Sker Ritual

Sker Ritual has a lot of good, strong bones as a round-based horde shooter, it's very easy to be having fun while playing and to recognize the things that it does well. Despite that it still feels half-baked, due to balancing issues, sound issues, technical issues, and an overall lack of polish. But if you can see past those rough edges, and you've been a COD: Zombies fan for years, then Sker Ritual is something you shouldn't miss out on.

86%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

optimization, stability

86% User Score Based on 4,098 reviews

Critic Score 76%Based on 4 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $8.76

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About

"Sker Ritual is an action-packed, round-based shooter set in a horror-filled world. Players can join up to 4-player online co-op to fight relentless zombies, solve missions, and uncover secrets from the Maid of Sker storyline. With old-school FPS action, supercharged elites, and optional objectives, Sker Ritual promises an intense and engaging experience."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,098 reviews

story129 positive mentions

optimization30 negative mentions

Captures the nostalgic feel of classic Call of Duty Zombies while introducing new mechanics and objectives.
Well-designed maps with engaging gameplay and a variety of enemy types, making each run feel unique.
Active developer support with free content updates and a roadmap for future improvements.

Frequent bugs and performance issues, including hit registration problems and crashes during gameplay.
Limited weapon variety and upgrades, leading to repetitive gameplay in higher rounds.
Lack of in-game communication options, making teamwork difficult in multiplayer matches.

