Perfect Vermin

About

Perfect Vermin is a single player casual action adventure game with a mystery theme. It was developed by ItsTheTalia and was released on November 6, 2020. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Perfect Vermin" is a free Windows game where you exterminate vermin using a sledgehammer to destroy office appliances and furniture. With a time limit, the game offers a simple yet engaging task. However, it is not compatible with older Intel laptops. The sound design is by Chris Dang, and the original score is by Daniel Shypilov. You can join their Discord community for more information.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,674 reviews

story161 positive mentions

grinding5 negative mentions

Engaging and thought-provoking narrative that explores deep themes related to cancer and mortality.
Satisfying gameplay mechanics that allow players to smash furniture while uncovering the story.
Visually unique art style and eerie soundtrack that enhance the overall atmosphere of the game.

Frequent crashes and technical issues, particularly for players with certain hardware configurations.
Short length may leave some players wanting more content and depth.
Some gameplay mechanics, like the speedrun achievement, can be frustrating due to RNG elements.

story
356 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
53%
2%
The game's story is a profound and thought-provoking exploration of themes such as mortality and the consequences of smoking, presented through a unique blend of gameplay and narrative. Players appreciate the unexpected depth and emotional impact of the story, which unfolds as they engage in seemingly simple mechanics of destruction, ultimately revealing a darker commentary on life and death. Despite its short length, the storytelling is praised for its ability to leave a lasting impression, making it a compelling experience for those who enjoy narrative-driven games.
- “I like how that some guy you play as is really just some kind of cancer treatment and the man you play as is the newscaster slowly starts having more and more cigarettes as he becomes this blob, and the ending is well done on how he chooses to keep chasing the story of a lifetime that would cost him his life.”
- “The story is creepy and thought-provoking, while the destruction mechanics make it really fun to play and replay.”
- “It's a great game many should play and it serves a purpose. The gameplay has this unique messed-up efficiency to it, and it can be easily re-contextualized by its ending.”
- “An unfortunate story is hidden within; sometimes you can't help but despair when you just don't have enough time.”
- “The story of a man writhing against mortality, told by smashing things with a hammer during a psychotic breakdown.”
- “The story was good, a bit confusing at first, but then after you get to the end, it just clicks.”
gameplay
193 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
53%
3%
The gameplay of "Perfect Vermin" is characterized by its simple yet satisfying mechanics, primarily revolving around the destruction of objects that don't belong, which creates a fun and engaging experience. Players appreciate the game's ability to intertwine its straightforward gameplay with a compelling narrative, resulting in a brief but impactful experience that encourages exploration and replayability. While some players found the gameplay repetitive or lacking depth, many praised its unique concept and the emotional weight of its story, making it a noteworthy indie title.
- “The gameplay is simple but addictive, challenging you to explore a series of bizarre environments and exterminate a variety of strange creatures.”
- “The mechanics are straightforward and satisfying, as you use a sledgehammer to destroy the vermin.”
- “The gameplay is entertaining, the art and music are amazing, and all the pixelated gore and entrails are viscerally charming.”
- “Just so sad that the game is literally unplayable due to it crashing after a few seconds of gameplay.”
- “If you are playing a game for gameplay, this game may be quite lacking, but if you want to play something that will make you think, and especially think about death, our time here, and how to spend it, that might just be this game.”
- “The gameplay is nothing special but it doesn't need to be; the story and main message of this game are phenomenal and the dialogue is amazing.”
graphics
115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
53%
3%
The graphics of the game have received mixed but generally positive feedback, with many players appreciating its unique art style that blends minimalist and retro aesthetics. While some noted technical issues and performance concerns, the overall visual presentation is described as striking and effective in enhancing the game's atmosphere, particularly in its horror elements. The combination of pixel art and simple graphics contributes to a memorable experience, even if the technical execution varies across different systems.
- “The game's aesthetic is minimalistic but effective, with a combination of 2D and 3D elements that create a sense of depth and immersion.”
