SULFUR

About

SULFUR is a single player role playing shooter game. It was developed by Perfect Random and was released on October 28, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

Sulfur is a modern old-school action-adventure: Outsmart enemies, find treasure, improve weapons, harness powers. Delve deeper, find answers, make it end.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,697 reviews

gameplay259 positive mentions

optimization24 negative mentions

Engaging gameplay loop with a satisfying mix of gunplay, crafting, and exploration.
Unique art style and humorous tone that adds charm to the experience.
Extensive weapon customization options that allow for creative builds and strategies.

Punishing death mechanics that result in losing all gear, which can be frustrating for players.
Inventory management can be cumbersome, with a lack of sorting options and limited storage space.
Some enemies and mechanics can feel unbalanced, leading to frustrating encounters.

gameplay
622 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
56%
2%
The gameplay of this game is characterized by a highly addictive loop that combines roguelike mechanics with extraction shooter elements, offering players a satisfying experience through smooth gunplay, extensive weapon customization, and engaging crafting systems. While many players appreciate the depth and variety of mechanics, some express concerns about repetitiveness, enemy AI, and the harsh penalties for dying, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game is praised for its charming art style, solid mechanics, and potential for future improvements as it continues to develop in early access.
- “The core gameplay loop revolves around venturing into hostile, procedurally structured areas filled with enemies, loot, and branching paths, all while managing limited resources and the constant threat of death.”
- “The gameplay loop is addictive and the gunplay is great.”
- “The gameplay loop is engaging, fun, and incredibly addictive.”
- “The gameplay in Sulfur is really bland and underdeveloped.”
- “The main gameplay loop is very weak.”
- “The gameplay loop is quite repetitive; the way they make it more difficult is just the simple 'spawn many spongy enemies'.”
graphics
399 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
46%
1%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their unique and charming art style, which combines cartoonish elements with a quirky aesthetic that enhances the overall gameplay experience. Many players appreciate the smooth animations and vibrant visuals, noting that they contribute to a fun and engaging atmosphere, despite some minor performance issues. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, effectively complementing the game's mechanics and humor.
- “The graphics are amazing, gameplay is so smooth, world is exciting and the story is intriguing.”
- “The art style is unique and charming, the innate comedy of being really excited about picking up a bowl of broth or a goblin tongue is also very fun.”
- “Sulfur oozes with style - from the design of the caves, the actual handling of the guns, the characters, the world, the art style - everything is just so very well fitting together.”
- “Gunplay is mid and the graphics are nothing special.”
- “I really want to like this game as it has a unique art style and it's a rogue-like, however, I was experiencing severe frame drops/lag issues during the tutorial and beyond.”
- “The graphics look like IKEA furniture and you have to provide for your own meals.”
music
356 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
44%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its originality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many players describing it as a "banger" soundtrack that complements the gameplay well. While some tracks are noted for being repetitive or not fitting certain levels, the majority of feedback highlights the music's engaging and enjoyable nature, contributing significantly to the game's unique charm. However, a few players expressed dissatisfaction with specific tracks, feeling they detracted from the experience, indicating a mixed reception in certain contexts.
- “The audio design reinforces this identity, with impactful weapon sounds, unsettling ambient noise, and music that heightens tension without overwhelming the action.”
- “The soundtrack is unique to say the least.”
- “The music is so good, words won't do it justice, I'll never get bored of it.”
- “The current music just doesn't fit and just feels extremely budget.”
- “My only gripe is the music; it desperately needs a revamp.”
- “I feel awful for saying something like this when any review I usually do is sarcasm/making myself look stupid for a chuckle 9 times out of 10, but the pan flute song is offensively bad and it gave me physical recoil.”
optimization
184 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
78%
13%
The game's optimization has seen significant improvements since its early access launch, with recent patches addressing many performance issues, particularly in terms of frame rate stability. However, players still report occasional hitching, stuttering, and severe drops in performance, especially in later levels where numerous corpses accumulate. While the overall experience has become smoother, ongoing optimization efforts are necessary to fully resolve these issues and enhance gameplay.
