USAC: Code Breach

About

"Bonding Ambivalence" is a co-op action game for 2 players, offering a compelling story and intriguing game mechanics in a spectacular visual and musical environment. The game encourages you to find a partner, as the story mode is only playable with a Steam Friend. A training section is available for solo play to familiarize yourself with the controls and basic mechanics. The difficulty varies based on the information collected, with hints incorporated in the environment for immersive observation.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+11

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,182 reviews

story90 positive mentions

grinding12 negative mentions

Fantastic co-op experience that emphasizes teamwork and communication, with clever and challenging puzzles.
Immersive atmosphere and sound design that enhance the gameplay, creating a sense of tension and engagement.
Great value for the price, offering around 8-10 hours of gameplay, which is impressive for a game developed by a small team.

Some puzzles can be overly cryptic or unintuitive, leading to frustration and the need to look up solutions.
Combat mechanics are underwhelming, with some enemies capable of one-shot kills, which can disrupt the flow of the game.
The asymmetrical roles can feel unbalanced, with the hacker often having more engaging tasks compared to the infiltrator.

story
230 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
60%
1%
The game's story is a mixed bag, with many players praising its intriguing narrative, well-crafted worldbuilding, and engaging atmosphere, often likening it to a blend of cyberpunk and horror themes. However, some reviewers found the plot convoluted and difficult to follow, with certain elements feeling tacked on or clichéd. Overall, while the story enhances the gameplay experience, opinions vary on its execution and coherence, leaving room for improvement in future installments.
- “The atmosphere, gameplay, and story were gripping, keeping both my partner and I consistently engaged.”
- “The story is engaging and interesting.”
- “With its engaging story, well-crafted visuals, and immersive audio, this game is a true gem in the world of co-op puzzle games.”
- “The lore and story really didn't do much for me, at least partially because my partner and I were discussing what we're doing in the game over a lot of the audio dialogue, but there's a lot of good horror design in here, in terms of its pacing, atmosphere, and particularly its very strong sound design.”
- “The story in this game feels like a mash-up of Dead Space and System Shock, though neither narrative direction is fully fleshed out and the ending left us rather confused, especially with the bad translation in a number of spots.”
- “The overall story is confusing to follow, with too many elements smashed together that clash with one another.”
gameplay
170 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
49%
5%
The gameplay is a blend of puzzle-solving and shooter mechanics, offering a unique cooperative experience that emphasizes teamwork and communication between players. While the puzzles can be challenging and occasionally lack clear guidance, they are generally engaging and rewarding, set against a well-crafted atmospheric backdrop. Some mechanics may feel underdeveloped or unclear, but the overall experience is enjoyable, with a strong emphasis on exploration and discovery.
- “The gameplay keeps you engaged throughout, presenting a rich and complex world filled with intrigue and suspense.”
- “Wonderful gameplay, would highly recommend to anyone who wants a puzzle/action game to play with someone.”
- “This is a fantastic co-op game with great atmosphere, interesting mechanics that drive organic co-operative play and challenging puzzles that could use a bit more direction in some cases.”
- “The hallmark of a poorly executed puzzle game is when the player finds themselves spending less time solving a puzzle and more time trying to figure out what the puzzle actually is, and sadly this game has that issue in spades: branching corridors that lead to rooms with completely unrelated computer panels, unclear instructions for hacking sequences, core mechanics that are never formally introduced and rather require the player to stumble upon them (the databank especially is egregious about this), and so on.”
- “Some of the puzzles were challenging and frustrating... not because of the puzzle but due to unexplained mechanics or non-obvious trigger points or goals (e.g. the engine on the roof being the same color as the floor and not appearing in the scanner as an interactable object).”
- “Puzzles are lousy and the balance of gameplay responsibilities between the two classes is insanely skewed.”
atmosphere
160 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
42%
2%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and tense qualities, effectively blending horror elements with a cyberpunk aesthetic. Players appreciate the detailed sound design and visuals that enhance the overall experience, creating a gripping environment that keeps them on edge throughout gameplay. The combination of challenging puzzles and a foreboding atmosphere contributes to a unique co-op experience that feels both engaging and unsettling.
- “The atmosphere is incredible and really immersive!”
- “This game does an excellent job of blending the atmosphere and tense ambiance of a horror game with the intricate complexities of a puzzle game and, while you're there, it makes you feel like you're two special operatives being sent on a mission inside of a private corporation with some secrets to hide.”
- “The music and sound design further enhance the game's atmosphere, creating an immersive experience that complements the gameplay and storytelling.”
- “The atmosphere in which you are playing is uneasy, the storyline makes you uncomfortable and even some enemies might frighten you.”
- “The atmosphere got us jumping and freaked out at some things (the monkeys in the terra labs!!) and having to go alone as the technician made me feel so anxious for enemies to pop out at me, often hearing my teammate in combat through the walls.”
- “At distance flashlights work well enough, providing enough light without compromising atmosphere, but up close to anything they provide a small dot of light that does absolutely nothing (which is bad as most times you want to look closely at things).”
music
94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
50%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and intensify gameplay experiences. The soundtrack is described as phenomenal, featuring a mix of ambient and combat music that effectively sets the mood for both tense and action-packed moments. Overall, players find the music to be a standout element, contributing significantly to the game's immersive qualities and emotional impact.
- “The music and sound design further enhance the game's atmosphere, creating an immersive experience that complements the gameplay and storytelling.”
- “One of my favorite parts of the game was the soundtrack; the songs used in the intense parts of the game really make them hit harder and leave a great memory once you finish.”
