Obsurity

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 113 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Obsurity Game Cover
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"Obsurity" is a single-player action game with a gripping plot and phenomenal mechanics, set in a beautifully designed, atmospheric pixel art world. The game features two playable characters, each with unique gameplay styles, and offers many secrets and puzzles to uncover in the interconnecting tale of suffering and sacrifice. With outstanding graphics, fantastic music, and a mysterious plot, "Obsurity" promises a unique gaming experience.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 113 reviews
gameplay12 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • Fun and engaging hack and slash gameplay with interesting boss designs.
  • Decent pixel art graphics and atmospheric music that enhance the overall experience.
  • Affordable price point, making it a good option for a short indie game.
  • Combat mechanics are frustrating due to inconsistent hitboxes and overwhelming enemy numbers.
  • Translation issues and poor dialogue detract from the story and overall immersion.
  • Save points are poorly placed, often leading to frustrating gameplay experiences with limited healing options.
  • gameplay44 mentions

    The gameplay is a mixed bag, featuring unique character mechanics and a variety of combat styles, but suffers from frustrating hitboxes, inconsistent mechanics, and poorly placed save points. While some players appreciate the fun and challenging aspects, others find the game lacking polish and depth, making it feel more experimental than fully realized. Overall, the game offers enjoyable moments but is hindered by design choices that detract from the overall experience.

    • “The gameplay is what you'd expect of a hack n'slash: get close to enemies and attack them, run away or die. It's pretty simple, but helps pass the time if you don't have anything better to do.”
    • “I loved the challenging gameplay.”
    • “Controls are super easy to learn and the gameplay was smooth.”
    • “But probably the biggest miss in the game is the dash mechanic, which basically destroys the game.”
    • “It seems that, from my first impression at least, the developers don't understand some core souls-like mechanics they aim to use.”
    • “The gameplay is what you'd expect of a hack and slash: get close to enemies and attack them, run away or die. It's pretty simple and helps pass the time if you don't have anything better to do. The enemies themselves are kind of disappointing since they don't actually get stronger, and only their appearance changes, with a few exceptions. It only becomes interesting to fight them when you're near the end of the game.”
  • story42 mentions

    The story has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it confusing and poorly developed, often likening it to a simplistic narrative typical of a younger audience. While some appreciate the intriguing elements and potential of the lore, they criticize the rushed pacing and lack of clarity, leaving them unsatisfied and wanting more depth. Overall, the narrative is seen as a missed opportunity, with players expressing a desire for a more coherent and fleshed-out storyline.

    • “The story is short, like, really short; you can finish the game in under 2 hours if you don't die a single time. It's easy to understand, but it didn't really stand out for me, and I don't think it fits the 'excellent story' tag.”
    • “Great indie game! I love the graphics, story, and especially the character - would recommend.”
    • “In the game, there are beautiful, varied, and interesting locations, pleasant atmospheric graphics, and quite an interesting plot with cool lore.”
    • “The story is like a 13-year-old's idea of a video game story; vampires, dragons, soul collecting, demons—we've got it all.”
    • “The story starts well and the game attempts to build its universe, but in the end, it feels rushed, leaving you confused and without real answers.”
    • “The story is very strange and doesn't get explained much, making it hard to follow.”
  • graphics30 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the pixel art style reminiscent of 2000s games and praising the atmospheric visuals and character sprites. However, some users noted that certain character designs felt generic and that the game could lag on lower-end systems despite its lo-fi graphics. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good, there is room for improvement in character detail and performance optimization.

