Zarathustra - Cybergeddon
- January 28, 2024
- Tim Rachor
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Zarathustra - Cybergeddon" is a point-and-click adventure game set in a world grappling with cosmic truths and alien technology. Players, as a cybernetic implant in FBI agent Amy, investigate a stolen book from the Church of Flesh. This game features classic adventure elements, inventory and dialog puzzles, and serves as an introduction to a wider narrative with more to come.
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game features impressive AI-generated pixel art that captures a unique cyberpunk aesthetic, making it visually appealing.
- The gameplay offers a fun and engaging experience with logical puzzles and an interesting story that keeps players curious.
- The developer's responsiveness to player issues is commendable, enhancing the overall experience and community engagement.
- The AI-generated voice acting is often distracting and lacks emotional depth, detracting from the narrative experience.
- The story feels underdeveloped and lacks coherence, with many ideas left unexplored, leading to a sense of confusion.
- Some gameplay mechanics, such as inventory management and puzzle logic, can be frustrating and unintuitive, hindering the overall enjoyment.
- story50 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it intriguing yet lacking depth and coherence. While the cyberpunk setting and artwork are praised, the narrative is often described as underdeveloped and confusing, with some noting that it feels more like a short story than a fully fleshed-out plot. Overall, the pacing varies significantly, starting slow and then accelerating too quickly, leaving some players wanting more substance and clarity.
“Decent story with great artwork and music.”
“Awesome cyberpunk story.”
“Interesting story and beautifully done, retro-style graphics.”
“My main complaints are that the story could have had more depth and expansion, and that the voice acting is a bit of a mixed bag.”
“All the esoteric mumbo jumbo is just a coat of paint over a story most point-and-click gamers have likely already played.”
“The narrative content of the story, however, is no longer than a short story, which is way too little for the scope of the story.”
- graphics32 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Zarathustra - Cybergeddon" are primarily AI-generated pixel art, praised for their stunning cyberpunk and H.R. Giger-inspired aesthetic, which many reviewers consider among the best they've seen. While some critique the lack of human artistry and cohesive art direction, the overall retro visuals and atmospheric design have garnered positive feedback, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of pixel art and cyberpunk themes.
“Quite possibly the best pixel art I've seen in my life, the cyberpunk/HR Giger-infused art style is incredible; it's astonishing that this is free.”
“Milk mustache moment: despite its flaws, 'Zarathustra - Cybergeddon' shines in its pixel art aesthetic, capturing the essence of a cyberpunk world with its retro-inspired visuals.”
“Tim Rachor's best adventure game so far combines his skill to create an atmospheric environment and lore, as seen in 'Curse of the Old Gods', with a richer graphic approach thanks to a good and pixelated use of AI, giving the game a retro and great look.”
“The graphics are all AI pixel art and the voices are AI generated using text-to-speech software, but given that this is the work of a lone programmer and they haven't asked for payment, you can fault them for this.”
“As for aesthetics, the game could definitely have used some kind of art direction.”
“Artwork needs a human artist.”
- gameplay18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as pleasantly challenging and reasonably non-linear, allowing for some tasks to be completed out of sequence, though this may limit certain achievements. While it offers about five hours of playtime and works well on the Steam Deck, some users find the puzzles unintuitive and the user interface janky, leading to mixed feelings about the overall experience. Players who prefer story over puzzles may benefit from using a walkthrough to enhance their enjoyment.
“The game was also pleasantly challenging without requiring the aid of a walkthrough, and gameplay is reasonably non-linear for a game of its length (i.e., many tasks can be completed out of sequence, although this will occasionally preclude some achievements).”
“About 5 hours of gameplay, works great on the Steam Deck.”
“If you enjoy point-and-click adventure puzzle games, you'll enjoy the gameplay; if, like me, you just want the story, then use a walkthrough to avoid frustration.”
“Gameplay is way too simple.”
“The gameplay itself is somewhat mid: the puzzles aren't intuitive and the UI is janky.”
“Not much to say about gameplay itself.”
- music10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising it as a great addition that enhances the professional feel of the game, while others criticize it for being lackluster and failing to set the desired tone, ultimately detracting from the overall immersion and enjoyment. Despite the appealing visuals and voice acting, the music's shortcomings are noted as a significant drawback in the gaming experience.
“Decent story with great artwork and music.”
“If you get it just because it's free, you will be surprised by a game that looks absolutely professional and that, to add up, is fully voiced and has a great soundtrack.”
“Decent story with great artwork and music.”
“Additionally, the music, a crucial element in setting the tone for the experience, failed to deliver, detracting from the overall immersion.”
“Roar factor: while 'Zarathustra - Cybergeddon' offers an intriguing premise and visually appealing pixel art, its narrative shortcomings and lackluster music hinder the overall enjoyment of the game.”
“However, be prepared for a narrative that lacks coherence and direction, and music that fails to enhance the overall atmosphere.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its strong world-building, retro aesthetic, and effective use of AI-generated graphics, creating an immersive environment reminiscent of Lovecraftian themes. However, some reviewers noted that the narrative lacks coherence and the music does not enhance the overall experience, detracting from the otherwise impressive atmosphere.
“Sure, some of the dialogue was awkward and made me want to edit it, but the atmosphere and world-building were great.”
“Tim Rachor's best adventure game so far combines his skill to create an atmospheric environment and lore, as seen in 'Curse of the Old Gods', with a richer graphic approach thanks to a good and pixelated use of AI, giving the game a retro and great look.”
“Overall, I'm still impressed with the game, the art, the concept, the Lovecraft references, and the atmosphere/aesthetic.”
“However, be prepared for a narrative that lacks coherence and direction, and music that fails to enhance the overall atmosphere.”
- character development6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is criticized for being linear and lacking depth, leading to designs that feel out of place within the game's setting. While some aspects are considered above average, the overall execution leaves much to be desired.
“This shows a horrible lack of character development.”
“It also ends up with character design that doesn't make sense within the setting.”
“Some of the character designs are odd and at times it feels too linear.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its unexpected and absurd elements, such as the main character's quirky kink and the ability to interject humorous thoughts during serious moments, like shoot-outs or fatal crashes. This blend of randomness and dark comedy adds a unique flavor to the narrative, making it both surprising and entertaining.
“I found the random inclusion of the main character's kink humorous - a mind-boggling choice if there ever was one.”
“It was pretty funny being able to say 'I thought about it and want to know more' at any point in the story - just after [spoiler]a shoot-out or a fatal car crash[/spoiler].”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The optimization of AI voiceovers for narration is noted to be functional, but it lacks the ability to deliver a compelling performance, indicating room for improvement in this area.
“You can somewhat get away with AI voiceovers for narration, but it is not yet capable of giving a performance.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious due to repetitive clicking and a lack of meaningful value in the system, yet they acknowledge that it serves its purpose adequately.
