Recent reviews by mr_klikbait

If you looked at this game's store page and thought it looked a little corny, you'd be in the same boat as I was when I first found out about this.
~150 hours later and I seriously cannot stop thinking about it. It perfectly rides the line between being accessible enough for anyone to get into and enjoy but has enough depth and nuance to its game mechanics for you to endlessly try to master. this game can get endlessly complex in its planning and execution, and there are 100 different things you can screw up, but not once have I ever been confused by any of the game mechanics. if you DO ♥♥♥♥ it up, i often find it obvious as to what I did wrong, and you can always watch a replay of your failure if you ever desire.
If you DON'T ♥♥♥♥ it up, well, lets just say I don't think I could ever put into words the satisfaction of planning a breach into a room and executing it perfectly. the pure feeling of watching your guys enter a room, and clear it of enemies with minimal resistance after figuring out how to approach it makes all the failure worth it in the end, if you ask me.
The tools given to you combined with the quality map design allow for a wide variety of solutions to a level, too. while some solutions are obviously better than others, I've never felt 100% railroaded by the game.
all this on top of an extensive set of modding tools as well, there's a bunch of modded units out there, and the custom levels I've played are on par with and sometimes exceed the quality of the base game.

HOWEVER.

I think this game's store page does not do this game justice, especially to people who aren't familiar to CQB Theory. I was in a similar boat.
I am not a police officer, I am not current/former military, I have seen a couple real life CQB training videos online but I have never truly "understood" it the same way one who does CQB professionally might. even with the limited knowledge I had before hand I was still put off by this game.
It wasn't until I watched some YouTube videos of someone narrating their thought process while playing that the game truly clicked for me. If I never found those videos, I don't think I'd have bought this game.

If you are at all hesitant on your purchase, I strongly recommend that you go watch videos of people who are good at this game, and are able to explain the decisions they make. If you still don't "get it", then I'd say to hold your money for something else.

TL;DR, 10/10, makes me wanna close the blinds and clear my house with a Nerf gun

>61 hours
>haven't even left earth
10/10 would recommend

UPDATED: 10/10/2021

So, it's been, what, a year since I've checked up on this game? well, as it turns out, a lot of things have changed in a year, including a new "2.0 update" that is currently in it's 4th beta iteration as of writing. with the amount of stuff that has been reworked in the update, I think it'd be appropriate to update my consensus and personal thoughts on the game as of now. do note that anything in my previous review that i don't cover here still applies.

Firstly, the graphics have been completely overhauled and look exponentially better on nearly all fronts, not only has the GFX been improved- utilizing a whole lot more shadows and other such technical jabber- but the presentation as a whole has been completely redone, one thing that stuck out to me in particular was how the "radius"- the large black/orange ball in the sky has been completely remade from scratch, it looks a whole lot more pretty and I love they way they've redone it.

The gameplay has also seen a considerable amount of changes to it as well. The map now has now gone from one giant map to various different "areas" similar to that of S.T.A.L.K.E.R, each of which are stitched together with loading screens. I presume this change is in part due to potential performance issues, but gameplay-wise, I honestly don't mind it.

Additionally, there are also now "security levels", they are gained through completing missions, and are essentially level restrictions on what you are able to purchase in the store. from what I understand, this is a way to curb min-maxing your items and farming loot to get the best gear in hours. I understand why they did this, but to me the way it was implemented kinda feels like it plays against the whole looting/semi-linear aspect of the game.

I think you could keep the current system for mission required items, but then add a whole new system on top of that- baseline gear would be for sale from the start, but any other items would be required to be found in the radius and brought back to base in order to for them be purchasable.

There is also a new super-event; "the tide", which acts very similarly to the Reactor Blowouts of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R series. on the map, there is a countdown. when it reaches zero, the "tide" occurs, which will respawn loot as well as enemies. If you are caught in the map when it occurs, you wont die, but you will be sent to a random location on the map. I think it's a neat and thematically-fitting way of handling item/enemy respawn, as opposed to what you had before, where enemies would just respawn every time you returned to the zone.

Regarding the stability of the game, everything seems to run a bit "finer", to say the least. performance does seem a little better, though marginal. the physics engine in the game also feels a whole lot more refined, things like drawers spazzing out or items getting flung across the room seem to have been fixed, though I have gotten my hand randomly stuck in places leading to my arm getting stretched across the room. if you've had that happen in other games, you'd know what i'm talking about.

So, would I still recommend this game? honestly, yeah, there are a few hiccups here and there, but for the most part, the changes made in the update i think were for the better. if you were looking for S.T.A.L.K.E.R in VR, this game has never been closer to it.

Old review below:
I don't really have much to say about this game, as i haven't gotten past the first region, but from what I've seen so far, It seems to be a pretty solid game.

