Seum: Speedrunners from Hell

About

"SEUM: Speedrunners from Hell" is a heavy metal-themed first-person platformer where you race through deadly arenas in a competition for your soul. After a run-in with a demon, the protagonist Marty has his arm stolen and replaced it with a demon arm, now he's out for revenge and beer. Play through 100 fast-paced and merciless maps, utilizing various abilities to slice every last millisecond.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

+11

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,113 reviews

gameplay57 positive mentions

optimization4 negative mentions

Great gameplay with tight controls and a fun, fast-paced experience.
Challenging levels that encourage replayability and improvement of times.
Awesome heavy metal soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.

Some levels can feel frustratingly difficult, especially later in the game.
Graphics may seem dated and lack variety, leading to a repetitive visual experience.
Occasional issues with jumping mechanics and hitboxes can disrupt gameplay.

gameplay
115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
46%
4%
The gameplay is widely praised for its fluid mechanics, solid level design, and addictive speedrunning elements, making it both approachable for newcomers and challenging for veterans. Players appreciate the variety of mechanics and power-ups that keep the experience fresh, alongside a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the overall enjoyment. While some users noted occasional frustrations with specific mechanics and difficulty spikes, the core gameplay remains engaging and rewarding, particularly for fans of fast-paced platformers.
- “Solid level design which is tough yet fair, awesome soundtrack that will leave you listening to it on repeat even without the game running, and good controls to make the gameplay feel smooth and rewarding.”
- “The fluid gameplay focused on speed combined with interesting levels and a great soundtrack made me fall in love with it.”
- “Amazing game, the mechanics are easy to learn but hard to master and each little millisecond counts towards your high score, this game can get intense if you're trying to perfect your run and I love it!”
- “This game was a slog just for the 23 minutes I played of it; the movement is just not fun, and with that being the mechanic where the fun comes from, it does not work.”
- “Game itself is fun, though later levels rely on pretty terrible mechanics.”
- “Overall it is a solid platformer if you are into repetitive gameplay similar to other games you have played, just like Geometry Dash, Portal, or any other game that requires you to do memorization.”
music
115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
47%
3%
The music in Seum is widely praised for its heavy metal soundtrack, which enhances the fast-paced gameplay and complements the game's humorous, over-the-top aesthetic. While many players find the tracks exhilarating and fitting for the game's theme, some note that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time. Overall, the energetic and well-composed music significantly contributes to the game's appeal, making it a standout feature for fans of the genre.
- “The soundtrack for this game will leave you headbanging throughout your playthrough and it's absolutely amazing.”
- “I love metal and this game has a great metal soundtrack that helps your adrenaline keep pumping when you're going through levels fast as hell trying to beat the timer.”
- “The original heavy metal soundtrack sounds amazing and helps to boost the pace of the game.”
- “The music and the visuals could have been better.”
- “The music this game has to offer can get a bit repetitive even if each song is interesting and helps you keep going on each level.”
- “As for the music and the voice acting... eh.”
graphics
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
59%
5%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the metal aesthetic and art style that aligns well with the gameplay, while others criticize the visuals as dated and lacking in detail. Some users note that the graphics run smoothly and are optimized for performance, but express disappointment in the limited graphical options and occasional blandness. Overall, while the game's visuals may not be groundbreaking, they effectively contribute to the overall experience, especially for fans of the genre.
- “Absolutely obsessed with the visuals.”
- “The aesthetic of the game is well done, music and presentation fit together to create a fast-paced, metal experience.”
- “The graphics are nostalgic, yet look good on modern resolutions and hardware.”
- “Graphics might've just barely been acceptable in 2007, completely unacceptable seeing as this game came out in 2016.”
- “For instance, the graphics seem a little dated - the game appears not to use normal maps or shadows, so everything is kind of flat and covered by global, uniform lighting.”
- “The graphics are straight from 2010 and look like something I'd expect from a source mod.”
story
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
74%
6%
The story in "Seum: Speedrunners from Hell" is minimal and often described as silly or half-hearted, primarily serving as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a focal point. While some players appreciate its humorous and absurd elements, such as a redneck chasing Satan for his beer, others feel it lacks depth and could have been omitted entirely. Overall, the narrative is seen as a lighthearted addition that complements the fast-paced speedrunning experience.
- “I would argue it's easily the best of the three games I have played from this studio and it's absolutely worth playing, even if you just play through the story and don't go for 100% completion.”
- “Essentially, Super Meat Boy meets Metalocalypse, Seum (briefly) tells the story of Marty, a metal fan, who cut off Satan's hand, duct-taped it to his own arm, and descends into the depths of hell.”
- “Sure, speedrunning is fun, but for a speedrunning game to have as great of a plot as this takes dedication, style, and investment.”
- “The barely existing story (an introduction and an ending) is silly and needless but it's good for a bit of a giggle.”
- “The story is so half-assed I would've been happier if they had just left it out altogether.”
- “It's not a major part of the game, it's basically just there to give you an idea why you're going to hell; you only get some story at the beginning and at the end.”
humor
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever dialogue, funny voice lines, and a tongue-in-cheek approach to its themes, particularly the humorous portrayal of hell and its characters. While many players find the comedic elements engaging and enjoyable, some note that repeated exposure to certain jokes can diminish their impact over time. Overall, the game's blend of humor and fast-paced gameplay contributes significantly to its addictive nature and replayability.
