Soulmask

About

"Soulmask is a sandbox Role Playing Game with survival elements, offering both single-player and massively multiplayer experiences, including Co-op and PvP modes. The game features a unique 'Soulmask' system, allowing you to merge with NPCs, possess their bodies, and acquire their skills. With a good plot, beautiful game mechanics, wonderful graphics, excellent music, and a fantastic atmosphere, Soulmask invites you to join their Discord and wishlist the game to stay updated."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,650 reviews

gameplay556 positive mentions

grinding776 negative mentions

Unique mechanics with the mask and tribesmen system that adds depth to gameplay.
Beautiful graphics and a large, immersive world to explore.
Active developers who listen to community feedback and provide regular updates.

Combat can feel clunky and unbalanced, with issues like stun locks and inconsistent hit detection.
The game can be excessively grindy, especially in the late game, making progression feel tedious.
AI pathing for tribesmen is often poor, leading to frustrating moments where they get stuck or fail to follow commands.

gameplay
1,636 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
58%
8%
The gameplay of "Soulmask" is a complex blend of survival mechanics reminiscent of titles like "Conan Exiles" and "ARK: Survival Evolved," featuring a unique tribal management system and intricate crafting options. While many players appreciate the depth and variety of mechanics, including the innovative mask system that allows control over tribe members, others find the learning curve steep and the mechanics overly complicated, leading to frustration. Overall, the game offers a rich experience with potential for engaging gameplay, but it requires patience to navigate its many systems effectively.
- “Really good gameplay, easy to understand and fun either solo or with friends.”
- “The tribal management system and combat mechanics provide a satisfying mix of strategy and action.”
- “Game mechanics are too complicated; even after 15 hours of gameplay, I'm still confused.”
- “The gameplay loop is similar to other titles in the genre like Conan Exiles and Ark: Survival Evolved, with a thrall or tribe member system similar to Conan Exiles.”
- “The mechanics are clunky and unpolished, and the menus are unnecessarily complex for what the game offers.”
grinding
796 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
2%
97%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. Many find it excessively grindy, especially in the late game, with some stating that it feels like a tedious job rather than enjoyable gameplay. However, others appreciate the automation features that allow NPCs to handle resource gathering and crafting, which can alleviate some of the grind, making it more manageable and engaging for those who enjoy survival games. Overall, while the game offers a rich variety of activities, the grind can be overwhelming, particularly for solo players or those on official servers without adjusted settings.
- “The building isn't tedious and actually made me build so many structures just for the sake of aesthetics.”
- “Skill progression - 8 of 10 skills are a hair slow but still not tedious (x3 setting feels a little better).”
- “It has a good progression and it's not too grindy once you figure things out.”
- “It is hyper grindy (even after setting awareness XP and crafting speed to max).”
- “The prospect of doing so much grinding is not what I expect of a game.”
- “The game just becomes way too grindy.”
graphics
600 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
39%
2%
The graphics of the game have received largely positive feedback, with many players praising the stunning visuals, vibrant environments, and unique aesthetic that blends tribal themes with sci-fi elements. While some users noted minor performance issues and animation glitches, the overall impression is that the graphics are impressive for an early access title, enhancing the immersive experience of the game. However, a few critiques mention that the graphics may not be groundbreaking compared to other recent titles, suggesting room for improvement in future updates.
- “The graphics are breathtaking, offering stunning scenery and immersive visuals that enhance the overall gaming experience.”
- “Soulmask is a standout survival game that shines in early access with its polished experience, stunning visuals, and unique blend of mechanics.”
- “The graphics are stunning, the character interactions are well done, and I absolutely love the hunting and gathering.”
- “These new graphics 'standards' that infest the new generations of games is truly saddening.”
- “Game sucks, it doesn't feel original and graphics are bad.”
- “The graphics are poor, with everything looking wet all the time.”
story
316 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
72%
5%
The game's story is described as a mix of mystery and survival elements, with players uncovering lore through exploration rather than a linear narrative. While some find the atmosphere engaging and the world-building intriguing, many reviewers note a lack of a cohesive plot and meaningful quests, leading to a sense of disconnection and frustration in progression. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a work in progress, with potential for depth but currently lacking in clarity and direction.
