Strafe

Strafe skillfully recaptures the look and experience of a full-tilt twitch 1990s shooter while faltering at building upon its potential.

Starting at $3.99Buy now

Get on Steam

"Strafe" is a single-player Science Fiction Shooter game with amazing gameplay, awesome graphics, and a delightful soundtrack. The game boasts phenomenal atmosphere, exceptional replayability, and permanent damage effects with über-gore technology. Levels are randomly generated and constantly change, providing an endlessly challenging and violent deep space experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

75%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,300 reviews

gameplay102 positive mentions

optimization12 negative mentions

Fast-paced gameplay that captures the essence of classic shooters.
Satisfying gunplay with a variety of weapons and upgrades.
Great soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.

Frequent bugs and performance issues that can disrupt gameplay.
Repetitive level design due to limited room templates.
Lack of clear progression and explanation of mechanics.

gameplay
432 mentions
24 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Strafe" is characterized by its fast-paced, retro-inspired mechanics that evoke classic shooters, featuring elements like strafe-jumping and a variety of weapons. However, many players find the game suffers from balance issues, confusing mechanics, and a lack of content, which can detract from the overall experience. While the core gameplay loop is enjoyable and offers a satisfying challenge, the inclusion of frustrating mechanics such as reloading and limited health resources can lead to a tedious experience for some players.
- “Strafe pairs fast-paced gunplay and movement with roguelike mechanics, and does so better than many AAA developers could ever hope to accomplish.”
- “The gameplay is fast-paced and satisfying, the art and music ooze style and there is a brilliantly dark sense of humor throughout.”
- “The moment-to-moment gameplay is simple without being simplistic: you basically run and shoot, recklessness is punished swiftly, and efficiency is rewarded periodically.”
- “The gameplay is just so weak, which for a roguelike shooter with basically no atmosphere, exploration, or story is a disaster.”
- “However, it's hard not to notice the lack of content compared to other roguelites available, giving the impression that the development team prioritized design elements over gameplay mechanics and content depth.”
- “The gameplay itself is not easy at first.”
music
273 mentions
52 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its energetic and nostalgic soundtrack that evokes the feel of classic 90s gaming. While some players noted issues with audio mixing and repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack significantly enhances the gameplay experience, making it a standout feature of the game. Many players recommend purchasing the soundtrack separately, highlighting its quality and ability to stand on its own.
- “The soundtrack feels like a great throwback to the golden era of PC gaming soundtracks, powerful guitars and driving synths giving you a rhythm to your murder.”
- “The soundtrack alone is one of the greatest things my ears have experienced.”
- “The music gives the game a unique personality and works extremely well with the flow of action and suspense, without becoming too overbearing.”
- “The music is slamming, but audio mixing is terrible; songs will cut out randomly and music transitions are abrupt and very off-putting.”
- “First thing I noticed was how terrible the music was but thought that's okay, I can turn it off and have my own running in the background, but no! You can't - it's either all sound off or rubbish euro ultra-camp high energy disco music 'written' by someone who hates music and probably hates video games.”
- “This game is barely a mock-up of those 90's glorious shooters... it's a mixed bag of hippie music with enemies that are less menacing than a puppy and guns that are absolutely not satisfying.”
graphics
242 mentions
33 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game evoke a nostalgic 90s aesthetic, reminiscent of early FPS titles like Quake and Doom, with a mix of low-poly models and pixel art. While some players appreciate the retro charm and vibrant art style, others criticize the technical performance, noting issues like stuttering and graphical glitches that detract from the experience. Overall, the visuals are seen as a fun homage to classic shooters, though opinions vary on their execution and impact on gameplay.
- “The game's most redeeming quality is its art style, which masterfully captures the essence of 90s gaming aesthetics.”
- “The graphics are an effective, fun throwback to 1990s low-poly shooter aesthetics—not something you see often, let alone done this well.”
- “I love the presentation; the 90's themed graphics are spot on and have a certain charm.”
- “There's a difference between wanting to appeal to an N64 art style and just looking like shit.”
- “Overall, Strafe likes to present itself as a shooter from 1996, claiming to have 'cutting edge graphics' etc. While an amusing advertising gimmick, it's important to note that 1996 is the year that Quake, Duke3D, Terminator Skynet, Strife, and Final Doom were released, and candidly, Strafe is not in that league.”