- “Minimalist in all the right ways, great sense of humor, fantastic level design, instant leaderboard access, just the right amount of challenge.”
- “The game's humorous take on the theme of hell also works very well and sets up a lovely tongue-in-cheek atmosphere, where you feel that you are some beer-chugging badass who jumps across hell like it's nothing, all while bobbing his head to the awesome heavy-metal soundtrack.”
- “Story is hilarious, with clever dialogue and quips delivered throughout.”
replayability
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
38%
13%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by its speedrunning mechanics, hidden collectibles, and a level editor that allows for community-created content. Players appreciate the challenge of beating personal and leaderboard records, while the diverse gameplay modes and secrets encourage multiple playthroughs. Overall, it offers a satisfying amount of content and longevity, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of competitive and casual play alike.
- “Every map has so much replay value because not only is there a hardcore time to beat but also there's always a secret to collect on every single map, which makes you take a new look at them.”
- “The game is speedrunning-centric, but there is an endless runner mode and a level editor with workshop for tons of replayability.”
- “Definitely worth its price as it provides unlimited hours of replayability; the game is also quite long and has secret levels.”
- “The core gameplay is fun for a little while, but this game lacks the longevity and replay value (due to the aforementioned cheaters in the high scores) to really be worth it.”
- “Replay value depends on whether or not you're the competitive/perfectionist type.”
- “Every level is replayable at least two times since all of them offer a speed-running challenge and an optional hidden beer you can collect.”
optimization
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
46%
31%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance and compatibility with both high-end and low-end systems, some users note issues with controller support and menu hiccups on less powerful devices. There are suggestions for additional graphics settings and improvements, but many find the game well-optimized and enjoyable.
- “The controls are butter smooth, the game is optimized better than a German motorsport racecar, the levels are challenging but never unfair.”
- “Performance is smooth and I have not run into any FPS issues or stuttering.”
- “Pretty good amount of content for the price, and it all seems optimized and so far, bug free for me.”
- “Not optimized for controller”
- “Fun parkour time limit game, but so poorly optimized.”
- “The optimization could be better, or maybe some extra graphics settings to toggle.”
grinding
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
92%
Players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game. While some find the fast-paced platforming and the challenge of shaving milliseconds off their times engaging and addictive, others feel that the repetitive nature of grinding can become tedious, especially in later levels. Overall, the enjoyment of grinding seems to depend on individual tolerance for repetition and the game's pacing.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I've spent hours grinding levels out just to be top 30.”
- “Who would spend hours upon hours grinding the same level just to cut their time by like 2ms?!”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The game's atmosphere is a unique blend of humor and intensity, characterized by a tongue-in-cheek portrayal of hell and a heavy-metal soundtrack that enhances the experience. While some players find the redneck elements off-putting, many appreciate the combination of brutal themes and engaging level design, creating an immersive and enjoyable environment. Overall, the atmosphere is praised for its fun and chaotic vibe, reminiscent of classic titles like Doom and Duke Nukem.
- “The game's humorous take on the theme of hell also works very well and sets up a lovely tongue-in-cheek atmosphere, where you feel that you are some beer-chugging badass who jumps across hell like it's nothing, all while bobbing his head to the awesome heavy-metal soundtrack.”
- “So far, I am loving the atmosphere in the game.”
- “I found the metal demon redneck atmosphere off-putting, and even more annoying was the voices of the redneck or the devil each time you finish or restart a level.”
- “I don't even really know how to describe it; the brutal protagonist Marty, who seems to only care about his beer, Satan, and hell... this atmosphere, in combination with the level design, is the greatest element combination I have ever seen.”
- “Doom + Duke Nukem + references = the atmosphere of this game.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
80%
Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability with minimal glitches and well-designed levels, ensuring that players rarely experience issues related to poor design or bugs. However, some players note that previous glitches, which were fun to exploit for high scores, have been patched, potentially affecting competitive play. Despite this, the game is generally considered optimized and bug-free, providing good value for its content.
- “There's a pretty good amount of content for the price, and it all seems optimized and, so far, bug-free for me.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or major issues, which really enhances the overall experience.”
- “I've played for hours without encountering any glitches, making it a stable and enjoyable experience.”
- “Often times, the best times are achieved with glitches, and when the devs patch them, it makes getting in the top 10 unachievable.”
- “The only cons I can think of are that the limited voice lines can get grating after a while, as well as some of the top ten scores on levels using old glitches that have been since patched out, though I believe there is a way given by the developer to unpatch it if you do care about beating those scores.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game effectively captures the emotional journey of Marty, a middle-aged metal enthusiast grappling with the loss of his pride and joy, creating a poignant narrative that resonates with players.
- “The game follows the emotional journey of Marty, a metal-loving middle-aged man whose pride and joy was taken away from him.”
- “The story beautifully captures the highs and lows of human experience, making players feel deeply connected to the characters.”
- “Every decision in the game resonates emotionally, leaving a lasting impact long after the credits roll.”