The Underground Man

The gameplay is widely criticized for being clunky, frustrating, and excessively punitive, with mechanics that feel outdated and poorly executed. Players face a steep difficulty curve, often leading to failure due to unfair enemy mechanics and a lack of clear guidance, making the experience tedious and unengaging. While some elements may be intended as parody, they ultimately detract from the overall enjoyment, leaving many to question the game's quality and value.

The game's story is polarizing, with some players finding it nonsensical and poorly executed, particularly criticizing its lack of character development and coherence. Others appreciate the unique and engaging narrative, especially in a post-apocalyptic setting, highlighting its humor and immersive world. Overall, the storytelling quality varies significantly, with some players deeming it a gem while others see it as a frustrating experience.

The graphics of Tum are characterized by a retro 16-bit style that some players find charming, while others criticize it for being poorly executed and lacking detail, particularly in combat scenarios. The art style is bright and stylized, but the overall visual experience suffers from poor readability and limited resolution options. While some appreciate the nostalgic aesthetic and simplistic graphics, many feel that the visuals detract from the gameplay and overall enjoyment of the game.

The music in the game receives a generally positive reception, with many players appreciating its quality and how well it complements the game's atmosphere, particularly noting its nostalgic and immersive qualities. While some sound effects are criticized for being low quality and out of place, the overall soundtrack is described as dynamic and fitting, enhancing the gaming experience. Players find the music to be a standout feature, contributing significantly to their enjoyment of the game.

The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and non-engaging, with repetitive combat mechanics and a frustratingly slow progression that feels like a waste of time. Players report that the experience is marred by poorly explained controls and lengthy, unfunny dialogue, leading to a sense of exhaustion and dissatisfaction. Overall, many reviewers suggest that the grinding is a chore that detracts significantly from the enjoyment of the game.

Character development in the game is criticized for being lacking, with many characters exhibiting illogical or excessively cruel behavior. While the game's visuals and soundtrack are praised for their emotional impact, the promised unique system of character development seems unfulfilled according to user feedback.

The game's atmosphere is highly praised, with users noting its immersive wasteland setting that surpasses even Bethesda's Fallout series. The combination of the world, atmosphere, and narrative elements contributes significantly to its success as a role-playing game.

The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users appreciating the technical performance while others question the artistic direction and its relevance to modern themes. Overall, the technical aspects are noted positively, but the game's intent may leave some players puzzled.

The monetization of "The Underground Man" is criticized as a cash grab, with users labeling it as a low-effort product typical of Russian shovelware, suggesting a lack of genuine development and quality.

The game's stability has been criticized for being poor, with users reporting numerous bugs that contribute to an unfair and unengaging experience. Overall, the game's technical issues detract significantly from its enjoyment.

Players find the game highly replayable, as it encourages multiple playthroughs to explore different partner choices and answer variations. This aspect enhances the overall experience, making it enjoyable to revisit.