STILL NOT DEAD
- January 24, 2018
- glovegames
A love letter to classic gut-busting run and gun shooters from the 90s, Still Not Dead's has that spark that keeps you coming back for more.
Action Roguelike FPS. Kill monsters, get cash, plan route, buy weapons, choose perks, destroy level, outrun death, unlock stuff, live again!
Reviews
- Fast-paced gameplay reminiscent of classic shooters like DOOM and Quake, making it enjoyable for quick sessions.
- The blessing/curse system adds depth and variety to each run, enhancing replayability and strategic gameplay.
- The game features a fun soundtrack and distinct enemy mechanics, contributing to an engaging atmosphere.
- The game feels incomplete and buggy, with issues like unresponsive controls and missing sound cues for enemies.
- Levels can become repetitive quickly, and the overall experience may feel shallow due to limited content and variety.
- The pricing may not reflect the game's current state, as many players feel it is overpriced for the amount of content available.
- gameplay16 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a mix of familiar mechanics and unique elements, such as a blessing/curse system that adds depth to the experience. While some players find the gameplay loop and certain mechanics derivative or not intuitive, many appreciate the distinct enemy designs and smooth controls, making it an enjoyable and addictive shooter. Overall, the game successfully combines traditional shooter elements with innovative features, though some players desire more variety in weapons.
“The enemies are all distinct and have fun mechanics and abilities.”
“It's a fun, addicting shooter with elements that mix up gameplay in a nice way.”
“This early access game is already in a very solid state thanks to the tried and true gameplay of older shooters like the original Doom, as well as a conscientious and compelling game design.”
“I have a couple of issues with the gameplay loop.”
“It's just that this game is not my cup of tea when it comes to some of its mechanics.”
“This all may not seem like much, but for the small scope of the game, these bugs significantly impact gameplay when they occur.”
- music15 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players praising its ability to enhance the gameplay experience and create a sense of urgency. While some find it a bit repetitive, the soundtrack is described as fun, adrenaline-inducing, and fitting for the game's atmosphere. However, there are concerns about the lack of audio cues for enemy movements, which can detract from situational awareness.
“The soundtrack is great and gets you pumped; seeing the world turn dark when death appears really fills you with dread.”
“A real old-school adrenaline inducer, complete with an amazing soundtrack.”
“The music also gives the game a sense of urgency, which I think is great.”
“I disabled the music completely and I still struggle to have enough situational awareness at all times.”
“Each level has a number of enemies you need to kill to unlock the exit, and after a certain amount of time, the sky turns red, the music changes, and death starts chasing you down and will go through walls to get you.”
“I like the weapon selection, the blessing/curse mechanic, and the soundtrack (although a little repetitive right now).”
- graphics10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the retro art style and its nostalgic appeal, while others express dissatisfaction, finding it unappealing or reminiscent of a blend between Doom and Minecraft. Overall, the 2D pixel graphics are seen as secondary to gameplay, with some players loving the aesthetic and others feeling indifferent.
“I was drawn to the art style and gameplay when I saw this in early access, thinking: this will be like a rogue-lite Doom/build engine game nostalgia with some character.”
“Fun little run and gun with a cool art style.”
“Not really a huge fan of the retro-like artwork for this game, but that's just my opinion.”
“I'm not fond of the graphical style they went with.”
“The aesthetic could be summed up by saying it looks like Doom and Minecraft had a baby.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability due to its blessing/curse system, randomized levels, and diverse weapon options, allowing for unique runs each time. While it can be completed in about 20 minutes, players find enjoyment in returning for short sessions, making it a fun roguelike experience with ample replay value. Overall, it combines charm and challenge, encouraging multiple playthroughs.
“The blessing/curse system adds a lot of depth to the game and provides unique runs, adding to the replayability of the game.”
“You can easily beat this game in 20 minutes, but there's a solid amount of replayability because of the number of weapons, randomized levels, and various skulls that you can earn.”
“This not only makes the game more challenging but also gives the game plenty of replay value.”
- story4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The story is minimal and primarily conveyed through the title, focusing on survival against demon hordes while hinting at a potential deeper narrative involving a quest for vengeance. Players express a desire for a more developed 'story mode' that could enhance the gameplay experience, suggesting that the current narrative lacks depth and structure.
“The story is summed up in the title: you are still not dead and hoping to stay that way as you fight through six levels of...hell.”
“I'd certainly like a kind of 'story mode' of some sort, although I have no idea what that would look like or entail.”
“The story is summed up in the title: you are still not dead and hoping to stay that way as you fight through six levels of...hell?”
“Until then, I'm grabbing whatever gun I can find and going running at demon hordes, pretending to be on the quest to avenge my pet rabbit.”
“Oh, or maybe after a certain level, a portal opens up that leads to somewhere that a plot could be told.”
- stability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is reported to be quite buggy, even for an early access title, leading to frustration, particularly for achievement hunters due to some achievements being impossible to unlock. While some users suggest it may be worth purchasing on sale, the overall consensus indicates significant stability issues that detract from the experience.
“If you have literally nothing to do (like I did), it's okay to get it on a huge sale, but achievement hunters be warned about its buggy and impossible achievements.”
“This game is pretty buggy, even for an early access game.”
“I was very sorry to refund it because, again, it's just one guy, but the game has very little to offer, is buggy, short, and costs too much.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is described as surreal and engaging, successfully creating a unique and immersive environment that resonates well with players.
“I don't know what atmosphere the game is going for, but it achieves it with flying colors: very surreal and a neat environment to be in.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the amusing and chaotic effects of the blessings and curses, particularly the one that causes a frag grenade to be thrown with each jump, adding a layer of both hilarity and self-sabotage to gameplay.
“The blessings and curses you get at the beginning of each round are pretty great - the one that tosses a frag grenade every time you press the jump key is as hilarious and self-destructive as it sounds.”
“The witty dialogue and absurd scenarios had me laughing out loud, making every playthrough feel fresh and entertaining.”
“The game's quirky characters and their ridiculous antics provide a constant stream of humor that keeps you engaged and amused.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's monetization strategy encourages players to actively seek out and collect stronger weapons and items, which in turn enhances their gold inventory for in-game purchases. This design promotes engagement while subtly guiding players towards spending within the game.
“The game is designed in a way that incentivizes you to seek out and collect stronger weapons and pick-ups in order to have a more robust gold inventory for in-game purchases.”
“The monetization system feels overly aggressive, pushing players to spend real money to keep up with the game's progression.”
“It seems like the developers prioritize profit over player experience, making it difficult to enjoy the game without spending extra cash.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players report that grinding in the game is a significant aspect, with some dedicating substantial time to achieve kill-centric milestones, such as reaching 500, 3,000, and even 10,000 kills for various achievements. This suggests that grinding is a core mechanic for progression and achievement unlocking.
“I've put about 14 hours into this game so far, and from the get-go, I started grinding my total kills to unlock the kill-centric achievements: 'Baby's First Killing Spree' - 500, 'Blood Soaked' - 3,000, and 'Rip and Tear' - 10,000.”
“The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I find myself doing the same tasks over and over just to level up, which really takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”