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 1,733 reviews

gameplay134 positive mentions

optimization24 negative mentions

Really fun rogue-like with a super nice art style!
Fantastic gameplay loop with a variety of weapons and customization options.
Great music and atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.

Too many bugs and performance issues, especially with frame drops and enemies spawning in walls.
Losing all gear upon death can be frustrating and discouraging.
Limited enemy variety and some mechanics feel unbalanced or underwhelming.

gameplay
311 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
55%
2%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a highly addictive loop that combines elements of roguelikes and extraction shooters, featuring satisfying gunplay, unique weapon customization, and a variety of mechanics such as cooking and crafting. While many players appreciate the engaging combat and immersive world, some criticize the repetitiveness of certain levels, enemy AI, and performance issues, suggesting that the game still requires further polish and content expansion. Overall, the gameplay is seen as fun and rewarding, with a charming art style that enhances the experience.
- “Gameplay is smooth and attention grabbing; you have to pay close attention to enemy types and prioritize killing one over the other.”
- “The gameplay loop is engaging, fun, and incredibly addictive.”
- “The core gameplay loop keeps you coming back for more, even when you find yourself yelling at the screen due to a pesky bug or an unbalanced mechanic.”
- “It's boring and shallow - the map generation doesn't have that many pieces to iterate upon; loot, armor, and weapon enhancements do not make any meaningful impact on gameplay (it's all standard 'shoot-n-kite bots' type of gameplay).”
- “Do not buy an early access game for a promise of a better gameplay loop - the devs have not delivered it yet.”
- “The gameplay loop is relatively straightforward, you enter a level with a gun or two, kill enemies to level up those guns, and add on upgrades - some dependent on the guns' level, others you can put on whenever.”
graphics
201 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
45%
1%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and charming art style, which combines a cartoonish aesthetic with engaging gameplay mechanics. While many players find the visuals appealing and well-suited to the game's tone, some have noted performance issues and optimization challenges that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the art style is considered a standout feature, contributing to the game's fun and addictive nature.
- “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.”
- “The graphics are amazing, and the music is fun to listen to while fighting!”
- “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.”
- “There are some banding issues caused by the art style, but they can be fixed with special K and remastering render passes if you have an HDR monitor.”
- “I was experiencing severe frame drops and lag issues during the tutorial and beyond.”
- “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.”
music
166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
42%
2%
The music in the game has received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many players praising its chill, lo-fi, and catchy qualities that enhance the overall atmosphere. While some find the soundtrack repetitive after extended play, others describe it as phenomenal and a standout feature that complements the gameplay. Overall, the music is seen as a significant asset, contributing to the game's unique charm and engaging experience.
- “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 so good, words won't do it justice, I'll never get bored of it.”
- “However, the soundtrack is haunting me; I'm hearing it in my sleep.”
- “The music is atrocious (seriously, it feels like you're listening to a free rap instrumental on SoundCloud).”
- “The music really does not fit into the game, and I have it off and just play my own music.”
optimization
161 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
76%
15%
The game's optimization has been a significant concern among players, with many reporting severe performance issues, particularly in later levels where the accumulation of dead bodies leads to drastic frame rate drops. While recent patches have improved performance for some, many still experience instability and bugs that detract from the overall experience. Overall, while the game shows potential, it requires further optimization to ensure a smoother gameplay experience.
- “The single gripe I had about the game, the performance, was recently patched and the game runs excellently now.”
- “With the recent performance upgrade, it's removed one of my few complaints about the gameplay.”
- “Great game, performance has massively improved since the last update.”
- “There is some pretty bad performance issues at times that can put you in danger of dying on a run.”
- “The performance issues in the game became more and more apparent with each and every area.”
- “The absolute biggest reason not to play this game is the honest to god horrible optimization.”
story
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
68%
5%
The story in the game is described as intriguing and quirky, with a unique premise that draws players in, though it is currently incomplete and lacks depth in certain areas. While some players appreciate the environmental storytelling and character writing, others find the narrative vague and underdeveloped, with many expressing a desire for more content and clearer objectives. Overall, the story shows potential and is engaging enough to keep players interested, but it requires further development to fully realize its promise.
- “The story is intriguing enough to make you want to see what's going to happen next while not overbearing, and it's unnecessary to follow if you're just a fan of the gameplay.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “The storyline is a bit vague and rushed in the early stages; this will probably change.”
grinding
