Primal Fears

About

Primal Fears is a single player and multiplayer shooter game with horror, violence and science fiction themes. It was developed by DnSdev and was released on January 8, 2013. It received neutral reviews from players.

"Primal Fears" is a horror shooter game that can be played in single-player, multi-player, or co-op mode with up to four players. Players battle through levels filled with mutated populations while uncovering the truth behind a world-altering chemical called pharGONe. The game offers a variety of weapons, upgrades, and features like RC-cars and drones to aid in the fight against mysterious and terrifying foes.

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55%

Audience ScoreBased on 143 reviews

graphics9 positive mentions

replayability2 negative mentions

Fun to play with friends, especially in co-op mode.
Good variety of weapons and upgrade options.
Decent graphics and atmospheric music enhance the gameplay experience.

Repetitive gameplay with limited enemy variety and level design.
Poor physics and collision detection lead to frustrating moments.
Lack of a coherent story and direction makes the game feel aimless.

story
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
80%
10%
The game's story is largely criticized for being minimal and poorly integrated, primarily conveyed through scattered newspapers that offer a basic premise about a pesticide-induced insect infestation. Players feel the lack of a cohesive narrative detracts from the experience, as the gameplay revolves around repetitive missions without a compelling campaign or character development. While some appreciate the gameplay mechanics and challenge, the overall sentiment is that the story is forgettable and does not enhance the gameplay.
- “The story is basically some pesticide designed to take care of a bug infestation that has caused humanity to mutate into misshapen bloodthirsty monsters (doesn't it always?) and you're trying to survive in the ruins of what's left.”
- “The story consists of insect numbers growing out of control due to global warming, and a pesticide is used which makes things worse in more ways than one.”
- “Very good game with an odd story; it's similar to how to survive with a bit of Dead Space.”
- “There was no real story; it just felt like I was aimlessly wandering a map, shooting the same creatures over and over again.”
- “The story on the other hand is downright thin and unessential, simply unfolded through identical looking newspapers that not only feel amateurish, but also suffer from a number of misspellings.”
- “There isn't a story to follow, so if that's what you're looking for, you won't find it here.”
graphics
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
52%
15%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players describing them as decent or average, but not particularly impressive for its age. While some appreciate the effort in creating a visually appealing environment, others note issues like mediocre animations and collision bugs. Overall, the graphics are considered satisfactory for the gameplay experience, though they may not stand out in comparison to other titles.
- “The game runs technically flawlessly - lovely 3D top-down graphics, could have passed in any 3D format, so the effort was totally there.”
- “The graphics are good, the action is intense, and the music is exceptional (creepy when need be and 'gets you pumped' caliber when it has to be!!).”
- “An amazing game! I bought the 4-pack for 3 others and myself. The graphics are as good as a game like this can get, and the weapon upgrades and choices are phenomenal!”
- “I think it deserves a try, the diversity of weapons and enemies overcomes the so-so graphic presentation.”
- “Graphics are mediocre for its age, some enemies look like they are missing a few frames in their walk animations.”
- “Controls are horrendous, graphics suck, it's repetitive as all hell, and whoever made this put in just enough effort to con poor, bored saps out of their well-earned quid.”
gameplay
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
63%
14%
The gameplay of the game is generally described as standard and repetitive, with many reviewers noting issues such as poor controls, limited enemy variety, and a lack of engaging mechanics. While some players find it satisfying and enjoyable for casual play, others criticize it for being dull and predictable, with a mission-based structure that lacks depth. Overall, the game offers a simple top-down shooter experience that may appeal to fans of the genre, but it falls short in terms of innovation and polish.
- “Not only are the graphics better, but the gameplay is also satisfying and challenging at times. The levels are well made, and even without a strong story, it still makes you want to see what's next, with various enemies to fight and some close encounters providing hilarious moments.”
- “For the price, it's a good top-down shooter, and it's simple to grasp the mechanics.”
- “The core of every game is its gameplay, and Primal Fears offers several neat features that could set it apart.”
- “Boring and repetitive gameplay, level design that looks a bit too familiar, few enemy types, poor controls, and weak sound design are but among a handful of the problems that plague this game.”
- “The gameplay is literally repetitive and the monsters never change.”
- “Although Primal Fears has potential and is capable of bringing a bunch of decent features, the rather dull, faulty, and strikingly predictable gameplay is just as undeniable as the tiring title.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising it as exceptional and atmospheric, enhancing the game's intensity and eerie vibe. However, others note that the soundtrack can be inconsistent, with moments of silence that detract from the experience. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the game's ambiance, its execution varies.