One thing I'd say is its got a good amount of Jank to it, But Its never to the point of game-breaking. Though it would be nice to see a layer of polish get added to this game, I personally think it adds to the charm of it.

when it comes to performance, Its personally been fine on my end, I haven't noticed anything too bad for the most part. my specs:

Ryzen 3800XT
GTX 1070TI
16 GB DDR4

ran off a 4 TB HDD with an RPM of 5400.

I cant speak for lower end systems, but if you have a pretty decent computer, I assume it'll run fine.

The graphics are, well, graphics. yeah, they're not really that great when you compare them to games like HL:A, but Keep in mind that this is an open world, Optimized-for-VR title without the budget of a AAA studio like valve. You kinda need to lower your expectations for this. thats not to say they're bad though, for a VR game, it's pretty average, and for the most part, it gets the job done. most importantly, it does not take away from the atmosphere of the game. Which is good.

speaking of the atmosphere, this game nails it. the world of into the radius truly does feel like your exploring an alien realm where just walking along a roadway has that eerie feel and a sense of dread that I haven't felt in any other VR game before. exploring at night is also one of the highlights of this game. Slowly scanning my surroundings with a dim flashlight while moving in pitch blackness, praying that i don't accidentally run into an anomaly or some sort of freaky creature is already pretty tense in and of itself, but the fact that it's in VR only amplifies the tension and makes it that much better.

With that said, there are a few nitpicks that I'd like to note, for the devs to hopefully pick up.

Firstly, using the map was pretty difficult, I personally found it hard to pinpoint my Spawn location, my first run on this game was me just running around the map trying to find my objective, I'm not saying to make it like story mode where it constantly tracks your location, but Maybe just something to mark where you spawned, so that I at least know where I began, and so that i'm not running all over the place, completely lost.

secondly, the climbing aspect of the game is pretty neat, but With the HTC vive wands, it requires you to hold the grip buttons, which are generally meant to be pressed and can be really uncomfortable. I'd love an option that rebinds climbing to the trigger instead.

That's all i have to say on this game. all in all, I'd reccomend anyone whose interested in games like STALKER to give this game a try. It isn't triple-A quality, but I dont think it needs to be.

I mean it when i say there is potential for this game to be great. What is currently there is an extremely Solid base for what could be the best rainbow six game since rogue spear.

no, i didn't misspell, If you miss the feeling of a gritty, unforgiving, tactical shooter like the old R6 games, or even SWAT, then, at the very least, keep this game on your radar.

This game has been worked on for 6 or so years by a very small team, and to this day they've been gradually updating the game with new features & mechanics, inching ever so closer to their end goal. If their dedication is any indication of what's to come-- to you, might I add, then please buy this game and support the developers.

I would additionally like to add that the developers are rather active on r/groundbranch and their discord as well, so if you're curious, don't be afraid to shoot them a question there. they also have a trello board that they update often as well and has a whole list of various things they have planned for the game.


however, if you've really missed the "good old days" of tactical shooters, then keep it on your radar, perhaps even buy the game and support the developers. again, whats there is a really solid base for a truly great tactical shooter, and while this is only my personal opinion, I wholeheartedly trust that, with enough time, this game will become a fantastic game.

an indie horror game that i couldn't recommend more.

when it comes to the story, its not a thing you're supposed to get at face-value. it takes a lot of interpretation post-game. i wish i could say more, but the header's already pushing it.

when it comes to gameplay, it feels like a homage to the games like silent hill 1-3 while managing to place a few other sneakies in too. its great. it features a new game plus mode, which shakes up enemy placement to keep things tense. the game also has 3 different endings, a good, bad, and very bad ending. some of which are easier to get than others. it also features 2 different side-modes, however they serve as more of an icing on the delicious cake for those who wanna dig deep and squeeze a few extra hours from this game, as they are hidden from the naked eye.

the only "real downside" that i have for this game is that its too short. that isn't to say you should get this game on sale, because what it has is worth the twelve dollars, but i just wish there was more content in this game for me to play.

before i share my story, it is vital that i share some gameplay mechanics to understand it better, no worries, i wont spoil the game- mostly because i haven't really gotten that far in the first place.

there are two phases to this game. the first one is the "Day" phase. where you go out and scavenge for materials, fuel, weapons, and occasionally fight the rabid dog or so. (atleast in the first zone. there are 3 in total but i haven't been in either of them.) There is a map to get around, but you are never explicitly told where you are. (unless you get a skill, but even then, its a one time-per-day use.) there are various landmarks around the place, and only if you are in it's vicinity will you be told where you are. so you are still at risk of getting lost, which you dont want to do.

even though the day seems boring on paper, (and it pretty much is without the next phase, as long as you dont go near spoopy stuff.) it still is pretty tense. why? its because im missing out one important detail.

the night phase. you have almost no notification of when its coming, and when it does, it will probably send you into a mild panic if you aren't prepared.

