SLUDGE LIFE
- June 2, 2021
- Devolver Digital
- 4h median play time
Get on Steam"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.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- Unique art style and atmosphere that creates a surreal experience.
- Humorous dialogue and quirky characters that add charm to the game.
- Fun exploration and tagging mechanics that encourage curiosity and creativity.
- Gameplay can feel repetitive and lacks a clear objective or story.
- Short playtime, with many players completing it in just a few hours.
- Controls can be awkward, leading to frustrating platforming experiences.
- graphics261 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and quirky art style, which combines vibrant colors and a retro VHS aesthetic that many find charming and immersive. While some players appreciate the bizarre and trippy visuals, others report that the graphical effects can be overwhelming or nauseating, impacting their overall experience. Overall, the game's distinct visual presentation is a significant highlight, contributing to its appeal as a fun and engaging exploration title.
“The visuals are both rough and beautiful, capturing the essence of the environment perfectly and enhancing the overall experience.”
“The artistic unity of the audio and visuals is impressive and probably the game's greatest strength.”
“The game features a minimalist, almost abstract aesthetic that manages to convey a great deal of mood and atmosphere with very little detail.”
“I highly suggest turning off some of the graphic options that make the game wavy, fuzzy, etc. Some of the aesthetics can be a bit too nauseating with these options on.”
“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 or something.”
“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.”
- music198 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers praising its eclectic and funky soundtrack that fits well with the game's unique art style. However, some players noted that the music is often sparse, only playing in certain areas, which can lead to moments of silence that detract from the experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, with many players expressing a desire for it to be more consistently integrated throughout the gameplay.
“The music is absolutely amazing, loved all of the music.”
“The soundtrack is fitting and works well with everything else.”
“With its immersive world, open-ended exploration, offbeat humor, distinct art style, and captivating soundtrack, it's no wonder why I've fallen head over heels for it.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
- humor182 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in "Sludge Life" is a standout feature, characterized by its absurd, unpredictable, and often crude comedic style that resonates with players who appreciate dark or lowbrow humor. While some find the jokes hit-or-miss, many reviewers highlight the game's quirky characters and dialogue as a source of genuine laughter, making the exploration of its bizarre world an enjoyable experience. Overall, the humor is described as a key element that enhances the game's charm, though it may not appeal to everyone due to its niche and sometimes vulgar content.
“The humor of Sludge Life is actually funny; I thought at first it was going to have the 'haha wanking off' or something like that, but to my surprise, the game has a pretty niche and unpredictable humor which made me actually laugh!”
“Over the 6 hours it took to 100% the game, I was drawn in by the characters, their hilarious dialogues, and the absurd situations that left me in fits of laughter.”
“Sludge Life is a bizarre, atmospheric, and hilarious fever dream with one of the best soundtracks I have heard in a video game.”
“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.”
“The NPCs you can talk to tell the most unfunny jokes I have ever heard.”
- gameplay144 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of exploration, parkour, and simplistic mechanics, often described as repetitive and lacking depth. While some players appreciate the chill, exploratory nature and unique art style, many criticize the gameplay for being shallow, with awkward controls and minimal interaction, leading to a sense of emptiness in the world. Overall, the experience is seen as enjoyable for casual play but may not hold long-term engagement due to its limited objectives and 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!”
“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 movement mechanics make exploring it very satisfying, and the writing and humor reward that exploration at every turn.”
“The store page is somewhat deceiving -- the world and gameplay is actually pretty empty and half-baked.”
“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.”
“The gameplay just isn't fun enough to motivate any sort of revisit.”
- story84 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely minimal and often described as lacking a clear narrative or structure, with many players noting that it feels more like a free-roaming exploration experience than a traditional story-driven game. While some environmental storytelling and character interactions provide hints of a deeper lore, the overall plot is often seen as vague or unimportant, focusing instead on the unique art style and atmosphere. Players seeking a compelling narrative may be disappointed, as the game prioritizes exploration and style over a defined storyline.
“Great game with a very creative concept, follows a story which you figure out as you explore.”
“The npcs, the plot you get talking to them and observing the background, the atmosphere... also, it turns out I got interested to search a lot more about graffiti and its social impact.”
