Return Alive

About

Return Alive is a multiplayer action game. It was developed by KOG and was released on October 22, 2024. It received neutral reviews from players.

As the survivor in a world ravaged by the black fog, the player must compete against other survivors to claim scarce resources, technology, and energy out in the wilderness. Players will be able to face off greater, better players by building their own mastery through battlegrounds where players face multiple enemies or through matches where players team up to compete against other teams. Styli…

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53%

Audience ScoreBased on 53 reviews

gameplay7 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game features smooth gameplay and well-designed graphics, creating an immersive experience.
Players appreciate the unique extraction mechanics and the high-stakes survival gameplay that adds excitement.
The co-op mode allows for teamwork and strategy, making it enjoyable to play with friends.

The game suffers from a lack of player population, making matchmaking difficult and leading to a dead PvP experience.
There are significant balance issues, with some characters being overpowered while others feel weak, leading to frustration in gameplay.
The presence of a pay-to-win structure and a mobile app-style cash shop detracts from the overall experience, making progression feel grind-heavy and unfair.

gameplay
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
37%
19%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the intense atmosphere and unique extraction mechanics that add tension and excitement, while others criticize it for being grindy, unbalanced, and monotonous after a few sessions. Although the game features smooth mechanics and appealing graphics, concerns about excessive focus on PvP and a lack of refinement in its early access state have left some players feeling frustrated and less inclined to continue playing. Overall, it shows potential for tactical shooter fans but may require further improvements to enhance the overall experience.
- “✅ Unique extraction mechanics – the high-stakes survival gameplay adds a layer of tension and excitement, rewarding players for risk-taking.”
- “ Positive: players appreciate the game's intense atmosphere and extraction-based survival mechanics.”
- “It features smooth gameplay, stunning graphics, and perfectly captures the visual aesthetic of a world on the edge of collapse.”
- “Otherwise the graphics are meh, the gameplay is worse, and the game format, top-down shooting/brawling stuff... while Syndicate was a great game, that format is a legacy one in the era of full, immersive 3D first and third-person games that dominate the market, and they dominate for a good reason: they're better formats, objectively.”
- “Overall gameplay becomes monotonous very quickly; it’s enjoyable for the first 2-3 games, but I don’t feel inclined to return after that.”
- “- Excessive changes in gameplay focused on PvP that users never wanted.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
Overall, the graphics received mixed reviews, with some users finding them decent for an indie game but lacking innovation compared to modern 3D titles. While a few praised the well-designed visuals and smooth gameplay, others felt the graphics were bland and in need of improvement. The game's aesthetic was noted as capturing a compelling atmosphere, though it may not stand out in a crowded market.
- “It features smooth gameplay, stunning graphics, and perfectly captures the visual aesthetic of a world on the edge of collapse.”
- “The combat is smooth, the graphics are great, and the fast-paced action mixed with strategy makes each mission exciting.”
- “Graphics are well-designed.”
- “Otherwise the graphics are meh, the gameplay is worse, and the game format, top-down shooting/brawling stuff... while Syndicate was a great game, that format is a legacy one in the era of full, immersive 3D first and third-person games that dominate the market, and they dominate for a good reason... they're better formats, objectively.”
- “ Graphics & atmosphere: 6/10 (decent for an indie game but not groundbreaking)”
- “Since it's newly released, I do kind of feel like it's a bit bland and needs more improvement with the graphics and UI.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The game's story is primarily conveyed through its atmospheric world and survival themes, which some players find compelling despite the lack of traditional storytelling elements. However, the reliance on multiplayer interactions and character unlocks tied to real money purchases has led to frustration among users, detracting from the overall experience. While the combat and graphics are praised, the narrative depth suffers due to these design choices.
- “Return Alive masterfully combines tense, tactical combat with an atmospheric, desolate world that tells a compelling story of survival.”
- “The combat is smooth, the graphics are great, and the fast-paced action mixed with strategy makes each mission exciting.”
- “The developer gambled that other players would be an acceptable substitute for adding storytelling, level design, etc. to the game.”
- “I've cleared all the uni missions and made it to level 12, and I've made Ned level 6 and even crafted hero armor, so I'm leaving this review now because it's hard to play anymore.”
- “- Character locked behind a real money bundle; cannot do certain quests that give you boosts because you don't own one of the release characters, as you have to buy him with real money.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy has raised significant concerns among players, with many labeling it as pay-to-win due to microtransactions that may create an unfair advantage. Complaints also highlight grindy mechanics and balance issues, leading some to perceive the game as resembling a cash grab mobile title rather than a polished experience.
- “Pay-to-win concerns – microtransactions have sparked debate within the community, as some fear they give an unfair advantage.”
- “Negative feedback includes complaints about monetization, grindy mechanics, and balance issues.”
- “The game has potential, but right now it feels way too raw and plays more like one of those cash grab mobile games that you see in every ad.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
Players commend the game's intense atmosphere and effective extraction-based survival mechanics, highlighting its ability to create a tense and immersive experience. While the graphics are considered decent for an indie title, the overall atmosphere successfully conveys a compelling narrative of survival in a desolate world.
- “Players appreciate the game's intense atmosphere and extraction-based survival mechanics.”
- “Return Alive masterfully combines tense, tactical combat with an atmospheric, desolate world that tells a compelling story of survival.”
- “The graphics and atmosphere are decent for an indie game, but they don't feel groundbreaking.”
- “While the game has its moments, the overall atmosphere lacks the depth and immersion I was hoping for.”
- “The environment feels empty and uninspired, which detracts from the overall experience.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews on "grinding" highlight a mix of frustration and appreciation; while some players criticize the grindy mechanics and monetization issues, others enjoy the focus on skill and gear in a PvP context, noting that the removal of PvE grinding is a positive change.
- “Complaints include concerns about monetization, grindy mechanics, and balance issues.”
- “It's definitely a PvP game where knowing your skills, grinding out those stats, and rocking the right gear makes all the difference.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game has been criticized for being generic and lacking originality, with users suggesting that it requires further development to enhance its quality.
- “The music sounds a bit too generic as well.”
- “There needs to be more work on the music.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development in the game has received mixed feedback; while some players appreciate the cool character designs and are eager for new additions, others feel that the characters lack originality, comparing them to generic designs found in many mobile games.
- “The character designs are super cool, and I can’t wait to see what new ones they drop next.”
- “I thought this game was supposed to be an extraction shooter, but it just seems like a Brawl Stars knockoff with the same Korean character designs you can see in a lot of mobile games.”