SYREN
- February 16, 2017
- Hammerhead VR
Get on Steam"Syren" is a VR game where players first evade the failures of a submerged lab as a lab worker and then, in Episode 2, switch to a CIA agent named Manning, fighting to annihilate a dangerous breed of Syrens and reach the mystical Anomaly. The action-packed sequel comes included with the game or as a free DLC for existing owners.
Reviews
- The game offers a unique and immersive VR experience, particularly with the hide and seek mechanics that create tension and excitement.
- The graphics, especially on ultra settings, can be visually impressive and contribute to a scary atmosphere.
- The developers have shown responsiveness to feedback, implementing patches that improve gameplay and fix bugs.
- The control system is poorly designed, making interactions awkward and frustrating, which detracts from the overall experience.
- The AI behavior is predictable and lacks depth, leading to a less engaging gameplay experience.
- The game is relatively short, with many players feeling it lacks replay value and depth, making it hard to justify its price.
- graphics26 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players praising the visuals as "great" and "awesome," particularly at ultra settings, while others criticize them for being "blurry" and "smudged," especially on high settings. Despite initial disappointment, updates have reportedly improved the graphics, allowing players to appreciate finer details, though issues with anti-aliasing and overall clarity remain. Overall, while the graphics contribute positively to the game's atmosphere, they still require further optimization to meet player expectations.
“Game settings - I picked ultra graphics (looks amazing if you can run it!) then I chose the left touchpad locomotion because I'm sick of teleporting around in other games.”
“Honestly, I hope everyone gets a chance to re-review the game either from now or after further bug fix updates - but compared to some of the hobbled-together tripe I've seen released over the last year for the Vive, this is a genuinely terrifying, beautifully graphic, and now well-controlled first-person survival horror title and it needs far more praise than I've seen on the Steam reviews here.”
“Graphics looked good, the environment was underwater which reminded me of Bioshock; it looked like a horror game which I love.”
“Graphics even at ultra settings still look 'smudged' and are nowhere near the quality of the trailers.”
“Initial reaction was disappointment - as others have said on max graphics settings the game is really blurry - classic UE4 issue that I've seen in a few other titles.”
“At the highest graphics setting it's still blurry.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay is reminiscent of "Alien: Isolation," featuring detailed environments and a survival horror atmosphere, but it suffers from pacing issues and a lack of core mechanics. While players appreciate the initial immersion, they express frustration with bugs and the overall mechanics, which they feel require significant improvement. Despite these drawbacks, the game does offer more complexity as players progress to new areas.
“I was wowed by the detailed and well-modeled environments and the gameplay, which is reminiscent of Alien: Isolation, one of my favorite survival horror games of all time.”
“Also, the bug when an enemy scuttles into a vent is hilarious due to her going over the top of the vent and vanishing - slightly killing the atmosphere :) But as soon as you get to the next level/area (only takes a couple of minutes once you've retried it a few times), you realize there's a lot more mechanics to play around with, and the game opens up more.”
“I would compare this to Alien: Isolation style of gameplay.”
“The problem lies in a few things, one of which is pretty much a core mechanic and will probably never be fixed.”
“The game mechanics are a complete joke; there are none.”
“The game mechanics need serious work before I would recommend this.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with players reporting significant issues such as freezing during encounters with AI characters, particularly mermaids, which detracts from the overall experience. Many users feel the game is unpolished and buggy, leading to frustration and disappointment given its price point. Despite some minor glitches, the game's core mechanics and interactions are described as poorly executed.
“I don't know if they just got lazy partway in or what, but I don't see how they could in good conscience call this game done and ask as much money as they have for the privilege of playing their buggy, unpolished game.”
“The mermaids are not scary, their AI is bad, and the way they interact with you is awful. If you are being chased and they get within a certain range, the game freezes you, regardless of whether or not you die, or if they are running into a wall for eternity.”
“Then point the Vive controller like a wand and fire with the thumb pad... it's really buggy right now as well.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users generally find the game's replayability lacking, with some feeling that the limited content does not justify its price. Additionally, gameplay mechanics, such as movement controls, impact the overall experience, suggesting that improvements could enhance replay value.
“And given it has very little replay value, it's just not worth $20 for that length.”
“I found it a lot more playable in teleport movement than in locomotion movement, as it meant I didn't need to worry about trying to use a fire extinguisher in my left hand on the same button that would walk me forward. Again, an update patch is required.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its unintentional comedic moments, such as a bug where an enemy comically vanishes into a vent, and poorly executed animations that detract from immersion. While these elements may disrupt the atmosphere, they also provide a lightheartedness that some players find amusing.
“The bug when an enemy scuttles into a vent is hilarious due to her going over the top of the vent and vanishing, slightly killing the atmosphere. But as soon as you get to the next level, you realize there's a lot more mechanics to play around with, and the game opens up more.”
“The animations are hilariously bad and make you lose all sense of immersion.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is generally engaging, with players appreciating the variety of mechanics that enhance the experience as they progress. However, some humorous bugs, such as enemies disappearing into vents, can momentarily disrupt immersion. Overall, the atmosphere improves significantly as players advance through different levels.
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the world and making every moment feel significant.”
“The sound design and visuals work together beautifully to create a hauntingly captivating atmosphere that keeps you on edge.”
“Each area has its own unique ambiance, making exploration feel rewarding and engaging.”
“The bug when an enemy scuttles into a vent is hilarious due to her going over the top of the vent and vanishing, slightly killing the atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth and immersion that I expected from the game.”
“Despite some interesting mechanics, the overall atmosphere fails to engage, making it hard to stay invested in the experience.”