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The reviews highlight a mixed perception of grinding in the game, with many players finding it both addictive and tedious. While some enjoy the grind for loot and upgrades, others criticize the repetitive nature of certain areas and the lack of variety in enemy encounters, leading to a sense of monotony. Additionally, the loss of gear upon death adds to the frustration of grinding, although some players appreciate the challenge it presents.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I'd say the one criticism I have is the level generation uses pre-set rooms, so runs can get kinda same-y when you're grinding the same area.”
- “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.”
- “The only critique that I would have is the fact that it heavily encourages grinding caves in order to get better gear before progressing to newer zones.”
humor
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky, darkly comedic tone, featuring funny dialogue, bizarre character interactions, and whimsical elements like a unique cooking system. Players appreciate the blend of goofy humor with stylistic gore, as well as the charming art style and inventive weapon customization that contribute to a lighthearted yet engaging experience. Overall, the game's humor enhances its appeal, making it a standout in the extraction shooter genre.
- “If you enjoy goofy humor, a bit of stylistic gore, and extraction shooters, oh my goodness do you have a gem in here.”
- “The quirky dialogue, the tongue-in-cheek humor, the silly depictions of loot.”
- “The game itself maintains a darkly humorous tone throughout that is fitting for a priest gunning his way through the lands of limbo.”
replayability
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
42%
9%
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players enjoying the diverse biomes, unique weapon customization, and procedural level generation that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, some users noted that once certain stages are completed, the lack of new content and unique bosses can diminish the replay experience. Despite these concerns, the game's engaging mechanics and vibrant art style contribute to its appeal for repeated play.
- “Unique art style, extreme replayability, and I'm pretty sure this was developed by someone who is also a firearms enthusiast based on a lot of the small details.”
- “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.”
- “There's a lot of replayability which isn't as common as other games similar to this.”
- “It's really fun but then suddenly it's over and no replay value; death becomes more annoying the further you get.”
- “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.”
- “So, after wrapping up everything I said - Sulfur is a well-made game, its gameplay is beautiful, pretty much replayable, but it still needs better optimization and more content needs to be added.”
stability
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
94%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous reports of bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including random freezes, FPS drops, and game-breaking interactions. While some players have managed to enjoy the experience despite these issues, many express frustration over the frequency and severity of the problems, particularly in early access. Overall, the game shows potential but is currently hindered by its unstable performance.
- “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.”
- “There are glitches and bugs aplenty, and somehow I have played around 40 hours within two to three weeks of buying it.”
- “Some glitches result in game-breaking and run-ending deaths, such as enemies clipping into walls, movement bugs clipping the player into inescapable pits, and unnecessary damage.”
- “Way too buggy to be sold right now.”
atmosphere
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
30%
15%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its engaging sound design, whimsical yet grimdark tone, and unique art style reminiscent of "Adventure Time." Players appreciate the combination of chill, lofi music with satisfying gunplay and humorous dialogue, creating a captivating ambiance that enhances the overall experience. Despite some minor bugs, the game's distinct aesthetic and immersive atmosphere contribute to a fun and memorable gameplay loop.
- “I love the atmosphere and the music.”
- “The art style is fantastic too; it’s clean and minimal while also creating a distinct aesthetic and atmosphere.”
- “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!”
- “You die quickly, and the atmosphere is tense.”
- “The atmosphere is simultaneously whimsical and grimdark, but the OST and playful presentation really make it mix tonally.”
- “Weirdly chill atmosphere thanks to a lo-fi soundtrack and a soft, rounded, and minimalist art style.”
monetization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
90%
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism primarily due to intrusive ads and poor hit detection, which detracts from the overall experience. Players express frustration over the lack of a toggle for ads and the confusing sensitivity settings, particularly the discrepancy between aim down sights (ADS) and hipfire sensitivity, which many feel should adhere to standard conventions. Overall, the game's monetization strategy appears to be a significant barrier to enjoyment, with players hoping for improvements and clearer communication from the developers.
- “I appreciate that the monetization model is fair and doesn't force you to spend money to enjoy the game.”
- “The option to purchase cosmetic items is a nice touch, allowing players to customize their experience without impacting gameplay.”
- “I love that there are no paywalls; you can progress through the game without feeling pressured to spend money.”
- “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
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, particularly through the attachment to upgraded weapons, which can lead to feelings of dread when they are lost. However, some also experience emotional burnout from repetitive environments, highlighting a mix of intense highs and frustrating lows in their gaming experience. Overall, the emotional engagement is significant, driven by both the thrill of progression and the pain of loss.
- “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.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is highlighted through endearing designs and a cozy tone, complemented by tongue-in-cheek humor. The art style enhances the overall charm, contributing to a positive player experience.
- “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.”