StrangerZ

About

StrangerZ is a multiplayer survival simulation game with horror and thriller themes. It was developed by Lost Frame Development and was released on November 3, 2023. It received negative reviews from players.

StrangerZ is a Free to Play Multiplayer Survival Horror game. Play as or survive against the "Stranger" with your teammates until dawn. Level up your stats and rank by either surviving or killing all players.

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37%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,990 reviews

graphics26 positive mentions

gameplay39 negative mentions

Unique and innovative concept combining horror and multiplayer elements.
Fun and engaging gameplay, especially when played with friends in parties or private lobbies.
Commendable effort by a solo 18-year-old developer, with good visuals and atmosphere.

Severe optimization issues causing low framerate and crashes even on high-end PCs.
Imbalanced gameplay heavily favors the killer; survivors have limited means to defend once the killer is inside.
Excessive bugs, glitches, confusing controls, and a confusing tutorial making gameplay frustrating.

gameplay
180 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
62%
22%
The gameplay is widely criticized for being clunky, slow, and frustrating, with unresponsive controls, poor mechanics, and repetitive or boring loops that fail to engage players. While the concept shows potential and can be somewhat enjoyable with friends, technical issues, lack of balance, and limited mechanics significantly hinder the overall experience. Many reviewers agree that the game needs major improvements in movement, mechanics, and gameplay depth to fulfill its intended suspenseful, cooperative horror vision.
- “The gameplay challenges your problem-solving skills while immersing you in an intriguing storyline.”
- “The gameplay seamlessly blends exploration, puzzle-solving, and storytelling, keeping players engaged from start to finish.”
- “No two playthroughs are the same, and the emergent gameplay ensures that every session is unique.”
- “The gameplay is clunky, with unresponsive controls and awkward mechanics that make every interaction feel tedious rather than enjoyable.”
- “The gameplay experience fares no better, with mechanics that are clunky, uninspired, and bereft of innovation.”
- “Strangerz is a game that lacks any substantial gameplay, offering a boring and unengaging experience that feels more like a cash grab than a genuine gaming endeavor.”
graphics
103 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
62%
13%
The graphics receive mixed reviews, with some praising their beauty, immersive atmosphere, and solid art style, while many criticize the visuals as outdated, poorly optimized, and lacking polish or consistency. Optimization issues and graphical glitches are commonly mentioned, detracting from the overall experience despite occasional moments of solid or impressive visuals.
- “This game has insanely beautiful graphics, is insanely well optimised, only takes up a tiny bit of storage space and overall is really fun singleplayer and multiplayer.”
- “This game is one of the best games I've ever played, the graphics are simply superb, the gameplay is seamless and the controls are easy to master.”
- “Strangerz mesmerizes with its breathtaking visuals and immersive atmosphere.”
- “The graphics are subpar, with environments that look cheap and character models that lack any real detail.”
- “The visuals are a chaotic mishmash of poorly rendered textures, jarring color schemes, and characters that look like they were designed by someone with a severe case of pixelated blindness.”
- “The graphics are outdated, and the lack of polish really shows in both the environments and character animations.”
story
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
82%
11%
The story in the game is widely criticized for being incoherent, clichéd, and lacking depth or meaningful character development. Players found the narrative confusing, unengaging, and often overshadowed by technical issues and uninspired missions. Overall, the story fails to motivate or immerse players, detracting significantly from the game's appeal.
- “The gameplay challenges your problem-solving skills while immersing you in an intriguing storyline.”
- “As the story unfolds, players will find themselves drawn deeper into a web of conspiracy and deception, culminating in a thrilling conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.”
- “[b] Nothing like your typical Unity shovelware, [/b] the graphical style is consistent and has solid storytelling right off the bat.”
- “The storyline, if one can even discern a coherent plot amidst the chaos, is a convoluted mess of clichés and nonsensical twists.”
- “The story is bland and fails to pull you in, leaving little motivation to keep playing.”
- “The storyline was virtually non-existent, and the characters lacked any depth or personality.”
optimization
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
54%
39%
The game suffers from severe optimization issues, leading to extremely low frame rates and performance problems even on high-end hardware. Players frequently report lag, glitches, and unresponsive controls, making the experience frustrating and difficult to enjoy. While the concept and graphics show potential, significant optimization improvements are needed for smooth gameplay across a wide range of PCs.
- “Hardware optimization for lower and higher-end hardware for better frame rates.”
- “The remastered version, released in 2017, introduced improved graphics and performance while preserving the nostalgic elements that made the original game beloved by fans.”
- “Since it's a new game developed by a single developer, the game requires further optimization so that all levels of PCs can handle it without FPS lag and crashes at start.”
- “Quite possibly the worst, most unoptimized and terrible game.”
- “I have 14 fps with this game... the worst optimization I've ever seen, the graphics aren't even good enough to lag so much... I don't recommend it, just based on the videos I've seen and the reviews, this game is poorly optimized boring crap.”
- “Even the most powerful gaming rigs buckle under the weight of its demands, transforming what should be a seamless and immersive experience into a stuttering, glitch-ridden nightmare.”
monetization
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
31%
61%
The game's monetization is overwhelmingly criticized for its aggressive microtransactions, constant pop-up ads, and loot boxes, creating an intrusive and pay-to-win atmosphere. Many reviews describe it as a blatant cash grab that detracts significantly from the gameplay experience. This heavy focus on monetization severely undermines player enjoyment and trust.
- “Appreciate the effort and wonderful concept; however, there is still much to consider and fix regarding the microtransactions and in-game purchases.”
- “If this game didn't have as many microtransactions as a modern AAA live service title, I would probably say it's a fine project made by a young developer.”
- “For one, the microtransactions just appear very greedy to me.”