- “The graphics, as mentioned, look like they come from the times of Quake and the like, which can be a hit or miss for some people, as the graphics do look intentionally dated.”
optimization
70 mentions
9 % positive mentions
74 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with players reporting persistent performance issues, including frame drops, stuttering, and game-breaking bugs, even on high-end hardware. While some patches have improved performance, many still experience significant slowdowns, particularly during intense moments or level transitions. Overall, the game's optimization remains a major concern, detracting from an otherwise enjoyable experience.
- “I run the latest version on 100 fps even on Linux drivers, and I can confirm that there are a bunch of optimizations in place by now.”
- “Strafe is my go-to pick-up-and-play game on my GPD Win and it runs pretty well now after all the performance improvements in this patch, even without low spec mode on.”
- “Since then, multiple patches have ensured that the game runs smoothly since its rocky start and that the player has a bit more survivability.”
- “Horribly optimized, I thought I had gained some sort of slow-motion power-up during the 'final boss' but it was just the game failing to keep up with spawning the exact same 3 enemy types over and over again.”
- “I'd rate the game a 7/10; the thing that keeps it from being an 8.5 or even a 9 for me is the amount of bugs, from very minor inconveniences (like a crate box that's stuck and can't be opened, or a graphical glitch) all the way to totally game-breaking stuff: I had quite a few playthroughs ended by getting stuck in place and unable to move; getting shot by an enemy through a wall or an obstacle; or having serious performance issues escalating during the course of several maps, plummeting my framerate from a solid 60 down to a slideshow of 3-5 fps or so in the final area, resulting in me getting splattered.”
- “Marred with multiple performance issues and bugs mentioned previously, Strafe feels like wasted potential.”
stability
66 mentions
3 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, with players frequently encountering game-breaking issues such as getting stuck in textures, doors failing to open, and enemies clipping through walls. Despite some patches improving stability, many users report that a significant portion of their gameplay sessions end due to these persistent technical problems, making the overall experience frustrating. While some find enjoyment in the core gameplay, the instability remains a major drawback that detracts from the game's potential.
- “Runs great, looks great, feels great.”
- “The music is incredible, and the game runs smoothly!”
- “On the other hand, even with the developers making a bunch of patches and major gameplay updates, I would say at least one in four runs end due to some sort of bug/softlock, whether that be the consistently buggy final boss's homing rocket turrets continuing to fire even after being destroyed, or getting stuck in a train during a level transition, or--the specific incident that broke me--a super rare easter egg room overwriting the normal level generator and softlocking me in the first area of the zone.”
- “It's horribly buggy with enemies clipping through walls and floors, doors sometimes refusing to open, you can fall through the floor of the level, and it just goes on and on.”
- “Totally unfinished buggy mess at launch, still doesn't even run properly for me after 5 patches, I won't waste any more time on it, just wished to god I could get my money back, never felt quite so ripped off.”
story
65 mentions
17 % positive mentions
74 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely minimal and often described as vague or non-existent, with many players noting that it prioritizes gameplay over narrative depth. While some appreciate the environmental storytelling and the retro aesthetic reminiscent of classic shooters, others express a desire for more substantial plot elements and character development. Overall, the consensus is that the game is more about fast-paced action than a cohesive story, appealing primarily to those who enjoy arcade-style gameplay without narrative expectations.
- “For a procedural game, it does a really good job telling a story with the play space.”
- “The progression through the zones paints a clear non-verbal picture of the story you're playing through.”
- “There's an impressive bit of story work, despite all storytelling being restricted to environment and environment only.”
- “Story: incomprehensible, I have never wanted an audio log more in my damn life.”
- “There isn't a storyline to follow, and very little enemy variability.”
- “The story and plot of Strafe is incredibly simple, unoriginal, and not expanded upon at all.”
replayability
59 mentions
47 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its high replay value due to random generation, modifiers, and engaging core gameplay, while others criticize its short length and lack of diverse content. Many appreciate the addition of mutators and secret minigames that enhance replayability, but some feel that the overall experience can become repetitive. Overall, it offers a decent level of replayability, particularly for fans of fast-paced shooters and roguelikes, though it may not satisfy everyone seeking extensive content.
