Overload

About

Overload is a Sci-Fi shooter game with both single-player and multiplayer modes, offering an engaging story campaign across 15+ atmospheric levels and various customization options. With 16 upgradeable weapons, over 20 robot types, and a pulse-pounding soundtrack, this game delivers intense action, awesome graphics, and high replayability, including Challenge Mode and survival challenges. However, be prepared for some grinding.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,705 reviews

graphics164 positive mentions

grinding14 negative mentions

Overload is a faithful successor to the Descent series, capturing the same gameplay mechanics and feel while modernizing the graphics and sound.
The game features smooth controls, a variety of weapons, and challenging enemy AI, making for an engaging and fun experience.
The inclusion of a hologuide and a detailed 3D map helps players navigate the complex levels, enhancing the overall gameplay.

Some players find the level design repetitive and bland, lacking the visual variety and distinctiveness of the original Descent games.
The game can be frustratingly difficult at times, with certain enemies and level sections feeling unfair or overwhelming.
The multiplayer mode is sparsely populated, making it difficult to find matches, and lacks co-op options for the campaign.

graphics
358 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
52%
2%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their modern polish and vibrant aesthetics, effectively blending retro elements with contemporary visual technology. Players appreciate the stunning lighting effects, detailed environments, and smooth performance, which enhance the nostalgic feel of the classic Descent series while introducing new graphical features. Overall, the visuals are described as beautiful and immersive, contributing significantly to the game's engaging experience.
- “The graphics are fantastic, the weapon and enemy designs are good, the level design is great, the sound effects are excellent, and the music is perfect.”
- “The graphics are gorgeous, the game runs silky smooth, the multiplayer is fun, accurate, no lag.”
- “Overload is very much a modernized descent with awesome graphics, a pumping soundtrack, and even VR support.”
- “Overload has tasteless graphics, boring level design, and forgettable music, but still it's really fun to play and I'm happy it exists.”
- “The aesthetic of this game feels like they took the old geometric approach to Descent's design and just updated it with modern graphics engines and slightly overdid it with the lighting and effects.”
- “The graphics are improved but not to the point of looking overdone.”
story
344 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
74%
5%
The story in the game is a mix of audio logs and mission briefings that provide a backdrop of a dystopian future involving corporate greed and rogue AI, though many players find it unmemorable or secondary to the gameplay. While some appreciate the depth and voice acting, others criticize the repetitive mission structure and lack of engaging narrative integration. Overall, the story serves its purpose but is often overshadowed by the action and exploration elements of the game.
- “The story arc of mercantilism and corporatism gone astray in some future borderline dystopia has gradually developed, leading us on in a continuing mission to protect humanity from persons crazed by the lust for wealth and power; and I would love to see that mission extend to Earth, as it did briefly in Descent 3.”
- “Mission briefings and audio logs found around the maps all have excellent voice acting, telling a dramatic story about a control-hungry tech tycoon who thought Saturn could be remade into a new hub of space-faring civilization.”
- “The story is immersive and enticing and unfolds at a perfect pace; but it is also entirely ignorable if that sort of thing is not your cup of tea.”
- “The story is nothing mind-blowing, but it provides context.”
- “It became predictable, repetitive, and tedious, not engaging, and the storytelling became an overdramatic slog.”
- “The story sucks, has a boring villain and is forced in your face way too much.”
gameplay
323 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
60%
2%
The gameplay of Overload is widely praised for its smooth mechanics and nostalgic feel, closely resembling the classic Descent series while incorporating modern graphics and enhancements. Players appreciate the fast-paced, action-oriented gameplay that emphasizes exploration, weapon variety, and strategic combat in a six degrees of freedom environment. However, some reviewers note issues with repetitive level design and a lack of innovation, suggesting that while the core gameplay is solid, it doesn't significantly evolve beyond its predecessors.
- “The moment-to-moment gameplay, the graphics, the sound - it just made for a gaming experience I couldn't get anywhere else.”
- “The gameplay is a very faithful update of classic descent mechanics.”
- “Overload does this in spades in honoring descent, with fast-paced gameplay, winding levels, and a plethora of weapons and enemies that are uniquely distinct and not generic.”
- “Boring design, repetitive gameplay, unpolished levels, unsophisticated combat.”
