Parasite

About

Parasite is a single player platformer game. It was developed by Refeuh and was released on January 2, 2016. It received positive reviews from players.

OVERVIEW Parasite is a non-linear retro platformer with a mix of action and puzzles. The player controls an alien worm wanting to get rid of a human space colony on his planet. There are multiple shapes to unlock and to switch between to facilitate the navigation and sabotage the complex. KEY FEATURES 4 unique environments with their own specificities 4 shapes to unlock, each providing an exclus…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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88%

Audience ScoreBased on 24 reviews

emotional2 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game has a unique and interesting concept that evolves as you progress, making it engaging and fun.
It offers a challenging experience that rewards players once they learn the mechanics, providing a sense of accomplishment.
The potential for future updates and expansions is promising, with many players excited to see how the game develops.

The game currently lacks content and variety, making the experience feel shallow and repetitive.
There are significant issues with difficulty balance, as players often find themselves overwhelmed by enemies and unclear objectives.
The absence of a save feature and vague instructions can lead to frustration, making it feel more like a chore than a fun challenge.

story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The story revolves around a parasite navigating through various hosts to uncover its origin, set against a backdrop of a time-sensitive race to gather information. While the main storyline has potential with an intriguing script, the execution feels lacking, as players often find themselves distracted by gameplay mechanics rather than fully engaging with the narrative. Overall, the experience is described as a proof-of-concept that fails to deliver the depth expected from its premise.
- “So you set about reading some notes to uncover the story when suddenly, out of nowhere, you get the message 'your habitat has been destroyed, this loss leaves a mark' or words to that effect.”
- “- The main storyline has a nice script and is worth exploring.”
- “Currently it's more or less just a proof-of-concept experience about jumping between hosts trying to uncover your origin story, which isn't at all what I'd hoped for based on the Steam page.”
- “It's basically a race against time to uncover the whole story before you become so weak as to be incapable of continuing.”
- “There's a neat little plot to uncover about you being a parasite attached to an alien that crash-landed and something about finding your spaceship, but I never got that far because I ran out of energy and given my utter lack of interest in playing against a soft-timer, I didn't feel the need to try again.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The gameplay is engaging and satisfying, with a rewarding loop that encourages players to strategize and adapt as they navigate challenges. While the game is still in early access and may require further balancing and interface improvements, players appreciate the emotional depth and complexity of the mechanics, which can lead to both rewarding and punishing experiences. Overall, mastering the base mechanics enhances progression and enjoyment.
- “As it's in early access, the GUI and balance will get updated, but the gameplay loop is already satisfying and the emoji graphics are easy to follow.”
- “I went through an emotional roller coaster, figuring out strategies to survive and evolve, learning about humanity and myself until I finally began seeing through the mechanics and ridding myself of the fantastic fear of survival that was so bittersweet while learning the game.”
- “The early gameplay is certainly difficult but hits the right level (I played with settings on normal as prompted) for the scenario.”
- “In total, it took me about 9 hours to figure out most (not all) of the game, get lucky, and reach an ending. However, I had tried to play the prototype years ago, so I already knew the basic host takeover mechanics somewhat.”
- “- Hidden game mechanics can kill instantly.”
- “The early gameplay is certainly difficult, but I hit the right level (I played with settings on normal as prompted) for the scenario.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The graphics are minimalistic, featuring emoji-style visuals and vector graphics that enhance immersion while allowing players' imaginations to fill in the gaps. Although still in early access, the GUI and balance are expected to improve, complementing the already satisfying gameplay loop and atmospheric music.
- “Minimal graphics allow my mind to fill in the gaps, and the fantastic music sets a perfect atmosphere for that immersion.”
- “The gameplay loop is already satisfying, and the emoji graphics are easy to follow.”
- “Can you immerse yourself through sound, text, and vector style graphics?”
- “The graphics are minimal, which makes it hard to fully engage with the game.”
- “The vector style graphics leave much to be desired and detract from the overall experience.”
- “It's difficult to immerse yourself when the visuals are so lacking.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a deeply emotional experience, characterized by a roller coaster of feelings as they navigate survival strategies and personal growth. The game's exploration of humanity and self-discovery, intertwined with the supernatural elements, evokes a bittersweet sense of fear and resilience.
- “I went through an emotional roller coaster, figuring out strategies to survive and evolve, learning about humanity and myself until I finally began seeing through the mechanics and ridding myself of the fantastic fear of survival that was so bittersweet while learning the game.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game's minimal graphics encourage players to use their imagination, while the exceptional music enhances the immersive atmosphere, creating a captivating experience.
- “The minimal graphics allow my mind to fill in the gaps, and the fantastic music creates a perfect atmosphere for immersion.”
- “The haunting sound design and eerie visuals combine to create an unforgettable atmosphere that keeps me on edge.”
- “Every detail, from the ambient sounds to the lighting, contributes to an immersive atmosphere that draws me into the game world.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The music in the game is highly praised for creating an immersive atmosphere that complements the minimal graphics, allowing players to engage their imagination.
- “The minimal graphics allow my mind to fill in the gaps, and the fantastic music sets a perfect atmosphere for that immersion.”
- “The soundtrack is incredibly immersive, enhancing every moment of gameplay and drawing me deeper into the experience.”
- “Each track perfectly complements the game's themes, creating an emotional connection that lingers long after I've finished playing.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game offers impressive character development options and incorporates role-play elements, which is particularly noteworthy given that it was created by a single developer. Players appreciate the depth and variety available for customizing their characters.
- “The overall game looks and plays solid, with tons of options for character development and even some role-play elements, which is surprising to me considering the game was made by one person.”
- “The depth of character development in this game is impressive, allowing players to truly shape their characters' personalities and skills.”
- “I love how the character development system is not only extensive but also deeply integrated into the storyline, making every choice feel meaningful.”