- “Graphically, the game sports a minimalist yet striking aesthetic that suits its surreal theme.”
- “Very impressive graphics, and satisfying physics.”
- “And it’s not like the horror is too bad considering the graphics are equivalent to the 64-bit era of video games.”
- “Like holy shit it ran worse than Mafia 3 did, there's no excuse for the game to run that bad and to have no graphical options to improve performance.”
- “Not much of the graphics will catch your attention; it is not ugly for sure, but not pretty either. I would say that it's functional for what is proposed.”
music
65 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
43%
5%
The music in "Perfect Vermin" has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the game's eerie atmosphere and unsettling themes. Reviewers noted that the soundtrack effectively complements the visuals, creating a haunting experience that evokes a sense of dread, while also being described as both unnerving and calming at times. Overall, the audio design, including the music, is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's unique and immersive storytelling.
- “I love the way the game looks and the soundtrack complements it perfectly.”
- “The eerie soundtrack, themes of body horror, and overall atmosphere made me feel a sort of dread that I haven't felt before.”
- “The combination of a stunning/disturbing art style coupled with a soundtrack that would give the Grim Reaper chills really allows Perfect Vermin to shine as the hidden gem it is.”
- “The lack of music and repetitive nature makes it boring and confusing until the ending, at which point it suddenly all makes sense.”
- “There's generally not much music, but once it kicks in it definitely ramps up the creepiness of the situation.”
- “The music was okay, but it's honestly not really the focus of the game.”
atmosphere
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
42%
8%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its eerie and unsettling qualities, enhanced by a haunting soundtrack and themes of body horror. Reviewers highlight the effective use of sound design and visual elements to create a cryptic and immersive experience that keeps players on edge. Overall, the atmosphere is described as unique, captivating, and integral to the game's emotional impact, making it a standout feature despite its short playtime.
- “The game's atmosphere is excellent, with a dark and unsettling tone that keeps you on edge throughout.”
- “The storytelling, the atmosphere, the aesthetic, they're all so unique and fun, while being completely heartbreaking at the same time.”
- “The eerie soundtrack, themes of body horror, and overall atmosphere made me feel a sort of dread that I haven't felt before.”
- “The game has a creepy atmosphere filled with gore and will have you questioning what is actually going on.”
- “Story with a little twist and unsettling atmosphere really do their work.”
emotional
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional impact of the game is profound, with players reporting feelings of genuine fear, discomfort, and heartbreak throughout their experience. The combination of an eerie soundtrack, unique storytelling, and unsettling themes evokes a deep sense of dread and emotional resonance, often leading to tears and introspection. Despite its short playtime, the game effectively delivers a powerful narrative that leaves a lasting impression on players.
- “Never once have I ever felt so emotional and cried so hard at a game ending.”
- “This game packs an incredible amount of emotional depth into a short, intense package, and it has a lot to say, despite saying it in only a few minutes.”
- “The storytelling, the atmosphere, the aesthetic, they're all so unique and fun, while being completely heartbreaking at the same time.”
replayability
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
45%
13%
The game offers decent replayability primarily through achievement hunting and speedrunning, despite its short playtime of around 10-30 minutes. Players find enjoyment in revisiting the game to perfect their runs and experience unique reactions from friends, making it a fun and memorable experience. Overall, while the core gameplay is brief, the potential for replay value is enhanced by the challenge of completing achievements and discovering hidden elements.
- “Although the game is short (15 minutes or so), it definitely has replayability as you try to get the rest of the achievements, and it is speedrun-friendly for beginners.”
- “Has a good replay value, especially if you want to show it to your friends. It's always fun to watch someone play the game because it's such a fun and terrific experience for the first time, so everyone's reactions are unique. A must play, and it's free!”
- “This game, despite being rather simple and short, has some replayability and a ton of symbolism that may be overlooked initially.”
- “There's not much replay value unless you want to get the achievements.”
- “Even though it's a short game, it definitely has a lot of replay value.”