- “Sadly, this does not build on the foundations of the original to create something new and interesting the way Doom did, but rather, it's a return to repetitive level design, samey enemies, and simple gameplay that doesn't engage the way it used to, now that there are so many better games to choose from.”
- “Between the unimproved gameplay, lack of any compelling story, the frustrating hunt for secrets, and the repetitive design, there isn't enough to earn a recommendation.”
music
304 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
56%
1%
The music in the game has received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many praising its nostalgic ties to the original Descent series, featuring contributions from the original composers. While some players find the soundtrack to be a standout element that enhances the gameplay experience, others feel it lacks memorability compared to earlier titles. Overall, the music is described as fitting, atmospheric, and a significant part of the game's appeal, particularly for fans of the genre.
- “The soundtrack is superb.”
- “The music is phenomenal.”
- “The music is done by the same people who did the music for Descent 1-3, and really adds to the ambiance as well as the intensity of the fights.”
- “The soundtrack was also a bit of a letdown.”
- “The only thing bad about this game is the music; everything else is awesome!”
- “I find the music is also somewhat lacking, but that’s a pretty personal opinion and your mileage will vary greatly.”
optimization
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
42%
20%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance and smooth gameplay, particularly on higher-end systems, while others report significant issues, especially in VR and on older hardware. Common complaints include stuttering, frame drops in intense scenarios, and poor performance in certain levels, indicating that while the game excels in graphics and gameplay, it struggles with consistent optimization across various setups. Overall, the game's performance appears to vary widely depending on the system specifications and settings used.
- “Excellent graphics, fantastic gameplay, and ludicrous optimization.”
- “The graphics are phenomenal, and I can't say enough about just how well optimized this game is.”
- “Even though this game runs on the Unity engine, it is remarkably well optimized, and save for certain shaders I experienced next to no frame drops on a medium system.”
- “Mainly in the weapons and enemy design, and probably my biggest complaint is how poorly optimized it is.”
- “Major issue with the game I think is optimization, the game runs awfully in VR and even when not in VR I can't play at 144fps without my PC sounding like it's going to explode. Also, the last couple of levels have terrible frame drops for some reason.”
- “It's badly optimized and there is a lot of stuttering, even with all the graphics settings set to low.”
atmosphere
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
56%
7%
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, effectively capturing the essence of its predecessor, Descent, through sound design, lighting, and level design. Reviewers note the game's dark, metallic ambiance and the incorporation of atmospheric music that enhances the overall experience, creating a tense and engaging environment. While some suggest areas for improvement, the consensus is that the atmosphere successfully evokes nostalgia while delivering a modern twist.
- “The sound is great, the baddies sound suitably demonically possessed, the lighting is a real treat, accurate real-time shadows are on full display and it all sits together in a surprisingly atmospheric package.”
- “The modern game engine allows for some very impressive visual effects which truly bring the game alive and make it very atmospheric.”
- “Overload catches 100% of the original gameplay and atmosphere: flying through narrow and dark tunnels, caverns and rooms, peering around corners, always looking out for bots which may sneak up at you and suddenly firing at you.”
- “It's not a bad thing, but hopefully as they explore further iterations of this game, they can work on the atmosphere a bit to feel a little more organic.”
- “So all the atmosphere they built up with the voice acting and the feel of the universe comes undone in the last few acts.”
- “The atmosphere can vary from map to map, but it tends to be a little dark and somber.”
replayability
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
41%
14%
Overall, "Overload" boasts exceptional replayability, driven by its engaging levels, a robust upgrade system, and multiple difficulty settings. Players can enjoy a rich single-player campaign, a highly replayable challenge mode, and a level editor, alongside new game+ options that enhance the experience. The game encourages skill improvement and offers diverse gameplay modes, ensuring that players have plenty of reasons to return.
- “The levels are fun, the secrets are fun to hunt for, the harder difficulty levels offer a real challenge and multiply the replay value.”
- “Overload features one of the best single-player campaigns of 2018 (complete with new game plus), a challenge mode with infinite replay value, a robust level editor, and a promising multiplayer mode.”
