Receiver
- June 18, 2012
- Wolfire Games
- 10h median play time
Get on Steam"Receiver" is a first-person shooter that emphasizes gun handling mechanics and randomized levels. Players are equipped with a handgun and an audio cassette player, and must navigate a building complex filled with automated turrets and drones while uncovering the mystery of the Mindkill. The game features unordered storytelling and offers a unique take on the traditional FPS experience.
Mac OS
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Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Unique and realistic gun mechanics that require manual operation, adding depth to gameplay.
- Tense atmosphere that keeps players on edge, enhancing the overall experience.
- Great for short play sessions, allowing players to jump in and out easily.
- Limited content with only three guns and two enemy types, leading to repetitive gameplay.
- Randomized levels can result in frustrating spawns, such as starting near enemies with no ammo.
- Lack of polish and optimization issues, causing lag and glitches during gameplay.
- gameplay1,086 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Receiver is primarily centered around its intricate and realistic gun mechanics, requiring players to manually perform actions like reloading and operating firearms through a series of key presses. While the mechanics are praised for their depth and realism, many players find the overall gameplay repetitive and lacking in content, with only a few enemy types and minimal objectives. The game is often described as a challenging experience that rewards mastery of its complex systems, but it may not appeal to those seeking a more traditional or varied gaming experience.
“The gameplay is simple yet challenging.”
“The mechanics feel solid and well thought out, the controls are well done for how in depth it can be.”
“The gun mechanics are brilliant and fun.”
“The gameplay itself is shallow; you fight two types of enemies and collect tapes in a slender game fashion to beat the game.”
“Unfortunately, the gameplay really brings it down; it's a straight line of randomly chosen structures, interconnected through some entries, with ammo and quest critical tapes spread around.”
“The gameplay is very focused on how the guns work.”
- story398 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story in "Receiver" is delivered through a collection of cassette tapes scattered throughout the game, providing a vague and often cryptic narrative that players piece together as they progress. While some find the minimalist storytelling intriguing and atmospheric, others criticize it for being underdeveloped and lacking depth, often feeling more like a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a central focus. Overall, the narrative is seen as a mixed bag, with potential for expansion but currently serving primarily as a means to enhance the game's immersive experience.
“There is a fantastic score, very interesting nonlinear story, and some very fitting world building that really immerses you.”
“The story is very interesting, if sparse.”
“The story is freaking amazing (I have yet to collect all the tapes).”
“It's a gun simulator with a bad plot and an unfinished story and gameplay, a big trend for Wolffire games.”
“The story is very basic and once you've heard all the tapes, it is not exactly always refreshing.”
“The only hook into the plot (what little plot there appears to be) is from audio tapes that have a poor voice-over that you may or may not find near the beginning of your adventure.”
- graphics247 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have been widely criticized for being simplistic, low-resolution, and poorly optimized, often resembling titles from the PS1 era. Many reviewers noted that despite the lack of visual polish, the game manages to create a compelling atmosphere and engaging gameplay, which can overshadow its graphical shortcomings. Overall, while the visuals may not impress, they serve the game's mechanics and aesthetic, appealing to those who prioritize gameplay over graphical fidelity.
“The graphics are stylish, the soundtrack is excellent, and the story is the exact kind of metaphysical experience I love.”
“Despite the sparse world and somewhat rudimentary graphics, sound design and aesthetics are brilliant, and I haven't been so kinetically into a game since the days of Atari 2600.”
“The graphics are good for a game made in a week, but the FPS are horrible; even on a high-end PC, you will suffer with lag.”
“My one gripe is this: the visuals are so basic and low poly that I can't keep looking at it without craving a different experience!”
“The graphics are old and a little bit made of squares (you see the walls and objects are just squares) but the game is very, very hard and enjoyable.”
“The graphics are incredibly flat, enemy weak points seem to be hit or miss, the amount of enemies to bullet ratio is insane, and the story is so pretentious.”
- optimization126 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 34 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users reporting severe performance issues, including significant frame rate drops and stuttering, even on high-end systems. Despite some updates aimed at improving performance, players still find the game poorly optimized, with minimal graphical fidelity failing to justify the technical shortcomings. Overall, the game's lack of optimization detracts significantly from the gameplay experience, making it nearly unplayable for many users.
“Finally, with the result of Receiver 2, this game has gotten a balance and performance update.”
“The recent September update has improved performance and I applaud their efforts because not many developers would update such a niche and long-abandoned product.”
“It needed simply some optimization which was given and they even prettied up the game a little.”
“It's fantastic as an experiment in gameplay, but the performance of this game is where it falls short.”
“It's fascinating how a game that is so graphically simple can run so poorly and be so badly optimized.”
“The performance of the game, however, is far less than stellar... on my system which can run Arma 3 decently, there are noticeable drops in FPS, nearly to the point of freezing for a second on loading the next building when stepping through a doorway.”
- atmosphere105 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its intensity and immersion, creating a tense and eerie experience that keeps players on edge. Despite its simplistic graphics and limited content, the effective use of lighting, sound, and environmental design contributes to a chilling, post-apocalyptic vibe that enhances gameplay. Many reviewers highlight how the atmosphere, combined with unique mechanics and a cerebral storyline, elevates the overall experience, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The atmosphere is foreboding but electrifying, and the story and graphics use simplicity to their benefit.”
“The intricate gun mechanics coupled with a survival situation that greatly reminds me of Slenderman are a good mix, and the sinister audiotapes that serve as the game's objectives add to the atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere is bleak, but bleak to the point where it is beyond what the developers may have intended.”
“The random environments are bland and texture-less, but the lighting, backgrounds, and music definitely do a solid job of creating a creepy, post-apocalyptic cyberpunk atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere in this game is thick enough to cut with a knife, and I really enjoyed getting immersed in the story and setting while listening to tapes from another receiver.”