story
520 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
72%
3%
The game's story is generally well-received, with players appreciating its guided missions and engaging quests that provide a clear direction, reminiscent of classic Call of Duty Zombies. Each map features its own narrative and unique challenges, including main quests and hidden easter eggs, which enhance replayability and immersion. However, some players find the story lacking depth and express frustration with certain mission mechanics, such as escort tasks and bugs that disrupt gameplay. Overall, it offers a solid blend of action and storytelling, appealing to both casual and hardcore fans of the genre.
- “The first four maps have a great threaded story and got me invested.”
- “I absolutely love this game, amazing story/lore, fun round based survival, and even the easter eggs and secret easter eggs were super fun.”
- “The story is charming, the enemies are unique, and the weapons sound and feel awesome to use.”
- “The missions in the game are 80% the same on every map - worst part is escorting the zombie through the entire map, super boring - bosses have the same mechanic you get hit constantly from stuff that isn't even close to you because the hitboxing is just terrible - overall you can play it for a few hours then you'll just quit because it's just coded horribly.”
- “I won't spoil anything, but the story of the core four maps and their easter eggs felt pretty uninspired, though admittedly few people interested in the game will care about it anyways.”
- “The story is presented fairly well, but I don't feel like I'm progressing a story as much as I feel like I'm completing objectives for no real purpose.”
gameplay
405 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
59%
3%
The gameplay of "Sker Ritual" is largely inspired by classic Call of Duty zombies, featuring well-designed maps, a smooth gameplay loop, and a unique miracle mechanic that adds variety and replayability. While many players appreciate the nostalgic elements and cooperative gameplay, some criticize the game for its clunky movement, bugs, and lack of polish, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the game is generally seen as a fun and engaging alternative for fans of the zombie shooter genre, especially when played with friends.
- “Gameplay is smooth and provides a nice twist to the usual zombie shooter game.”
- “The core mechanics focus on surviving increasingly difficult waves of enemies while using an array of weapons and the game's signature miracle system, which introduces supernatural abilities to help turn the tide.”
- “The gameplay blends intense first-person action with eerie, unsettling environments, creating a genuinely chilling atmosphere.”
- “The gameplay itself is very mediocre and does not promote repeated playthroughs of the very few levels there are, not to mention the weapons are very limited and the weapons that are even useful are limited even more so.”
- “The missions in the game are 80% the same on every map - worst part is escorting the zombie through the entire map super boring - bosses have the same mechanic you get hit constantly from stuff that not even close to you because the hitboxing is just terrible - overall you can play it for a few hours then you'll just quit because it's just coded horrible.”
- “Unfortunately, although it is early access and only just released, the gameplay is very lacking and clunky.”
graphics
140 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
63%
8%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the atmospheric visuals and unique aesthetic reminiscent of titles like Bioshock, while others criticize the outdated animations and inconsistent performance. Many users report that while the game can run well on decent hardware, it suffers from optimization issues, leading to lag and low frame rates in certain scenarios. Overall, the visuals are seen as a strong point for immersion, but significant improvements are needed to elevate the graphical quality to modern standards.
- “The atmosphere, style, graphics, and story were amazing.”
- “The graphics are great, and there is a bit of unexpected humor throughout the game.”
- “The atmosphere is incredibly creepy and exciting, with fantastic graphics and sound design that really draw you into the terrifying world of the game.”
- “Bad graphics, bad movement, laggy clunky gameplay, getting refund.”
- “Graphics are middle of the road, zombie animations are from 2010.”
- “The graphics are kind of lackluster right now.”
optimization
138 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
64%
22%
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as frame drops, stuttering, and lag, even on high-end systems. While some users have noted improvements following recent updates, the consensus is that the game still requires substantial optimization and bug fixes to enhance the overall experience. Overall, players express hope for future updates to address these performance concerns, as the game's potential is evident despite its current shortcomings.
- “Overall, a great game with lots of potential. Currently, the performance really needs more optimization, which is expected in an early access game. The game still feels a little bit empty, but I'm sure future updates will fill that in. For the short time this game has been around, you can already tell a bunch of performance and other issues are being improved upon, so far they seem like caring developers taking in as much feedback as they can to further improve the game.”
- “Performance is substantially better after the newest update; I'm getting a consistent 110 fps.”
- “Every update so far has improved performance for my laptop and has also improved the gameplay on the first map, so I have good expectations for future maps and updates.”
- “My only complaint is with the very poor performance optimization... I am above the recommended specs and I've never had this kind of issues with a game (fps drops).”
- “Horrible performance but pretty decent COD zombies clone.”
- “The optimization of this game could use some improvements as well as the animations in-game, but other than that it's pretty solid especially for the price.”
stability
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
95%
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, particularly in matchmaking and multiplayer modes. While some users acknowledge the fun and potential of the game, they also express frustration over issues like freezing, hitbox problems, and animation glitches. Overall, it appears that while the game is enjoyable, it is currently plagued by instability that detracts from the experience, though developers are reportedly working on fixes.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck as well.”
- “Game runs great and has a good feel to it.”
- “Very good, as good if not better than most COD zombies, not buggy; don't listen to complainers.”
- “Game is so buggy that it feels like an early release game. It's so full of bugs that when you try to look up the solution for an issue, it gives you the solution for a completely different bug. 2/10, fix your game.”
- “The game is fun and has some big potential, but at its current state, it is very hard to want to play. The amount of glitches that can just break the game entirely is astounding, getting stuck in the map and falling through, losing your weapon multiple different ways.”
- “Unplayable, extremely buggy and clunky.”
atmosphere
57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
39%
5%
The atmosphere in Sker Ritual is widely praised for its creepy and immersive qualities, enhanced by strong sound design and visually striking graphics. Players appreciate the game's ability to create tension and a sense of horror, reminiscent of classic wave-based shooters like Call of Duty Zombies, while also noting some inconsistencies in animations and music that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game successfully captures a thrilling and chilling atmosphere that resonates well with fans of the genre.
- “Sker Ritual excels in building a creepy, oppressive atmosphere.”
