The Black Masses

The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including stuttering, freezing, and high CPU usage, even on high-end systems. While some users find the game enjoyable and see potential, the overall consensus is that it is currently unplayable for many due to its poor optimization. Significant improvements are needed to enhance stability and performance before it can be recommended.

The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its solid foundation and fun mechanics, particularly the parkour and combat systems. However, numerous issues such as bugs, poor optimization, repetitive gameplay, and a lack of depth have been highlighted, leading to a frustrating experience for some. While the game shows potential and offers hours of entertainment, it is still considered unpolished and in need of significant improvements to reach its full potential.

The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the art style and some visuals can be impressive, the overall optimization is poor, leading to significant performance issues and graphical glitches. Users report that even on lower settings, the game can lag and stutter, making it difficult to enjoy the experience fully. Despite these shortcomings, some players appreciate the aesthetic design and find the graphics acceptable for an indie title, though they express hope for improvements in future updates.

The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and performance issues, including frequent freezes and crashes, even on high-end hardware. Many players describe it as an unfinished and poorly optimized experience, typical of early access titles, leading to significant frustration. While some users find enjoyment despite the issues, the overall consensus is that the game requires substantial improvements to its stability before it can be recommended.

The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its beauty and ability to enhance the atmosphere during gameplay, particularly in combat and exploration scenarios. However, several users note that the soundtrack is limited and repetitive, leading to immersion-breaking moments, especially when the music does not fit the game's theme. Additionally, technical issues such as overlapping tracks and sound cutouts detract from the overall experience, despite the potential for a more fitting and diverse musical selection.

Players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game; while some find it tedious and repetitive—especially with resource management and combat against high-level enemies—others enjoy the mindless nature of grinding for weapons and leveling up. The looting system is often criticized for being cumbersome, as it requires single item pickups, making exploration feel less rewarding. Overall, grinding can be both a source of frustration and a means of enjoyment, depending on individual player preferences.

The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its handcrafted feel, dark tone, and immersive qualities that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the combination of mystery, tension, and action, although some suggest that a more somber tone could heighten the intensity. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's promise, even in its beta stage.

The monetization aspect of the game has been overwhelmingly criticized, with users labeling it a "cash grab" and expressing skepticism about the developers' intentions. Many reviews highlight the use of low-quality assets and question the authenticity of positive feedback, suggesting that the game prioritizes profit over quality and player experience.

The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players enjoying its absurdity, such as feeding zombies into a windmill, and finding the intentionally bad voice acting amusing. Additionally, the game incorporates subtle humor through short notes that enhance the experience without disrupting immersion. Overall, the comedic elements contribute positively to the game's value and enjoyment.

Character development is present but players express a desire for it to be significantly expanded, along with a wish for options in character creation and editing.

Players report that the emotional impact of encountering the first horde is significant, particularly at night when the limited light from a lantern heightens the tension and fear. However, this emotional intensity diminishes during the day, as the horde appears less daunting in the daylight.

Players feel that the game's current replayability is limited, primarily due to its short content duration of around five hours. Many express a willingness to revisit their reviews once the game is more polished and offers additional content.