Singularity

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,053 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Singularity Game Cover
Some will deem this an instant classic. Blasting heads clean off shoulders has never been so much fun.
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"Singularity is a horror shooter game with an interesting plot, offering both single-player and multi-player modes. The game features epic sci-fi action, allowing you to manipulate time and engage in combat across two eras. With sensational visuals, excellent gameplay, and an immersive atmosphere, Singularity promises an unforgettable gaming experience."

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,053 reviews
story862 positive mentions
stability17 negative mentions
  • Engaging story with interesting time travel mechanics that keep players invested.
  • Fun gameplay with a variety of weapons and abilities, allowing for creative combat strategies.
  • Atmospheric setting that effectively combines horror elements with action.
  • Short campaign length, typically around 5-7 hours, which may leave players wanting more.
  • Lack of subtitles and poor audio mixing can make it difficult to follow the story.
  • Linear level design with limited exploration and some frustrating enemy encounters.
  • story1,700 mentions

    The story of *Singularity* revolves around a U.S. soldier investigating a mysterious Soviet island, Katorga-12, where time manipulation experiments have gone awry. While the narrative features intriguing elements such as time travel and ethical dilemmas, it is often criticized for being predictable and filled with plot holes. Despite its shortcomings, the game is praised for its engaging atmosphere, environmental storytelling, and the unique mechanics of the time manipulation device, making it a noteworthy experience for fans of story-driven first-person shooters.

    • “One of the most intriguing elements of the story is the ability to time travel between two eras — the 1950s and modern-day (2010) Russia — adding a fascinating layer to the narrative.”
    • “The narrative revolves around Captain Nathaniel Renko, sent on a covert mission to investigate the disappearance of a secret Soviet research team working with E99.”
    • “The story unfolds through environmental storytelling, audio logs, and encounters with a few key characters that gradually reveal the depth of the island's horrific past.”
    • “The story is a mess... it's all about time traveling, is filled with plot holes, does not make any sense and struggles with its own identity.”
    • “The story wants to be complex, but ends up being relatively simple and kind of falls flat, with the twist not really being a twist (and can easily be deduced 5 minutes into the game), which is revealed a moment before the final decision which leads to 3 different endings which all felt rushed and cobbled together, and none felt like a satisfactory end to the story.”
    • “The story is hilariously bad, full of holes and poor twists and things that are brought up only to be immediately dropped ten minutes later, if the plot remembers it exists at all.”
  • gameplay970 mentions

    The gameplay of "Singularity" is characterized by its innovative time manipulation mechanics, which allow players to age or restore objects and enemies, adding a unique twist to traditional first-person shooter mechanics. While the game features solid gunplay and a variety of weapons, many reviews note that the time manipulation elements could have been utilized more effectively, leading to a somewhat linear and occasionally repetitive experience. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging mechanics and story, making it a worthwhile play for fans of the genre, despite some dated aspects and a lack of depth in certain gameplay elements.

    • “The gameplay blends traditional first-person shooter mechanics with the innovative time manipulation device (TMD), which Renko acquires early in the story, allowing players to manipulate time in various ways, such as aging enemies into dust, turning Soviet soldiers into creatures to attack their peers, simply slowing down/stopping time or restoring objects, to name a few.”
    • “Singularity is a remarkable game that offers a unique blend of action-packed gameplay and innovative time-manipulation mechanics.”
    • “The TMD powers are genuinely enjoyable, especially as you advance in the game and master the time manipulation mechanics that add an interesting twist to the combat, and the narrative stands on its own.”
    • “The gameplay is not as special as the creative mechanics and the spectacle of its key moments, if that makes sense.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, this is your typical 2010 FPS; it does everything related to the gameplay in a very mediocre fashion, even by the standards of the time.”
    • “The time manipulation mechanic is okay, but I feel they could have done more with it.”
  • graphics444 mentions

    The graphics of the game, while reflective of its 2010 release, have received mixed reviews. Many players find them acceptable for their time, with some noting that the art style effectively captures the game's atmosphere, despite a generally muted color palette and occasional texture issues. Overall, while the visuals may not meet modern standards, they still hold up reasonably well and contribute positively to the game's immersive experience.

    • “The visuals, while not cutting-edge by today's standards, effectively capture the bleak atmosphere of the Soviet facility, and the time-manipulation effects are often quite spectacular, with objects and enemies warping and distorting in a mesmerizing display of chronological chaos.”
    • “For a game that came out in 2010, its graphics still hold strong today, making it still visually appealing.”
    • “The graphics are surprisingly good for a game this old, but the engine runs great.”
    • “The graphics have not aged well; it definitely looks like a 2010 game.”
    • “The graphics do not hold up very well but almost everything else about the game does.”
    • “The graphics are a little bit outdated, especially with some of the texture work but models and whatnot are mostly fine.”
  • atmosphere217 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, effectively blending dark, industrial environments with a haunting soundtrack and environmental storytelling. While some players note that the visuals can become repetitive, the overall ambiance, reminiscent of titles like Bioshock and Metro 2033, successfully creates a tense and engaging experience. The combination of atmospheric sound design, detailed settings, and narrative elements contributes to a compelling and memorable gameplay experience.

