Peripeteia

About

Peripeteia is a single player role playing shooter game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by HIROTONFA and was released on February 21, 2025. It received positive reviews from players.

Peripeteia is a single-player shooter blending first- and third-person perspectives with stealth and RPG elements, set in an alternate-history cyberpunk Poland. Players control Marie, a cybernetic mercenary navigating a corrupt, faction-ridden city using wits, tactics, and combat in an adaptive world filled with conspiracy. Renowned for its intriguing story, phenomenal atmosphere, and spectacular graphics, the game offers a wholesome yet hilarious experience despite its bugs and grinding demands.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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84%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,657 reviews

story74 positive mentions

stability71 negative mentions

Unique and immersive atmosphere that captures a dystopian cyberpunk setting.
Multiple ways to complete objectives and explore vast, interconnected levels.
Engaging story and character interactions that reward exploration.

Game suffers from numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay.
Level design can be confusing, with large empty spaces and a lack of clear direction.
Inventory management is cumbersome, with items not carrying over between levels.

story
460 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
80%
4%
The story of "Peripeteia" is a complex and immersive narrative set in a post-soviet cyberpunk world, featuring a protagonist named Marie who navigates through various missions with multiple paths and endings. While many players appreciate the depth of the world-building and character interactions, some find the storytelling disjointed and difficult to follow, often feeling that the narrative lacks coherence and continuity between missions. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of exploration and choice, but its execution can be hampered by bugs and unclear objectives, leaving some players wanting more clarity and connection in the story.
- “I loved this game; the story was outstanding and the characters are so cool.”
- “The story gets more interesting the further you dive into it.”
- “The unique atmosphere and story are certainly the feature attractions - they will leave some impression on you.”
- “The story does little to drive the experience forward.”
- “There's a lot of minor things like the aiming sway being too slow, the ironsights and well aiming in general being janky as fuck, being unable to climb ladders the proper way (you have to spam jump to climb them), the bad ai, enemies shooting thru the walls, not enough rewarding for exploration, certain items like an augmentation not transferring over missions, sequence breaking and items disappearing that taint what could be a great game.”
- “The overall confusion on exploration & quests to keep progressing the levels, the buggy AI and the very messy placement of songs leaves a 'rushed game' taste for me.”
gameplay
287 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
65%
7%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its immersive sim elements, diverse mechanics, and engaging exploration, while others criticize its janky execution, bugs, and lack of polish. Players enjoy the variety of weapons, climbing mechanics, and the freedom to approach objectives in multiple ways, but some find the level design confusing and the combat mechanics lacking depth. Overall, the game shows promise with its unique atmosphere and gameplay concepts, but it requires significant refinement to fully realize its potential.
- “I enjoyed the inventory management, augment system, and shooting mechanics.”
- “The gameplay is just so easy to pick up.”
- “You get a huge variety of guns, cybernetic augments, and an incredibly flexible climbing mechanic that you can mix and match and play off each other in surprising ways.”
- “The gameplay is a little clunky and it doesn’t hold your hand.”
- “The traversal mechanics are incredibly limited for such a hostile and desolate space - and not in a good way.”
- “The actual gameplay is not anything to write home about either.”
music
222 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
59%
3%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its eclectic mix of genres, particularly breakcore and ambient tracks, which enhance the immersive atmosphere. However, some players have criticized the audio implementation, noting issues with combat music playing inappropriately during exploration and inconsistent volume levels. Overall, while the soundtrack is often described as fantastic and fitting for the game's aesthetic, its execution can detract from the experience due to technical flaws.
- “The music perfectly complements it, but I wish they had a different option for the VHS/recorder thingy.”
- “The music and atmosphere are top-notch, great ambient tracks for exploring paired with upbeat combat bangers when shit hits the fan.”
- “The soundtrack is genuinely wonderful, like pure bliss at times for a game with such big, ambient environments.”
- “The music is largely industrial bleeps and bloops and computer groaning noises, which is good if you’re into that sort of thing.”
- “Music triggers won't turn off after all enemies in an area are dead, so as you're backtracking through levels to explore or finish the mission, you'll just have the fight theme come on randomly.”
- “The overall confusion on exploration & quests to keep progressing the levels, the buggy AI, and the very messy placement of songs leaves a 'rushed game' taste for me.”
graphics
208 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
64%
2%
