UNLOVED

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UNLOVED is a single player and multiplayer shooter game with a horror theme. It was developed by BlueEagle Productions and was released on September 29, 2016. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Unloved" is a horror shooter game with fast-paced, old-school gameplay and modern co-op features, allowing 2-4 players to team up in a procedurally generated underground world filled with deadly monsters. The game boasts good graphics, a spectacular soundtrack, and compelling replayability, but can be grindy and buggy. Its atmosphere is masterfully unsettling, with the goal being to survive the nightmarish, ever-changing basement levels.

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77%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,197 reviews

gameplay82 positive mentions

grinding50 negative mentions

Engaging gameplay with a unique 'heat' system that spawns enemies based on player actions, adding a layer of strategy.
Creepy atmosphere and sound design that effectively create tension and fear during gameplay.
Good replayability with randomized levels, various game modes, and a progression system that allows for character customization.

Graphics and animations are dated and can detract from the overall experience, making it feel unpolished.
The game can become repetitive quickly, especially in single-player mode, and may require significant grinding for upgrades.
Multiplayer is often dead, making it difficult to find games, and the mechanics can be frustrating, such as the need to hold a button to pick up items.

gameplay
316 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
66%
8%
The gameplay of "Unloved" is characterized by a fast-paced, rogue-lite experience that combines elements of classic FPS games like Doom with unique mechanics such as a dynamic enemy spawn system influenced by player actions. While many players appreciate the addictive nature of the gameplay loop and the atmospheric horror elements, some criticize the lack of depth, repetitive mechanics, and frustrating item interaction processes. Overall, the game offers a solid yet polarizing experience, particularly enjoyable in co-op play, but may not satisfy those seeking intricate gameplay or a strong narrative.
- “With friends or once you've got the hang of things, this is the kind of addictive 'I'm not sure I'll survive the run' gameplay loop which continues to be tense yet fun for hundreds of hours and even up to max level.”
- “The gameplay loop and the flow it creates are some of the most effective I have ever experienced in a game.”
- “Unloved is an intense, rogue-like FPS that delivers a unique blend of chaotic action, eerie atmosphere, and satisfying progression mechanics that keeps you coming back for more.”
- “The gameplay is stale and boring.”
- “The main thing holding back the gameplay is that it takes the Doom gameplay formula of grabbing keys and bringing them to doors but with randomly generated maps, which means levels can blend into one mess of square rooms that don't feel very unique or interesting.”
- “The gameplay is a solid basis, focusing on fast and brutal shooter experience.”
graphics
147 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
55%
15%
The graphics of "Unloved" are a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the gritty, dark aesthetic that enhances the horror atmosphere, reminiscent of classic titles like "Silent Hill" and "Doom." However, criticisms abound regarding the dated visuals, poor animations, and overall lack of polish, which some feel detracts from the gameplay experience. While the game's unique charm and atmosphere can compensate for its graphical shortcomings, opinions vary widely, with some players enjoying the retro style while others find it unappealing.
- “The rugged, slightly grainy, sharp visuals with prevalent red and black set the mood perfectly along with the soundtrack that creates suspense.”
- “The graphics in Unloved are grim and stylized, embodying a horror aesthetic that gives players a sense of desolation and dread.”
- “Atmosphere and visuals: the visual style is gritty and disturbing, perfect for fans of horror and old-school FPS vibes.”
- “The graphics are poor in unloved even on the highest settings.”
- “Bad graphics, bad animations, bad 3D models, janky boring gameplay, glitches up to wazoo, even bad sound effects; I feel like this would have been a bargain bin game in 2002 at GameStop.”
- “The graphics are really bad, even on max settings it looks disappointing.”
atmosphere
125 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
44%
2%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its dark, creepy, and immersive qualities, effectively creating a sense of tension and unease that enhances the horror experience. Players appreciate the combination of unsettling sound design, grotesque enemy appearances, and minimalist environments that contribute to a haunting ambiance reminiscent of classic horror titles like Silent Hill and Doom. While some critiques mention the graphics and enemy behavior, the overall consensus is that the game's atmosphere is a standout feature that keeps players engaged and on edge.
- “Combined with the creepy appearances and jerky movements of the enemies, the withered look of the environment and the masterfully atmospheric score, as well as the bits of disturbing lore revealed by the photos you collect, it all lends a sense towards a single, irrefutable fact: you are not wanted here.”
- “The atmosphere is further enhanced by excellent sound design, including haunting echoes, terrifying screams, and footsteps that keep players constantly on edge.”
- “The environments look simplistic, which adds to the horror atmosphere, but overall, it feels like a fever dream—random rooms with no windows, lacking rhyme or reason in their layout.”
