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SLUDGE LIFE Game Cover

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SLUDGE LIFE is a single player action game with a comedy theme. It was developed by Devolver Digital and was released on June 2, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"Sludge Life" is a first-person, open-world game where you play as a tagger named GHOST, aiming for graffiti elite status on a dimwitted island covered in pollution. Traverse the corporate landscape, interact with fellow taggers, and uncover secrets, while deciding whether to tag every open inch , infiltrate the sludge-pumping company, or simply wreak havoc. The game features a variety of quirky elements such as a dedicated fart button, Ciggy Cigs brand cigarettes, and a cat with two buttholes.

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93%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,422 reviews
graphics150 positive mentions
replayability7 negative mentions

  • Unique art style and atmosphere that creates a memorable experience.
  • Humorous dialogue and quirky characters that add charm to the game.
  • Fun exploration and tagging mechanics that encourage player curiosity.
  • Short gameplay length, often completed in under 4 hours.
  • Platforming mechanics can feel clunky and frustrating at times.
  • Lack of clear objectives or narrative direction may leave some players feeling aimless.
  • graphics
    297 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Sludge Life" are characterized by a unique, low-poly art style that evokes a retro, VHS aesthetic, blending vibrant colors with a grungy atmosphere. While many players appreciate the quirky visuals and how they enhance the game's overall vibe, some have noted that the graphics can be disorienting or nauseating, particularly with certain effects enabled. Overall, the game's aesthetic is a standout feature, drawing players into its bizarre world, though it may not appeal to everyone due to its unconventional presentation.

    • “The art style is raw, low-poly, and heavily stylized, drenched in toxic yellows, sickly greens, and muddy browns that perfectly reflect the world’s grimy tone.”
    • “The visuals are both rough and beautiful, capturing the essence of the environment perfectly and enhancing the overall experience.”
    • “The graphics are trippy and somehow make me feel like I’m in an alternate universe where everything’s both really chill and really, really weird.”
    • “The graphics also have this weird warping effect to them.”
    • “The graphics are painful to look at; it's some kind of faux pixelated 3D theme, but it just makes me feel like my eyes are out of focus or broken.”
    • “While the warped/hard-edged pixel filter is a large part of Sludge Life’s signature presentation, the visuals became very nauseating very early on.”
  • music
    216 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its eclectic and immersive soundtrack, which features a mix of hip-hop beats and ambient sounds that enhance the game's unique atmosphere. While some players noted that the music is not always present during gameplay, those who appreciate the soundtrack find it to be a standout element that significantly contributes to the overall experience. Overall, the combination of engaging visuals and a captivating soundtrack creates a memorable and enjoyable exploration experience.

    • “The aesthetic is supported by Doseone’s distinctive soundtrack, an eclectic mix of warped hip-hop beats, ambient noise, and industrial tones that match the game’s anarchic energy.”
    • “Sludge Life is a bizarre, atmospheric, and hilarious fever dream with one of the best soundtracks I have heard in a video game.”
    • “The soundtrack is a must-buy.”
    • “You'll mostly be playing in silence (no background music, hardly any ambience) with awkward controls (no parkour or any unique movement gameplay) in a scattered map that feels like it was made for Garry's Mod.”
    • “Bare minimum the game could have done was let the player listen to the in-game music while walking around the empty world, but instead it's just dead silent most of the time.”
    • “Only other actual complaint would be that I wish there was some sort of mix of the soundtrack playing constantly, as the silence would make things kinda dry at times.”
  • humor
    210 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Sludge Life" is characterized by its absurdity and crudeness, blending dark, low-brow jokes with a unique, gritty atmosphere that resonates with players. Many reviews highlight the game's quirky characters and dialogue, which often elicit genuine laughter, while others note that the humor can be polarizing, appealing to those who appreciate its offbeat style. Overall, the game is praised for its entertaining interactions and the way it integrates humor into its exploration and storytelling, making it a memorable experience for fans of unconventional comedy.