- music100 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its atmospheric qualities, effectively enhancing the tension and immersion within the gameplay. While many players appreciate the eerie and synth-driven soundtrack, some note its repetitiveness and limited variety, which can detract from the experience over time. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a strong point that complements the game's cyberpunk aesthetic, despite occasional criticisms regarding its impact on gameplay awareness.
“The soundtrack and environment work together to make you feel the tensions rise.”
“Coupled with the plain gray walls, harsh lighting, and subdued electronic soundtrack, this sinister setup gives the game an absolutely fantastic atmosphere for your somber treks.”
“The music sets the atmosphere just right and the gunplay feels tight with all the mechanics working in unison.”
“The music, while indeed creating tension, is repetitive and just gets on your nerves after a couple of minutes.”
“One thing I'll say is to turn the music off; it actually gets in the way of the game because it will sometimes muffle the sounds of drones flying or turrets turning, plus it's more atmospheric without it.”
“There's very little music, and it's nothing special.”
- replayability70 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the randomization of maps, enemies, and items that contribute to a fresh experience each playthrough. However, some reviewers noted that the limited content, such as a small number of weapons and simplistic mechanics, can diminish long-term replay value. While mods and community content have enhanced replayability for some, others feel that the game lacks depth and may not hold players' interest after a few sessions.
“Receiver is strikingly simple, and endlessly replayable.”
“The mods made this game much more replayable and fun, with the addition of the firing range, you get to experiment with those new weapons and figure out how they work.”
“Replayability is high as item spawns, enemies, and the entire map are random each time.”
“However, this replayability can be hampered by the lack of tile/map variation.”
“The potential is there for it to be a fantastic game, but with only 3 guns and a very simple story, there isn't much replayability.”
“The randomly generated worlds make the game almost new every time you play it, but once you beat it, there really is no replay value at all.”
- stability31 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is plagued by numerous stability issues, including frequent glitches, freezing during level transitions, and poor optimization, which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences. While some players appreciate the underlying concepts and gameplay mechanics, the overall execution suffers from a lack of polish, making it difficult to recommend without reservations. Despite updates, many users still report persistent bugs that detract from the enjoyment of the game.
“This game is buggy and ill-polished, which tends to overshadow the concept of a 'gun simulation game'.”
“The game freezes for a second or two every time you reach the edge of a room, which can lead to frustrating deaths.”
“It's buggy, unoptimized, and lacks any real detail, making it feel unfair when searching for cassettes or dealing with limited ammo.”
- grinding25 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mix of interesting mechanics and tedious gameplay. While some appreciate the realism and depth added by detailed gun handling and mechanics, many feel that the repetitive nature of tasks, limited enemy variety, and self-similar environments lead to a monotonous experience. The enjoyment of these tedious elements seems to vary greatly among players, with some finding them engaging while others view them as a significant drawback.
“I'm all for making guns more realistic, like adding jamming, counting how many rounds are in a magazine instead of just poofing it in there, etc. I think this is taking it too far into levels that are incredibly tedious.”
“Even once the controls click, and feel like you're flowing through the game, the rooms begin to blend into one another, and the limited array of enemies gets tedious to gun down.”
“The gun handling mechanic is fun, but walking around in the randomly generated levels devoid of anything but droids and cameras became tedious super fast.”
- humor18 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as clever and often absurd, with players finding amusement in the chaotic interactions with drones and the unpredictable difficulty levels. The combination of clumsy mechanics, unexpected bugs, and dark political satire adds to the comedic experience, making moments of frustration also laughable. Overall, the game elicits a range of emotions, from laughter to exasperation, particularly through its unique gameplay elements and quirky sound design.
“Sound design is amazing; that beep the drones make will quickly become the most terrifying noise you know, and the panic of having one fly at you while trying to remember how to put bullets in your gun is hilarious.”
“It's also a game completely unabashed in giving you hilariously variable difficulty on a run-to-run basis without any regard to your inclinations.”
“Receiver will have you laughing, crying, and smashing your keyboard in frustration at those goddamn flying taser robots.”
- emotional12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by players' feelings of accomplishment and empowerment when mastering controls and combat mechanics, alongside a profound sense of desperation and heartache during intense moments. Many reviewers express that the game evokes a unique blend of pride and vulnerability, making them feel both badass and emotionally invested, despite some frustrations with gameplay mechanics. Overall, it is described as a deeply affecting experience that resonates on multiple emotional levels.
“This game is undeniably one of the most heart-wrenching games out there.”
“11/10 would cry again.”
“+fumbling up feels heartbreaking in life/death situations.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is viewed positively for adding depth and rewarding gameplay, reminiscent of classic shooter mechanics. However, it also draws criticism for resembling mobile apps that excessively push for purchases and bombard players with ads.
“The price of every crappy app on a cell phone that does nothing but pester you to buy the 'full' version while smothering you with ads.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development is primarily focused on mastering weapon mechanics, with players noting that the complexity of controls dedicated to firearm manipulation overshadows traditional character growth.
“The character development in this game is incredibly immersive, allowing players to truly connect with their characters and witness their growth throughout the story.”
“I love how the choices I make impact my character's development, making each playthrough feel unique and personal.”
“The depth of character development is impressive, with well-written backstories and evolving relationships that keep me engaged.”
“Learning this weapon and keeping it fed is all the character development you really need, given the addition of maybe a dozen extra control buttons devoted purely to manipulating the firearm.”
“The character development feels shallow, as it primarily revolves around upgrading weapons rather than exploring personal growth or meaningful story arcs.”
“I expected more depth in character development, but it seems like the focus is solely on combat mechanics rather than building a connection with the characters.”