- “Really fun indie piece that you can run through quickly, but the achievements give it a lot of replayability.”
humor
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
91%
27%
The humor in the game is described as a blend of absurdity and dark comedy, featuring a mix of funny violence and bittersweet moments. Players find it entertaining and thought-provoking, with a unique aesthetic that complements its grotesque sense of humor. Overall, the game is considered funny and worth experiencing, though it may not hold up for extended play beyond the initial run.
- “It's free, short, fun, funny, thought-provoking, not too easy, not too hard.”
- “A bittersweet mix of funny violence and tragedy with few challenging achievements to boot.”
- “Hides an uncomfortable truth with fantastic aesthetics and a grotesque sense of humor.”
- “The humor fell flat and felt forced throughout the game.”
- “I expected clever jokes, but most of the attempts at humor were cringeworthy.”
- “The comedic elements were more annoying than entertaining.”
grinding
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
37%
45%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while it can be fun and creatively designed to extend gameplay without becoming overly tedious, it also presents challenges, particularly in speedrunning where repeated failures can lead to frustration. Many players note that achieving perfection in runs can be a rewarding yet demanding endeavor, often requiring significant time investment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “Speedrunning can be very tedious this way, especially since you have to restart every single time you mess up, so I will say the game does lack in that aspect.”
- “Striving to perfect a run was a genuinely teeth-grinding experience that pushed me to try again and again and again.”
- “Little tedious, repeating for stage 5, the leap for the secret room and beating the clock.”
stability
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent crashes and bugs that significantly hinder gameplay, often occurring within the first minute. While some users found the game enjoyable despite its issues, the overall experience was marred by the troubleshooting required to address these stability problems. Conversely, a few players noted that they encountered no significant bugs, suggesting that experiences may vary.
- “Shitty game, it keeps crashing without giving any reason. Literally 1 minute into the game it freezes and closes, without giving any explanation messages or anything else.”
- “Interesting game, but since the whole troubleshooting process took longer to complete than the game, it kind of soured the whole experience.”
- “Pretty buggy, could never play for more than a minute or so :(”
optimization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with users reporting poor performance and frequent lag, particularly on weaker machines. While it may run smoothly on higher-end systems, many players feel it lacks adequate graphical options to enhance performance, leading to frustration among those with less powerful setups. Overall, the optimization issues detract from the gaming experience for a substantial portion of the player base.
- “The game runs smoothly with a relatively low bit rate, but it does have a decent amount of fragmentation.”
- “However, I'm not sure if it's because my computer isn't up to the task or if it's not totally optimized, but I found myself lagging quite often, which usually doesn't happen with other games (except really heavy ones).”
- “There are a lot of optimization problems.”
- “Not at all optimized for weaker machines, but if you have a better machine than mine, you should be able to play this, and I do recommend you do.”
- “Like holy shit it ran worse than Mafia 3 did; there's no excuse for the game to run that bad and to have no graphical options to improve performance.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for resembling a poorly executed advertisement rather than a genuine gaming experience, with users expressing frustration over its focus on promoting anti-smoking messages rather than providing engaging content.
- “It's a short 'game', or more like an advertisement of how bad cancer is.”
- “These anti-smoking ads are getting out of hand.”
- “I wish they would show us this in school rather than those anti-smoking ads.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
50%
Character development is noted as somewhat cathartic, with achievements motivating multiple playthroughs; however, reviewers suggest that deeper character development and more dynamic interactions with characters would enhance the experience.
- “The story and character development are truly engaging, making each character feel unique and relatable.”
- “It's somewhat cathartic, and the achievements encourage multiple playthroughs, but having more character development would enhance the experience.”
- “It's somewhat cathartic, and the achievements encourage multiple playthroughs, but having more character development and having the 'vermin' appear in different locations or move around would have been better.”