- “Extremely clever puzzles, great music, and a very intense but immersive atmosphere that'll have you on the edge of your seat for most of the game.”
- “Shooting sections can feel kind of random and jarring; very loud music doesn't help.”
- “A lot of the sound design is also damn amazing, reactor shock waves, the distant monkeys in the bug room, the music was alright but did its job well.”
- “I kinda mourn the possibility of a more immersive sim feeling game, where you could perhaps solve puzzles in a more freeform way with your tools through these systems, but that's mostly just my personal bias - for what it is, it works, even if the instant kills were prevalent, the bopping musical breaks, spooky moments and shooting really do their job of resetting your mood before the next puzzle.”
graphics
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
33%
9%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the striking visual style, atmosphere, and aesthetic design, particularly in the context of a small development team. While some players noted that certain models appear plastic-y and the optimization could be improved, the overall visuals contribute significantly to the immersive experience. Many reviewers found the graphics to be solid and well-crafted, enhancing the game's engaging story and gameplay, despite some minor jankiness.
- “The graphics are excellent, and the gameplay is extremely solid.”
- “Amazing sci-fi visuals.”
- “With its engaging story, well-crafted visuals, and immersive audio, this game is a true gem in the world of co-op puzzle games.”
- “Graphics aren't great, but it gets the job done.”
- “I was disappointed by the graphics because they felt older compared to the trailer, but I also was told that there are only 2 people working on the team.”
- “Far from perfect (movement can be janky, gun fights are quite boring, graphics are not that good...) but if you're looking for a nice puzzle game to play with a friend this one won't disappoint you with its great puzzle ideas and a very nice ambiance overall.”
grinding
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and occasionally boring, particularly during puzzle-solving moments that can lead to lulls in gameplay. However, many also highlight that playing with a friend can enhance the experience, making the challenges feel rewarding despite their repetitiveness. Overall, while some aspects may frustrate, the collaborative problem-solving can provide a satisfying payoff.
- “This game got tedious and boring really fast.”
- “The puzzles are too tedious.”
- “There were some puzzles and aspects (cough, gun play) that were a little tedious, but if you set some time to play with a friend you shouldn't be disappointed.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is consistently praised, with players finding it both hilarious and engaging, often laughing at their own and each other's misfortunes during gameplay. The comedic moments arise from the absurdity of the game's challenges and the reactions of friends, making even frustrating experiences enjoyable. Overall, the humor significantly enhances the gaming experience, turning potential frustrations into shared laughter.
- “It was also funny that usually the most minuscule information is the most dire to understand.”
- “Lets start off by saying I don't normally play games like this; they're not usually my thing, and most of the time I just don't enjoy them all too much, let alone ever see them to the end. But this game was wicked! My buddy and I sat there over the course of 2 nights, consisting of roughly 11 hours, and it was worth every minute of gameplay. Mostly every death, even if not inflicted on each other, had us laughing or learning what not to touch.”
- “The other 40% was me laughing as my friend had an aneurysm from frustration.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
38%
38%
The game's replayability is generally considered limited, primarily relying on role-switching and speedruns, though the initial playthrough offers a rewarding experience with challenging puzzles. While some players enjoyed the game with friends, they noted that it lacks significant replay value beyond the first run. Overall, it provides a solid 10-11 hours of gameplay, but its replay potential is mixed.
- “A great 10-11 hour game experience with interesting puzzles that are sometimes difficult but rewarding in a very tense atmosphere, with a really good replayability potential for speedruns, perfect gameplay, expert mode, or switching roles with your mate between operator and infiltrator.”
- “Even though the game's replayability, besides switching roles, is small, the first playthrough makes up for it.”
- “But I had fun with a friend, but it has no replay value.”
- “It would help with replayability.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players experienced bugs, many reported that these issues were addressed through patches, leading to a smoother experience in later playthroughs. Some users noted no bugs or glitches during their entire gameplay, indicating improvements over time.
- “A bit buggy at times, but a lot of the bugs I personally encountered were fixed in the various patches that I saw come out after I beat the game.”
- “My wife and I had hours of fun streaming this while troubleshooting the very challenging puzzles and maneuvering through the different levels.”
- “No bugs or glitches in the entire playthrough.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a strong emotional response to the game's atmosphere, describing feelings of anxiety and fear, particularly when navigating alone and anticipating enemy encounters. The intense environment, highlighted by moments of surprise, contributes to a heightened sense of tension and immersion.
- “The atmosphere got us jumping and freaked out at some things (the monkeys in the terra labs!!) and having to go alone as the technician made me feel so anxious for enemies to pop out at me, often hearing my teammate in combat through the walls.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game is noted for its lack of advertising, which is surprising given its impressive quality; however, it has gained visibility through TikTok promotions that influenced purchases.
- “An actually impressive game that, for some reason, has no advertising.”
- “An actually impressive game that, for some reason, has no advertising.”
- “A surprisingly impressive game that, for some reason, has no advertising.”
- “My friend and I bought this game after we saw it on TikTok advertising it.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Character development is enhanced by the richly detailed cyberpunk setting, which features intricate character designs and immersive environments. However, some users note that certain animations and character designs exhibit a degree of inconsistency, detracting from the overall experience.
- “The cyberpunk universe is brought to life with stunning attention to detail, from the gritty cityscapes to the intricate character designs.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The optimization of the game is generally praised, with users highlighting both good graphics and solid performance.
- “The game features good graphics and performance.”
- “The graphics and performance are impressive.”