    • “The humor is loud and stupid on purpose, but there’s a real story under the grime, told with confidence and zero hand-holding.”
    • “Sludge life is a portrait of modern decay painted with humor and graffiti—a game about finding meaning in meaninglessness, joy in dirt, and identity in the chaos.”
    • “The game is full of strange, absurdist humor that will have you laughing out loud at times.”
    • “Extremely repulsive parody of Jazzpunk, with no thought involved in the level design. Everything is scattered randomly in a giant play area full of majorly unfunny and disgusting jokes and interactions.”
    • “The pop-up thing in the menu is extremely annoying, there is little to no music, and the humor and character interactions are very unfunny.”
    • “For a game I got for free, I'm disappointed. I basically completed all the content the game has to offer in a 2 and a half hour period. It's full of unfunny jokes and spray painting, and that's basically all this game has to offer. It feels weird to even call it a game.”
  • gameplay
    173 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Sludge Life" is characterized by its simplistic mechanics, primarily focusing on exploration, light platforming, and tagging walls with graffiti in a quirky, immersive environment. While the art style and atmosphere are praised, many players find the gameplay repetitive and lacking depth, often describing it as a walking simulator with minimal engagement. Overall, it offers a unique experience that may appeal to those who enjoy casual exploration and humor, but it may not satisfy players seeking more complex or challenging gameplay.

    • “What's remarkable about Sludge Life is how it transforms minimal mechanics into an experience that feels strangely immersive.”
    • “Sludge Life boasts a unique gameplay premise with tight controls that revolves around tagging as many walls with your graffiti as possible by using first-person parkour mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and although the map is somewhat small, it gives you more than enough space to try things and explore as you tag your way to the top!”
    • “The gameplay is pretty basic, exploration and platforming, finding secrets and upgrades while tagging up the place with spray paint.”
    • “Art style is cool and the world is fun to explore, but gameplay gets insanely repetitive and boring fast.”
    • “The game looks okay, but the effects are nauseating, the mechanics are frustrating, and the gameplay is clunky and unsatisfying.”
  • story
    104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Sludge Life" is often described as minimal and non-linear, relying heavily on environmental storytelling and character interactions rather than a structured plot. Players explore a quirky, decaying world filled with dark humor and absurdity, uncovering bits of lore about graffiti artists and corporate greed as they engage in freeform exploration. While some appreciate the unique atmosphere and character dialogues, many note the lack of a compelling narrative or clear objectives, making it more of a casual experience than a traditional story-driven game.

    • “Sludge Life nails movement, style, and vibe, with a world worth exploring and a story that trusts you to find it.”
    • “The story unfolds gradually as you navigate the bleak world and encounter its characters, all steeped in dark humor.”
    • “The environmental storytelling is appreciated and the characters are very entertaining to talk to.”
    • “There really isn't a story for this game, but the main premise is just going around and tagging each wall you can find and graffiti it.”
    • “There's not really a story, more of a general vibe and background.”
    • “Not much in the way of story, basic 'evil business ruining a town' kind of deal, but nobody really seems to care; everybody's more or less checked out, which leads to the dejected laid-back attitude of the game, which it wears well.”
  • atmosphere
    64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "Sludge Life" is widely praised for its unique, immersive qualities, blending a gritty, abstract art style with an engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the mysterious and bizarre world, filled with quirky NPCs and a chill vibe that encourages exploration and interaction. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to create a captivating environment that feels alive and distinct, making it a standout in the indie game scene.

    • “The map is constantly clouded in fog, giving it a mysterious atmosphere.”
    • “Yet what makes Sludge Life stand out is its commitment to atmosphere—it’s less about objectives and more about inhabiting a bizarre, anti-establishment mood.”
    • “The combination of electronic beats, ambient tunes, and lo-fi melodies creates an atmospheric backdrop that further engulfs you in Sludge Life's world.”
    • “But I think the worst aspect is the lack of atmosphere.”
    • “Really weird atmosphere and very little to do.”
    • “Gave me a little nausea but that added to the atmosphere.”
  • replayability
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is generally viewed as limited, with many players noting that once the main content is completed, there is little incentive to return. While some mention aspects like multiple endings and NPC interactions that offer slight replay value, the consensus is that the game lacks depth and variety for extended play, making it feel hollow after the initial experience. The price point is also criticized in relation to its minimal replayability.

    • “A grimy mini-open world experience with tons of personality and more replay value than I expected.”
    • “There is some replayability, also, with multiple endings and multiple, optional layers of NPC interactions.”
    • “Cool aesthetic, much replay value and a nice soundtrack, basically a perfect game to play while high.”
    • “Definitely not worth $15 though, it's just a little exploration platformer game that I don't think has any replay value.”
    • “There's a few extra things to do but it's neither too interesting nor too boring, and there's no replay value, so once you do all the playing, the game again feels kind of hollow.”
    • “The 15€ price tag is a bit too steep in my opinion, since there is very little replayability and 100% achievements can be easily achieved in about 5 hours or even faster.”
  • emotional
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players describe "Sludge Life" as a deeply emotional experience that evokes a wide range of feelings, from nostalgia and joy to discomfort and introspection. The game's unique style and humor contribute to its emotional depth, with some players noting its ability to address complex themes like mental and emotional struggles. Overall, it is praised for its artistic presentation and the profound feelings it can elicit, despite some technical issues that may detract from the experience.

