Receiver 2

About

"Receiver 2" is a first-person shooter game that emphasizes gun handling and exploration. You play as a person waking up in a mysterious procedurally generated environment, armed only with a handgun. Mastering gun functions, finding radio frequencies, and uncovering the story are key elements as you navigate through various levels. The game features a realistic firearm simulation and a unique approach to the shooter genre.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,341 reviews

gameplay288 positive mentions

optimization14 negative mentions

Receiver 2 features incredibly detailed gun mechanics that require players to learn and master the operation of each firearm, making the gameplay both challenging and rewarding.
The game effectively combines themes of mental health and gun safety, providing thought-provoking commentary through collectible tapes and notes that resonate with players.
The addition of the Compound update offers a relaxing environment for practice and exploration, enhancing the overall experience and providing a break from the intense main gameplay.

The ranking system can be frustrating, as dying results in being demoted to a previous level, which can feel tedious and disheartening after investing significant time into a run.
The game can suffer from RNG issues, where players may encounter runs with scarce ammo or unfavorable enemy placements, leading to a sense of unfairness.
Some players may find the controls overly complex and unintuitive, requiring a steep learning curve that could deter those unfamiliar with firearms.

gameplay
970 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
67%
4%
The gameplay of Receiver 2 is characterized by its intricate and realistic gun mechanics, which require players to master detailed firearm operations, including reloading and managing malfunctions. While many players appreciate the depth and challenge these mechanics bring, some find the overall gameplay loop repetitive and frustrating, particularly due to the punishing ranking system that penalizes players for dying or quitting. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of tactical shooting and psychological themes, appealing primarily to those who enjoy meticulous gameplay and firearm simulation.
- “It's a must try for people who want to see more depth from their FPS games, and I hope some more games have mechanics like this in the future.”
- “The mechanics of having to manually control each mechanical aspect of your firearm is done really well and it really makes each gun feel different.”
- “The gun mechanics are amazing, and the gameplay loop is extremely satisfying with the gun mechanics and turret/drone interactions.”
- “The gameplay loop is very simple and works very well.”
- “The gameplay is lethal and just one bullet is enough to kill you.”
- “The holstering/drawing mechanic is somewhat irritating.”
story
406 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
72%
3%
The story in "Receiver 2" is a complex and surreal exploration of themes such as mental health, suicide, and media influence, conveyed through collectible audio tapes and notes that players must gather to progress. While some players appreciate the depth and thought-provoking nature of the narrative, others find it confusing or lacking in traditional structure, with mixed feelings about its execution and the game's overall difficulty. The storytelling is often described as both engaging and unsettling, effectively blending gameplay mechanics with a haunting atmosphere that resonates with real-world issues.
- “An engaging and deeply challenging arcade shooter with a surreal, thought-provoking story.”
- “The story is deep, dark, and very surreal.”
- “The story is slowly revealed through finding tapes (a requirement to progress) and text-based floppy disks, as well as by exploring the compound which operates as the overworld and training space.”
- “The game lacks a proper story, but has interesting messages about psychology and mental health.”
- “There's barely any hints of any real story for the game; at the end, the game even tells you it has no story whatsoever, it's all metaphor about the real world, disguising basic media safety as a grand conspiracy to keep your attention.”
- “The story is a surreal mix of useless knowledge and 'woke' talk about seeing the signs that the world has been dominated by a force and that you noticed it and have been chosen to become a receiver; it's all really nonsense and just an objective to complete.”
graphics
218 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
61%
3%
The graphics in Receiver 2 have received significant praise for their substantial improvement over the original game, showcasing enhanced textures, lighting, and overall visual fidelity that contribute to a more immersive atmosphere. While some players noted occasional performance issues and a lack of variety in environments, the majority agree that the visuals are a major highlight, elevating the game's aesthetic and gameplay experience. Overall, the graphical upgrades are seen as a key factor in making Receiver 2 a more polished and engaging title compared to its predecessor.
- “The graphics are truly mind-blowing, the gunplay is extremely accurate and needless to say.”
- “The graphics overhaul is glorious.”
- “The graphics are top of the line for an indie game, and they serve their artistic-expressive function brilliantly: haunting, hypnotizing and dreamy or surreal visuals accompany you through a deeply paranoid experience.”
