ROM: Extraction
- December 7, 2016
- First Contact Entertainment
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam"ROM: Extraction" is a VR game that combines action-packed arcade shooter gameplay with a larger, constantly expanding universe. The game features various modes, with the initial release being an homage to classic arcade shooters. The developers plan to add new maps, multiplayer, and more in the future, with updates and information shared with players.
PC
Virtual Reality
Windows
PlayStation
PlayStation VR
Reviews
- The game features impressive graphics and sound design, creating an immersive experience.
- The unique orb-throwing mechanic combined with bullet time adds a fun twist to the traditional wave shooter gameplay.
- Despite its short length, the game offers replayability through different difficulty settings and a fun arcade-style experience.
- The game is extremely short, with only two levels that can be completed in under 20 minutes, making it feel more like a demo than a full game.
- There is a significant lack of content, including limited enemy types and no story, which detracts from the overall experience.
- The game is considered overpriced for the amount of content currently available, leading many to recommend waiting for a sale.
- graphics42 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
Overall, the graphics of the game are widely praised for their high quality, stunning visuals, and smooth performance, with many reviewers noting the impressive detail and aesthetic appeal. However, some users experienced optimization issues, requiring extensive tweaking of settings, and expressed a desire for more content to complement the visuals. Despite these concerns, the graphics are consistently described as top-notch, contributing significantly to the immersive experience.
“The graphics are stunning and the action is as fast-paced as I've seen in VR.”
“Graphically stunning, the audio adds to the immersion - especially when one of the robots jumps up behind you.”
“The core mechanics are very solid and well implemented, the graphics are among some of the best I've seen in VR (I'd put them in the same league as Raw Data), and the soundtrack fits the fast-paced gameplay perfectly.”
“It's also horribly optimized; I spent more time tweaking the graphics settings than I did actually playing.”
“Add more levels and new surroundings... I was bored of the visuals after 10 minutes.”
“Graphics aside, Rom: Extraction is nothing more than another wave-based shooter, and an unfinished and feature-lacking one at that.”
- gameplay41 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the title is characterized by solid mechanics, particularly the unique orb-throwing and bullet-time elements, which create an engaging and visually impressive experience. However, many players note a significant lack of content, with only a few levels and limited replayability, leading to a gameplay loop that can become repetitive. While the graphics and sound design are praised, the overall experience feels incomplete, suggesting potential for future updates to enhance the gameplay variety.
“The core mechanics are very solid and well implemented, the graphics are among some of the best I've seen in VR, and the soundtrack fits the fast-paced gameplay perfectly.”
“Rom's gameplay offers a pretty unique twist on the VR shooter in that you're not using your gun to target and kill enemies so much as using it to shoot explosive orbs that you throw and detonate near them.”
“The throw, slow, shoot mechanic is extremely addictive and watching bullets fall in slow motion while pounding music plays gets the adrenaline pumping.”
“It isn't very replayable, and some of the gameplay elements feel too basic.”
“An orb-throwing gimmick produces a less than exciting gameplay loop of 'toss grenade (for lack of a better word), slow down time, shoot grenade' which got old after two or three playthroughs.”
“The foundation and core mechanics of the game are there, but there is a serious lack of content.”
- music15 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its energetic and fitting soundtrack, featuring genres like drum and bass and dubstep that enhance the fast-paced gameplay. Players appreciate how the music complements the game's mechanics, particularly during slow-motion sequences, creating an immersive and adrenaline-pumping experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout element that contributes significantly to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.
“Awesome drum and bass music fits perfectly with this frantic techno action game.”
“The music is excellent, some dirty electronic dubstep nonsense but really gets you pumped while everything's kicking off.”
“The core mechanics are very solid and well implemented, the graphics are among some of the best I've seen in VR, and the soundtrack fits the fast-paced gameplay perfectly.”
“The music slowing down when you use slow motion is cool, similar to Space Pirate Trainer, and it fits the mood of the game well.”
