Outbreak: Contagious Memories
- April 6, 2022
- Dead Drop Studios LLC
"Outbreak: Contagious Memories" is a survival horror game that pays homage to 90's classics like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. As Lydia, players must navigate through an abandoned warehouse, solve environmental puzzles, and make strategic decisions to survive against hordes of undead. Resources are scarce, requiring players to carefully manage their inventory and choose their battles wisely. The game can be played cooperatively with a friend, adding another layer of strategy to the experience.
Reviews
- The game captures the nostalgic feel of classic survival horror games, reminiscent of the original Resident Evil titles.
- For an indie game developed by a solo developer, it showcases impressive effort with decent graphics, fun gunfights, and a good story.
- The ability to switch between different camera angles and control schemes adds a layer of customization that enhances the gameplay experience.
- The controls are often described as clunky and frustrating, making movement and combat feel awkward.
- There are numerous loading screens that disrupt the flow of gameplay, which many players found to be excessive and annoying.
- The game suffers from bugs and optimization issues, leading to a less polished experience overall.
- graphics8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are described as decent but not exceptional, with some users noting a certain rawness that enhances the horror experience reminiscent of 90's survival games. While the cut scenes may appear wonky, the solo developer's effort in emulating the Resident Evil style is appreciated, and players have the flexibility to customize graphics settings and control modes to suit their preferences. Overall, the aesthetic contributes positively to the gameplay, making it feel like a nostalgic horror B-movie.
“This game is like watching a horror B-movie where its very rawness becomes an aesthetic that adds to the experience.”
“For a solo dev, the art style, sounds, gunplay, and survival mechanics are top-notch. Thanks a lot! I look forward to co-op with a friend or stranger when I'm less nervous!”
“The game is literally dripping with graphics and play options, so you can customize it to play exactly the way you want.”
“The graphics aren't the best and the cut scenes are a little wonky, but the gameplay definitely captures that 90's survival horror theme.”
“This game is like watching a horror b-movie where its very rawness becomes an aesthetic that adds to the experience.”
“The outbreak series is one of my favorite Resident Evil inspired games; sure, the graphics might be a little off, but the solo game dev really put a genuine effort into emulating the game style of Resident Evil.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The gameplay is reminiscent of classic survival horror titles, capturing a nostalgic 90s feel, but it may not meet modern expectations, leading to frustration for some players. Issues arise in multiplayer mode, where menu interactions can disrupt the experience, and the overall mechanics can feel overwhelming for those unfamiliar with the genre. Graphics and cut scenes are also noted as lacking, further impacting the gameplay experience.
“The graphics aren't the best and the cut scenes are a little wonky, but the gameplay definitely captures that 90's survival horror theme.”
“In the end, while it has the tone of a classic Resident Evil game with all the lovable, cheesy dialogue, the gameplay didn't match what I was expecting, so I immediately returned it.”
“It's nearly impossible to play with two people; when one person opens their menu, it opens for both, which really screws up the gameplay.”
“Don't expect the game to have modern mechanics; this game can be very overwhelming if you're not used to this type of gameplay.”
- story4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The story is generally well-received, with solid development throughout; however, some players find it challenging to fully appreciate due to the game's difficulty, even on easier settings. Additionally, there is a sentiment that the ending does not meet the expectations set by the narrative buildup.
“I think I've reached a point in my life where I don't want to be a hardcore gamer; I just want to appreciate the game and its story to see the ending.”
“For someone like me, who wants to appreciate the story, the game is a bit too hard even on the easiest mode.”
“I think I've reached a point in my life where I don't want to be a hardcore gamer; I just want to appreciate the game and story to see the ending.”
“The story develops pretty well, but I always feel like the ending doesn't deliver.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been criticized for being quite buggy, with users noting that it experiences frequent issues that detract from the overall experience.
“The game is quite buggy.”
“It's slightly buggy.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game is criticized for its lack of optimization, indicating that performance improvements are necessary for a smoother experience.
“The game needs better optimization.”
“Performance issues make it hard to enjoy the experience.”
“Frequent frame drops and long loading times indicate poor optimization.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players express a clear awareness of monetization strategies in survival horror games, noting a distinction between high-quality titles and those perceived as cash grabs. This suggests a critical view of how some games exploit players financially without delivering value.
“I've been playing survival horror games for years, so I've seen the best of the best and some god-awful attempts at cash grabs.”
“The monetization in this game feels excessive and detracts from the overall experience.”
“It's frustrating to see a game that could be great turned into a money-making scheme.”
- music1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its charm, evoking nostalgia reminiscent of classic PS1 titles like Clock Tower, while the cheesy voice acting adds to its endearing quality.
“I especially love the music in this game; the cheesy voice acting is particularly endearing—think PS1's Clock Tower, haha!”