Receiver 2

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,122 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Receiver 2 Game Cover
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"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.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,122 reviews
gameplay272 positive mentions
optimization13 negative mentions
  • Beautiful sequel that expands on the original with more polished graphics, sound, and gameplay mechanics.
  • The gun mechanics are incredibly detailed and satisfying, providing a unique and immersive experience.
  • The game effectively combines themes of mental health and gun safety, offering valuable insights through its narrative and audio tapes.
  • The ranking system can be frustrating, as dying sends you back a level, making progress feel tedious.
  • Some players may find the gameplay repetitive due to the limited enemy variety and the need to collect tapes.
  • The game can be punishingly difficult, which may deter casual players or those looking for a more relaxed experience.
  • gameplay906 mentions

    The gameplay of "Receiver 2" is characterized by its intricate and realistic gun mechanics, which require players to manage every aspect of firearm operation, including reloading and addressing malfunctions. While many players appreciate the depth and challenge of these mechanics, some find the gameplay loop repetitive and frustrating, particularly due to the punishing ranking system that penalizes players for dying. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of tactical shooting and psychological themes, appealing primarily to those who enjoy meticulous gameplay and firearm simulation.

    • “The gun mechanics are amazing.”
    • “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.”
    • “Receiver 2 improves hugely on the first game, by adding meaning to each and every gun mechanic you could think of - there's misfires and unsafe holstering, failure-to-feed jamming, stovepipe jamming, double-feed jamming, safety, and even some surprisingly innovative ways to force the player to pay close attention to how they load a magazine or a revolver's cylinder.”
    • “The gameplay is still barebones and can be 'solved' just as easily.”
    • “The actual gameplay is not much different from a story.”
    • “It's a brutal mechanic, but many people forget, in the original receiver, dying meant going back to the start.”
  • story370 mentions

    The story in "Receiver 2" is a complex and layered narrative that explores themes of mental health, media influence, and personal struggle, conveyed primarily through collectible audio tapes and notes. While some players find the storytelling engaging and thought-provoking, others criticize it for being repetitive or overly abstract, with a mix of compelling lore and frustrating gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game is praised for its deeper narrative compared to its predecessor, offering a unique blend of gun mechanics and thematic storytelling that resonates with players interested in its heavy subject matter.

    • “The most thematically complete game I've ever played, whose gameplay requires you to slow down and pay attention and think things through and whose story is slowly pieced together from bits of information, ultimately leading to themes about life that everyone ought to learn.”
    • “The story is slowly revealed through finding tapes and text-based floppy disks, as well as by exploring the compound, which operates as the overworld and training space.”
    • “Receiver 2 greatly expands the number of tapes featured in the game, but in the process, the presence and clarity of the original story is diluted.”
    • “I don't have much to say about this because I don't think it's very complex: I personally don't really like the metaphor - which I believe is just a metaphor, it's not much more than that - or that general way of thinking about things, or that style of storytelling.”
    • “The story is the same old 'media bad, conspiracy good' trope that's been around since The Matrix, so the fact that it's also very ham-fisted and preachy does nothing to bring any new approaches to the already beaten to death concept.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics198 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received significant praise for their improvement over the original, showcasing enhanced textures, lighting, and overall visual fidelity that contribute to a more immersive atmosphere. Many reviewers noted the realistic gun simulations and detailed environments, which elevate the gameplay experience, although some experienced performance issues on lower-end systems. Overall, the visuals are considered a major upgrade, effectively complementing the game's mechanics and narrative.

    • “The graphics are truly mind-blowing, the gunplay is extremely accurate and needless to say.”
    • “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 visuals are incredibly enhanced, while you'll quickly notice the same-y-ness of the procedural generation, the variation and quality makes it much better.”
    • “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.”
    • “That aside, it makes me want to cry when I walk into a large room or onto one of the rooftops and the frame rate hits single digit peaks even on the lowest graphics settings.”
  • atmosphere107 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, combining elements of tension, loneliness, and surrealism. Reviewers highlight the effective sound design, atmospheric music, and detailed environments that enhance the overall experience, making it both captivating and psychologically engaging. Many note that the atmosphere significantly contributes to the game's challenge and depth, creating a unique blend of horror and introspection that resonates with players.

