Project Warlock

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,242 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Project Warlock Game Cover
Project Warlock is a real delight; impeccably put together, looks fantastic, and feels great to play. Some niggles over high difficulty at the beginning and a clunky radial menu but retro fans will be delighted.
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"Project Warlock" is a classic-style first-person shooter that puts you in the role of a mysterious Warlock on a mission to eradicate evil. With 60 vast levels across five settings and a variety of weapons to discover, the game offers a fast-paced and action-packed experience. Explore to find keys, secret caches, and hidden areas to progress through the levels.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,242 reviews
music298 positive mentions
optimization21 negative mentions
  • Scratches the Doom-like itch with interesting additions to the subgenre.
  • Great selection of levels and chapters that feel unique, with a fun leveling mechanic.
  • Fun and intense gameplay with a nostalgic feel, reminiscent of classic sprite shooters.
  • The lives system can be frustrating, as losing all lives means starting over from the beginning.
  • Some levels can feel repetitive and maze-like, making navigation confusing.
  • The final boss fight is poorly designed, with overwhelming enemy spawns and difficulty spikes.
  • music553 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its variety and quality, with each level featuring a unique track that enhances the gameplay experience. Many players describe the soundtrack as phenomenal, blending retro chiptune and metal influences that keep the adrenaline pumping during combat. However, some critiques mention that certain tracks can become repetitive over time, and a few players found the overall music experience inconsistent, with some standout pieces overshadowed by less memorable ones.

    • “Each level is about 5 minutes long and has a unique piece of soundtrack, and let me tell you, the soundtrack is phenomenal.”
    • “The music probably held up my interest the most throughout the game, and there's a ton of good stuff in there.”
    • “The soundtrack is nice and takes from a wide variety of influences, while still staying grounded to that often midi-sounding 'old-school video game soundtrack' vibe.”
    • “The music is... okay.”
    • “The music is also very forgettable for the majority of the game.”
    • “The soundtrack is serviceable but not really in the league of something like Dusk.”
  • gameplay413 mentions

    The gameplay of Project Warlock is a nostalgic throwback to classic 90s first-person shooters, featuring fast-paced action, a variety of weapons, and RPG-like mechanics for character and weapon upgrades. While the core mechanics are engaging and the level design offers a mix of secrets and challenges, some players find the gameplay repetitive and the level layouts simplistic, lacking verticality and complexity. Overall, the game successfully combines retro aesthetics with modern gameplay elements, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre, despite some performance issues and design flaws.

    • “The gameplay is exciting and challenging, just like Doom.”
    • “Fast-paced gameplay, an engaging roster of giblet fodder, classic visuals, great sound design, and an arsenal fit for a warlock.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth, the settings, theming, and upgrading are all super solid and give you an incentive to play more and more.”
    • “The combat is generic and dull with boring weapons and enemies, muddy environments and tedious, overdone mechanics like enemies spawning behind you or collecting keys just to walk around in a circle to where you started rather than having a true feeling of progression.”
    • “Gameplay feels quick but simplistic, there isn't much weight or fluidity to the movement.”
    • “Project Warlock is just a mashed together collection of thoughtless fashionable gameplay systems that haven't really been designed to work together or balanced in any way, married to an ugly, low-effort 'retro' shooter, advertising on nostalgic appeal but lacking anything that made the old games fun.”
  • graphics411 mentions

    The graphics of "Project Warlock" are a blend of retro pixel art and modern effects, offering a nostalgic yet visually appealing experience. While many players appreciate the charming art style and variety across different levels, some have noted performance issues and a lack of optimization, leading to frame rate drops even on high-end systems. Overall, the visuals are generally well-received, with customizable options that allow players to tailor the aesthetic to their preferences, though the heavy use of black outlines and pixelation can be straining for some.

    • “The graphics are top notch, all the enemies are neatly designed and not repetitive, it is very gory/messy/pulp you want it here it is, and there are lots of easter eggs or winks to many references and famous series.”
    • “The pixel graphics are appealing to my eyes and the gameplay keeps me hooked.”
    • “The visuals are gorgeous especially in the Egyptian level.”
    • “I have a top-of-the-line rig with a 4090; I shouldn't have to turn down my graphics to the lowest setting to play this caliber of game at 60+ fps.”
    • “The graphics just didn't seem right, and it looked kind of weird to me.”
    • “The aggravating visuals were a big no-no; comparing to the other sections of the game, it looks rushed and the colors at times just made the eyes strain.”
  • story131 mentions

    The story in "Project Warlock" is generally considered minimal and simplistic, often described as an afterthought that mirrors the old-school FPS style, with text screens summarizing events after each episode. While some players appreciate the nostalgic approach and the focus on gameplay over narrative, many express a desire for more depth and character development. Overall, the consensus is that the game prioritizes action and gameplay mechanics over a compelling storyline, making it suitable for those who enjoy classic FPS experiences without the need for intricate plots.