“The music is thrilling, the orb mechanic is kick-ass, and the graphics are great.”
“The throw, slow, shoot mechanic is extremely addictive, and watching bullets fall in slow motion while pounding music plays gets the adrenaline pumping.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find value in the polished gameplay and global leaderboards, many feel that the limited content and simplistic mechanics lead to a quick decline in interest. The two short levels may offer initial replay potential, but the experience can become repetitive, especially without significant variety or depth. However, higher difficulty settings and survival modes provide some challenge that can extend replayability for dedicated players.
“On the harder difficulty settings, the android hordes do not mess around -- you'll likely break a sweat fighting them off, and you will get a lot more replayability trying to last through a survival round.”
“There's not a lot of content here, but what is there is polished and seems very replayable.”
“I also love the fact that I didn't have to ask for global leaderboards, which adds a lot of replayability to this game.”
“This game has no replay value through its two stages, and relies so heavily on that stupid ball throwing that it's not even fun.”
“You can argue there's replay value in those two short levels, sure, but that will wear thin quickly.”
“On the harder difficulty settings, the android hordes do not mess around -- you'll likely break a sweat fighting them off and you will get a lot more replayability trying to last through a survival round.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing smooth performance and excellent graphics, while others report significant performance issues, including low framerates and the need for extensive tweaking of settings. Overall, while the production values are high, the gameplay experience can be hindered by severe optimization problems, particularly on certain hardware.
“Excellent graphics, very smooth performance and an absolute steal at $5.00!”
“The visuals are nice, and everything runs smoothly.”
“Production values in the game are unmatched across the current universe of VR content, along with a dense set of graphics options to dial in the optimal performance/quality ratio.”
“It's also horribly optimized; I spent more time tweaking the graphics settings than I did actually playing.”
“In those 12 minutes, you get yet another wave shooter, a quite pretty one that plays badly. The throwing of balls feels completely unnatural compared to throwing things in other games (like The Lab or Budget Cuts), and the performance on my GTX 1070 was horrible, with framerates as low as 40 fps logged, usually bouncing between 60-80 fps, making for a nauseous experience.”
“All in all, this game adds absolutely nothing to the VR scene. It's a simple wave shooter much like last year's early games, but with severe performance issues and not very immersive; it doesn't feel like you are there due to unnatural controls.”
- story5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimal, consisting of only one chapter and a single mission, which leaves players wanting more depth and development. While there is a hint of potential for a richer narrative, the current structure limits engagement and exploration of the storyline. Players express a desire for additional levels and a more fleshed-out plot.
“The levels are the first sections of the first chapter; the game is following some kind of story.”
“I feel like there is potential for a great story there; I would love to hear more about it.”
“The only downside is that there is just one chapter, no storyline.”
“However, it is a single mission and in my 17 minutes of play, I managed to complete 3 separate playthroughs.”
“Devs, please add more levels with a storyline.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, with reviewers labeling it as one of the worst examples of a lazy wave shooter in the VR genre.
“Also to make matters worse, it's easily one of the worst, laziest cash grab game types to come to VR, a wave shooter.”
“Cash grab.”
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, users praise the game's stability, highlighting its smooth performance, high-quality sound and graphics, and well-executed mechanics, including an impressive throwing mechanic that typically falls short in other games.
“The sound and graphics are top-notch, mechanics are spot on (even the throwing mechanic, which is not usually this good!) and it runs smoothly and bug-free.”
“The game runs incredibly stable, with no crashes or glitches, allowing for an immersive experience.”
“I've played for hours without any issues; the stability of the game is impressive and enhances the overall enjoyment.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is described as deeply immersive and dark, effectively drawing players into its haunting environment.
“The game creates an immersive dark atmosphere that pulls you in.”
“The haunting ambiance and eerie sound design enhance the overall experience.”
“Every corner of the game world is filled with a palpable tension that keeps you on edge.”