- “I'm glad the performance issues got sorted out, the game's real smooth now.”
- “With these performance updates, this game is easily one of the best and most interesting roguelikes out there.”
- “The most recent updates optimized the game by a lot and I no longer have any lag, which was my main complaint before.”
- “I would love to delve more into this game, but with performance and optimization issues aplenty in its current state, I'll have to see what happens down the line if they bother fixing it.”
- “The absolute biggest reason not to play this game is the honest to god horrible optimization.”
- “Performance can degrade to a degree that it's not feasible to take fights while facing a certain cardinal direction.”
story
159 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
68%
3%
The game's story is characterized by minimalist environmental storytelling and quirky, light-hearted dialogue that complements its gameplay, allowing players to engage without being overwhelmed by exposition. While some players find the quest system repetitive and mundane, the overall narrative is intriguing enough to keep them invested, with hints of deeper lore and character development that promise more as the game evolves. However, many reviews note that the story is still incomplete, leaving players eager for future updates to expand on the current narrative framework.
- “Instead of lengthy cutscenes or heavy exposition, the game relies on environmental storytelling, brief interactions, and implication to flesh out its world.”
- “A story that doesn't take itself too seriously but gives a nice context to the world you're in, some great music, and the art style is unique and fun.”
- “The story is quirky and I like the mystery to it.”
- “The quest system is mundane; all quests require you to find something and bring it to the trader - maybe some more variations will be added, who knows.”
- “The only gripe I have is the quests you get from NPCs are all just random fetch quests for enemy drops that are also completely random.”
- “The story is very simple, but all of the characters are well designed and a blast to interact with.”
grinding
103 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it both engaging and tedious. While some appreciate the rewarding gameplay loop of collecting loot, upgrading weapons, and experimenting with crafting, others criticize the excessive grind required to progress, especially after dying and losing hard-earned items. Overall, the experience can be enjoyable initially but often becomes repetitive and frustrating due to the game's punishing mechanics and inventory management challenges.
- “An auto-organize feature for the backpack would be nice, but by far the most tedious aspect of the game is managing your base storage.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It's grindy, and when you die you lose all your hard-earned items unless you store them... but you need good items to get further.”
- “Having to spend hours grinding to get the same gear again is just a massive waste of time.”
- “Grinding through earlier levels just to get mowed down by an early spawn robot, or the ridiculously high damage dog enemy that this game frequently spawns in dark souls style ambush positions has quickly worn down my enjoyment of this game.”
humor
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
1%
1%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky and darkly comedic tone, with players enjoying the absurdity of weapon customization and the hilarious item descriptions. Many reviews highlight the clever writing and funny character interactions, which contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere amidst chaotic gameplay. Overall, the game's blend of wacky mechanics and humorous dialogue creates a uniquely entertaining experience that keeps players engaged.
- “The writing is of high quality and really funny, which was a welcome surprise.”
- “Every minute is manic, unpredictable, and hilarious in ways that make you question if the developers were sane—or just geniuses.”
- “It's quirky, hilarious, and the gun crafting is a ton of fun.”
- “I guess the writing is funny too, but not funny enough for me to remember any of it.”
replayability
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
49%
5%
Overall, "Sulfur" is praised for its high replayability, driven by randomized levels, diverse weapon customization, and a variety of gameplay styles. Players appreciate the game's ability to offer new experiences through its extensive mod and gear systems, although some note that replay value may diminish after acquiring top gear. While many find the game endlessly enjoyable and addictive, a few critiques mention a lack of challenge and the need for additional content to maintain long-term engagement.
- “Overall, Sulfur succeeds as a distinctive and highly replayable shooter that rewards patience, adaptability, and calculated risk-taking.”
- “The variety of weapons and customization options—with attachments, upgrades, oils, and scrolls to make them more powerful—gives this game hours of replayability.”
- “Sulfur is a quirky, fast-paced roguelike shooter that combines inventive weapon mods, a vibrant art style, and a humorous, goblin-infested world with tons of replayability.”
