SYNTHETIK 2

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,591 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
SYNTHETIK 2 Game Cover
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Synthetik 2 is a tactical, rogue-like shooter set in a dystopian world overrun by synthetic lifeforms. Featuring deep customization, challenging gameplay, and destructible environments, players must use skill and strategy to battle their way through hordes of enemies and powerful bosses. With a wide range of weapons, abilities, and character classes to choose from, Synthetik 2 offers endless replayability and a intense, immersive experience.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,591 reviews
gameplay76 positive mentions
optimization18 negative mentions
  • The game has improved significantly since its early access launch, with better graphics, sound design, and gameplay mechanics.
  • The gunplay is satisfying, with impactful sounds and visuals that enhance the overall experience.
  • The developers are responsive to community feedback and actively work on updates, showing dedication to improving the game.
  • The game is still in early access and lacks content compared to the original Synthetik, with some features and mechanics feeling incomplete.
  • There are numerous bugs and performance issues that can disrupt gameplay, including crashes and unresponsive controls.
  • The UI is cluttered and unintuitive, making it difficult for players to navigate menus and understand item mechanics.
  • gameplay257 mentions

    The gameplay of Synthetik 2 has received mixed reviews, with many praising its fast-paced, tactical combat and engaging mechanics that build on the original's foundation. However, some players find the gameplay slower and more cumbersome than its predecessor, citing issues with confusing menus, bugs, and a lack of polish that detracts from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the core gameplay loop remains addictive and enjoyable, with potential for improvement as the game continues to evolve in early access.

    • “The gameplay is a nice blend of highly tactical where thinking can get the job done with moments of intense mechanical skill expression popping up occasionally.”
    • “The core gameplay is really solid and there's plenty of run variety when it comes to classes, weapons, and items.”
    • “The gameplay loop is great!”
    • “But navigating menus in this game is somehow more confusing and overwhelming than the actual gameplay.”
    • “The presentation is dull, the gameplay feels hollow, the weapons are unsatisfying in accuracy and give terrible feedback when fired, and the controls are just... wrong on multiple levels.”
    • “The gameplay feels slow and clunky compared to the original, half the stage spots you the moment you move after starting a level, and half of the sound effects are recycled from the first game.”
  • graphics156 mentions

    The graphics in Synthetik 2 have received mixed reviews, with many praising the significant upgrade to 3D visuals and improved environmental design, which enhance the overall aesthetic and gameplay experience. However, some players feel that the new art style lacks the sharpness and distinctiveness of the original, leading to visual clutter that can obscure gameplay. Additionally, performance issues and bugs have been noted, detracting from the otherwise impressive graphical presentation.

    • “Awesome game, better than the first one in my opinion, graphics are beautiful. I've completed it several times and have never encountered bugs.”
    • “In its current state, I would say it's a worthy successor to the first. The major addition is the jump to 3D graphics, which they pulled off extremely well. Some of the areas with their color palettes and lighting make for a distinct art style that transferred over very well.”
    • “The graphics look amazing, especially compared to Synthetik 1's lovable but simplistic designs.”
    • “It feels like a worse version of the first game with better graphics.”
    • “The graphics are generic and smoothed compared to the first game where everything is sharp and geometric.”
    • “While the move to 3D may have been made with aesthetics in mind, it can be argued that visual clarity should take priority in a fast-paced action game.”
  • music122 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its energetic and engaging soundtrack that enhances the fast-paced gameplay, often describing it as a "banger" or "slaps." However, some users expressed disappointment with the new tracks compared to the original game's soundtrack, noting issues like audio bugs and a lack of variety. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally well-received, there are calls for improvements and additional tracks to better match the intensity of the gameplay.

    • “The soundtrack is excellent (please please add to Bandcamp/Spotify) and the gameplay is fast and engaging.”
    • “Excellent tactical shooter with an incredible 80s synthwave dubstep soundtrack that expertly increases in pace and intensity to go along with the firefight.”
    • “The music matches what you are doing so as the battles get intense, the music does as well.”
    • “The music is muddled and lacks distinction; certain instruments are not emphasized as they should and feel very muffled.”
    • “Overall, not a bad game, but the music could use some serious extra variety, and the bosses need some boss music.”
    • “The music, if it is not taken from the first game, also sucks; it just is some background noise that is high-pitched and hummy, unlike the sharp abrasiveness of much of the first game's music, especially the military bay music which stomps this soundtrack to bits.”
  • optimization64 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting persistent performance issues, including low frame rates and stuttering, even on capable hardware. While some updates have improved performance, the game is still considered poorly optimized, particularly during intense gameplay scenarios. Users express a strong desire for further optimization and bug fixes to enhance the overall experience.

    • “The performance, while relatively demanding on the hardware, has been improved considerably and there are a lot less moments of desynchronization in co-op.”
    • “As of February 2023, the most recent update has massively improved performance.”
    • “Overall it has potential, but requires polishing, bug squashing, graphic optimization, etc.”
    • “Seriously, after 4 years, the game still runs so bad... horrible performance, what a shame.”
    • “The updates have been extremely far apart, with major bugs (saving broken, new features like in-game progress of finding guns broken), performance issues, and networking issues persisting for months because the cadence for updates and bug fixes is measured in quarters, not weeks.”
    • “The most severe problem in my honest opinion is the god-awful performance.”
  • stability51 mentions

    The game is currently plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, significantly impacting gameplay and stability, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some players note improvements and enjoyable core mechanics, many express frustration over persistent issues that can render the game unplayable at times. Overall, it remains a work in progress, with ongoing updates aimed at addressing these stability concerns.