- “There's a dark, gritty, thick anxiety-ridden atmosphere that grips the player and refuses to let them go until the bitter end.”
- “The atmosphere generated is very creepy with a few cheap jump scares to begin with until you quickly become immune to them.”
story
89 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
76%
12%
The game's story is largely criticized for its minimalism, with many players noting the absence of a traditional story mode and a coherent narrative. While there are snippets of lore and backstory available through collectibles, unlocking them requires significant time investment, leading to frustration among those seeking a more engaging storyline. Overall, the game is seen as prioritizing gameplay mechanics over storytelling, leaving many players wanting a more developed narrative experience.
- “The story in Unloved is minimalist, serving more as a backdrop for the atmosphere and action.”
- “There is some story that is only told through journal entries which you unlock by collecting photos in the level.”
- “The tidbits of story it gives you for collecting photos is interesting so far, and I am intrigued to find more.”
- “So this is my critical criticism about the game: the lack of a story mode. This game has lore that I would love to learn about; the dark themes and atmosphere are amazing, but damn it, I want a story mode that explains everything about the game.”
- “First off, there is no story to this game whatsoever.”
- “If you're looking for storytelling and structured gameplay, you'll likely be disappointed.”
music
63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
46%
5%
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality, effectively enhancing the suspense and horror elements while complementing the gameplay. Many players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to create a morose and immersive environment, with some even enjoying it enough to listen to it outside of gameplay. However, there are mixed opinions regarding the music's repetitiveness and its integration with sound effects, with some feeling it could be more varied. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's dark and engaging atmosphere.
- “The music is great; I'll sit in the main menu just to listen to it, it's so good.”
- “A very good, underrated doom-style shooter horror game with a seriously good and fitting soundtrack, paired with a thick dark atmosphere and deep, mysterious, intriguing lore.”
- “The atmosphere is grimy and dark, the flashlight is essential, and the soundtrack suits the game very well as it ranges from uneasy ambiance to heavy percussion and creaking doors as makeshift synth notes.”
- “The music is also pretty bad, just like most of the sound effects and particle effects.”
- “The greatest thing about the game might be the trailers, a bit of the music, and sound design - however the way everything is implemented was disappointing due to repetition with little variation in sound playback.”
- “But this is not a mod of any game, this is a full-blown release, and yet it's one that feels like a very amateurish mod throughout, from the graphics to the out-of-place music that sounds more like something straight out of one of those Max Payne 3 levels set in Brazil.”
grinding
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
2%
96%
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as excessive, particularly in the late-game where players must engage in repetitive runs to progress and unlock better gear. While some find the grind rewarding and enjoyable, especially in multiplayer, many reviewers note that it can become tedious and frustrating, especially when facing RNG elements and the need for extensive farming to access higher difficulties and valuable items. Overall, the grind is a significant part of the gameplay loop, which can be both a draw and a deterrent depending on player preferences.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The endgame consists of farming 3-7 trinkets and upgrading rings and is extremely unrewarding.”
- “Once you hit the harder difficulties, you get to a point where it becomes so grindy and unfairly difficult that it is purely RNG whether or not you win.”
- “It goes from a fun game to an absolutely infuriating, mind-numbing experience of grinding the same difficulty over and over again and praying the game doesn't decide that your run has to end by spawning endless waves of enemies.”
replayability
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
56%
7%
The game offers significant replayability due to its procedurally generated levels, diverse weaponry, and various unlockable items, ensuring that each playthrough feels fresh and engaging. While some players find the core gameplay lacking, many appreciate the multiplayer experience and the numerous challenges that enhance replay value. Overall, the combination of randomization and customization options contributes to a satisfying replay experience, making it enjoyable both solo and with friends.
- “Replayability: every playthrough feels fresh due to procedurally generated maps.”
- “Coupled with the variety of weapons, items, and enemy types, each session delivers new challenges and surprises, which adds considerable replay value.”
- “Unloved offers so much replayability, which is an amazing feat for being a rogue-like.”
- “The replay value is there, it just needed more polish and refinement to be a great game.”
- “To add to this, the replayability is further hampered by the practically invisible effects of the equipment you unlock through playing, such as a 10% bonus to shotgun reload speed or a 10% bonus to melee damage.”
- “The combat itself works reasonably well and it has some replayability value because of its procedurally generated levels, but it comes saddled with far too many issues to deserve a recommendation.”
optimization
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
56%
