SULFUR

About

"SULFUR" is a single-player game that offers splendid gameplay and ingenious visuals. Players must plan ahead, outsmart enemies, and adapt their approach in a world of dark creatures and cunning evil. Experience intense FPS combat with powerful firearms, dynamic enemy AI, and modifications for weapons and gear. Survive the dangers of Sulfur by managing risk, collecting loot, and making strategic decisions with your equipment.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,261 reviews

gameplay262 positive mentions

optimization48 negative mentions

The game features a unique art style and engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
Gunplay is satisfying, with a wide variety of weapons and customization options that allow for creative builds.
The gameplay loop is addictive, encouraging players to experiment with different strategies and loadouts.

Performance issues are prevalent, with significant frame drops occurring when there are many corpses or objects on screen.
The death penalty is harsh, as players lose all gear and items upon dying, which can be frustrating and discouraging.
Enemy AI can be unbalanced, with some encounters feeling overwhelming due to the sheer number of enemies that can spawn at once.

gameplay
598 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
54%
2%
The gameplay of "Sulfur" is characterized by a highly addictive loop that combines elements of roguelikes and extraction shooters, featuring satisfying gunplay, unique weapon customization, and a quirky cooking mechanic. While the art style and atmosphere are praised, some players note issues with enemy variety and AI behavior, as well as performance problems that can detract from the experience. Overall, the game offers a fun and engaging experience, though it still requires further optimization and content expansion to reach its full potential.
- “Mixing the permadeath aspects of roguelikes with the scavenging and crafting gameplay of extraction shooters makes for a winning combination, and the lo-fi beats to relax and shoot goblins/cultists just sweeten the deal.”
- “The gameplay loop is already at a point where you always want to go for one more run.”
- “Sulfur is a genuinely excellent game, heaps of content, extremely addictive gameplay loop and it will only get better as it approaches 1.0 release; it is an easy recommend.”
- “In 20 hours of gameplay, I've only found firearms, and I think it's safe to assume that that's all there is.”
- “The enemy variety is non-existent; there are no more than 8 different enemies for what I can see. While I find the art style very compelling, the gameplay is just too repetitive. The guns seem all very similar, and the generated rooms also tend to repeat themselves quite often.”
- “Honestly, it combines some of the worst parts of roguelikes and extraction shooters, with none of the quality of life or gameplay choices that make those games playable over and over again.”
graphics
387 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
45%
1%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and charming art style, which combines cartoonish elements with a surprising level of gore, creating a fun and engaging atmosphere. Many players appreciate the vibrant visuals and the attention to detail in weapon and character designs, although some have noted performance issues and occasional frame drops. Overall, the art style is seen as a standout feature that enhances the gameplay experience, despite some minor optimization concerns.
- “The biggest plus of this game is the gorgeous art style that just feels so fun and cartoony until chunks start flying.”
- “The art style is *chef's kiss*.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “I don't know what is happening there but the graphics are so basic and the systems at hand don't seem that complex to warrant such a massive drop.”
- “They definitely need to fix whatever the performance issue is with the dead bodies though; dropping frames on this art style is kind of unacceptable, but it can be ignored for early access.”
optimization
326 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
76%
15%
The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with players reporting frequent frame rate drops, particularly in later levels where the accumulation of dead bodies severely impacts performance. Many users have noted that while the game is enjoyable, the presence of bugs and performance issues detracts from the overall experience, leading to moments where the game becomes nearly unplayable. Despite these challenges, there is optimism that future updates will address these optimization concerns.
- “Regardless, the game is super cool. I'm sure the performance issues will be addressed and fixed.”
- “The progress from the demo build is actually astounding, and I do look forward to the performance improvements and overall fixes that are sure to come.”
- “Game is really fun, has some major performance issues that need to be hashed out, but once that's all figured out, it really is just a great game.”
- “Currently, the biggest issues I've had is the frame rate plummeting as levels go on, seemingly because the sheer amount of dead bodies being left behind in the level and these dead bodies somehow creating major performance issues.”
- “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.”
music
321 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
41%
2%