    • “It also runs great.”
    • “I'm playing on a 3090 and the game runs great. However, when switching to the Steam Deck, the game runs anywhere from 20 to 40 FPS. I hope you'll optimize it significantly; I understand that it's early access, but I hope you'll take it seriously.”
    • “The game is good but it's still buggy and they are updating it very often.”
    • “It is an absolute buggy mess - worse than many EA titles you'll see.”
    • “I haven't been able to complete a single run without noticeable, persistent glitches and two crashes in a minuscule playtime.”
  • story16 mentions

    The story aspect of the game is generally perceived as lacking depth, with many reviewers noting that it prioritizes gameplay mechanics over narrative. While some find the premise engaging—comparing it to a futuristic John Wick scenario—others feel that the storytelling is minimal and not as polished as in previous installments. Overall, the game seems to focus more on mechanical mastery than on delivering a compelling story.

    • “If John Wick was around in the distant future, tasked to destroy a never-ending army of killer robots, this would be that story, and you would be John Wick.”
    • “This game isn't in the same state as Synthetik 1 is right now, but I can see how this game, if given the time and love it deserves, can surpass the first game in gameplay, mechanics, story, and feel.”
    • “S1 is a superb game, but S2, good in production, tells another story about the studio... they can deliver, they can evolve.”
    • “It is a rogue-lite game based on mastering the mechanical elements of the gameplay rather than telling a story.”
    • “Synthetik 2 is a game where you play as a member of the android resistance, but the game is very light on story.”
    • “The quest system doesn't seem to exist anymore, or I just haven't encountered it yet.”
  • replayability12 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, driven by diverse classes, varied enemies, and engaging gameplay mechanics. While some users note that the current content is limited, they express excitement for future updates that promise to enhance the experience further. The integration of mod support also contributes positively to the game's replay value.

    • “The different classes give great replayability, and I enjoyed trying them all out.”
    • “Gameplay is surprisingly deep with lots of replayability, and the soundtrack is excellent.”
    • “No replay value.”
    • “The first game is admittedly in a league of its own in terms of quality and replay value, but I'd be lying if I said that wasn't an incredibly fun hour.”
    • “The content is small so far but very replayable; the enemies and weapons are varied, and I'm very excited to see the later updates to add even more!”
  • grinding11 mentions

    Reviews highlight a mixed sentiment towards grinding in the game, with some players finding it tedious and sluggish, particularly due to cumbersome mechanics like reloading and the need for multiple tokens to unlock subclasses. While some enjoy the challenge of grinding bosses, others feel that the gameplay lacks excitement and has become monotonous, detracting from the overall experience. Ultimately, the perception of grindiness seems to depend on individual player enjoyment and tolerance for repetitive tasks.

    • “It's just tedious.”
    • “Sluggish, tedious to play.”
    • “I really hate to leave a bad review, but after watching this game turtle through development, constantly adding and changing minor things that add no real value to the formula while also sticking to a slower, more tedious, and more yawn-inducing gameplay, I just really don't know how the devs lost the plot.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, featuring amusing moments such as unexpected enemy placements and comical mishaps in cooperative play, though some aspects may become repetitive. Players appreciate the quirky design choices, like synths resembling buckets, and find joy in humorous bugs and dialogue reminiscent of the previous installment. However, there are concerns about the presence of inappropriate humor, which detracts from the overall comedic experience.

    • “Co-op is still in its early phase; my friend immediately auto-knifing and downing me after I revived him is pretty funny the first few times, but I guess it's going to get old soon.”
    • “Funny robot go shooty.”
    • “Synths look like they have buckets on their heads rather than helmets, but I think that is funny.”
  • monetization5 mentions

    Overall, the monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews. While some players appreciate the absence of microtransactions and cash grabs, highlighting the game's straightforward and enjoyable experience, others express disappointment over perceived cash grab elements and a decline in quality compared to previous titles.

    • “The game is simple and fun, moderately challenging (for now), no performance issues, no cheap stuff ruining the fun (so far), no microtransactions, and apparently the game receives updates constantly, which is good.”
    • “No cosmetics, no microtransactions, nothing to leech your money.”
    • “Like, why does the 'elite' signifier on an enemy health bar have to be a huge neon advertisement that's 1/10 of the screen total?”
    • “This seems like an actual cash grab. I'm so disappointed; not only is there so much stuff that needs to be fixed in Synthetik 2, but this game is a complete downgrade and mockery of what Synthetik was. Don't support this game or the developers; I don't even recommend buying the original game.”
    • “[glares at hundreds of half-assed early access cash grabs]”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the detailed and visually appealing environments enhanced by the transition to full 3D, others find the gloomy settings hinder visibility, suggesting a need for clearer enemy visibility, possibly through night vision. Overall, the atmosphere is praised for its depth and improvement during early access, but clarity remains a concern for some.

    • “+ sick atmosphere”
    • “The maps can look pretty and the visually animated elements can be nice, but often I would prefer being able to see the enemies clearly rather than having a gloomy atmosphere. Night vision, maybe?”
    • “The transition to full 3D has done the game well, and I love the level of detail and atmosphere we are getting in these new environments, which have only been improved throughout early access.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is seen as a work in progress, with designs lacking polish but offering a solid foundation for future enhancements.

    • “The character designs aren't very polished, but they provide a solid foundation for future improvements.”
    • “The depth of character backstories adds a rich layer to the gameplay experience.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is perceived as lacking depth, with players noting that certain weapons, like snipers, fail to evoke strong feelings or impact compared to other options available.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

187hMedian play time
265hAverage play time
3-300hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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