Vicious Circle

An Exercise in apathy, neither solid nor liquid. Not exactly bad, but not very good either. Just a bit 'meh,' really.

"Vicious Circle" is an uncooperative multiplayer shooter set in a sci-fi universe, where players can choose to be a mercenary competing for loot or a massive monster trying to kill everything. The game features seasonal battle passes with exclusive rewards and encourages players to backstab each other to collect the most loot and win. Mercenaries cannot directly harm each other, but they can use the environment and gadgets to gain an advantage.

Play Modes

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

Reviews

71%

Audience ScoreBased on 129 reviews

gameplay15 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

The game has a fun and chaotic gameplay style that is enjoyable, especially when played with friends.
The art style and character design are appealing, contributing to an engaging atmosphere.
The game has potential for future updates and content, which could enhance the overall experience.

The player base is extremely low, making it difficult to find matches and leading to long wait times.
There are significant balance issues, particularly with the monster being overpowered and the gameplay feeling repetitive.
The game lacks content at launch, with only a few characters and maps available, which may lead to a lack of replayability.

gameplay
44 mentions
34 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Vicious Circle is generally praised for its fun mechanics and unique death system that keeps players engaged, even after being eliminated. However, many reviewers note issues with balance, pacing, and a lack of depth, leading to a feeling of repetitiveness and limited long-term engagement. While the art style and cooperative elements are appreciated, the game could benefit from more character progression and varied gameplay to enhance its longevity.
- “I've been streaming this game for nearly 3 weeks and it's been a blast. If you get past the imbalance issues and just have fun, it can be some of the most enjoyable gameplay out right now.”
- “Vicious Circle offers fun chases, tense gameplay, and a super fun game to play either by yourself or with some friends.”
- “The gameplay is fast and trolly as hell, but I can ensure that you will have a blast.”
- “The core gameplay doesn't give you enough to want to keep playing, and the game feels so shallow that after about an hour, I felt like I saw most of what it had to offer.”
- “There is currently only 1 'killer' being the giant chicken, so the gameplay gets very stale very fast.”
- “The map designs are fairly boring since the gameplay doesn't have much substance at the moment.”
graphics
14 mentions
79 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful art style and unique character designs, reminiscent of popular titles like Overwatch. While the visuals are generally stunning and contribute to an engaging gameplay experience, some users feel that the maps could benefit from further refinement and that the overall layout lacks depth. Overall, the game's aesthetic is described as fun and cartoony, enhancing the fast-paced co-op action.
- “The maps are beautiful, and every character has a niche, a beautiful art style, and unique weapon and skill set.”
- “A new FPS that goes a long way with stunning visuals and great responsive controls that throws up fast-paced co-op action in your face.”
- “I love the graphics and design of the game.”
- “Seems like a really good game, but I'm going to wait for more updates before I buy it. I think the graphics could use some polishing.”
humor
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted as a key element, particularly in multiplayer settings where players can enjoy playful interactions and antics, whether with friends or strangers. While it may lack traditional horror elements that elicit screams, the comedic aspects provide a fun and entertaining experience.
- “It is so funny just to mess with the other players.”
- “A great game that is funny with friends, but it is still good fun to play with random strangers.”
optimization
3 mentions
33 % positive mentions
-33 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized for being clunky, with noticeable stuttering affecting performance. Players feel that improved optimization and more control over video settings, such as v-sync, would enhance their overall experience.
- “The game could be optimized a bit better, and having a bit more control over the video settings (v-sync and such) would really be all the game needs to keep me playing all day.”
- “It got a little clunky, both in terms of looks and performance.”
- “My biggest issue with the game so far is the stuttering.”
- “The game could be optimized a bit better, and having more control over the video settings (like v-sync) would really be all the game needs to keep me playing all day.”
grinding
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly when stuck with the same teammates across multiple matches, which can lead to frustration. Additionally, the fast and tanky small tentacle monsters, intended to provide a second chance, instead contribute to the overall annoyance and grindiness of the gameplay experience.
- “Being stuck with the same 5 people for 5 matches gets tedious depending on who you play with.”
- “Other players are just farming away, meaning it's better to just die and try to take them over.”
- “The small tentacle monsters are too fast and tanky; they are supposed to provide a second wind to give you a chance of actually winning the game, but in their current state, they make the game tedious and annoying.”
stability
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-100 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
The game presents a solid concept and generally runs well, but it suffers from significant stability issues, being described as a "bug fest" that hampers the overall experience. Additionally, the lack of content and player engagement contributes to a sense of monotony.
- “The game is best described as a bug fest; it's so buggy that I couldn't even get the bug report system to open.”
- “I experienced constant crashes and glitches that made it nearly unplayable.”
- “The stability issues are so severe that I lost progress multiple times due to unexpected shutdowns.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate concerns about the game's monetization strategy, with fears that it may evolve into a pay-to-win model and rely heavily on its user base for success. Additionally, the lack of direct advertising raises doubts about its long-term viability.
- “As a long-time supporter of Rooster Teeth, I find this game terrible. The gameplay is horrible, and with a store coming, I bet it's just going to be a cash grab, pay-to-win game soon.”
- “The only issue I have is that this game will be very reliant on its user base, and with no direct advertising seen, the game may be dead in a few weeks.”
replayability
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players express concerns about the game's replayability, indicating that it is very low and may lead to decreased player engagement over time. There is a hope for constant updates to enhance this aspect.
- “I hope to see constant updates because my only concern about this game is replayability, and this is going to lead to low player counts.”
- “Tl;dr: very low replay value.”
emotional
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted through unique abilities, such as a character that uses an egg attack, which not only inflicts damage but also slows enemies, adding a layer of creativity and engagement to the gameplay experience.