Return to Planet X

About

Return to Planet X is a single player shooter game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Butterflyware and was released on September 7, 2018. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Return to Planet X is a close combat FPS in which you will have to smash tons of alien bugs.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

67%

Audience ScoreBased on 24 reviews

atmosphere3 negative mentions

The weapon design and selection are enjoyable, with good recoil mechanics.
The game runs smoothly with zero glitches and has an intuitive gameplay UI.
Some players found the sound design to be good and the game entertaining despite its shortcomings.

The game lacks a compelling story, with repetitive and easy objectives that can become boring.
Camera movement is jittery, and there are several cheap-looking loading screens, contributing to a low-budget feel.
The game is very short, with limited enemy variety and no bosses, leading to low replay value.

atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
49%
38%
The atmosphere in the game has received mixed reviews, with some users noting a lack of depth and presence, describing it as non-existent or poorly executed. Critics suggest that the sound design, particularly the deep bass drone, fails to create an immersive environment, and recommend adding reverb to enhance the overall ambiance.
- “This directly correlates to atmosphere in parallel with everything above.”
- “Atmosphere: from what I've heard, there is none.”
- “A consistent deep bass drone tone is not going to give you any form of atmosphere, especially with how random and inappropriate its placement is.”
- “They need a touch of reverb in order to give them that metallic room vibe, and overall this should help in atmosphere.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game lacks a narrative, with players primarily engaging in shooting alien bugs without any storyline or character development. Reviews highlight the absence of a compelling plot and minimal enemy variety, contributing to a monotonous experience.
- “There is also no story; you just shoot alien bugs.”
- “There is no story in the game; there are few enemies, and the sound is lacking.”
- “There is no story in the game; there are few enemies, and the sound is lacking.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
The music and sound design in the game contribute to a consistently creepy atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience despite the game's predictability and lack of genuine scares. However, some players feel that the game is missing more dynamic musical elements, which could elevate the horror experience further. Overall, while the sound choices are effective, there is a desire for more variety and intensity in the music.
- “It is not that really scary and sometimes predictable, but it is constantly creepy due to the sounds and music choices.”
- “It's a good game, but it plays more like a survival game than a horror game. Ammunition is too plentiful, the puzzles are too easy, and the game is very short. I hope the devs add more monsters, for example, flying exploding enemies or enemies that can walk on walls. The generator room is the perfect place to introduce these enemies, and the game is missing music.”
- “It is not that really scary and sometimes predictable (exit shafts visible before you go somewhere and turn your back towards it, then enemies crawl out of it), but it is constantly creepy due to sounds and music choices.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
The gameplay features an intuitive user interface, enhancing the overall experience. However, the enemy design, characterized by their predictable straight-line movement, lacks engagement unless it is purposefully integrated into the gameplay mechanics.
- “The gameplay UI is intuitive.”
- “Enemies walking in a straight line is not interesting unless the gameplay is built around it.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report that the game exhibits excellent stability, with no glitches encountered during gameplay.
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The graphics have been criticized for lacking improvement, with many users noting that the visuals appear outdated and the sound design features reused elements. Overall, the aesthetic does not inspire excitement or a desire for more.
- “The visuals don't look improved, the sounds are reused, and it's not something people will look at and say 'I want more of that.'”