- “The graphics were really bad, and I'm by no means a graphics snob.”
- “The low resolution graphics, combined with the lack of variety of areas, and being forced to listen to the same exact tapes in the same order over and over again made it difficult to want to complete.”
- “Every time I enter a new area that needs to be loaded, my game freezes terribly for a good ten seconds and it isn't determined by my graphic settings; it seems as I've tried turning them down.”
atmosphere
120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
46%
3%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique, immersive qualities, blending elements of surrealism, tension, and psychological horror. Reviewers highlight the effective sound design, haunting visuals, and the way the environment evokes feelings of loneliness and unease, making it a captivating experience. Overall, the atmosphere is considered one of the game's strongest aspects, enhancing both gameplay and narrative depth.
- “The atmosphere of this game alone is enough to set you on edge.”
- “The atmosphere is surreal and oppressive, the voice acting is on point, and the way the game treats handling a firearm is the most in-depth and accurate I've ever seen in a game.”
- “The sound design and general atmosphere are incredible, and the weapons modeling is, as to be expected, stellar.”
- “The atmosphere of this game is scary and lonely; the story is captivating, the visuals are impressive, and the firearm mechanics are addicting to gun enthusiasts like myself.”
- “The atmosphere is both oppressive and peaceful, the enemies basic yet terrifyingly confusing.”
- “The horror elements (the tense atmosphere, the drones and the messages you receive and what they imply) all of these are jacked up to eleven.”
music
103 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
66%
3%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric qualities and the haunting vocals of Uyanga Bold, which enhance the overall experience. However, some players noted that the soundtrack can be repetitive and that certain tracks are not always present during gameplay, leading to inconsistencies in audio cues. Overall, while the music contributes significantly to the game's tension and ambiance, its execution and integration into gameplay have room for improvement.
- “Anton Riehl did something magical writing this OST along with such a beautiful vocalist, Uyanga Bold, whose works, even outside of this soundtrack, are an absolute wonder to listen to.”
- “The music has subtle dynamic layering, usually remaining an ominous atmospheric track, with added chanting when near plot coupons, and a more frantic beat when engaging or being engaged by the enemy robots.”
- “The atmosphere and creepy vibe of the game is 10/10, and the music is also great.”
- “The ambient music can be far too overpowering and hide drones; you can't hear anything unless you're in the same room/area, which means that you can walk into a room you think is safe because you didn't hear the drone watching the entrance.”
- “There's a soundtrack but you won't hear most of the music.”
- “The tapes are supposed to make a song-like sound if you are close, but more often than not it's bugged. Until I'm 1 meter away and in an unobstructed path, I can hear the sound, but other times I can hear them from another room or from below or above, it seems inconsistent.”
optimization
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
67%
23%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues, including stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some users report smooth performance at lower settings or on specific hardware configurations, the overall consensus indicates that the game requires further optimization to address its technical shortcomings. Despite improvements noted in patches, many players still find the game's performance inconsistent and frustrating.
- “Runs smooth in 4k even though I'm running on an old 1060 and still manages to look beautiful (major props to whoever did the optimization.)”
- “The game seems pretty well optimized with me only noticing a small stutter when moving from some of the randomly generated sections of the level.”
- “Not only that, but everything else from the optimization, visuals, and writing is far better than the first game.”
- “I actually really like this game, but I can't recommend it due to performance issues and crashes.”
- “Very poorly optimized, even on low settings with a PC exceeding recommended requirements the game still lags down to 30 fps in some of the more open areas.”
- “The most pressing issue with the game is the performance; a lot of areas are fine but randomly you will find yourself with massively reduced performance for seemingly no reason.”
grinding
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
3%
91%
The grinding aspect of Receiver 2 is widely described as tedious and frustrating, primarily due to its punishing mechanics that require players to repeatedly restart levels after dying. While some players appreciate the realism and depth of the gun mechanics, many find the lack of progression and the need to farm for resources to be a significant drawback, leading to a gameplay experience that can feel more like a chore than fun. Despite these criticisms, some players still enjoy the challenge and tension that comes with the game's design, suggesting that it may appeal to those who appreciate a steep learning curve.
- “Getting the hang of the guns can be tricky, but not tedious.”
- “Tense, but not tedious.”
- “It is extremely annoying and tedious to do.”
