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.
PC
Virtual Reality
Windows
Oculus Rift
Reviews
- The game offers a unique hide-and-seek experience in a VR space station, creating a tense atmosphere that feels immersive.
- The graphics, especially on ultra settings, can look great and contribute to the overall horror experience.
- The developers have shown responsiveness to feedback, implementing patches that improve gameplay mechanics and fix bugs.
- The control system is awkward and unmanageable, making interactions frustrating and detracting from the overall experience.
- The game is very short, with many players reporting completion times of around two hours, leading to a lack of replay value.
- There are significant issues with AI behavior and level design, which can lead to repetitive trial-and-error gameplay and immersion-breaking moments.
- graphics52 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 8 % 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 improvements noted in updates, many users still report issues with anti-aliasing and overall clarity, suggesting that further optimization is needed. Overall, while the game has potential for stunning visuals, technical shortcomings have hindered the experience for some players.
“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.”
“Update as of 17/02/2017 - the graphics issue has been resolved - no more smudge on the lens - can really appreciate the finer details in the environment now.”
“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.”
“While the graphics itself is not the deal breaker, on the highest graphic settings everything was just a blur making it hard to read text and, overall, the blur just made it difficult to feel immersed.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay is reminiscent of "Alien: Isolation," featuring detailed environments and a survival horror atmosphere, but it suffers from significant mechanical issues and pacing problems due to its short length. While players may initially find the mechanics lacking, the game does expand in complexity as they progress, though many reviewers feel that core gameplay elements need substantial improvement. Overall, the experience is marred by bugs and a lack of polish, detracting from the immersive potential.
“I was wowed by the detailed and well-modeled environments and the gameplay, which is reminiscent of Alien: Isolation, which is one of my most 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.”
- stability8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with users reporting significant bugs and AI issues, particularly with the mermaids causing game freezes during encounters. Many feel the game is unpolished and not worth its price, citing a lack of attention to detail and overall poor performance. Despite some minor glitches, the game still manages to deliver a frightening experience, but the technical problems detract from its enjoyment.
“I don't know if they just got lazy part way 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, 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... what the f***, it's really buggy right now as well.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is criticized for having very little replay value, leading some players to question its worth at a $20 price point. Additionally, gameplay mechanics, particularly movement options, impact the overall experience, suggesting that improvements could enhance replayability.
“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.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is derived from its amusing bugs and poorly executed animations, which, while detracting from immersion, provide comedic moments, such as enemies disappearing into vents in a ridiculous manner. Players find these elements entertaining, even if they disrupt the overall atmosphere.
“The animations are hilariously bad and make you lose all sense of immersion.”
“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.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is generally engaging, though some humorous bugs, such as enemies disappearing into vents, can detract from the immersion. However, players find that as they progress to new levels, the introduction of additional mechanics enhances the overall experience.
“The bug when an enemy scuttles into a vent is hilarious due to her going over the top of the vent and vanishing, which slightly kills the atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere is often disrupted by glitches that take away from the immersion of the game.”
“While the game has potential, the inconsistent atmosphere due to technical issues makes it hard to stay engaged.”