The graphics of the game have garnered mixed reviews, with many praising its unique aesthetic that blends retro and cyberpunk elements, reminiscent of early 2000s visuals. While some players appreciate the charm of its low-resolution textures and janky design, others criticize the lack of polish and optimization, leading to performance issues. Overall, the game's visuals are seen as a defining feature that enhances its atmosphere, though they may not appeal to those seeking a more polished graphical experience.
- “The game's atmosphere and aesthetic are unreal.”
- “The art direction is wonderful and novel; I love the mix of clashing art styles and am mystified by how cohesive they feel in-game.”
- “The graphics may look simple, but that's also part of the charm; the giant buildings with the rain falling and the gigantic background with glowing lights can give you some of the most beautiful dark futuristic scenarios.”
- “Graphically, it compares to games banking on eye-wateringly bad graphics such as Cruelty Squad or the PSX-pixel renaissance occurring in the horror genre.”
- “The graphics should not demand nearly as much for what it's putting out, simply disappointing.”
- “It's a game in dire need of prioritizational realignment and much, much more constructive criticism, because all the positive reviews in the world lauding it almost solely for its aesthetics and potential don't amount to much if the aesthetics only end up masking all the potential it never lived up to.”
atmosphere
206 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
40%
1%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and unique qualities, characterized by a gritty, dystopian aesthetic that combines elements of cyberpunk and brutalist architecture. Players appreciate the rich visual style, engaging soundtracks, and the sense of exploration that enhances the overall experience, making it a standout feature despite some gameplay flaws. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke strong emotions and a sense of scale, creating a captivating environment that encourages players to delve deeper into its world.
- “The atmosphere is incredible, sort of like dystopian yet faith still lives.”
- “The game's atmosphere is very well put together, and the aesthetics and gunplay are good.”
- “Peripeteia is a gritty, dark and atmospheric cyberpunk adventure, likely a cult classic in the making.”
- “The atmosphere is something that I haven't really seen a lot of in games, especially these cyberpunk types.”
- “The atmosphere is impeccable and each level definitely gives the feeling of being in a place that wasn't built for people; the levels are way too large and makes poor use of the space in the level but I imagine this is intentional to drive the dystopian feeling.”
- “The emptiness feeds into the atmosphere with so many long stretches, miles high buildings, and concrete labyrinths, shining in neon hues.”
stability
71 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of the game is a significant concern among users, with many reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and performance issues typical of early access titles. Players have experienced everything from physics glitches and AI malfunctions to game freezes and soft locks, which can detract from the overall experience. While some find the game enjoyable despite these issues, many recommend waiting for further updates to address the stability problems before diving in.
- “The game is horribly unoptimized - any significant action has a considerable chance of being accompanied with several second-long stutters and freezes - even if I did not have a high-end device, I don't think I should have to explain why that degree of performance is unacceptable for a game that looks like this.”
- “Peripeteia suffers from: physics glitches, odd NPC behavior, unstable optimization.”
- “I absolutely applaud the dev for going so far to make the maps as large and detailed as they are, but good lord some levels break down hard with how buggy it can get, to the point of soft locking and reloading the entire game just to get a save file working again.”
humor
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with players finding it both intentional and unintentional; while some aspects, like quirky character interactions and absurd scenarios, elicit genuine laughter, others stem from bugs and janky mechanics that create comedic moments. The game's unique setting and dialogue contribute to its charm, though the humor can sometimes feel overshadowed by its flaws. Overall, players appreciate the humor as a delightful addition to the exploration and gameplay experience, even if it requires some effort to uncover.
- “There's also lots of humor sprinkled in the game and it had me chuckling quite a few times.”
- “Dialogue can be funny yet grounded and several NPCs are memorable.”
- “Set in an alternate history Poland, this game has witty humor and is enjoyable to explore and fight enemies in despite being a little janky and buggy at times.”
optimization
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
58%
29%
The optimization of the game has been widely criticized, with users reporting severe performance issues such as stuttering, freezes, and high GPU usage, even on high-end systems. Many players find the game's performance unacceptable for its graphical style, likening it to early 2000s titles, and express frustration over the lack of improvements despite its potential. Overall, the game's optimization remains a significant barrier to enjoyment, with many hoping for future updates to address these issues.
- “I love playing the game and see really big potential, but just can't tell someone in good faith to get it when it eats at 98% of my GPU. The game is phenomenal, but the optimization is still a really big issue; I can't run it more than an hour without it crashing my whole rig.”
- “It's not very well optimized; I get about 100-150 fps with my rig (close to minimum graphics, 24 core Threadripper, 128GB of 4MHz RAM, and a RX6600 8GB).”
- “Great game, if only performance during combat was improved and some kind of level map was added, it'd be perfect.”