- “The storyline is captivating, with well-developed characters and intricate world-building that keep you engaged from start to finish.”
- “It’s a thrilling adventure that perfectly blends eerie atmosphere with compelling storytelling, making it an unforgettable journey into the unknown.”
- “Soulmask, for me, is not just another addition to the survival genre; it is an innovative masterpiece that uses the survival genre as the vehicle to present a fascinating story that compels engagement and rewards the player with something we have never had available to us before.”
- “The game lacks a meaningful story, mostly consisting of running around to collect items for upgrading armor and weapons.”
- “What masquerades as a storyline in Soulmask is an incoherent jumble of vague, disconnected events.”
- “There is no story, or plot.”
optimization
246 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
48%
11%
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While some praise its solid performance and smooth gameplay, especially for an early access title, others report significant stuttering, crashes, and ongoing optimization issues that detract from the experience. Developers are actively working on updates to address these concerns, but many players still experience performance inconsistencies, particularly in multiplayer scenarios.
- “The game is well optimized for us at least.”
- “This game is a rare example of good gameplay and optimization on day 1 of early access.”
- “In all honesty, I personally haven't had any performance issues so far and it seems for an early access game it's well optimized and better than some of the AAA games that have released in recent years.”
- “Can't recommend in its current, stuttering state.”
- “But the game is so poorly optimized that it crashes all the time.”
- “Despite numerous updates hoping to resolve these performance issues, the game still fails to run smoothly on my system, leading to a disappointing experience.”
stability
162 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
1%
78%
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting various bugs and glitches typical of early access titles, including issues with AI behavior, combat mechanics, and UI functionality. While some users have experienced minimal problems and praise the game's performance on various hardware, others highlight significant frustrations, particularly in multiplayer settings. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game shows promise, it requires further development to address its stability issues.
- “It's a largely bug-free and fun game with a long and varied gameplay loop that ticks all the needed boxes.”
- “Best early access game ever - 'bug free 450 hours'.”
- “Great graphics and little to no glitches for an early release.”
- “Would let this game cook in the oven for a while - pretty typical early access buggy mediocre survival crafting game that companies keep pooping out.”
- “That's probably partially due to the bugs or buggy patching process - as sometimes tribesmen randomly stop working, suspiciously often after a new update is pushed.”
- “It is rough, buggy, and very clearly has a long way to go before it deserves to have the title of 'full release,' but it surely isn't claiming otherwise.”
music
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
74%
5%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its haunting and atmospheric qualities that enhance gameplay, while others criticize it for being repetitive and underwhelming. Many users opted to mute the music entirely or found it unremarkable, preferring to listen to their own playlists instead. Overall, while the soundtrack has its moments, it often fails to leave a lasting impression, leading to a lack of engagement with the game's audio experience.
- “One of the standout features of Soulmask is its music.”
- “The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack perfectly complements the game's atmosphere, enhancing every moment of exploration and combat.”
- “The orchestral soundtrack is haunting and memorable, with themes that adapt to the on-screen action, heightening the emotional impact of key moments.”
- “It's an endless loop of the same two songs and I've muted it in the first 10 minutes.”
- “There's not really any music to speak of and sound effects are sorely missing.”
- “Music is the same the entire time... area is the same as well... same forest, lake, trees, animals.”
humor
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with players finding the tribesmen's commentary and various glitches to be particularly amusing, leading to unexpected and hilarious moments. While combat animations can be awkward, they sometimes add to the comedic experience, especially in multiplayer scenarios. Overall, the game is described as very funny, with a lighthearted atmosphere that keeps players entertained despite its flaws.
- “Some weird glitches here and there but honestly have led to some really funny moments (getting launched into orbit by an anaconda and surviving).”
- “One of the things I respect the most is that the devs are very active and actually post the ban lists (which is hilarious).”
- “The trees, on the other hand, just fall into an infinite void after chopping them down and it tickles my funny bone.”
atmosphere
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
