Parasite
- March 25, 2022
- Max Kowarski
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Parasite" is a roguelike survival horror game focused on possession, set in a modern-day city. Players must navigate a single scenario, starting with no memories in a hostile human world. Crucial to survival is the possession mechanics, allowing access to hosts' skills, knowledge, and inventory. The game features habitat building and improving, as well as multiple difficulty settings for various game aspects.
Reviews
- The game has a unique and interesting concept that keeps players engaged.
- It offers a challenging experience that rewards persistence and strategic thinking.
- The developer shows promise with potential for future updates and improvements.
- The game lacks a save feature, making progress difficult and frustrating.
- Many players find the difficulty level too high, leading to frequent deaths and a steep learning curve.
- Content feels limited and shallow at the moment, with a need for more variety in gameplay and interactions.
- story6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 83 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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.
“It's basically a race against time to uncover the whole story before you become so weak as to be incapable of continuing.”
“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.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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, the initial difficulty adds to the sense of achievement as players become more comfortable with the game's systems.
“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.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics, characterized by minimalistic emoji and vector styles, are generally well-received for their clarity and ability to enhance immersion, complemented by an engaging soundtrack. While the game is still in early access and may see updates to the GUI and balance, the current visual design effectively supports the gameplay experience.
“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 so minimal that they detract from the overall experience.”
“The vector style graphics feel outdated and lack detail.”
“It's hard to get immersed when the visuals are so simplistic.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a profound 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.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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 you on edge.”
“Every corner of the game world is filled with rich details and ambient sounds that draw you deeper into its captivating atmosphere.”
- music1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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 development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features robust character development options and surprising role-play elements, especially impressive 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 gameplay, making every choice feel meaningful.”