- “The music is exceptional (creepy when need be and 'gets you pumped' caliber when it has to be!!).”
- “I like the eerie dark atmosphere (you have that feeling of being the last person alive on earth), the music, the sounds.”
- “+music (main is epic)”
- “The music is so-so; the graphics are standard for games like this.”
- “Graphics are average, the sound is okay, and the soundtrack is decent enough, though on several occasions the music tends to stop.”
- “The sound effects are okay, and the music creates suspense, but most of the time you will be playing without any music at all.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
11%
33%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its eerie and desolate feel, enhanced by effective sound design and music that evoke a sense of isolation. While some players find the atmosphere to be engaging and immersive, others note that it can feel insignificant or repetitive over time. Overall, the ambiance contributes significantly to the game's appeal, particularly in co-op play, despite some mixed opinions on its long-term impact.
- “I really like the eerie dark atmosphere; you have that feeling of being the last person alive on Earth, enhanced by the music and sounds.”
- “The atmosphere swept me away because of the expertly executed ambiance.”
- “There are moments in the game where the atmosphere feels decrepit, derelict, and desolate.”
- “There are some moments of the game where the atmosphere is generally decrepit, derelict, and desolate.”
- “The atmosphere is quite insignificant and relatively easy-going; the suspense can be described as scary sweet as opposed to actually conveying the scary thrills, but it does pick up the pace of danger at least once on each level.”
- “The atmosphere (sound, lighting, thrill) is much better than in Alien Breed or Nation Red.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game has limited replayability, primarily offering higher difficulty levels as the main incentive to replay. Many users suggest it is only worth purchasing at a lower price point, as its short length and lack of substantial content do not justify a higher cost.
- “+replayability”
- “It's not a long game and doesn't really have any replayability (short of higher difficulties), so pick it up for a couple bucks on sale if you can - it's simply not worth $10.”
- “For 4 bucks, I would totally say get this game, although I am unsure just how much replayability there is, if any.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The game's optimization is primarily geared towards cooperative play, leaving solo players frustrated due to slow ammo recharge, melee attacks, and limited sprint duration. Additionally, it struggles to perform well even on lower settings, potentially posing issues for users with older or less powerful computers.
- “The mechanics are optimized for cooperation, but solo mode can be frustrating due to slow ammo recharge, sluggish melee attacks, and a short sprint duration.”
- “I can't comment on its performance on older or more lightweight computers.”
- “Modern titles like Diablo 3 may run smoothly on your computer, but even with the lowest performance settings, this one will not.”
- “The mechanics are optimized for cooperation, but solo mode is frustrating: ammo recharge and melee attack are too slow, and the sprint is too short.”
- “Modern titles like Diablo 3 may work on your computer with no problem at all, but even with the lowest performance settings, this one will not.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the emotional impact of the camera mechanics, noting that the ability to change perspectives with the e and q buttons creates a sense of novelty and immersion, even if the changes are subtle. This design choice enhances the overall experience, making players feel more engaged with the game world.
- “The emotional depth of the story left me in tears; I felt a profound connection to the characters and their struggles.”
- “Every choice I made had weight, and the consequences were emotionally impactful, making me reflect on my decisions long after playing.”
- “The soundtrack perfectly complemented the narrative, enhancing the emotional moments and drawing me deeper into the experience.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its ability to create hilarious moments during gameplay, particularly in co-op mode, where close encounters with various enemies add to the fun. While the story may not be strong, the engaging levels and satisfying gameplay keep players entertained and eager to continue.
- “Not only are the graphics better, but the gameplay is also satisfying and challenging at times. The levels are well made, and even without a strong story, it still makes you want to see what's next, with various enemies to fight and some close encounters providing hilarious moments.”
- “Very funny in co-op!”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game's stability is generally good, with few glitches reported, most of which are minor and even entertaining. However, some users experienced occasional freezing issues that required a restart, indicating room for improvement in performance.
- “It has a few glitches I've seen, like characters' weapons floating behind or next to them. It froze up on me once, and I had to restart my PC because it wouldn't close.”
- “There are not that many glitches, and the few that I came across were more fun than disruptive.”