TV189

About

TV189 is a solo-developed action game set in a dystopian near-future, featuring 9 levels with combat and puzzle-based gameplay. Players can choose to upgrade their character's strength or ammo abilities through a skill tree, and exploration is rewarded with resources to upgrade character. The game features a compelling story through voice-acted cutscenes and in-game notes, with a variety-driven user experience ranging from stealth missions to boss fights.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 20 reviews

gameplay4 positive mentions

graphics2 negative mentions

The game offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic PS2 titles, with simple yet engaging gameplay that allows players to jump in without needing to learn complex controls.
Despite being an indie title, the game showcases a commendable effort from a solo developer, featuring a variety of levels, gameplay styles, and a unique story that adds depth.
Combat is fun and dynamic, with interesting weapons and mechanics that keep the gameplay entertaining, making it a worthwhile experience for those looking for something different.

The game suffers from technical issues, including crashes and AI bugs, which can detract from the overall experience.
The story lacks coherence as it progresses, with key elements introduced early on that seem to be forgotten later, leading to a disjointed narrative.
Quality of life improvements are needed, such as an auto-save feature, better enemy AI, and clearer mechanics, as well as addressing issues with visibility and level design.

story
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
The game's story is noted for its initial promise but quickly loses focus, with many players feeling that it falls apart after the first level. While there are efforts to provide depth through character and lore, the narrative is often overshadowed by simplistic gameplay and minimal storytelling, leaving some players feeling disconnected from the plot. Overall, the indie charm and unique voice acting are appreciated, but the story lacks coherence and depth.
- “The gameplay is unique in its simplicity; it's something you can play out of the box without having to look at the controls, but it still manages to achieve depth in its story and characters.”
- “What made my playthrough a memorable one was definitely the indie feel. All the voice actors are the same person, the cutscenes are quirky, but it's glaringly obvious that someone spent a lot of time making this, and you can see the efforts in the variety of levels, gameplay styles, and missions.”
- “An interesting concept for the story.”
- “The story seems to fall apart after the first level; the virus seems to be forgotten about straight away, and the whole premise of what is shown at the start seems to trickle away over time.”
- “The only story I got in my short playtime was Microsoft Sam's robotic voice giving me a sentence or two about an area I am entering or perhaps a cursory overview of my mission, oh and also that the RFF are bad.”
- “There was no story that I could make out.”
gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and accessibility, allowing players to dive in without needing to learn controls, while still offering depth through its story and character development. However, some mechanics, like the skill tree, feel underutilized, and the AI is lacking, leading to a lack of challenge. Overall, the indie charm and variety in levels and missions are appreciated, but the gameplay can become repetitive and reliant on backtracking.
- “The gameplay is unique in its simplicity; it's something you can play out of the box without having to look at the controls, but it still manages to achieve depth in its story and characters.”
- “What made my playthrough a memorable one was definitely the indie feel. All the voice actors are the same person, the cutscenes are quirky, but it's glaringly obvious that someone spent a lot of time making this, and you can see the efforts in the variety of levels, gameplay styles, and missions.”
- “Equipment and the skill tree add a little bit of depth to the gameplay.”
- “Some mechanics, like the ability trees don't seem to be relevant to the game (I literally forgot about them after the first level), maybe have 'n skill points remaining' in menus or as a small part of the HUD.”
- “AI is non-existent; get a sniper rifle and shoot all enemies from a distance, no challenge or gameplay there.”
- “What made my playthrough a memorable one was definitely the indie feel. All the voice actors are the same person, the cutscenes are derpy, but it's glaringly obvious that someone spent a lot of time making this, and you can see the efforts in the variety of levels, gameplay styles, and missions.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
50%
33%
The graphics of the game feature updated visuals that align well with the overall design and user interface, creating a cohesive aesthetic. However, performance issues are noted, raising concerns as the graphics appear outdated, reminiscent of early 2000s titles. While the inclusion of actual voice acting enhances the experience, the overall graphical fidelity does not meet modern standards.
- “The look of the game is consistent with the graphics and the UI design; nothing felt out of place.”
- “The performance isn't great, which is alarming given the graphics are straight out of 2002.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's monetization is viewed positively, as it is perceived to have genuine structure and substance, distinguishing it from many other indie titles on Steam that are often criticized as cash grabs.
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization has been criticized for poor performance, especially considering its outdated graphics reminiscent of 2002. This raises concerns about the overall efficiency and technical execution of the game.
- “The performance isn't great, which is alarming given the graphics are straight out of 2002.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that the game lacks a significant emotional journey, with players expressing disappointment in the absence of impactful emotional experiences.