32%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant frame rate drops, inconsistent performance, and issues with online connectivity, particularly during co-op play. While some users have found workarounds, such as adjusting graphics settings or reinstalling drivers, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, especially in terms of netcode and performance stability. Despite these issues, players still enjoy the gameplay, indicating that while optimization is lacking, it does not completely detract from the experience.
- “The performance is pretty good, with a nice set of graphics options.”
- “Update: been playing for a couple of months now, still not bored, great fun with friends, engine has been optimized and game tweaked in a recent update 1.0.8c.”
- “Reminiscent of Doom, bit slower overall, small performance issues with the game, but otherwise, good atmosphere; this game is easily worth the price tag.”
- “This is an indie title and lacks optimization; there are often major FPS drops for a moment here and there, but it is more than playable.”
- “Performance is pretty bad at times unless you use v-sync, which has atrocious mouse lag.”
- “The only problem I have is that the game is a little unoptimized, and it is hard to find a game online unless you gather up some friends, but at 10 bucks, this is a great game for you and a few friends to pick up.”
stability
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
93%
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting numerous glitches, bugs, and poor AI behavior that detract from the overall experience. While some players find enjoyment in the gameplay, many express frustration over the lack of support from developers and the presence of game-breaking issues, particularly in multiplayer scenarios. Overall, the game is seen as needing significant improvements in stability and polish.
- “Enjoyable game, but hard. I have played it on and off since I started playing in 2019, and I have enjoyed it. I would like it more if I had friends to play it with, but overall, I would say if you like FPS, Doom games, and horror, this game would be for you. The game even runs great in 1080p on my AMD Radeon 590 at 60fps.”
- “Changing my review to negative. The game is great, but it's full of bugs and glitches, and the creators don't support this game at all anymore.”
- “There's even a so-called allergy during which the match completely freezes up for one or multiple players due to join lag and similar reasons, lasting from a few seconds to even minutes, or even kicks a player.”
- “It is full of glitches and lacks features that it promises.”
humor
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as hilariously chaotic, especially when played with friends, making even the absurdities and flaws entertaining. While some elements, like monster designs and character movements, are seen as comically bad rather than genuinely scary, they contribute to a lighthearted experience that prioritizes fun over immersion. Overall, the game's blend of humor and chaos creates a uniquely enjoyable atmosphere, despite its shortcomings.
- “It's hilariously dumb :3”
- “Playing with friends in co-op mode makes it even more funny and chaotic.”
- “The gore is just there and everything comes off more humorous than scary.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
Character development in the game is marked by well-executed designs, particularly among enemies, though the dark maps hinder appreciation of these details. While some characters are humorously designed, like the faceless nurse, the player character lacks visual appeal. The game introduces roguelike elements, including randomly generated levels and customization options, which enhance character development but could benefit from greater variety in gameplay elements.
- “The 'game' version of Unloved ventures into more roguelike territories, introducing randomly generated levels, customization, and character development of sorts.”
- “The character designs are well done; many characters are scary, adding depth to the overall atmosphere of the game.”
- “Some of the character designs are more humorous than disfigured or horrifying, such as the faceless nurse that looks like she has her head stuffed in a turkey, showcasing a unique blend of creativity.”
- “The movement of enemies could be a bit more fluid; some of the character designs are more humorous than disfigured or horrifying, such as the faceless nurse that looks like she has her head stuffed in a turkey. I feel that it could use more variety in the level choices and loot/weapons department.”
- “Only cons I see are that the character design (the player uses), not the enemy, is really bland and very uninviting to see when playing with others.”
- “The 'game' version of unloved ventures into more roguelike territories, introducing randomly generated levels, customization, and character development of sorts.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game offers around 50 hours of gameplay without any microtransactions, which is a positive aspect for players. However, it has been criticized for misleading advertising and currently suffers from a small player base, suggesting a need for better promotion.
- “Good for like 50 hours, no microtransactions.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews highlight that while some games like "Unloved" provide brief entertainment through horror elements, "Dark Souls 2" delivers a profound emotional experience that challenges players on deeper intellectual and existential levels. Additionally, certain mechanics, such as excessive visual effects, can detract from the emotional engagement, leading to discomfort rather than immersion.
- “While unloved may offer some fleeting fun with its horror-inspired shooting mechanics, Dark Souls 2 provides a more comprehensive, life-changing challenge that extends beyond simple gameplay into a realm of emotional and intellectual satisfaction.”