- “In a rogue-like game with zero upgrades or any form of progression, this becomes extremely tedious.”
- “The leveling system is quite tedious given that death results in having to repeat a level that you have already mastered.”
replayability
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
59%
9%
Overall, the game exhibits high replayability due to its fresh iterations on the original format, randomized level design, and engaging mechanics. While some players note a lack of variety in enemies and story elements that could impact long-term replay value, the addition of achievements and modding options enhances the experience. Many reviewers appreciate the satisfying gameplay and the potential for exploration, making it a worthwhile choice for players seeking replayable content.
- “It stays true to the original format, but iterates enough to feel fresh and provide replayability.”
- “An amazing game with a great message, very enjoyable and satisfying gameplay, massive replay value, and a ton of secrets.”
- “The game has huge replay value.”
- “This is not a 'losing is fun' type of game; as mentioned before, it fails to meet the criteria of a rogue-like - that being varied starting conditions and overall replayability.”
- “This coupled with the same old objective of collecting tapes could easily feel repetitive, and potentially hamper the game's replayability.”
- “While the turret and the drone have subtle variations from one another, they're still the same enemy you've fought before in Receiver 1, so the lack of many unique enemies hurts long-term replayability, even if each playthrough is different by virtue of random level generation.”
emotional
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game elicits a profound emotional response from players, intertwining themes of mental health, self-control, and the complexities of gun ownership with a narrative that addresses serious issues like suicide and therapy. Players appreciate the introspective nature of the "threat tapes," which provide real-life insights into emotional trauma and coping mechanisms, making the experience both impactful and thought-provoking. Despite some gameplay frustrations, the emotional depth and unique storytelling elevate it beyond typical shooter games, leaving a lasting impression on players.
- “The 'threat tapes' really tore at me emotionally because of how real they are.”
- “This is the most emotionally impactful media I've ever consumed.”
- “While the guns are the forte of this game, the best part of the game in my opinion is the fact that this is the first game that has made me feel as though I need to control myself rather than my character.”
stability
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
96%
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting frequent bugs, freezes, and crashes that can significantly disrupt gameplay. While some users have experienced smooth performance, others face serious issues like game-breaking glitches and long loading times. Overall, the lack of recent updates to address these problems has led to frustration among players, suggesting that the game is best approached with caution until further patches are released.
- “At the time of this review, in the first week of release, the game isn't 'bug-free', but based on the developers' previous releases, there will be both content and bug-fixing updates.”
- “The game runs smoothly overall, with only minor issues that are expected to be addressed in future patches.”
- “I appreciate the developers' commitment to stability; they have a solid track record of improving their games post-launch.”
- “Game starts up to a disclosure notice, asks for permission to share analytics, then freezes in the middle of the loading screen.”
- “It runs incredibly poorly and more often than not I die because of stutter, freezes, or the abysmal framerate.”
- “Every time I enter a new area that needs to be loaded, my game freezes terribly for a good ten seconds, and it isn't determined by my graphic settings; it seems as I've tried turning them down.”
humor
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mix of slapstick and clever writing, with players enjoying the absurdity of mechanics like unpredictable ladder interactions and the comedic contradictions in firearm descriptions. The narrative balances goofy humor with deeper themes, creating a unique blend that resonates with players, while funny moments, such as the potential for self-inflicted injuries, add to the overall comedic experience. Despite some humor becoming repetitive, the game's ability to integrate funny elements into its serious undertones is widely appreciated.
- “Ladders also have that hilarious interaction where it can't decide which way you want to go when you move into them and/or you fall off them or fail to grab them (and die to fall damage).”
- “I also find it very funny that the in-game notes for revolvers tell you they're always better than semi-autos and the ones for semi-autos tell you they're always better than revolvers.”
- “Also, they make funny jokes about the alphabet boys.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized for its intrusive advertisements, which disrupt gameplay and create a disjointed experience. Users feel that the ads, particularly those related to firearms, detract from the game's intended atmosphere and narrative, leading to a confusing blend of themes.
- “It now teeters into this strange feeling, fight club-like pseudo philosophy and psychology, interspersed with what feels like advertisements for firearms and gun ownership.”