Stray Souls

The graphics of the game have received generally positive feedback, with many reviewers praising the impressive visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5, which enhance the game's horror aesthetic and environmental design. While some comments noted that the graphics are not groundbreaking or next-gen, they are considered a strong point of the game, contributing significantly to the overall experience. However, a few reviews pointed out that the visuals may have overshadowed other aspects, suggesting that the budget may have been primarily allocated to graphics.

The gameplay has been widely criticized for its numerous technical issues, including glitchy mechanics, unintuitive puzzle controls, and poor enemy pathing, which detract from the overall experience. While the atmosphere draws inspiration from classic horror games, it ultimately fails to deliver a satisfying survival horror experience, leaving many players disappointed. Despite some potential for improvement, the current state of the gameplay makes it hard to recommend.

The music in the game, composed by Akira Yamaoka, has received mixed reviews; while many praise its quality and atmospheric contribution, others feel it lacks prominence and memorability, with only the credits song standing out. Despite some criticisms regarding its dominance in certain scenes, the soundtrack is generally regarded as a highlight, adding significant value to the overall experience. Overall, while the music is appreciated, it is suggested that players approach the game with tempered expectations regarding gameplay.

The game suffers from numerous stability issues, including significant bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, such as problems with aiming during critical moments and frustrating camera angles. These technical flaws often detract from the overall experience, making it difficult for players to engage with the game's intended atmosphere. While some players find humor in the glitches, the overwhelming consensus is that the game's stability is a major drawback.

The game's atmosphere is heavily influenced by classic horror titles, evoking feelings of dread and mystery akin to Silent Hill and Resident Evil, with commendable sound design that enhances the experience. While many players appreciate the immersive and nostalgic ambiance, some express disappointment, feeling that the gameplay diverges into less atmospheric territory with cheap jump scares and shooter mechanics. Overall, the atmosphere is generally well-received, though opinions vary on its execution and alignment with survival horror expectations.

The humor in the game is largely described as unintentional, with players finding it amusing despite—or perhaps because of—the game's attempts at horror. Many reviewers noted that the character reactions and glitches contributed to a comedic experience, leading to a mix of "good bad" humor that may not align with the game's intended tone. Overall, while the game may not succeed in its primary goal, it offers a surprisingly funny experience that can entertain players.

The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players noting significant issues such as poor optimization and lack of custom key mapping, which detracted from their experience. While overall performance was generally good with only minor frame rate drops, many felt the game felt stiff and overly scripted, leading to a less fluid gameplay experience.

Players frequently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious, particularly noting that many puzzles require excessive wandering and can lead to frustration. This has prompted some to seek external help, such as walkthrough videos, to progress through challenging sections, especially in the forest levels.

The game has been criticized for its low replayability, with multiple users rating it just 1 out of 5. Players feel that once completed, there is little incentive to revisit the game due to a lack of varied content or engaging mechanics.

While the story's logic was criticized, the emotional impact of the ending resonated strongly with players, evoking tears and leaving a lasting impression.