates quite a dense atmosphere, but still when it comes to fighting it gets very frustrating.”
replayability
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
-20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability, particularly for players who enjoy trial-and-error gameplay and multiple story paths, with around nine different endings to explore. However, the reliance on gameplay mechanics, such as the pill system, can feel restrictive and may detract from the experience for some players. Overall, while the combat may not resonate with everyone, those who appreciate its fluidity and challenge will find ample reasons to replay the game.
- “Despite its short playtime, the game provides, I think, like nine endings, giving it ample replayability.”
- “I had a good time with the game and am surprised with its high replay value.”
- “The gameplay is very fluid and punchy; weapons feel fun and powerful. I particularly like that guns aren't completely accurate, allowing for movement and distance to be determining factors in fights, which keeps you pressing onward and rewards riskier play.”
- “If the combat clicks with you, it would offer substantial replayability, but unfortunately I didn't like it myself, so I can't recommend it.”
- “Still, if you're a fan of trial-and-error FPS and wanted something with a ton of replay value (although the gameplay, for me at least, rarely changes) and a ton of story paths (that don't make any sense)... well, this game will go down your throat like the smoothest of pills.”
- “The story is interesting, and while I find the idea of having tons of endings tied to how much you use certain gameplay advantages obnoxious (taking more or less pills which are necessary for endings feels less like players influencing the game and more about how good you are or want to challenge yourself), I can appreciate that they want the game to be replayable.”
optimization
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with players reporting severe performance issues even on high-end hardware, such as the RTX 3080 and GTX 1060. Problems include excessive bloom and poor lighting that obscure visibility, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences. Overall, the optimization is deemed rough, with many players calling for improvements to combat and level design alongside technical fixes.
- “Combat and level design need work; optimization is rough too.”
- “The game’s performance is questionable: I have a GTX 1060 6GB and an i5-8600K, which I think should be okay for a typical Unreal Engine 3 game, but the game’s fog/smoke, rain effects, and minigun fire all manage to take my game from a stable ~100 fps down to the low 40s for a few seconds, resulting in a stutter that is very detrimental in a twitch shooter like this.”
- “Abysmal optimization and performance, almost impossible to see anything due to the awful bloom, blinding colors, and pitch darkness that entirely hides enemies, making the game an unfair exercise of trial and error.”
- “The game’s performance is questionable: I have a GTX 1060 6GB and an i5-8600K, which I think should be okay for a typical Unreal Engine 3 game, but the game’s fog/smoke, rain effects, and minigun fire all manage to take my game from a stable ~100 fps to down in the low 40s for a few seconds, resulting in a stutter that is very detrimental in a twitch shooter like this.”
- “Many simple things can be fixed such as the poor optimization and lighting.”
grinding
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, comparing it unfavorably to other titles like Hotline Miami. Many express a desire to enjoy the game but feel that the grinding detracts significantly from the overall experience.
- “I seriously want to love this game, but I find it to be so annoying and tedious.”
- “It's kind of like this, but it doesn't feel like grinding your balls against a belt sander like this game does.”
- “Tedious levels; go play Hotline Miami.”
humor
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of meme-inspired jokes that some players find jarring, yet many appreciate the overall silliness and fun it brings to the experience, especially when playing with friends.
- “Truly a silly little, funny little experience with my bestest fellas in the game!”
stability
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, players report stability issues including occasional freezing at loading screens, glitches, and unpredictable AI behavior that disrupts gameplay. Additionally, some scenarios are deemed excessively punishing, requiring extensive memorization to navigate effectively.
- “The only downsides are some scenarios that are overly punishing, to the point of requiring a couple of hours to really memorize and act on, a few AI that change how they behave at random - which messes with the combo of reflexes and level memorization, some glitches, and a few guns that feel awful to use.”
- “It freezes at the loading screen; I searched but in vain.”
character development
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that character development, including enemy design, is perceived as somewhat underwhelming and lacking depth at this stage in the game.
- “Enemy design and, I suppose, character design in general are maybe a little lacking so far.”
- “The characters feel one-dimensional and lack meaningful growth throughout the story.”
- “I was hoping for more depth in the character arcs, but they seem predictable and uninspired.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has not been explicitly detailed in the provided text, but the user's decision to pause the game to write a review suggests a strong engagement with the game, potentially indicating that monetization practices may not be overly intrusive or detrimental to the overall experience.
- “The monetization in this game feels overly aggressive and detracts from the overall experience.”
- “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
- “I can't believe how much they expect players to spend just to access basic content; it feels like a cash grab.”