Symbiotic

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 134 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
Symbiotic Game Cover
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Symbiotic is a fast-paced, first-person roguelike shooter where you, an escaped prisoner, stole a real monster of a weapon: The Symbiote. Fight with an evolving weapon and escape!

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 134 reviews
gameplay9 positive mentions
stability6 negative mentions
  • The game offers a unique concept with a satisfying gameplay loop that combines FPS mechanics with roguelike elements.
  • Visually appealing with a distinct art style reminiscent of games like Borderlands, and the sound design, while needing improvement, adds to the overall experience.
  • It's free to play, making it an accessible option for those looking for a short, fun gaming experience.
  • The movement mechanics feel overly slippery and unrefined, leading to frustrating gameplay moments.
  • The final boss is disproportionately difficult compared to earlier encounters, often resulting in instant deaths that can discourage players.
  • The game suffers from various bugs, including crashes and enemies getting stuck, which detracts from the overall enjoyment.
  • gameplay22 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a fun and rewarding loop with enjoyable mechanics and upgrade options, though it suffers from clunky movement and some balance issues. While the game features a solid foundation and engaging core mechanics, it is hindered by flaws such as poor collision detection and sound mixing. Overall, it offers a decent experience, especially for fans of the genre, but may not appeal to everyone due to its inconsistencies.

    • “Great game, rewarding gameplay loop that has nearly endless combinations for upgrades.”
    • “I would say it's more fun than frustrating as the gameplay and weapon mechanics work hand in hand and is a good amount of fun for any shooter fan.”
    • “The fact that this is a free game, with fun gameplay and it's fun to replay makes this a very strong recommendation.”
    • “This is a rogue lite with pseudo random generated rooms (there are like 4 or 5 rooms and 3 boss rooms) and FPS gameplay... your weapon is upgraded as you gain levels by picking between two random power-ups.”
    • “Unfortunately, the somewhat decent gameplay also comes with a handful of flaws that deter the game from being as enjoyable as it could be.”
    • “Collisions and NPCs must be reworked for a better gameplay experience.”
  • music20 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its aesthetic and fit within the game's tone, while others criticize its repetitiveness and lack of melody. Many noted issues with sound design, such as the music cutting off abruptly and being drowned out by loud weapon sound effects. Overall, while the soundtrack has moments of appeal, it suffers from a lack of variety and cohesion, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “The music sounds good, but I'm not sure if it fits the theme of the aesthetics, and I would prefer there to be a better transition from the main music theme to the boss theme music.”
    • “The music and gameplay seem fairly solid and straightforward.”
    • “Amazing soundtrack, level design, and AI.”
    • “The weapon sound effects are a bit too loud; you can't hear the music very well when firing, and that is especially true when you get the fireworks upgrade.”
    • “Music is kind of neat at first but has a very lousy and noticeable loop where it just ends mid-song and starts up again.”
    • “Generally, sound design is lacking all over; the game would have benefited from a hit notification sound effect, alongside a level up sound effect, and an extended music loop, or at least one that did not cut off in the middle of the song and then replay from the beginning.”
  • graphics18 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally praised for their unique art style, reminiscent of titles like Borderlands, with a fun and visually appealing aesthetic. However, many users express frustration over the lack of graphics settings, such as FOV and sensitivity adjustments, which detracts from the overall experience. Additionally, issues like inconsistent projectile graphics and performance drops during enemy spawns highlight the need for better optimization.

    • “The graphics are simple and look good; explosive bullets are extremely overpowered, and the progression feels fine.”
    • “This is a roguelike with very interesting cell-shaded graphics.”
    • “Absolutely love the art style.”
    • “Has that trademark Unity jank feel to movement, enemies keep on getting stuck to walls, and the game lacks any options for graphics settings or keybinds, and not even an FOV slider.”
    • “The projectiles and graphics for them are very weird and inconsistent, which isn't a huge deal but it is distracting.”
    • “Actual game is fun, but it has little to no optimization and no graphics options so when an enemy spawns you instantly go to 20 FPS and the music stutters.”
  • optimization8 mentions

    The game's optimization is widely criticized, with players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, lag during intense moments, and low frame rates when multiple enemies or health drops are present. Many users suggest that improvements are necessary, particularly in boss rooms and level design, to enhance overall gameplay experience. Despite these issues, players still find the game enjoyable and believe that better optimization could elevate it further.