“Exploring the retro urban areas, full of surreal aspects and taking in all the environmental storytelling made Sludge Life quite memorable for me.”
“No real story, you kind of just run around until you end up finding an ending.”
“There's not really a story, more of a general vibe and background.”
“If you are looking for a story from this game, don't play.”
- atmosphere51 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique and immersive qualities, blending quirky art styles with a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players describe it as a bizarre yet enjoyable environment, filled with gritty charm and a chill vibe that encourages exploration and interaction. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to create a memorable and engaging world, making it a standout in the indie game scene.
“Incredible atmosphere and charisma.”
“One of the most atmospheric games I've ever played, highly recommend if you want to roleplay a loser who tags everything and lives on a garbage island.”
“The combination of electronic beats, ambient tunes, and lo-fi melodies creates an atmospheric backdrop that further engulfs you in Sludge Life's world.”
“The atmosphere is gritty and gross.”
“Really weird atmosphere and very little to do.”
“Gave me a little nausea but that added to the atmosphere.”
- replayability17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 41 % negative mentions
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 leans towards a lack of depth and content that diminishes the game's longevity. The price point is also criticized in relation to its short playtime and 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 everything, 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.”
- emotional12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a wide range of emotional experiences while engaging with the game, from nostalgia and joy reminiscent of childhood gaming to feelings of apathy and discomfort due to graphical issues. The game effectively explores deep themes of mental and emotional struggles, with some characters engaging in philosophical discussions that enhance its emotional depth. Overall, it is praised for its artistic presentation and ability to evoke strong feelings, making it a unique experience in the gaming landscape.
“This game made me feel like how it felt to play video games as a child again. 10/10.”
“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.”
- optimization11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 36 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting unstable frame rates and performance issues despite its simple graphics. While some users found it reasonably priced and smooth, others experienced significant frustration due to crashes and poor maneuverability, indicating that optimization remains a persistent problem for the developer.
“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.”
“[b]Overall impressions & performance[/b]”
“I don't understand how a game with such simple graphics can have such poor performance...”
“Firstly and mainly, the performance is horrible.”
“Optimization wasn't perfect (losing a lot of frames randomly)”
- grinding10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 70 % negative mentions
Reviews on grinding in the game highlight a mixed experience; while some players find the achievement hunting and certain gameplay elements tedious and time-consuming, others enjoy the unique mechanics and engaging atmosphere that keep the grind from feeling overly burdensome. Overall, the game offers a blend of fun and frustration, with some players appreciating the challenge while others feel it requires excessive time investment.
“If you're not grinding in Sludge Life, I don't want to engage with you on a personal level.”
“Grindy (60 - 100 hours)”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“☐ grindy (60 - 100 hours)”
“☐ you'll need a second life for grinding”
“The platforming can be a bit tedious and awkward since it's a bit hard to tell when/if you can climb up something or you think you are on solid ground and then fall to the ground.”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is characterized by fun and charming designs, complemented by humorous and goofy dialogue that evokes a nostalgic feel reminiscent of late 90s graffiti culture. While the characters are engaging and the aesthetics are trippy, the overall plot and gameplay are criticized for being dull and repetitive.
“Character designs are pretty fun, simple, and charming.”
“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.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy has received mixed feedback, with some users expressing a willingness to pay for the game while others criticize the presence of pop-up ads and the integration of advertising elements. Despite this, the game's art style and thematic elements, such as defacing company ads, are appreciated by players, suggesting that the overall experience may outweigh monetization concerns for some.
“Whoever wants this might pay for it, but to give it away for advertising - no, people won't appreciate it.”
“Adorable PC menu, with pop-up ads and minigames, really love it.”
“The art style is a choice; the vibe is both industrial, but since you're basically a punk and everyone is on strike, it's kind of fun just defacing company ads and collaborating with other taggers.”
- stability3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Overall, users report a generally stable experience with minimal bugs or glitches affecting gameplay. While some minor issues, such as occasional climbing mechanics and checkpoint problems, have been noted, they are not considered significant enough to detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
“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 (humor is too crude and/or stupid, 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.”
