The Zhukov Line
- February 16, 2024
- Fish Tin Games
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Get on itch.io StoreThe Zhukov Line is a short one-room-horror which takes place on a livestock train in a dystopian Soviet state. First day on the job...Accepting a new job as a transport supervisor for the Chernovar Oversight Division you have been tasked with transporting a special livestock specimen. As you awake on a cold iron train, you hear ungodly screams from the coaches behind you. Scrambling to your com…
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Reviews
- The game offers a solid concept with engaging gameplay mechanics that keep players on their toes.
- Great atmosphere and audio design enhance the tension, making it a fun and immersive experience.
- As a free game, it provides good value with both a story mode and an endless mode for added replayability.
- The game is quite short, leaving players wanting more content and depth.
- Some mechanics can feel repetitive after a few playthroughs, and the difficulty may not be challenging enough for some players.
- Random jump scares can feel unnecessary and detract from the overall experience.
- gameplay15 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally well-received, featuring a good balance of atmosphere, mechanics, and a satisfying gameplay loop that keeps players engaged. While the endless mode offers surprising depth, some users noted minor bugs and issues with specific mechanics. Overall, the game provides a unique horror experience with varying difficulty levels and strong replayability.
“Also the endless mode has a surprising amount of mechanical depth to it.”
“Great atmosphere, simple structure, nerve-wracking gameplay.”
“Short, sweet little horror game with well-made mechanics that keep you on edge while giving a good payoff to getting them down when on edge.”
“The sedative deployment screen seems a little buggy; I have to spam click it, and this is probably just me not getting the mechanics, but the creature just hits doors randomly and there is no sedative option, which means it just gets a free pass to move forward. The same happens when the other two tasks occur.”
“Gameplay loop is easy to understand and flows well to keep the train running.”
“Short, sweet little horror game with well-made mechanics that keep you on edge while providing a good payoff for managing to get them down when on edge.”
- story15 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as simple yet compelling, with some players finding it lacking in depth and detail. While the visuals and concept are praised, many feel the narrative is minimal and leaves players wanting more context and development. Overall, the story mode is considered enjoyable but short, with a forgiving difficulty level.
“Simple yet compelling story.”
“A cool idea with good visuals and a nice story, would recommend!”
“The story wasn't heavily worked on, minimal text dialogue and no audio dialogue; however, with the information given, you can't help but desire more. It makes you think about what's going on in this world after finishing the game, and where did this biohazard come from?”
“Twilight was a better love story than this.”
“While the story was decent, it lacks depth.”
“The story wasn't heavily worked on; minimal text dialogue and no audio dialogue. However, with the information given, you can't help but desire more, making you think about what's going on in this world after finishing the game. Where did this biohazard come from?”
- atmosphere13 mentions
- 85 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its tension, spookiness, and immersive sound design, effectively creating a sense of dread and urgency. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to balance fun and stress, with strong visual and audio elements that enhance the overall experience. Many consider it a standout example of a short horror game that successfully captivates players with its compelling atmosphere.
“A fantastic little horror game that accomplishes so much so quickly, this game effectively and efficiently offers a powerful atmosphere filled with tension, intrigue, and dread.”
“Very atmospheric, definitely clear inspirations from Resident Evil and FNAF, has some very intense moments as the ambience increases the longer a day goes on, when issues arise the sound is what pops out the most for me, the loud banging noises, the constant alarms, the sound of the steam from the burst pipe; it all builds up the feeling of impending doom and entrapment.”
“I loved the sound engineering and atmosphere 10/10 - I got spooked! The puzzles are a great balance of stress alongside all the visuals pushing you to panic...”
“A short horror game with the atmosphere of the USSR.”
“A fantastic little horror game that accomplishes so much so quickly; this game effectively and efficiently offers a powerful atmosphere filled with tension, intrigue, and dread.”
- graphics11 mentions
- 73 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their appealing visuals and immersive atmosphere, with many users noting a strong connection between the visuals and gameplay. While some find the horror elements less frightening and occasionally annoying, the overall aesthetic is described as minimalist yet effective, enhancing the storytelling and gameplay experience. The combination of great visuals and sound engineering contributes to a captivating and spooky environment.
“I like the graphics and the environment the game sets you in; it reminds me of 'the other side' with the gameplay as well.”
“A cool idea with good visuals and a nice story; I would recommend!”
“The visuals pop and the atmosphere is really good!”
“The graphics are outdated and lack detail, making the game feel less immersive.”
“Character models look flat and lifeless, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“The environments are bland and repetitive, failing to capture the player's attention.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat excessive, with many describing it as "a bit grindy" or "a little grindy." Some users suggest that it may require significant time investment, possibly even the use of macros, to manage the repetitive tasks effectively.
“It can be a bit grindy sometimes, but the rewards make it worth it.”
“I find it a little grindy, yet it adds to the overall experience.”
“You'll need a second life, maybe some macros, and a will to live for grinding.”
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“A little grindy.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users report stability issues with the sedative deployment screen, noting it can be buggy and requires excessive clicking. Additionally, there are concerns about creatures behaving erratically, such as hitting doors randomly and bypassing sedative options, which may hinder gameplay.
“The sedative deployment screen seems a little buggy; I have to spam click it. This might just be me not understanding the mechanics, but the creature hits doors randomly, and there is no sedative option, which means it just gets a free pass to move forward. The same issue occurs with the other two tasks.”
