Terminus: Zombie Survivors
- August 19, 2024
- longplay
- 6h median play time
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Get on itch.io StoreTerminus: Zombie Survivors is a top-down shooter game set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. Players must gather resources, build bases, and fight off hordes of the undead to survive. The game features various weapons, characters, and enemy types, ensuring a challenging and immersive experience. Co-op gameplay and PvP modes are also available for added replayability.
Mac OS
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- Engaging turn-based gameplay that allows for strategic planning and decision-making.
- High replayability with multiple classes, traits, and endings to explore.
- Great attention to detail in mechanics, creating a tense and immersive survival experience.
- Action point (AP) management can feel tedious and disrupts the flow of gameplay.
- Weapon durability is overly harsh, leading to frequent equipment loss during runs.
- Some mechanics, like crafting and resource management, feel underdeveloped and could use more depth.
- gameplay132 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a blend of simple yet engaging mechanics, offering a mix of turn-based strategy and survival elements that are easy to learn but challenging to master. While some players appreciate the depth and variety of classes and mechanics, others find the gameplay loop can become repetitive and tedious over time. Overall, the game provides a solid foundation with enjoyable mechanics, though it may require further balancing and content to enhance the experience.
“The turn-based aspect seamlessly blends into the gameplay, allowing you to optimize your movements, but is simple enough to skip through without hassle if needed.”
“The gameplay loop is very fun, and it's very rewarding when your character gets to the point where things really get easier.”
“The core gameplay loop is excellent, and there are a variety of classes, different modes, and player-made objectives that make this game an absolute bargain.”
“The tediousness of clicking everywhere and searching every nook and cranny for crumbs to avoid starving gets old pretty quick when it consists of most of the gameplay.”
“And then about five hours in you realize that it's just another procedural 'pick your route to the top of the tower' game with a really clunky and repetitive core mechanic, and that all of the crafting and skill-based stuff is completely superfluous to the core game.”
“While resource management in regards to food and water is finely tuned, things like the clothing durability mechanic are really poorly implemented; in the game, the temperature constantly gets colder for at least the first 200 days or so and you need to have clothes to survive.”
- graphics38 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as simple, minimalist, and retro-pixel, reminiscent of classic titles, which some players appreciate for their nostalgic value. While many reviewers note that the graphics are not particularly impressive, they often emphasize that they effectively support the gameplay experience, allowing for immersion and enjoyment despite their basic nature. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the visuals may not stand out, they do not detract from the game's engaging mechanics and atmosphere.
“An excellent example of strong gameplay with effective graphics.”
“The art style and visual effects are really good and well accomplished.”
“Fantastic game, awesome graphics, tons of fun!”
“Well done zombie survival game, if you can look past the very simplistic graphics.”
“Disappointed with the difficulty curve, slow interface (especially for the 90's-style graphics) and the tedium - hoping there's some improvements, but can't recommend it at the moment.”
“The graphics are nothing to write home about but the audio is a dread-filled nightmare fest.”
- replayability32 mentions
- 72 % positive mentions
- 19 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its high replayability, attributed to numerous micro-decisions, multiple endings, and a diverse trait and profession system that encourages varied playstyles. Players appreciate the depth and versatility in gameplay, with many noting that each run offers a unique experience, despite some mentioning occasional pacing issues. Overall, it is considered a highly replayable indie title that provides significant entertainment value.
“There are many micro-decisions in every step that make Terminus stand out among its peers for its high replayability and surprising depth.”
“The numerous traits and professions give lots of replayability, and the books around the world act as free level-ups if you read them, meaning every character is potentially able to do everything, except for profession-specific traits/skills.”
“It is definitely worth your while - and the asking price because it has a high replayability value thanks to the many variables and choices each run.”
“The content is there, but the replay value is somewhat lacking.”
“The premise is enjoyable, and I like the top down/turn based point of view, but in the game's current state it is lacking the replayability I expected from it mainly because the pace for me is too slow.”
“Eventually you get the hang of how things work, but there's a decent amount of replayability to be had like other endings, difficulties, and unlockables.”