- “The replay value of Overload stems almost entirely from your own skill improving, which is exactly how it should be in a good action game.”
- “Overload features one of the best singleplayer campaigns of 2018 (complete with new game plus), a challenge mode with infinite replay value, a robust level editor, and a promising multiplayer mode.”
- “It even supports both individual level and full game speedrunning, has a new game+ mode where the levels change up to add even more difficulty, and has a ton of replayability.”
stability
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
47%
Overall, the stability of the game is mixed, with some users reporting significant freezing issues, particularly on the Steam Deck, while others experience smooth performance across various hardware setups. While many players find the game runs well and is mostly bug-free, there are occasional glitches and minor bugs that can hinder progress. The game's stability appears to vary depending on the platform and individual system specifications.
- “Controls are super fluid, runs great on Linux and Steam Deck.”
- “It runs great on my old graphics card -- a GTX 960 4GB -- at a consistent 40-60+.”
- “Performance: on my laptop GTX 970M i7-6700HQ it runs great with settings turned down but still really looks great!”
- “Freezes on Steam Deck; I cannot even get past the training level.”
- “I have tried Descent: Underground in the past, but it was always too buggy to play for long, so I cannot really compare the gameplay.”
- “I completely missed out on Underground, but I've heard it ended up being an unfinished, buggy, multiplayer-focused mess that was canned by a shady publisher who screwed the developers over in the end.”
grinding
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often leading to a frustrating experience marked by trial and error. While some appreciate the engaging combat and soundtrack, many feel that the level design and mechanics contribute to a monotonous gameplay loop that detracts from enjoyment. Backtracking and weapon switching are also highlighted as particularly cumbersome, further adding to the sense of grind.
- “It became predictable, repetitive, and tedious, not engaging, and the storytelling became an overdramatic slog.”
- “It kills the fun and the pacing, and reduces the game to tedious trial and error.”
- “Whole rooms cleared because you went in, backed out and then just shot the bots as they came through the narrow doorway one by one making the whole affair a tedious chore.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
67%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users criticizing it as a potential cash grab, particularly in the context of VR support. However, others appreciate the absence of microtransactions, advertisements, and unskippable content, viewing it as a refreshing return to classic gaming values. Overall, while concerns about monetization exist, there is also recognition of the game's potential to stand apart from current trends in the industry.
- “The monetization model is refreshing, with no logos, no unskippable animations, and no advertisements.”
- “This game is a callback to a better time in gaming, before microtransactions became the norm.”
- “I appreciate that the monetization is fair and doesn't interfere with the gameplay experience.”
- “They really shouldn't advertise the game as being VR supported when it's in this state - it feels like just another VR cash grab from the devs. I was so looking forward to enjoying this game.”
- “This game is a good example of what developers from the old but gold era of gaming are still able to do, in this age of microtransactions, DLC, and season pass nonsense.”
- “And this is coming from someone who is firmly opposed to purchasing early access, DLC, and season passes, which are blatant cash grabs.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have expressed that the game evokes strong emotional responses, particularly nostalgia, as it reminds them of their early gaming experiences. Many have reported feeling a deep connection to the gameplay, with some even shedding tears of joy and nostalgia, highlighting the game's ability to rekindle cherished memories from the past. Overall, the emotional impact of the game is significant, resonating deeply with long-time fans.
- “This game literally made me feel deja vu upon playing it.”
- “Never have I cried tears of nostalgia when playing a game, until I played this game.”
- “You can't even begin to appreciate this game as much as I do; when I lost the ability to play the older games, it was heartbreaking. Being able to play this after almost 20 years is fantastic. Descent 1 was my first online gaming experience, and to be able to play with people from all over the world was a new experience.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is derived from its unfinished cockpit view and the amusing ways it allows less skilled players to challenge more experienced ones. However, the frequent crashes and lockups detract from the overall comedic experience, leaving some players frustrated rather than entertained.
- “The cockpit view is hilariously unfinished.”
- “It gave weaker players hilarious ways to get back at the 3D spaceship flying gods of descent.”