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players praising its catchy, unique, and immersive qualities that enhance the overall atmosphere. The soundtrack, often described as a blend of lo-fi and chill beats, complements the gameplay well, although some users noted occasional repetitiveness and volume issues in certain areas. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.
- “The music is phenomenal and sets the mood perfectly throughout.”
- “The soundtrack had me bobbing my head, sometimes pausing to just take in the quality of the music.”
- “The music is incredibly good; I was not expecting to dig a soundtrack this much.”
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story
118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
69%
3%
The game's story, while simple and centered around a revenge theme with elements of amnesia, is described as quirky and intriguing, set in a Lovecraftian world. Players appreciate the character development and the balance between humor and serious storytelling, although many note that the narrative is currently incomplete and somewhat vague, leaving room for future expansion. Overall, the story is engaging enough to complement the gameplay, but it requires further development to reach its full potential.
- “This game is the breakout title by a small developer and publisher. Perfect Random Sulfur takes place in a world heavily influenced by the works of H.P. Lovecraft, following the story of a priest who has found himself trapped in an otherworldly dimension after his church is suddenly razed by an evil witch.”
- “From witchcraft and wizardry to laser machine guns, this game has it all. You start your journey as a possibly schizophrenic holy man who happens across a strange, possibly evil item that leads you on your quest for vengeance against the antagonist.”
- “The story is intriguing enough to make you want to see what's going to happen next while not being overbearing, and it's unnecessary to follow if you're just a fan of the gameplay.”
- “There are some bugs/typos here and there (I didn't notice them until ~5-10 hours in, but they exist), the story is unfinished, and it's generally just a little rough around the edges.”
- “At the time of writing this, the story isn't even done yet, leaving you on a screen that says 'coming soon.' So there will be changes and new additions to come.”
- “Currently, the story (adventure part) is incomplete, only part of the full story and levels, but there are plenty of hints and dialogues here and there to understand what is going on even at this stage.”
grinding
77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
1%
97%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be both rewarding and tedious. While many enjoy the process of leveling weapons and gathering resources, they also express frustration with the repetitive nature of grinding, particularly in caves, and the harsh penalties for dying, which can lead to significant setbacks. Overall, the game offers a mix of enjoyable grind mechanics and inventory management challenges, but some players feel it could benefit from better balance and variety to enhance the experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You spend hours grinding and then when you die (perma die) you lose all your gear (armor, weapons, potions etc.) plus all your money is gone; you only get a small fraction of your money back depending on how much you 'suffered' or in other words, how deep you progressed into the level.”
- “If you die, it can be very grindy to get back up to snuff.”
- “Progressing through caves after the third stage started getting a bit tedious as the enemies and areas are not varied enough and you end up seeing similar scenes.”
humor
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark, tongue-in-cheek wit and quirky, absurd elements, often showcased through funny dialogue, unique character designs, and whimsical cooking mechanics. Players appreciate the balance between comedic moments and serious storytelling, with many highlighting the game's inventive weapon customization and charming atmosphere as key contributors to its comedic appeal. Overall, the humor enhances the gameplay experience, making it both entertaining and engaging.
- “This and the tone let it balance the line between comedy and serious storytelling pretty well; the game takes itself seriously often enough to keep the jokes funny.”
- “The game itself maintains a darkly humorous tone throughout that is fitting for a priest gunning his way through the lands of limbo.”
- “The quirky dialogue, the tongue-in-cheek humor, and the silly depictions of loot.”
stability
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
93%
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of game-breaking glitches, significant frame rate drops, and various bugs that disrupt gameplay, such as freezing and clipping issues. While some players have experienced fewer problems, the overall consensus is that the game is too buggy for a polished experience, especially in its early access state. Despite these issues, many players still find enjoyment in the gameplay mechanics and potential of the game.
- “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.”
- “The game runs great, and the various mechanics and systems are simple yet with lots to discover.”
- “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.”
- “It is extremely buggy in some of the worst ways possible.”