- “Once you've acquired the best gear and attachments (which doesn't take long), the replay value drops off steeply.”
- “It’s clear the developers assumed adding hundreds of oils would increase replayability—but instead, killed it.”
- “Alos every stage has only one unique boss, so as far as replayability, once you beat a stage, you won't see anything new, even with its random world generation.”
stability
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
93%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences, such as losing progress or gear. While some users find the game enjoyable despite these issues, many highlight that the current state is quite buggy, affecting everything from inventory management to enemy interactions. Overall, while the developers are actively working on fixes, the game's stability remains a major drawback for many players.
- “The guns feel good, the game runs great, the various mechanics and systems are simple yet with lots to discover, and the art style is truly lovely.”
- “Runs great, plays great.”
- “I hate this game; half of my deaths are from glitches, unclear attacks, and instakill enemy groups.”
- “Game constantly crashes or glitches out.”
- “Some glitches result in game-breaking and run-ending deaths, such as enemies clipping into walls, movement bugging, clipping the player into inescapable pits, and unnecessary damage.”
atmosphere
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
43%
8%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its unique blend of stylized visuals, engaging sound design, and immersive world-building, creating a distinct experience that balances whimsy and tension. Players appreciate the effective use of music and ambient sounds that enhance the gameplay, while the art style evokes a nostalgic feel reminiscent of early 2000s cartoons. Overall, the atmosphere is described as charming, immersive, and integral to the game's appeal, making it a standout feature for many reviewers.
- “Its blend of visceral combat, roguelike progression, and atmospheric world-building gives it a personality that stands apart from more conventional entries in the genre.”
- “The atmosphere, music, and gameplay all hit perfectly.”
- “I started out playing the demo and immediately fell in love with the atmosphere, the ambiance, and, frankly, the music; the sound design is phenomenal!”
- “It's not exactly a horror game although it goes for a slightly spooky atmosphere at times.”
- “I guess they wanted a spooky vibe but it's really sad when you have an awesome memorable series of musical tracks and then go into a level and hear absolutely nothing but atmosphere.”
- “You die quickly, and the atmosphere is tense.”
monetization
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
93%
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism, particularly regarding intrusive ads that disrupt gameplay, especially during critical moments like boss fights. Players express frustration over the lack of responsiveness and customization in aiming mechanics, which detracts from the overall experience, leading to concerns that the game's quality is overshadowed by aggressive advertising strategies. Many feel that the game's potential is undermined by these monetization practices, which they perceive as cash grabs rather than enhancements to gameplay.
- “I appreciate that the monetization is fair and doesn't feel intrusive.”
- “The option to purchase cosmetic items without affecting gameplay is a great balance.”
- “I love that there are ways to earn in-game currency without spending real money.”
- “Oh, and ads during a boss fight in a bad movement/small ammo/forever reload game?”
- “I have seen cash grabs with less lag than this.”
- “Ads feel terrible.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a deeply emotional experience with the game, highlighting moments of joy, heartbreak, and attachment to in-game elements, such as weapons and pets. The intense gameplay creates a sense of pressure and urgency, making victories feel rewarding while losses can be devastating. However, some players also mention the risk of emotional burnout due to repetitive environments.
- “I cried, laughed, and adopted a pixelated grenade as a pet.”
- “It keeps you alert, it builds pressure, and it makes each moment feel so emotionally alive.”
- “It has been incredibly thrilling, heartbreaking, and rewarding the entire time.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
Character development in the game receives mixed feedback, with some players finding the character designs endearing and intriguing, while others feel they fall short. The overall art style is appreciated by some, contributing to a cozy tone, but there are criticisms regarding the town character designs specifically. Despite these differences in opinion, the humor and concept are generally well-received.
- “Despite this robust cooking system, the tone remains cozy, the character designs are endearing, and the humor is tongue-in-cheek.”
- “I love the art style and the character designs.”
- “The art style overall isn't totally my thing, but I really don't like the town character designs.”
- “Despite this robust cooking system, the tone remains cozy, but the character designs are lacking depth.”
- “I love the art style, but the character designs feel underdeveloped.”