    • “The atmosphere is phenomenal, both audio and visual.”
    • “The atmosphere and general ambiance of this game are fantastic and eerie, creating a great environment for a gamer to feel right on edge.”
    • “The atmosphere is great and immersive.”
    • “Sure, the game immerses players in dark, industrial environments that create a bleak atmosphere, but they can occasionally feel repetitive due to their muted colour palette of greys and browns.”
    • “The atmosphere is creepy and unsettling, but let down somewhat by monotonous visuals (how much concrete and rusted metal do you need to look at?) and by occasional balancing issues; sometimes the monsters are tough and you're getting by on low ammo, which suits the tone, and sometimes you're full of ammo and it's just a turkey shoot, which doesn't, really.”
    • “Two things that ruin the atmosphere though are the sudden shutting and locking of doors behind you for no apparent reason and the sudden spawning of enemies that were nowhere to be found a second ago, even though you searched every inch of the place.”
  • music85 mentions

    The music in the game is described as atmospheric and fitting, with a mix of ambient and action-oriented tracks that enhance the overall experience. However, many reviewers noted issues with audio mixing, where the music often overpowers dialogue and sound effects, leading to a frustrating experience. While some tracks are praised for their quality and ability to evoke tension, others are criticized as generic and forgettable, resulting in a mixed reception overall.

    • “Awesome game mechanics, fun weapons, immersive world, phenomenal story and top notch soundtracks.”
    • “The game's soundtrack is also noteworthy, with a mix of atmospheric and action-oriented tracks that help to build tension and create a sense of urgency.”
    • “The music suits the game quite well, and the game keeps jumpscares to a minimum.”
    • “The soundtrack is mostly pretty forgettable; there are a few decent tracks, but most of it is very generic and forgettable action tracks.”
    • “I was unable to hear a lot of the dialogue because it was much quieter than the music and sound effects.”
    • “Like most generic shooters, the music keeps playing even after the action has stopped.”
  • replayability51 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is generally considered low, with many reviewers noting its short length and linear gameplay as significant drawbacks. While some players appreciate the presence of multiple endings and the opportunity to explore different choices, the lack of a New Game+ option and minimal variation in gameplay mechanics limit the incentive to replay. A few users do highlight enjoyable aspects that could encourage a second playthrough, but these are often overshadowed by the consensus that the game is best experienced once.

    • “If you want a solid, atmospheric, highly replayable 7-hour campaign, look no further.”
    • “The game also has a lot of replay value, as the player can access new areas, learn new skills, and reveal more of the story as they progress.”
    • “Tons of replay value in this game, with three possible endings, one of them being hidden.”
    • “It is a truly single player experience without much replay value; the story is not very engaging with only around three actual characters, and the gauntlet powers are basically useless.”
    • “Another issue with the game is its lack of replay value.”
    • “Unfortunately, the campaign is pretty short and there's little replay value, so I recommend buying this game when it's on a 50-75% sale.”
  • stability33 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with many users reporting smooth performance on various platforms, including Windows 10 and Steam Deck. While some players experienced minor graphical glitches and occasional freezes, these issues were not widespread and did not significantly detract from the gameplay experience. The game is considered well-polished for its age, with stable framerates and minimal bugs reported.

    • “The game runs great and looks great for pushing 6 years old.”
    • “Great mechanics, awesome story, and it runs great!”
    • “Runs great on pretty much any hardware given the age of the title, yet still looks amazing to 2015 standards.”
    • “The game is at least a little buggy; I had it freeze on me just by reading a note.”
    • “Visually, the graphics seem rushed and random; there are glitches, and the hero has a tendency to get stuck.”
    • “No bugs to report on my playthrough; however, I did at certain points get 10-second freezes (around 6 or so in complete playthrough), however that could be a problem on my end as easily as it was the game's.”
  • optimization32 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting smooth performance and high framerates, while others experienced stuttering and inconsistent performance despite the game's age. Many noted that it runs well on average hardware, but there are complaints about limited optimization options, such as a locked field-of-view that can induce motion sickness. Overall, while some players found it well-optimized, others highlighted significant issues that detract from the experience.

