Strife: Veteran Edition

The gameplay of "Strife" is a blend of classic first-person shooter mechanics reminiscent of Doom, enhanced with light RPG elements such as dialogue choices and a hub world. While it was innovative for its time, introducing features like stealth mechanics and a connected world, many players find the execution clunky and the shooting mechanics lacking. Overall, it offers a nostalgic experience with engaging level design and a unique atmosphere, though it may not hold up as well against modern standards.

The graphics of "Strife" are generally considered dated, reminiscent of the original Doom, but have received some enhancements in the Veteran Edition, including improved resolutions, dynamic lighting, and optional modern effects. While some players appreciate the nostalgic pixelated aesthetic and comic-style artwork, others note that the visuals can feel blocky and lack the polish of contemporary titles. Overall, the game's unique art style and retro charm resonate well with fans of classic FPS and RPG genres, despite its graphical limitations.

The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its catchy and atmospheric qualities, while others criticize it for being repetitive and poorly executed, often due to its reliance on MIDI technology. Many players appreciate the nostalgic feel of the soundtrack, noting that it enhances the gameplay experience, despite some tracks feeling out of place or annoying. Overall, while the music has its highlights, it is often seen as a product of its time, with varying quality throughout.

The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, characterized by a rich, immersive world that blends futuristic and medieval elements within a post-apocalyptic setting. Reviewers highlight the game's strong mood, excellent voice acting, and well-designed environments that evoke a sense of exploration and character, making it a standout experience for fans of 90's FPS games with RPG mechanics. Overall, the atmosphere is described as engaging and memorable, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

The humor in Strife is a blend of dark comedy and nostalgic cheesiness, with players appreciating its 90s storytelling and quirky moments that elicit laughter. While some find the humor to be ahead of its time, others enjoy its playful style reminiscent of classic games like Comix Zone. Overall, the game successfully balances an oppressive atmosphere with amusing elements, making it a memorable experience.

The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while many players appreciate the multiple endings and different routes that encourage replay, some feel that it lacks significant replay value despite these features. The inclusion of achievements and Steam cards is seen as a positive addition that enhances the overall replay experience. Overall, players report varying levels of engagement, with some finding it highly replayable and others less so.

Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience, with some maps described as tedious and overly complex, leading to frustration during navigation and extended gameplay. Despite the repetitive nature of certain tasks and overwhelming enemy encounters, the compelling story helps maintain player engagement.

Overall, users report mixed experiences with stability; while some have encountered persistent issues despite troubleshooting efforts, others note that the updated version has successfully resolved many of the original's bugs and glitches, resulting in a smoother experience with no crashes.

Players highlight the emotional depth of the game, particularly through the supportive presence of a friend over the radio, which enhances the sense of connection and vulnerability. Many have expressed that the game's narrative and character interactions evoke strong feelings, leading to moments of genuine emotional response, including tears. Overall, the improvements made to the game have further enriched its emotional impact without altering its core essence.

The game's optimization has been criticized for choppy textures, inconsistent level design, and poor aiming mechanics with projectile weapons. Additionally, players report issues with a non-functional multiplayer mode and subpar performance on Steam, with some unable to achieve 60fps despite solid controller functionality.

The monetization aspect has been criticized for being overly promotional, with users noting that it primarily serves as a link to advertise a new System Shock port rather than providing meaningful content or value to the game experience.