    • “The atmosphere of this game alone is enough to set you on edge.”
    • “The game's sound and atmosphere both add heavily to the already immersive experience.”
    • “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 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.”
  • music95 mentions

    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. Additionally, the ability to import personal music adds a unique touch, allowing players to customize their auditory experience while navigating the game's tense environments.

    • “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 very little music: one variant plays when an enemy has spotted you; the other plays when you are in the vicinity of a tape.”
    • “Soundtrack sucks; always the same old woman chorus soundtrack loop again and again, it almost makes me crazy.”
  • optimization59 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players noting significant improvements in graphics and performance compared to its predecessor, while others report persistent performance issues, including stuttering and frame rate drops, even on high-end systems. Many users suggest that the game is demanding on hardware, particularly at higher resolutions, and that further optimization is needed to enhance the overall experience. Despite these challenges, some players have managed to achieve smooth performance under certain conditions, indicating that experiences may vary widely based on individual setups.

    • “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.”
  • grinding31 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and frustrating, particularly due to the punishing death penalties that force players to repeatedly replay mastered levels. While some players appreciate the depth and realism of the mechanics, many find the lack of progression and variety in enemies exacerbates the grind, making long sessions feel monotonous. Despite these issues, some players still enjoy the challenge and intricate gameplay, suggesting that breaks can alleviate the tedium.

    • “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.”
  • replayability26 mentions

    Overall, the game offers high replayability due to its fresh iterations on the original format, randomized level design, and engaging mechanics, despite some criticisms regarding the lack of variety in enemies and story depth. Players appreciate the ability to experiment with gameplay and collect items, although some feel that the absence of diverse starting conditions limits its rogue-like potential. The modding community also contributes to replay value, making it a worthwhile experience for those seeking extended play.

    • “It stays true to the original format, but iterates enough to feel fresh and provide replayability.”
    • “The game has huge replay value.”
    • “Despite the minimal amount of content in the game, Receiver 2 has incredible replayability.”
    • “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 the original game, so the lack of many unique enemies hurts long-term replayability, even if each playthrough is different by virtue of random level generation.”
  • emotional24 mentions

    The game elicits a profound emotional response from players, intertwining themes of mental health, self-control, and the complexities of gun ownership. Through its narrative and the impactful "threat tapes," it addresses serious topics like suicide and therapy in a way that resonates deeply, prompting introspection and emotional growth. While the gameplay mechanics may frustrate at times, the overall experience is described as both touching and thought-provoking, making it one of the most emotionally impactful games players have encountered.

    • “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.”
  • stability21 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, freezes, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. While some players experience only minor issues, many others face serious, game-breaking glitches that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the lack of updates and persistent technical problems suggest that players should approach the game with caution, ideally waiting for patches before investing fully.

    • “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.”
    • “With no actual updates in years to fix various buggy mechanics, progression, and other issues, I'd say it's best to get this game as cheap as possible.”
    • “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.”
  • humor14 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding the interactions, such as the unpredictable ladder mechanics and the absurdity of shooting one's own character, genuinely amusing, while others feel that certain jokes and gags lose their charm over time. The narrative cleverly balances humor with deeper themes, incorporating funny historical anecdotes about firearms and quirky mechanics, though some players express frustration when comedic moments interfere with gameplay progression. Overall, the game successfully blends goofy humor with serious undertones, creating a unique and engaging experience.

    • “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).”
    • “Plus, it does have some rather fun and rather funny bits of history about various firearms themselves!”
    • “Also, they make funny jokes about the alphabet boys.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized for its intrusive advertisements, which disrupt gameplay and create a dissonant experience that blends philosophical themes with commercial promotion of firearms. Users feel that the reliance on ads undermines the game's integrity and immersion.

    • “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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Play time

11hMedian play time
26hAverage play time
9-36hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 13 analyzed playthroughs

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