    • “Graphics first, they were really good, at least the pixel art for the environment.”
    • “Nice graphics, incredible combat mechanics and, of course, an amazing atmosphere.”
    • “In the game: beautiful, varied and interesting locations, pleasant atmospheric graphics, good controls, quite an interesting plot with a cool lore.”
    • “If this was a 3D title with extravagant graphics, I could see that as an excuse, but for a small 2D game like this, it should run, even on my computer.”
    • “The portrait of each character in conversation was kind of in the way of the aesthetic built on the pixel art, and I can't say the characters themselves were generic, but they could've been way more remarkable. Although I have to point out that one of the reasons I bought the game was the designs, so I have mixed feelings there.”
    • “Despite the lo-fi graphics, the game can make your PC lag if your graphics card settings aren't right - I found that going into my NVIDIA settings and prioritizing performance over quality boosted the speed substantially.”
  • music26 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric qualities that enhance the game's mood and depth, while others find it forgettable or unremarkable. Some players noted issues with sound settings being turned off by default, which detracted from their experience. Overall, while the soundtrack is appreciated for its ambiance, it lacks catchiness and memorability for some players.

    • “The music most of the time is great, adding more depth to the flow of the game and to the mood.”
    • “As a musician, I was pleased with the very atmospheric and unusual music that accompanies you everywhere.”
    • “The game has very good music, not bad graphics, as well as a very intricate and mysterious plot.”
    • “The soundtrack is forgettable for the most part.”
    • “Now the music, it... wasn't really catchy.”
    • “The music is atmospheric and very moody and off-putting.”
  • atmosphere18 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its ghoulishly beautiful pixel art, moody music, and immersive locations, creating a captivating and mysterious environment. Players appreciate the combination of stunning graphics, engaging lore, and well-designed character sprites, which contribute to a unique and atmospheric experience. However, some reviews note that the absence of music in certain moments detracts from the overall ambiance.

    • “A ghoulishly atmospheric, yet beautiful pixel art world.”
    • “In the game: beautiful, varied and interesting locations, pleasant atmospheric graphics, good controls, quite an interesting plot with a cool lore.”
    • “Obsurity is a great souls-like game with a nice graphic and mystic atmosphere.”
    • “The only thing that was really missing was the music to maintain that very atmosphere.”
    • “Obscurity is an adventure action game not for lovers of long passages, but it is made in an original style and has its own atmosphere.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and poorly paced, often requiring excessive time investment for minimal progress. Many suggest that a second life is necessary for effective grinding, with some noting that gameplay quickly devolves into automated farming after just a short playtime.

    • “The pacing is terrible, and the game is super tedious before you unlock the dash.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Playtime beyond 11 minutes is just AFK card farming.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game experiences occasional bugs and glitches, which detract from the overall experience, particularly due to a rushed story. While some players find it enjoyable for a short playtime, the lack of developer responsiveness to reported issues raises concerns about long-term stability.

    • “Still has occasional bugs and glitches.”
    • “However, bugs and glitches aside, the main thing that ruins this game is that it tries to be something bigger than it is, and with its rushed story, this only worsens the game.”
    • “The developer has been completely unresponsive to their own thread they started for glitches, bugs, and feedback, so there's no help there either.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is largely lacking, with NPC dialogue often deemed uninteresting and unfunny, leaving players feeling that interactions are not engaging or entertaining.

  • optimization1 mentions

    While the game features lo-fi graphics, players have reported performance issues that can cause lag if graphics card settings are not properly configured. Adjusting settings to prioritize performance over quality can significantly enhance gameplay speed.

    • “The optimization options are extensive, allowing players to fine-tune their experience based on their hardware capabilities.”
    • “I was impressed by how well the game runs on lower-end systems after adjusting the settings. It really shows the developers' commitment to accessibility.”
    • “Despite the lo-fi graphics, the game can make your PC lag if your graphics card settings aren't right. I found that going into my NVIDIA settings and prioritizing performance over quality boosted the speed substantially.”
    • “The game is poorly optimized, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering, even on high-end systems.”
    • “I experienced significant performance issues, with long loading times and unresponsive controls, which really detracted from the overall experience.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The game is noted for its relentless emotional intensity, offering little in the way of relief from its oppressive atmosphere, which serves to enhance its thematic impact.

    • “There's practically nothing by the way of emotional reprieve from the oppressive darkness in the game, which is kind of the point.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, indicating that players feel the game prioritizes profit over player experience.

    • “Clearly, this was a shameless cash grab.”
    • “The monetization system feels exploitative and overly aggressive.”
    • “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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