- “The sound design is a strong point of Sker Ritual, helping to build tension and enhance the overall atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is incredibly creepy and exciting, with fantastic graphics and sound design that really draw you into the terrifying world of the game.”
- “The atmosphere is still just so mid, I want to feel something when I play a horror shooter, not just feel like I'm going through the motions.”
- “The gameplay blends intense first-person action with eerie, unsettling environments, creating a genuinely chilling atmosphere.”
- “Atmosphere ruined by bad animations.”
music
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
63%
6%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and intensity of gameplay, particularly during combat and suspenseful moments. However, some users noted a lack of memorable tracks and a desire for more consistent background music, especially during gameplay, as well as the inclusion of music easter eggs. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally well-received, there are calls for improvements in sound design and more engaging musical elements to fully immerse players in the experience.
- “The soundtrack complements the action and horror elements, heightening the intensity of combat sequences and moments of suspense.”
- “The music is stunning - creates a gloomy, mysterious, and a bit scary atmosphere, so it fits the theme of the game perfectly.”
- “Tldr - for a game (in early access especially) the game is very well made and super fun, the soundtrack is great, gameplay loop is very enjoyable with a lot of replayability, more so recently with the addition of more story elements and player upgrades.”
- “No memorable soundtrack (the game's actually kind of weirdly quiet for what goes on), no memorable enemies, no memorable guns.”
- “But when you enter a game you are instantly hit with your loud footstep sound effects and almost no music.”
- “Only suggestion to the devs - we need ambient music in these maps, the visual atmosphere is incredible but the feel is ruined because all I can hear during gameplay are footstep noises.”
grinding
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
9%
89%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the progression and cooperative grinding experience, while others find it tedious and repetitive. Many critiques focus on the grindy nature of perk upgrades and mission objectives, which can feel unrewarding and overly time-consuming. Overall, while some players appreciate the potential for long-term engagement, others feel that the grind detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The perk upgrade system is insanely grindy and it's boring as hell, just stat increases across the board (jug goes from 47% to 100% bonus and that's it. Nothing special) and every single perk is just rehashed from zombies.”
- “Overall, the game is just tedious and gets old really quickly.”
- “It takes an eternity to even reach half of the pass, so imagine grinding over and over on the same map, same objectives, same monsters, and so on.”
replayability
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
42%
7%
The game's replayability is generally praised, with many players highlighting the well-balanced meta progression, cooperative gameplay, and the innovative miracle system as key factors that enhance replay value. However, some users express concerns about a lack of content and game modes, suggesting that while the game is enjoyable and offers hours of fun, it could benefit from additional updates to maintain long-term replayability. Overall, the game is seen as highly replayable, especially with friends, but there are calls for more variety to keep the experience fresh.
- “Well balanced meta progression that has to be earned through many hours of gameplay and as such has near infinite replayability.”
- “Sker Ritual offers solid replayability through its wave-based structure and cooperative gameplay.”
- “The miracle system gives great replayability and is something new for the genre.”
- “It's a fun game with friends, but once you complete everything there isn't much replayability. It would be nice if more content or game modes could be added to give the game a little more life.”
- “All this means that replay value is minimal after you beat each level.”
- “My only problem with this is that no one is online to play the game with you because there isn't much stuff to entice you in the replayability aspect of the game.”
humor
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is frequently described as both amusing and absurd, with players enjoying the quirky voice lines, funny character customizations, and humorous gameplay moments, such as exaggerated sound effects and unexpected interactions. Many reviewers appreciate the blend of comedy with the game's lore and mechanics, noting that the janky elements and Easter eggs contribute to a lighthearted experience, especially when playing with friends. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm to the game, making it entertaining despite its flaws.
- “Funny enough, the 'sequel' to Maid of Sker turns out to be a round-based COD Zombies clone, but somehow, both games manage to build some interesting lore along the way.”
- “The running sound effects make it sound like your legs are about 20cm long; it's totally hilarious.”
- “I love the lore, the care that obviously went into the game, and the sense of humor the developers put into the cosmetics, among many other things.”
monetization
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
15%
70%
The monetization strategy of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its consumer-friendly approach, particularly the free battle passes and minimal intrusive microtransactions. However, some players criticize the presence of ads for weapon usage and perceive the overall quality of the game as low for its price, suggesting a cash grab mentality reminiscent of other franchises. While the free cosmetics and battle passes are appreciated, concerns about gameplay mechanics and aim assist issues persist.
- “One of the best monetization practices I've seen.”
- “The microtransactions are minimal and aren’t intrusive as the four in-game 'battle passes' are free and have plenty of awesome looking cosmetics.”
- “The fact that the passes are free is an extremely nice feature in an age of microtransactions for extra content.”
- “Some weapons require ads to be usable (AK and shotgun???).”
- “Love that they made an attempt to dethrone Call of Duty zombies, but the game is extremely low quality for the $25 price tag, and knowing this, the developers still have the nerve to add microtransactions, exhibiting the same corporate greed of Activision.”
- “Idk, the more I played this, the more it made me realize that this feels like a low effort cash grab to prey on your nostalgia.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a nostalgic emotional connection to the game, feeling a sense of joy and excitement reminiscent of childhood experiences while pursuing objectives. However, some frustrations with gameplay mechanics, such as movement issues, detract from the overall emotional engagement.
- “To the developers: thank you guys for such a fun game, made me feel like a kid again chasing objectives and high rounds!”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
In "Sker Ritual," the character development system is enhanced by a "miracles" feature that allows players to acquire usable equipment during runs, suggesting a potential for deeper, persistent character growth in future updates.
- “The character development in this game is incredibly engaging, with a system that allows for meaningful choices that impact the story and gameplay.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, with each decision feeling significant and shaping their personalities and abilities.”
- “The depth of character development is impressive, as players can customize their skills and traits, making each playthrough feel unique.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression, making it hard to feel invested in the characters.”
- “I was disappointed by the limited choices in character development; it feels like the game doesn't allow for any real growth or change.”
- “The lack of depth in character development makes the story feel flat and unengaging, leaving me disconnected from the characters.”