25%
6%
The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its dark, immersive environments, ranging from crumbling castles to twisted forests, which evoke a sense of ancient dread and mystery. Players appreciate the attention to detail in graphics and sound design, enhancing the overall experience with haunting soundtracks and environmental effects that contribute to a feeling of constant danger. This rich atmosphere, combined with engaging gameplay and exploration, makes it a standout title for fans of the genre.
- “With dark, atmospheric environments that range from crumbling castles to twisted forests and shadowy dungeons, the game creates a rich, immersive world that feels both ancient and oppressive.”
- “The attention to detail is impressive, and the game’s oppressive atmosphere is enhanced by its use of shadows and lighting to create a sense of constant dread.”
- “It’s a thrilling adventure that perfectly blends eerie atmosphere with compelling storytelling, making it an unforgettable journey into the unknown.”
- “At first, the tropical rainforest atmosphere frustrated me.”
- “While the plot may not be fully spelled out, the atmosphere of hopelessness and the constant feeling that something sinister lurks around every corner keeps players engaged as they uncover the secrets of the world.”
- “"soul mask" impresses with its dark atmosphere and challenging combat.”
monetization
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
80%
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many users labeling it a "cash grab" due to the presence of paid DLC and microtransactions, even while the game is still in alpha. Players feel misled by the advertising, which does not clearly communicate the game's reliance on in-game purchases and the lack of solo play viability. Overall, the monetization approach appears to detract from the game's potential, leading to frustration among the community.
- “Devs are advertising paid DLC while the game is still in alpha - buyer beware.”
- “Feels like a cash grab.”
- “It's just punishing you for taking time and making it blatantly obvious that there was no intention of this being played solo, which isn't very clear through the sales page or advertising.”
replayability
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
75%
15%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its substantial replay value due to multiple difficulty levels, a new game+ mode, and secrets to discover, rating it as high as 8/10. However, others find it lacking and redundant, expressing hope that future updates, such as procedurally generated maps, could enhance replayability further. Overall, while there are promising elements, the current state of the game leaves some players frustrated and uncertain about its long-term replay value.
- “Soulmask offers substantial replay value through its multiple difficulty levels, new game+ mode, and numerous secrets scattered throughout the game world.”
- “Replayability: 8/10”
- “Replayability is poor and redundant.”
- “Update: recent update seems to have made the game a bit more playable for some I've talked to, but it is still very frustrating and often asinine.”
- “Replayability to be determined; if random/procedurally generated maps make it into the game, I will give it a 10.”
character development
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
56%
19%
Character development in "Soulmask" is marked by impressive attention to detail in character and environmental design, enhancing the game's immersive experience. However, players express disappointment over the limited customization options and a soft cap on skill leveling, which restricts deeper character progression. Overall, while the aesthetic appeal is noted, the lack of variety and depth in character development has left some players feeling underwhelmed.
- “The attention to detail in both the environment and character design truly sets Soulmask apart from other games in the genre.”
- “The attention to detail is evident in the character designs and atmospheric effects, which enhance the immersive experience.”
- “It's a good looking game both in terms of character design and stylistic choices.”
- “Too few options for character design, hairstyle, hair colors, and individual tribe hairstyles.”
- “However, what I found so far has been a massive disappointment; the leveling and character development is, as of this post, soft locked at 50 for all skills.”
- “The first thing that struck me was the rather minimalist character design options, with very limited choices available.”
emotional
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a mixed emotional engagement with the game, noting that while hardcore gameplay fosters investment and attachment, there are questions about what specific elements to connect with. The haunting orchestral soundtrack significantly enhances emotional moments, adapting to the action and deepening the overall experience. However, some technical glitches, such as with the anaconda mechanic, may detract from immersion without being game-breaking.
- “The orchestral soundtrack is haunting and memorable, with themes that adapt to the on-screen action, heightening the emotional impact of key moments.”
- “I'm a fan of hardcore games because investment in units increases my emotional engagement with the game.”
- “What is it that I'm supposed to emotionally attach to?”