Rheum

About

Rheum is a single player arcade shooter game with a horror theme. It was developed by SpaceMyFriend and was released on May 22, 2018. It received positive reviews from players.

"Rheum" is a single-player Horror Shooter game where you navigate through a fleshly vessel as an eyeball, collecting eyeball crusties to strengthen your fight against an infection. The game offers two difficulty modes, unlockable endless mode with new upgrades, challenges, and power-ups, six playable characters, secret boss fights, online leaderboards, and various enemies. With an original soundtrack, plenty of bullets and eyeballs, and cheat codes, the game provides around 2 hours of playtime.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 17 reviews

gameplay4 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Rheum features a unique and creative art style that stands out in the genre, with interesting bullet patterns and a visceral theme.
The gameplay is challenging and rewarding, with mechanics that encourage players to engage closely with enemies for higher scores.
The game offers replayability with hidden secrets and a power-up system that adds depth to the experience.

The game suffers from technical issues, including a lack of resolution options and poor graphics quality that do not meet modern standards.
Controls cannot be customized, which can make the game unplayable for some players, particularly those with different keyboard layouts or accessibility needs.
The core gameplay mechanics feel underwhelming and lack the depth needed to keep players engaged in a crowded genre.

gameplay
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
53%
20%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the fast-paced action and approachable mechanics, particularly the bullet grazing feature. However, many criticize the overall experience as shallow and lacking depth, with a need for more engaging mechanics and variety in enemy patterns. While the tutorial effectively introduces players to the controls, the game struggles to stand out in a crowded genre, leaving some feeling it doesn't fully realize its potential.
- “I especially like the upgrade mechanic where taking permanent upgrades makes you weaker for a short time.”
- “The tutorial just goes over key mechanics and then starts you fluently into the game with the regular stuff you would start with.”
- “I'm not a big player of bullet hell games; from what I've played, though, I find the gameplay to be fun and approachable with beautifully designed (and easy to see) bullets that weave and flow across the screen creating a maze for the player to navigate.”
- “There's a slew of defects on top of the shallow, mediocre gameplay and craptastic art.”
- “What I don't like is the mish-mash of enemy patterns that roll in, and the overall game mechanic structure is pretty ho-hum.”
- “While Rheum has character and heart, the core gameplay is a bit too bland for me to tell my friends to run out and buy this.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The graphics of the game feature a retro pixel art style that some players find charming and unique, while others criticize it for being outdated and lacking resolution options. Although the art style is generally appreciated for its creativity, there are mixed opinions on the execution, with some graphics described as carelessly drawn. Overall, the visuals fit the game's theme but may not meet the expectations of those seeking modern graphical fidelity.
- “The graphics are fitting for the game, and cartoonish enough to not make the experience nauseating.”
- “The art style is unique, unlike anything I've ever really seen.”
- “I like the artwork and universe, and some of the bullet patterns are quite remarkable.”
- “A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel art as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
- “There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
- “While this is on PC, it has all the hallmarks and deficiencies of a console game, from the clunkier than needed control scheme to the less than cutting-edge graphics.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
17%
33%
The music in the game is generally described as nice and fitting, effectively immersing players in its unique world without being overly distracting. However, some users noted that the soundtrack is quite understated, with a low volume that may leave it feeling nearly nonexistent at times. Overall, the music is characterized as sedate, complementing the game's atmosphere.
- “The music is nice, if understated to not be a distraction.”
- “The soundtrack and sound effects do a good job of immersing you in this weird little game world.”
- “The music is nice and fits the game, and all the squishes and splats feel right at home.”
- “The music is, in a word, 'sedate'.”
- “With the volume all the way up, the music was a bit too low.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users generally find the game highly replayable, indicating that it offers enough variety and engaging content to encourage multiple playthroughs.
- “The game offers endless replayability with its dynamic storylines and multiple endings.”
- “Each playthrough feels fresh thanks to the diverse character choices and branching paths.”
- “I keep coming back for more because every run presents new challenges and surprises.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the affordability and support for indie developers but often feel unmotivated to continue grinding in the game, indicating a lack of engaging content or rewards.
- “Look, it's cheap enough to grab and support an indie dev, but I just don't find myself driven to keep grinding through it.”
- “The grinding feels repetitive and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
- “I appreciate the effort, but the grind is so excessive that it overshadows the fun elements of the game.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game features limited content with only three levels available, suggesting a focus on replayability for scoring and performance rather than extensive gameplay.
- “With only three levels available on the main menu, this game is designed to be short but encourages replayability for points and performance.”
- “The optimization in this game allows players to refine their skills and strategies, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
- “I appreciate how the game rewards players for optimizing their performance, pushing me to improve with each attempt.”
- “With only three levels (at least available on the main menu - I may be wrong), this is a short game meant to be replayed for points and performance.”
- “The optimization is lacking, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
- “I encountered numerous bugs that hindered my progress, making the overall experience frustrating.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
The atmosphere of Rheum is characterized as a surreal and biological experience, likened to a fever dream journey through a fleshy landscape. However, some users feel that enhancing the audio elements, such as boosting bass and adding more impactful sound effects, could significantly improve the overall ambiance of the game.
- “I appreciate that you're aiming for a more biological atmosphere than a space shooter.”
- “Rheum is an atmospheric fever dream ride down a fleshy expanse.”
- “I appreciate that you're aiming for a more biological atmosphere than a space shooter, but I think enhancing it (whether by boosting the bass or adding a more bombastic, 'standard explosion' effect to enemy deaths) would be a huge improvement to the overall feel of the entire game.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users criticize the monetization of games made with Gamemaker Studio, often labeling them as retro pixel shovelware and cash grabs, suggesting a focus on profit over quality.
- “Gamemaker Studio is most commonly used to make retro pixel shovelware and cash grabs.”