    • “The game lags heavily upon enough modifiers, so some optimization would be needed.”
    • “Very good game, an upgrade on performance would be great but still an incredibly good game.”
    • “Actual game is fun, but it has little to no optimization and no graphics options, so when an enemy spawns you instantly go to 20 fps and the music stutters.”
    • “The performance is also very, very bad.”
    • “Next, I would recommend the optimization be worked on a little; when using a build that summons a lot of health drops, it quickly lags the game.”
    • “The game lags heavily with enough modifiers, so some optimization would be needed.”
  • story7 mentions

    The game's story is minimal, with players noting a lack of substantial narrative or backstory, which some find refreshing while others desire more depth. While there are small lore elements tied to upgrades and items, the overall experience is primarily focused on gameplay rather than storytelling. Many players appreciate the game's atmosphere and mechanics, suggesting that a more developed story could enhance the experience, but ultimately feel that the absence of a plot does not detract from their enjoyment.

    • “Little tidbits of lore for the different upgrades and items give a sense of care and potential for a greater story.”
    • “Other than all of this, this game is fun and has a new take on it. I would love to see some more story elements, or maybe secret rooms to find extra rewards or mutations.”
    • “I found a small YouTuber that made a review on this game not long after its release, and as soon as I started playing, I felt hooked to the game. I haven't been in the roguelike genre for long, but this has got to be one of my favorite games.”
    • “Honestly, the plot doesn't even need to be there because there's literally no story in the game.”
    • “It just throws you in with no backstory and you just, well, play.”
    • “I don't see why game developers feel the need to add in pointless plots and storylines when the game clearly doesn't need one.”
  • stability6 mentions

    The game has a promising concept but suffers from significant stability issues, with numerous bugs affecting gameplay, such as problematic enemy placements and floaty movement. While players find the game enjoyable, the lack of polish detracts from the overall experience.

    • “The concept of this game is great, but it's just too unpolished and buggy to be fun.”
    • “Enemy placement: this isn't about buggy enemies trapped in walls or out of bounds... this is about coming into a room and having an exploding enemy spawn right next to you.”
    • “Bit buggy though and movement feels kind of floaty to me.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Players appreciate the game's engaging gameplay and nostalgic atmosphere, which contribute to its replayability, despite some noting that the lack of a deep story may limit long-term interest. Overall, the combination of fun mechanics and an appealing soundtrack keeps players coming back for more.

    • “Super fun to play and a lot of replayability.”
    • “I found a small YouTuber that made a review on this game not long after its release, and as soon as I started playing, I felt hooked. I haven't been in the roguelike genre for long, but this has got to be one of my favorite games. The game gives you that doom kind of feeling because of its appearance, and the soundtrack is really awesome.”
    • “I haven't been in the roguelike genre for long, but this has got to be one of my favorite games. I know there isn't much story or anything, and replayability can be a bit hard after a while, but the game just gives you that Doom kind of feeling because of its appearance.”
    • “The game is fun at first, but after a few runs, it starts to feel repetitive. The lack of variety in gameplay makes it hard to stay engaged for long periods.”
    • “While the initial experience is enjoyable, the replayability suffers due to limited content and predictable patterns. It quickly loses its charm after a few playthroughs.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is well-received, featuring amusing bugs reminiscent of the style found in "Doom." However, it may not be suitable for players with a fear of insects.

    • “Very good, like Doom! The funny bugs add a unique twist, but it's not recommended for people with entomophobia.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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