    • “I even like the story; though simple and easy to follow, it really embodies the boomer shooters of old.”
    • “Project Warlock is an arcade shooter developed by Buckshot Software as a nostalgia-driven tribute to times when a story in FPS games rolled as a panel at the end of the chapter.”
    • “It manages to pay reverence to the past while showing the best of the present while kicking the story to the curb (which is where it belongs - c'mon, you're a warlock trying to kill hell!)”
    • “The story is barely there, and the soundtrack was instantly forgettable.”
    • “While these games often don't have much of a story, Project Warlock doesn't set one up at all at its beginning, but then has a long string of text after each episode, making the story feel like an afterthought that was included to check a box.”
    • “The plot is almost non-existent and is even more paper thin than other games... but, that's not what Project Warlock is about!”
  • optimization83 mentions

    The game's optimization has received widespread criticism, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including frequent stuttering and frame rate drops, even on high-end systems. While some users noted that performance could improve with lower settings, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized for its visual style, leading to a frustrating experience for many. Despite its fun gameplay, the optimization problems significantly detract from the enjoyment, prompting some players to recommend waiting for patches before playing.

    • “There are some performance issues which is strange for a boomer shooter, but they are not deal breakers and the game is a lot of fun.”
    • “When performance is good, the game shines.”
    • “It does have minor performance issues; the FPS tends to drop a little in open areas, but it was never game-breaking or anything.”
    • “I can't recommend it because of the awful performance and bugs.”
    • “The game has some optimization issues on high settings on a mid-high end PC (R7900 + 4060 Ti).”
    • “Performance is extremely poor and mouse control is below average.”
  • replayability66 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through its diverse upgrade paths, character builds, and difficulty settings, allowing players to experiment with different play styles and strategies. While some reviews note a lack of replay value after the initial playthrough, many highlight the enjoyment derived from secret hunting and the variety of weapons and spells available. Overall, the combination of RPG elements and retro shooter mechanics contributes to a satisfying experience that encourages multiple playthroughs.

    • “This is a game that one can pick up for a reasonable price with high replayability without sinking massive amounts of hours, which is a plus.”
    • “The upgrade and perk system along with the magic system makes for great replayability: maybe next time a magic-focused run?”
    • “The game has great replayability thanks to the variety of upgrades that you can take - each weapon has two potential upgrades, and the points you spend on those upgrades are also your currency for new spells, meaning that you need to pick and choose what you want to take for the rest of your run.”
    • “Not much for replay value though despite having character stats, perks, and weapon upgrades.”
    • “My biggest problem is it doesn't have replay value.”
    • “On top of this, the game is short (my Steam clocked 8 in-game hours after I finished the game at hard difficulty, which included a game-crash that lost me some progress, with an additional 6 hours for hardcore difficulty, which is the same as hard but you have to complete the entire game without dying) and does not really offer any challenges after the first playthrough (hardcore difficulty is identical to hard difficulty apart from the perma-death), nor much other replay value.”
  • atmosphere44 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique themes, strong sound design, and effective use of music, which together create an engaging and immersive experience. Many reviewers highlight the retro-inspired art style and modern lighting effects that enhance the overall mood, while some note inconsistencies in level design and music quality. Overall, the game successfully evokes a sense of nostalgia and excitement, making it a standout in the genre.

    • “The themes for each area are unique, and along with the soundtracks, it creates an incredible atmosphere.”
    • “The art, sound design, and music together create a great atmosphere of hyper-violent fun — the game feels like playing an Iron Maiden album cover.”
    • “I am a sucker for a good atmosphere, and this game has plenty of it.”
    • “The music is totally off and adds nothing to the atmosphere.”
    • “The faux fog effects and other 'details' to add atmosphere actually make the game unplayable in some spots.”
    • “Overall worth a playthrough for those who still like the original Doom games, but it doesn't bring enough innovation to be up there like Strafe or enough atmosphere like Dusk.”
  • stability37 mentions

    The game's stability is frequently criticized due to a variety of bugs and glitches, including input lag, visual issues, and occasional soft-locks that can disrupt gameplay. While some players report that these issues are not game-breaking, they do detract from the overall experience, leading to a consensus that the game requires further optimization and bug fixes. Despite these problems, many still find enjoyment in the game, particularly for fans of retro FPS titles.