- “Each playthrough is going to be short, but because of the random generation, weapons, and modifiers, the game is very replayable.”
- “Solid varied FPS action, many awesome secrets, near infinite replayability with lots of weapons, gadgets, and mutators made this an instant classic for me.”
- “Overall, Strafe is an incredibly fun fast-paced game with high replayability, and I would highly suggest it to either fans of roguelikes or fans of the 90s FPS classics.”
- “The game is way too short and easy for its original price, and there isn't much replayability and diversity.”
- “There's little to no replay value.”
- “Not a lot of room for replay value after you beat the game; the only way to play the game differently is to choose a different primary weapon or handicap yourself in some way (like not using the missile upgrade for the MG).”
humor
30 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a tongue-in-cheek style that often elicits laughter, particularly through its clever tutorial and various Easter eggs. While some players find the humor to be hit or miss, many appreciate its absurdity and nostalgic references to 90s horror/action films. Overall, the game successfully combines fast-paced gameplay with a lighthearted approach, making it enjoyable despite some execution flaws.
- “The humor is hit or miss but alleviates the tension.”
- “The gameplay is fast-paced and satisfying, the art and music ooze style and there is a brilliantly dark sense of humor throughout.”
- “I like the gore and overall humor of the game; it doesn't take itself too seriously.”
atmosphere
17 mentions
53 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its engaging soundtrack and creepy sound design that enhances the experience, while others find it forgettable and repetitive. The pixel graphics and various environmental elements contribute to a unique vibe reminiscent of classic titles like System Shock 2 and Doom, but the gameplay often detracts from the overall immersion. Overall, the atmosphere is noted for its potential but is hampered by gameplay issues that prevent it from fully delivering on its promise.
- “Great soundtrack, creates a great atmosphere.”
- “Sound design nails the atmosphere that the Icarus and its corrupted inhabitants want nothing more than to kill you and surprise you when you least expect it, such as the creepy growls and screams of the different enemy types.”
- “The game has a very System Shock-esque vibe to it, and that lends some pretty cool atmosphere to the game, coupled with the gore it makes it pleasantly creepy.”
- “Atmosphere is very forgettable and the sound barely exists.”
- “The campaign has no story, it's ultra repetitive and lacks atmosphere.”
- “But once you're done noticing all that went into the atmosphere and you focus on the gameplay, Strafe immediately starts to fall apart.”
monetization
14 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy for Strafe heavily relied on a successful Kickstarter campaign, which garnered a substantial amount of funding primarily spent on marketing rather than game development. While the game's advertising, particularly its live-action ads, was praised for its creativity and appeal, many players felt that the actual product did not live up to the hype, leading to disappointment over the disparity between marketing and gameplay experience. Overall, the focus on edgy retro advertising may have misled players about the game's true nature, contributing to a sense of dissatisfaction with its execution.
- “This game was kickstarted, and while they didn't exactly rake in the money, they did get a pretty substantial amount for this game. Yet it would really seem like they spent most of it on marketing and their 'edgy retro ads.' This game has a few hours of fun to offer until you find yourself getting bored.”
- “Very disappointed that the advertising was 100 times more appealing than the actual product.”
- “And, as much as I loved Pixel Titan's marketing for this game, I don't believe it was made very clear from advertisement alone what this game really was, and it shows.”
grinding
10 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game; while the procedural generation offers some variety in enemies and weapons, the repetitive nature of the levels can lead to tedium and a sense of chore-like gameplay. Some find enjoyment in the skill-based progression and chaotic action, but many agree that the grind can become monotonous, especially in familiar areas. Overall, the experience can oscillate between fun and frustrating, depending on individual preferences for gameplay style.
- “This means that the gameplay can actually get really tedious... really fast.”
- “It's just the same things over and over for 12 levels, so grinding through all of that again and again makes the game feel more like a chore than a joy.”
- “A roguelite old school FPS game sounds like a lot of fun, but this game is just way too tedious and boring to be played for extended periods of time.”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
While the game has some graphical issues and bugs, it successfully evokes strong emotions, particularly a sense of speed, which resonates deeply with players.
- “Look, this game isn't perfect; there are bugs here and there, but damn, it's been a while since a game made me feel so emotionally invested.”