- grinding23 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often feeling that the gameplay loop becomes monotonous quickly. Many express dissatisfaction with the management of resources and the slow pace of turn-based movement, which detracts from the enjoyment of various systems like farming and crafting. While some appreciate the depth of features, the lack of direction and high effort-to-reward ratio make the grinding experience feel more burdensome than engaging.
“It quickly becomes tedious.”
“The tediousness of clicking everywhere and searching every nook and cranny for crumbs to avoid starving gets old pretty quick when it consists of most of the gameplay.”
“The gameplay loop got tedious in less than an hour, not for me.”
- story15 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally considered weak and somewhat trite, with a focus on objective-based gameplay rather than a deep narrative. While players appreciate the variety in win conditions and class differences, many feel that the plot lacks depth and could benefit from further development. Overall, the gameplay experience is prioritized over storytelling, appealing more to those who enjoy randomized adventures than a linear narrative.
“The plot is a little bit trite, and leaves some rounding out to be desired, but there are multiple win conditions and each class feels meaningfully different.”
“I really enjoy the nostalgic feel of the game, as it reminds me of those old Windows 3.1 Star Wars/Indiana Jones casual puzzle games where quests are randomized, leading to a simplistically randomized adventure.”
“I was pretty disappointed at first because of how quickly you can breeze through the main mission.”
“While the story isn't special, the gameplay is quite impressive.”
“Not for a linear half-baked story; I do not care for.”
- music5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise, with many users highlighting its beauty and quality, often rating it around 8/10. While some find the roguelite gameplay lacking, the soundtrack stands out as a strong positive aspect of the overall experience.
“The clean and intuitive UI and the beautiful music are amazing.”
“Ahh, also, the music is amazing!”
“Soundtrack: 8/10”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- -40 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive quality, effectively transporting players into a post-apocalyptic world that balances tension and moments of calm. The dark, foreboding environment resonates well with survival horror enthusiasts, reminiscent of titles like Darkwood, while maintaining a simple yet engaging aesthetic. Overall, the atmosphere significantly enhances the gaming experience.
“The atmosphere is amazing and really does make you feel like you're in the game world.”
“The game successfully creates a post-apocalyptic atmosphere that balances the urgency of survival with moments of relaxation.”
“The dark foreboding atmosphere will be familiar to survival horror fans of games like Darkwood.”
“The dark, foreboding atmosphere will be familiar to survival horror fans of games like Darkwood.”
“The game fails to create a truly immersive atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected from the world.”
“Despite its potential, the atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the tension and dread expected from a horror title.”
- stability4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game features a compelling concept but suffers from frequent freezing issues, occurring approximately every 10th to 12th turn, which can necessitate a hard reboot. Despite these stability concerns, players report no glitches or crashes after multiple playthroughs, indicating a generally polished experience for an early access title.
“There were no glitches or bugs after a few playthroughs, and not a single crash. This means the game is well polished, even in early access.”
“The game runs smoothly without any interruptions, showcasing impressive stability for an early access title.”
“I experienced consistent performance throughout my sessions, which is a testament to the developers' commitment to stability.”
“The game has a really cool concept to it, but it freezes up on you every 10th to 12th turn.”
“However, my game freezes often, and sometimes requires a hard reboot.”
“The freezes usually happen after clicking on arrows to traverse to a new area, but other times it feels random.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is highlighted by its quirky mechanics that enhance gameplay, particularly in unconventional scenarios like long-term survival, and features amusing elements such as humorous zombies.
“It's great that you can play the game any way you want, and it has funny little mechanics that lend well to fringe scenarios, such as long-term survival.”
“Funny zombie, yes.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional experience of the game to be intense, with moments of tension and fear, particularly when navigating dark environments filled with threats. The crafting mechanics add depth to the emotional engagement, enhancing the stakes for certain classes and creating a sense of attachment and urgency in gameplay.
“Like an addiction and maybe a heart condition... creeping through a building one step at a time in the dark only to run out of steps just as you hear a zombie gurgle is heart-wrenching.”