    • “It has modern controls, no frustrating rogue-like mechanics, optional retro graphics, runs smoothly, and plays excellently.”
    • “The game runs flawlessly, providing a stable experience that enhances gameplay.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the game is; it rarely crashes and maintains a consistent frame rate.”
    • “The controls of the game just feel buggy and it's such a disappointment that I cannot recommend this game until this issue is fixed.”
    • “Input lag, overlapping textures, sound glitches, freezing enemies, that one time I fell through the floor and had to restart the level, etc. Nothing game-breaking, but bugs are ever-present and they spoil the experience a bit.”
    • “Screen freezes while the game is obviously still running (restart needed); you'll also be getting fall-through-the-floor tricks (yeah, restart needed as well), weird architecture hitboxes (good luck with throwables).”
  • grinding30 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often due to repetitive level design and mechanics that lack innovation. While some appreciate the variety in enemy encounters and upgrades, many feel that the backtracking and key-collecting tasks detract from the experience, leading to a sense of monotony rather than genuine progression. The game's difficulty spikes and boss fights are frequently described as more tedious than challenging, contributing to a mixed reception regarding the grinding elements.

    • “The upgrades and the point system are an amazing addition; it makes the game so much more fun and not boring. There is no grinding for experience or points, and it has a nice balance between giving you more powerful upgrades and weapons, but also more powerful monsters to fight against.”
    • “These mechanics have been around for decades now, and every other good modern boomer shooter has found ways to innovate these mechanics to make them more interesting and not tedious.”
    • “The combat is generic and dull with boring weapons and enemies, muddy environments and tedious, overdone mechanics like enemies spawning behind you or collecting keys just to walk around in a circle to where you started rather than having a true feeling of progression.”
    • “The maps are tedious and repetitive; each one is essentially the same maze involving a lot of backtracking as you try to figure out what all of these keys and switches open.”
    • “The last one in particular is a great example, it wasn't difficult, it was simply tedious.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of nostalgic references to classic shooters and a mix of hilariously unbalanced gameplay elements, such as easy bosses contrasted with frustrating challenges. Players appreciate the funny easter eggs and the overall comedic tone, which adds charm to the retro-inspired experience. Despite some uninspired level design, the humor and nostalgic callbacks make it a fun and entertaining adventure.

    • “A worthy, fun, and funny throwback to the classics.”
    • “Great game with funny easter eggs to other (older) shooters.”
    • “And the game has some nice nostalgia and humor mixed in with its Lovecraftian style.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Players express mixed emotions regarding the game's emotional impact, with some appreciating the lack of a distracting story, while others feel frustration and annoyance during gameplay. The emotional engagement appears limited, as many players report completing the game without utilizing key features, indicating a disconnect between gameplay mechanics and emotional investment.

    • “This made me feel annoyed after playing for some time (and normally I don't have any such problems).”
  • character development5 mentions

    The character development in this game is praised for its surprising depth, combining old-school FPS charm with RPG elements that allow for customization of weapons, magic, and characters. Players appreciate the appealing character designs and the addictive gameplay that encourages continuous engagement. Overall, it offers a retro shooter experience enriched with immersive character development choices.

    • “You want a retro shooter with near immersive-sim levels of character development without all the sneaky-sneak?”
    • “Has a surprising amount of depth, that would have been otherwise vacant; in terms of customization for weapons, magic, and character development.”
    • “This takes old-school FPS charm and tosses it with some RPG character development choices for a quick point-n-shoot romp through pixelated goodness.”
    • “Wolf 3D on steroids, with magic and character development.”
    • “This takes old-school FPS charm and combines it with some RPG character development choices for a quick point-and-shoot romp through pixelated goodness.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization strategy in Project Warlock has been criticized for its aggressive and infinite ad spawns during boss fights, detracting from gameplay and creating a frustrating experience. Reviewers describe the game as a low-effort cash grab that relies on nostalgic appeal without delivering the quality or balance of classic titles.

    • “The problem is that they committed the cardinal sin of any boss fight and made ads spawn infinitely and aggressively.”
    • “Rather than make the bosses better, they just spawn ads right next to you after an amount of time and they will instantly melt you in later levels.”
    • “Low effort cash grab aimed at our nostalgia.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

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Play time

6hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
3-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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