    • “The game is well optimized, the graphics are good, the story is great, the plot is great, it has some cool characters, it leaves you on a rollercoaster of emotions and it certainly deserves a sequel.”
    • “I saw some people saying it runs badly, but it is one of those games that was completely polished and well optimized; I could reach 120fps (it doesn't have an fps limit as most games out there), and my PC is kind of mid-range: i5 2400 3.10GHz, 8GB RAM, Windows 7 64-bit and a GTX 650 1GB.”
    • “The performance of the game is pretty stellar, I mean it's smooth (max @1080p, 8x AA, 16x AF, 4x SSAA transparent surfaces) kept a constant 60 fps (minus one or two areas, not noticeable to 99% of gamers out there).”
    • “Before even getting into the core components, optimization needs to be discussed because despite this game coming out over a decade ago, it is extremely inconsistent with how it runs.”
    • “The game is not optimized for modern hardware or even the PC in general.”
    • “Admittedly, it is well-optimized for high framerates on average hardware (probably because of its tiny texture sizes and weak rendering, even for 2010), but the default field-of-view is locked at 65 degrees, which is motion sickness inducing even for a console gamer sitting too close to the TV.”
  • humor30 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of intentional comedic elements and unintentional hilarity stemming from glitches and absurd scenarios, creating a "so bad it's good" atmosphere. Reviewers appreciate the clever use of time manipulation mechanics and the amusing interactions with enemies, while the protagonist's limited dialogue adds to the comedic effect. Overall, the game is noted for its entertaining blend of dark humor, quirky accents, and absurd situations that keep players engaged and laughing throughout.

    • “If you're a fan of thought-provoking sci-fi adventures with a healthy dose of humor, then prepare to have your mind blown and your funny bone tickled, because *Singularity* is about to take you on a wild ride through the chaotic currents of time!”
    • “There’s a good variety of enemies too with different abilities and the game is funny in a classic, so bad it's good kind of way.”
    • “Which is a hilarious contrast to the Russian soldiers you will fight, who shout out where they're coming from and go down quicker than Star Trek red shirts.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite tedious, often requiring significant time investment that can feel repetitive and monotonous. While the initial narrative is engaging, it tends to lose momentum, contributing to a sense of grind as players progress. Overall, the gameplay is described as somewhat enjoyable but marred by the need for excessive repetition.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Honestly, the gameplay was somewhat grindy and repetitive.”
    • “Now after playing it 3 hours, it feels a bit grinding.”
  • monetization7 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is praised for its lack of intrusive microtransactions or loot boxes, offering a pure gaming experience reminiscent of earlier titles. However, the game's potential was hindered by insufficient advertising, leading to its obscurity despite being a high-quality shooter. Overall, the absence of aggressive monetization strategies is seen as a positive, but the lack of promotional support has limited its visibility and success.

    • “In a world where comparable shooters would have microtransactions thrown in or loot boxes shoved in your face, this game is a refreshing callback to the time when games were just games and nothing more.”
    • “In a world where comparable shooters would have microtransactions thrown in or lootboxes shoved into your face, this game is a refreshing callback to the time when games were just games and nothing more.”
    • “Unfortunate for the developer Raven, Activision sent this solid gem to die at retail with no advertising support, and so the game was relegated to obscurity.”
    • “It's one of those games that falls under any radar because of a lack of advertising and buildup to its release, a bit like Metro 2033.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, with some reporting tears during pivotal moments, particularly at the end. The engaging pacing and effective blend of gameplay elements contribute to a compelling experience that resonates deeply, evoking both joy and frustration.

    • “The mix of time-related abilities and fantastic elements, combined with decent gunplay, creates an emotional experience that keeps me engaged throughout.”
    • “I cried.”
    • “I cried at the end.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is described as progressive and linear, with players facing increasing obstacles and gaining weapon upgrades, including elemental weapons and a time manipulation device. While the characters possess strong personalities, their designs are considered generic, which some players find acceptable given the engaging story.

    • “The story is linear, so character development is progressive. The obstacles increase each time one advances, allowing for a satisfying sense of growth.”
    • “The characters themselves have great personalities, which adds depth to the narrative, even if their designs feel a bit generic.”
    • “The use of the time manipulation device (TMD) not only enhances gameplay but also contributes to the character's development as they navigate through challenges.”
    • “In terms of actual character design and appearance, everyone felt very generic. This is somewhat acceptable since the story itself is a big enough draw to keep you going, rather than the characters, who have great personalities but terrible designs.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with them on any meaningful level.”
    • “While the characters have potential, their arcs are poorly executed, leaving them feeling one-dimensional and forgettable.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

81% average critic score

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Play time

8hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
7hMain story
12hCompletionist
6-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 35 analyzed playthroughs

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