    • “It's such a deep game it made me cry.”
    • “It represents the mental and emotional baggage that weighs us down, inhibiting our ability to progress and thrive.”
    • “This game has made me feel feelings I have never felt; by the end, I was sludging everywhere.”
  • grinding
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be a mixed experience; while some players find it tedious and time-consuming, others appreciate the engaging mechanics that alleviate boredom. Achievements and certain tasks may feel grindy, requiring significant time investment, but the overall fun and unique elements can make the experience enjoyable for those willing to commit.

    • “If you're not grinding, I don't want to engage with you on a personal level.”
    • “Grindy (60 - 100 hours).”
    • “I didn't finish it though since it becomes kind of boring and tedious after a while.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The game is great, but finding the tags can be tedious at times.”
  • optimization
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues, including unstable frame rates and crashes, despite the game's simple graphics. While a few users reported smooth performance without bugs, others expressed frustration over the lack of improvement in optimization from previous titles by the developer. Overall, the game's performance appears to be inconsistent, affecting the overall experience.

    • “Performance was solid and I didn't run into any bugs or glitches.”
    • “Which shouldn't be a problem, it's reasonably priced and well optimized.”
    • “It runs smoothly, but maneuvering the cursor with the thumbstick or touchpad wasn't too pleasant, so I switched to PC.”
    • “I don't understand how a game with such simple graphics can have such poor performance...”
    • “Firstly and mainly, the performance is horrible.”
    • “Although I do like Sludge Life, it is worrying that the issues that plague this developer's games haven't been rectified as new games are released; Heavy Bullets was released in 2014 and the performance issues are identical in this game.”
  • stability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, users report a solid performance with minimal bugs or glitches, indicating a generally stable experience. While some minor issues, such as occasional glitches in climbing mechanics and checkpoint placements, were noted, they are not considered significant enough to detract from the overall gameplay.

    • “The game runs smoothly without any bugs.”
    • “I haven't encountered any stability issues during my gameplay.”
    • “The performance is consistent, making for a seamless experience.”
    • “Any negatives that might spring up (the climbing mechanic sometimes glitches out, the checkpoints/hospital sometimes bug out and spawn you in the wrong one halfway across the map) are not deal breakers.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy has received mixed feedback, with some users expressing a willingness to pay for content while others reject the idea of ad-supported models. The presence of pop-up ads and mini-games has been noted, with some players enjoying the art style and thematic elements, despite concerns about intrusive advertising. Overall, the approach to monetization seems to divide opinions, balancing between player engagement and potential frustration.

    • “Whoever wants this might pay for it, but to give it away for advertising - no, people won't appreciate it.”
    • “Adorable PC menu, but the pop-up ads and mini-games are really annoying.”
    • “The art style is a choice, but the constant monetization feels like a cash grab.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is characterized by charming and nostalgic designs that evoke late 90s graffiti culture, complemented by humorous writing. Players appreciate the fun and engaging nature of the characters, which enhances the overall experience despite the game's simplicity and short playtime.

    • “Got this for free for the release of Sludge Life 2 - it had a really nostalgic feel to it; the character design reminded me of the late 90s when graffiti culture was pretty big.”
    • “Fun couple of hours, easy to complete all achievements, interesting and funny character designs and writing.”
    • “Character designs are pretty fun, simple, and charming.”
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80%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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4h Median play time
5h Average play time
2h Main story
4h Completionist
4-5h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

SLUDGE LIFE is a action game with comedy theme.

SLUDGE LIFE is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Steam Deck and Windows.

The main story can be completed in around 2 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 4 hours to finish. On average players spend around 5 hours playing SLUDGE LIFE.

SLUDGE LIFE was released on June 2, 2021.

SLUDGE LIFE was developed by Devolver Digital.

SLUDGE LIFE has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its replayability.

SLUDGE LIFE is a single player game.

Similar games include Sludge Life 2, BABBDI, Broken Reality, Jazzpunk, Toem and others.