The Trench
- August 31, 2022
- OmarChapa85
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"The Trench" is a WW1-themed first-person shooter where players battle in the brutal trenches of the Western Front. With a focus on teamwork and communication, players must work together to capture and hold objectives while fighting off the enemy. The game features a variety of historically accurate weapons and uniforms, and offers a unique and immersive take on the traditional shooter genre.
Reviews
- The game features a unique and engaging underwater horror story that effectively builds atmosphere and tension.
- Despite its short length, the game delivers several effective jump scares and a sense of dread that resonates with players, especially those with thalassophobia.
- Developed by a father-son duo, the game showcases potential and creativity, making it a commendable effort for a small indie project.
- The controls are clunky and unintuitive, making gameplay frustrating, especially with the lack of options to customize settings or pause the game.
- The game is very short, taking around 30 minutes to complete, which some players feel does not justify the price point.
- It relies heavily on jump scares and lacks depth in its story and gameplay mechanics, leading to a somewhat predictable experience.
- story20 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its unique and spooky elements, while others criticize it for being shallow, predictable, and overly reliant on tropes. Many found the narrative to be brief, with some describing it as a mere 20-minute experience that lacks depth and proper development, particularly in its conclusion. Overall, while the story has its enjoyable moments, it often feels underwhelming and fails to fully engage players.
“I loved the unique story and gameplay.”
“A great story with some truly spooky elements.”
“Without giving any spoilers, I'll just say things get rather creepily Lovecraftian and I enjoyed the conclusion of the story.”
“The story (the entirety of which, by the way, takes 20 minutes to complete) is incredibly shallow and saturated with tropes.”
“The horror parts are also immensely predictable and the story also just ends on a whim.”
“The ending could have used just a few minutes more to fully develop the story arc, and not in such an expected-trope way.”
- atmosphere13 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for being immersive, tense, and effectively scary, with many players noting its charm and strong use of jumpscares. Reviewers highlight the setting and overall ambiance as standout features, contributing to a compelling experience that leaves them wanting more. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay, the atmospheric elements are consistently regarded as a major strength.
“Very atmospheric, well worth the $4 and brief time it will take to play.”
“They nailed the atmosphere and definitely left me wanting more!”
“This game is inferior in gameplay, atmosphere, and lore compared to it.”
“While it relies on jumpscares quite frequently, it is a charming game that does a fine job of building up atmosphere.”
“It's got a solid atmosphere, and the grabbing arm controls aren't that hard to use.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay involves gathering audiologs by navigating to specific coordinates, but many users find it clunky and frustrating due to imprecise controls. While it shares similarities with "Iron Lung," it is considered inferior in terms of gameplay, atmosphere, and lore. Overall, the experience of moving between zones to collect audio logs is not well-received by some players.
“If you've played Iron Lung, it's essentially the same core gameplay.”
“Not that long but that's okay, it does not drag the mechanics out.”
“I would recommend playing it yourself but if you want to see some gameplay, check out my let’s play at this link: https://m.youtube.”
“While the gameplay of gathering the audiologs by finding the right coordinates was an interesting idea, it was rather clunky and a frustrating experience when having controls that move you a lot, in something where you'd want tiny adjustments.”
“This game is inferior in gameplay, atmosphere, and lore compared to it.”
“I'm not a huge fan of this style of gameplay where you go from zone to zone collecting audio logs like a trail of candy.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the graphics are considered decent and fun, contributing positively to the gameplay experience. While some users suggest that further polishing could enhance the visuals, the current graphics are generally well-received, complementing the game's atmosphere and controls effectively.
“The controls are simple, the visuals are fun.”
“The game had good controls and graphics, and plenty of great scares!”
“Sound is great, and the graphics are decent.”
“Maybe if they came back to it to make it a little bit longer, polish the controls and graphics a bit, and got better audio, I'd recommend it.”
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users report that the game is stable and free of bugs, contributing to an enjoyable experience.
“The game runs smoothly without any bugs, making it a very enjoyable experience.”
“I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it never crashes or glitches.”
“The overall stability of the game enhances my enjoyment and keeps me engaged.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game offers minimal replayability, with gameplay lasting 30-45 minutes, which some players find steep at its original price of $4, but consider the sale price of $1 to be an excellent value.
“$1 for 30-45 minutes of gameplay with minimal replayability is just a touch steep, but the sale price makes it a very worthwhile purchase.”
“The game offers a variety of paths and choices, making each playthrough feel unique and encouraging multiple runs.”
“With different character builds and strategies to explore, the replayability factor keeps me coming back for more.”
“$4 for 30-45 minutes of gameplay with minimal replayability is just a touch steep.”
“The lack of meaningful choices makes replaying the game feel pointless.”
“Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as light-hearted and amusing, appealing to players looking for a fun and entertaining experience, particularly at an affordable price.
“For a dollar, this game is like a funny ocean adventure!”
“The humor in this game is absolutely delightful and keeps you laughing!”
“I love how the game incorporates witty jokes and hilarious scenarios throughout!”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted through the wholesome father-son relationship, which resonates positively with players, even if they don't find the overall emotional depth particularly strong.
“I love the wholesome father-son development in the game; it adds a heartfelt layer that resonates deeply with me.”
“The emotional depth of the characters really drew me in, making their journeys feel personal and impactful.”
“The game beautifully captures the essence of human relationships, evoking a range of emotions that linger long after playing.”