- “Now the major weaknesses are the optimization (there's no excuse for a game like this to be dropping below 20 fps on a modern rig), the linear level design (you can keep backtracking out of any encounter, killing most of the game's challenge outside of the boss fights), the lackluster enemy AI (not only can they not punish your backtracking in any way by, say, flanking you, they also aggro at you before you even walk into a room, and then they follow you in a single line allowing you to kill them one by one as you backtrack), and of course, tons of bugs and buggy interactions (I lost a few cool guns I've grown attached to irreversibly to an enchantment that bugged them out completely).”
replayability
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
45%
5%
The game is praised for its high replayability, featuring endless modes, procedural level generation, and extensive weapon customization that encourage players to return for more. While some reviewers note that once a stage is completed, it may lack new content, the overall consensus is that the game's vibrant art style, solid mechanics, and diverse gameplay elements provide a compelling reason to replay. However, some players express a desire for additional content and optimization to enhance the replay experience further.
- “Infinite replayability is a great part of this game as well.”
- “Sulfur is an excellent first-person shoot 'em up, slice and dice role-playing game that features a ton of different NPCs, mobs, weapons, enchantments, recipes, clothing, and accessories in order to farm your way through well-designed and procedurally generated levels that offers endless replayability.”
- “It's a great roguelike FPS with a visually distinct art style, fantastic animations, and endless replayability.”
- “Also, 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.”
- “It's really fun but then suddenly it's over and there's no replay value; death becomes more annoying the further you get.”
- “Additional areas will only add a few play hours, so please make the game have some replay value as soon as possible.”
atmosphere
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
38%
8%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of whimsical and grimdark elements, enhanced by a phenomenal soundtrack and charming art style reminiscent of "Adventure Time." Players appreciate the game's chill ambiance, engaging sound design, and humorous dialogue, all of which contribute to a captivating experience despite minor early access bugs. Overall, the atmosphere is described as immersive and authentic, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “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!”
- “The art style looks like Adventure Time with the moment-to-moment mechanics of OG Doom, a soundtrack of chill, somewhat lo-fi beats with a spooky vibe that ties the atmosphere together.”
- “The atmosphere is simultaneously whimsical and grimdark, but the original soundtrack and playful presentation really make it mix tonally.”
- “You die quickly, and the atmosphere is tense.”
- “Weirdly chill atmosphere thanks to a lo-fi soundtrack and a soft, rounded, and minimalist art style.”
- “The atmosphere is simultaneously whimsical and grimdark, but the OST and playful presentation really make it mix tonally.”
monetization
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
92%
The monetization aspect of the game has received negative feedback, with players expressing frustration over intrusive ads and poor hit detection. Many users are calling for the addition of toggle options for ads and crouching, as well as a standard 1:1 sensitivity setting for aiming down sights (ADS) and hipfire, which is currently lacking and has not been addressed by the developers. Overall, the monetization strategy appears to detract from the gameplay experience, leading to comparisons with cash grabs.
- “I have seen cash grabs with less lag than this.”
- “Ads feel terrible.”
- “The game looks interesting and I'd be happy to try it again sometime, but for now it lacks this important accessibility feature of 1:1 hipfire to ads sensitivity, and the devs are unfortunately entirely silent on whether they intend to change this at any point down the line, despite my and others' asking about it for weeks.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a strong emotional connection to the game's mechanics, particularly the attachment to upgraded weapons, which can lead to feelings of dread when they are lost. However, some express frustration with repetitive environments that can contribute to emotional burnout, despite acknowledging the solid gunplay and overall optimization of the game.
- “Omg this game has become a second job for me; the oils, enchantments, guns, and attachments make you emotionally attached to a weapon that you have been upgrading, just to lose it. You get that feeling of dread. If you get me emotionally attached to a gun, you made a good extraction shooter.”
- “Heartbreaking defeats.”
- “It is easy to emotionally burn out seeing the same room three times in a single level.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development is highlighted through endearing designs and a cozy tone, complemented by a humorous, tongue-in-cheek approach. The art style enhances the overall charm, making the characters memorable and engaging.
- “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.”