Selaco

The atmosphere in Selaco is widely praised for its immersive and engaging qualities, enhanced by exceptional sound design, a captivating soundtrack, and beautifully crafted environments. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a sense of tragedy and confusion, with a blend of horror elements and dynamic gameplay that keeps players invested. Overall, the game is noted for its rich world-building and atmospheric depth, making it a standout experience in the shooter genre.

The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues, particularly during intense combat scenarios, while others report smooth gameplay on mid-tier systems. Users noted that the game struggles to maintain stable frame rates, especially on weaker devices like the Steam Deck, and highlighted the need for further optimization to address these concerns. Despite its impressive visuals and gameplay mechanics, many reviewers expressed disappointment with the current state of performance, suggesting that improvements are necessary for a more consistent experience.

Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players highlighting the engaging combat, diverse weapons, and hidden puzzles that encourage multiple playthroughs. The inclusion of modifiers, community maps, and various difficulty levels further enhances its replay value, making it a standout in the genre. However, some users noted that certain aspects, like backtracking, could detract from the experience, suggesting that while replayability is strong, it may not be universally appealing.

The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of clever references, dark comedy, and amusing interactions, with players appreciating the well-written data logs and the developers' creative sense of humor. Many found the over-the-top gore and absurd gameplay mechanics, such as punting enemies and explosive barrels, to be hilariously entertaining. However, some critiques mention that the humor can be hit or miss, with certain references feeling forced or lacking in originality.

The monetization aspect of the game is characterized by a heavy presence of in-game advertisements that contribute to a visually overwhelming environment, yet there are no microtransactions, allowing players to enjoy the game without additional costs. While the neon ads and aesthetic add to the atmosphere, they can also hinder gameplay, particularly in aiming mechanics. Overall, the game is described as a mix of engaging elements and distractions, with a focus on fun rather than monetization pressures.

Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and exhausting, often feeling obligated to hunt for secrets that slow down the pace of gameplay. While some appreciate the reward system tied to exploration and weapon upgrades, many agree that the repetitive nature of grinding detracts from the overall experience, leading to long stretches of unengaging gameplay. Overall, the design choices contribute to a sense of obligatory padding that can make the game feel dull.

Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with smooth performance on both the Steam Deck and high-end monitors, and minimal bugs reported. While some gameplay mechanics, like the slide/dash and certain enemy behaviors, exhibit occasional issues, these do not significantly detract from the overall experience. Most players report a solid frame rate and a lack of major glitches or crashes.

Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, likening it to nostalgic experiences from their childhood while appreciating its modern features. The heartfelt storytelling and character development evoke strong feelings, reminiscent of classic titles like System Shock 2, highlighting the game's ability to create a profound impact despite its indie origins. Overall, the emotional resonance is a standout aspect, making it a memorable experience for players.