- “First off, the game is horribly unoptimized - any significant action has a considerable chance of being accompanied with several second-long stutters and freezes - even if I did not have a high-end device, I don't think I should have to explain why that degree of performance is unacceptable for a game that looks like this.”
- “Genuinely looked so promising but ends up as an unoptimized buggy mess.”
- “The game is still in a very early access stage and most of the problems I've experienced so far were the lack of directions to go, performance issues, and good god the game is ridiculously dark, NV is already at your disposal but consumes your energy.”
replayability
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
40%
20%
The game offers excellent replayability, with numerous side quests, secrets, and multiple ways to complete each level, encouraging exploration and experimentation. Players frequently discover new content and strategies upon replaying, significantly extending their playtime and enhancing the overall experience. Despite some minor limitations, the variety of approaches and paths available ensures that each playthrough feels fresh and engaging.
- “Exploration results in the discovery of several side quests and secrets, which gives the game a lot of replay value.”
- “I managed to miss a lot of things in this game, making this worth replaying and I think that replayability is a huge positive this game has.”
- “Each level has several ways to be finished, offering different paths for you to pick and go in order to achieve them, increasing the replayability, always having something new to discover each time you replay it.”
- “There's a lot of exploration and multiple endings for each level, so it has a ton of replayability, especially for the later levels.”
emotional
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game resonates deeply with players, evoking nostalgia and a range of feelings from joy to sorrow, often leading to tears during poignant moments. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a unique atmosphere that immerses them in its world, making them feel like children again while exploring. Despite some technical issues, the heartfelt storytelling and emotional depth leave a lasting impact, making it a memorable experience.
- “Stories are neat and can make you shed a tear.”
- “This game legitimately made me cry not even an hour into it, and it was just from standing in the rain, looking out at the skybox, and listening to the music.”
- “It made my heart melt, it made me angry, it made me cry several times.”
grinding
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
7%
85%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and often frustrating, with long backtracking and exploration that feels unrewarding. The expansive levels contribute to a sense of confusion and aimlessness, making the experience feel like a chore rather than an engaging adventure. Additionally, inventory management issues exacerbate the grind, requiring frequent trips to vendors and adding to the overall sense of monotony.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “When it isn't broken, it just feels boring, tedious, and confusing in a not-fun way.”
- “All these factors combined make exploration feel tedious and unrewarding but completely non-optional.”
- “I think my only real complaint is that the game suffers from being too big. I love things visually being big, but actual levels being big too makes it difficult and tedious to traverse, especially when backtracking. I often found myself looping around or getting lost, not sure what to do or where to go.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
Reviewers praise the character development in the game for its attention to detail and immersive design, highlighting how the unique character designs and art style enhance the overall atmosphere. The integration of skill progression and item acquisition is noted as a core element that enriches the gameplay experience. Overall, the character development is seen as a masterful blend of visual artistry and narrative depth.
- “One of the key design choices considered core to immersive sims is the sense of character development as you gain new skills and items.”
- “The character designs are great, at least the unique ones are.”
- “The attention to detail, the character development, and the subtle touches of mystery are masterful.”
- “I love this game's atmosphere, visuals, and character design.”
- “The art style is what catches me the most, as it really complements the already mentioned level design and character design.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism for its $25 price tag, which many users feel is unjustified given the game's janky mechanics and misleading advertising that suggests a more polished experience. Players express disappointment that the game feels more like a hype-driven product rather than a well-developed title, leading to concerns about its value and overall quality.
- “Overall, I'm excited for the game's development if it's continued, and I will be looking forward to coming back if it receives updates. However, I cannot recommend it to others for $25, as I feel the advertising of the game does a really good job at making it seem like a more complete and less janky experience. It feels somewhat misleading and kind of like one of those scam games carried 100% by hype and aesthetic. At least with games like Signalis and The Citadel, while being derivative anime nostalgia-bait, they have actual, working games to stand on to offset the insufferably overbearing fanbase that pretends their game is a groundbreaking masterpiece; this game does not.”
- “Your cursor feels way too floaty for my liking, and you can end up missing an easy headshot on a stationary enemy just because the ads are so janky. The hip fire aiming has an inhuman amount of spread for my cursor being completely still on a still enemy's head while sitting crouched.”
- “Also, some guns your character doesn't even hold correctly while using ads.”