- “The game is loaded with microtransactions, and not much substance to back them up.”
- “There isn't any way to get cosmetics without opening loot boxes, and without the microtransactions all you're left with for progression is the number beside your name ticking up.”
- “Lastly, the inclusion of microtransactions and pay-to-win elements in "strangerz" is an egregious betrayal of the player's trust.”
humor
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in this game is largely appreciated for its comedic glitches, quirky character models, and amusing multiplayer interactions, especially when playing with friends. While some find it genuinely funny and entertaining, others feel the humor masks the game's technical issues and overall lack of polish. Overall, the humor adds a unique, lighthearted charm that enhances the social and immersive experience despite its flaws.
- “Man was so good this game, the mechanics, not that horror but funny as hell with friends.”
- “Absolutely brilliant game, very innovative, funny and great to play with friends.”
- “Honestly quite funny if you've got a good group of friends, it has quite a unique edge to it that other games of a similar standard don't offer.”
stability
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from pervasive stability issues, including frequent bugs, glitches, graphical hiccups, and game-breaking problems that severely impact gameplay. While some acknowledge it’s a solo dev effort and free, the technical flaws make it frustrating and detract from the overall experience.
- “The abundance of technical issues is truly the nail in the coffin for "strangerz." Bugs and glitches are rampant, from characters getting stuck in walls to quests failing to trigger properly.”
- “"Stranger Z" suffers from a multitude of issues, including poor controls, unbalanced combat, lack of depth, and technical problems such as game-breaking bugs, graphical glitches, and inconsistent rounds.”
- “Trying to navigate the game's environments is an exercise in frustration, as you're constantly bombarded by glitches and graphical hiccups that would make even the most patient player rage quit.”
music
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
66%
17%
The music in the game is widely criticized as loud, repetitive, and unpleasant, with many describing it as chaotic and ear-piercing, detracting significantly from the overall experience. While a few mention attempts at atmospheric soundtrack, the general consensus points to forgettable, unremarkable audio design that fails to enhance gameplay.
- “The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack further enhances the game's atmosphere, setting the stage for an unforgettable adventure.”
- “Ambient sounds and/or music would also help.”
- “At first glance, the game needs a better soundtrack for more intense gameplay. Vents need to do something like an under-the-house trap door. I will wait for a better patch. Well done on releasing your first game.”
- “The soundtrack, if you can even call it that, consists of a looped, ear-piercing cacophony that seems to have been composed by a tone-deaf robot with a penchant for discord.”
- “The "music" consists of a cacophony of screeches, random noises, and what I can only describe as an orchestra of tortured souls.”
- “The soundtrack consists of what I can only describe as a cat playing the accordion while being chased by a swarm of angry bees.”
atmosphere
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
39%
17%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive, eerie, and suspenseful qualities, enhanced by haunting visuals and sound design that create a gripping and oppressive mood. Players find the blend of mystery, horror, and tension compelling, making the world feel alive and intense. While some elements lean toward dark humor, the overall atmosphere effectively supports a memorable and engaging experience.
- “A unique blend of mystery and adventure that keeps you hooked with its eerie atmosphere and unexpected twists.”
- “Strangerz mesmerizes with its breathtaking visuals and immersive atmosphere.”
- “The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack further enhances the game's atmosphere, setting the stage for an unforgettable adventure.”
- “From the moment you step into its dark, foreboding world, you're enveloped in an atmosphere so thick with dread, you can practically taste it.”
- “So, after all this praise, after all the tension, atmosphere, and player-driven stories, what’s the ultimate takeaway from DayZ?”
- “As I delved deeper into the game, the atmosphere intensified.”
emotional
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
User feedback on the game's emotional impact is overwhelmingly negative, with many expressing frustration, discomfort, and distress during gameplay. Some comments are incoherent or contain inappropriate content, but a few note a silver lining in the developer's acknowledgment of issues and commitment to improvement. Overall, the game fails to evoke positive or meaningful emotional engagement.
- “After I played a round as the survivor, this game was so bad I cried, tears of white rolling down my legs.”
- “However, seeing the developer response to the negative reviews, acknowledging how goofy the game is and committing to an overhaul, is actually touching.”
- “Heartbreaking for something so big, when Pewdiepie hyped it up I was excited but nevermind.”
grinding
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
64%
Grinding in the game is widely regarded as tedious and time-consuming, with clunky controls and linear gameplay making repetitive tasks feel boring and frustrating rather than enjoyable. Players often find the extensive grinding a major drawback that hampers the overall experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The gameplay is clunky, with unresponsive controls and awkward mechanics that make every interaction feel tedious rather than enjoyable.”
- “The gameplay is way too tedious and linear.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in "Strangerz" is widely criticized for being poorly executed and unengaging, contributing to an overall weak and uninspired narrative experience.
- “Not only is the character design laughably bad, but the attempt to instill fear with a fecal foe is more likely to induce giggles than fear.”
- “The gameplay is as uninspired as the character design.”
- “The story and character development in 'Strangerz' are equally catastrophic.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users appreciate the game's strong concept and solid gameplay loop, highlighting the creators' dedication to making it enjoyable and replayable. While development challenges remain, the foundation for a consistently engaging multiplayer experience is clearly established.
- “This game has an amazing concept and the gameplay loop is pretty decent, but the main reason I'm giving it a good review is the creator's determination and dedication to make the game fun and replayable for everyone, and that is something so simple that a lot of people don't seem to do nowadays.”
- “Developing a game is hard, yes, but you already have the groundwork for a really solid and replayable multiplayer game.”