this bit right here is the juicy part of the game. when the game developers first pitched their idea, they said it would be a tower defense-ish game. this is definitely the part they were talking about, although it has strayed from that to say the least. at night you need to setup the necessary defenses to survive. you have a pretty good amount of things to do too. barricades, whether it be planks and nails, or a wardrobe, and traps such as chain traps and bear traps. and last but certainly not least, weapons. from firearms (no, they dont kill the tension.) to a plank with a nail. even with all of these, they can only do so much. they WILL break down your defenses. they WILL get to you. And if you are in a fight with more then one, then good luck. if you try to run. you will die. as the oven said, (the thing that simply gives you a chance at survival in the first place.) if you go outside, there is a 99 in 100 percent chance you will die. honestly, i'd rather pick the home even without the high risk of death.

you also have a generator for lights. this will be important in the story.

there is one more thing i should talk about- the skills. they aren't your ordinary "kill x/find y/sabotage z for exp", you gain skills from havesting "odd looking mushrooms", which rot slowly over time. you cook these and put them in a syringe, which fills it with essence. once the syringe is full, you can inject it into yourself and gain one skill per dose, but you must also pick a detriment. even then, you will still need them eventually.

now, finally, onto the story.

i was on my third night in the game. all im doing is make sure noone gets in. but heres the catch. that generator powers one thing- lights, and it can be turned off. for the past two days what i was doing is leaving the generator off, hiding in a corner, and waiting, praying to god that death doesn't enter my door. (It did knock on my front door, though. and that's not me being funny.) it may seem like a terrible idea, but remember- people have eyes. if those lights are on, then they know someone is there. you dont want them to know that. However, as i just recently got my first dose, The only detriment i could pick was one that made it more dangerous to stay in the dark. meaning i was forced to turn on my generator for the night and wait it out.

its the middle of the night, im waiting one of the rooms, there was a huge hole in the wall which i sealed with a wardrobe. i could hear walking outside. then suddenly i saw one of the doors open. (for more clarification, the limited fov only conceals things like People or dogs, otherwise if someone broke a Stool or opened a door, not within your line of sight, you would still see it due to the top-down perspective. this is good, and ill say why.) i didn't know what it was, but i was expecting the worst.

more footsteps. still waiting. suddenly the wardrobe starts moving. and they dont move at random. i was tense. i didn't know if i was gonna be able to kill it. but what i didn't expect was when it rounded the corner and came into my sight.

it was a dog.

a rabid dog.

to say the least. this was the most relieving moment i've ever had in gaming.

And, before you say, yes- it was pretty anticlimatic. but you never realise it at first.

------

the point was, is that this game is a master of psychological horror. its use and portrayal of 2D perspective to make it a Benefit rather than a negative. because you KNOW that there are scarier things out there. that they spared you this time but might not the next time. combined with its gloomy and love-craftian atmosphere puts it with the best horror games of 2017.

when they said they made a horror game not reliant on jumpscares. they didn't just set it down and leave it at that, they took the promise and ran with it.

> third game
> D-boye
> have no idea what im doing
> hears other d-boye
> follows him because he sounds like he's smart
> exploring for keycard
> finds scientist
> "dont go in there i heard something"
> both follow scientist
> create colorblind KKK featuring Scientist
> open heavy containment
> Guard comes from elevator
> oshit.mp4
> other guy acts like he's jesus
> pleaswork.jpg
> guard starts shooting
> ohshitohshitHIDE
> "i have 2 health dude im goNNA FREAKIN DIE"
> scientist and guard leaves
> both go to adjacent elevator
> is being used
> ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
> is scientist
> thank god
> same guard comes
> ♥♥♥♥♥♥
> hides again
> scientist ♥♥♥♥♥ off
> still hiding
> ...
> same guard walks by
> waitwaiRUN♥♥♥♥GOGODGOGO
> goes to same elevator
> actually works
> other scientist comes
> thank♥♥♥♥inggod
> searching for keycard
> plague doctor
> oh ♥♥♥♥
> SCP-939
> i have a wife and kids
> ShyGuy
> for♥♥♥♥sakegodno
> other d-boye (yes he's still with) "in here"
> hides under stairs
> "♥♥♥♥ dude we're gonna die"
> "hello am facility guard gonna spook you"
> "NONONO♥♥♥♥"
> repeating "this is where we end" off mic
> guard walks by
> FFFFFFFF
> "chaos enters"
> bang bang
> multiple footsteps
> ♥♥♥♥
> "multiple chaos walks by"
> "FFFFFFFUK"
> ...
> more footsteps
> ...
> chaos spots us like he's a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ eagle
> ...
> chaos comes down
> ...
> is currently eye-to-eye
> ...
> other guy "PLEASE DONT KILL US I BEG YOU MERCY PLEASE WE ARE STAIR DWELLERS PLEASE WE LIVE IN PEACE"
> chaos shoots scientist
> chaos leaves
> me and other d-boye are still alive, other d-boye at 2%
> ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ BOOK IT AND RUN
> warhead detonating in t-19
> cue dramatic voice
> "we're not gonna make out alive, but we're gonna die like men"
> "entrance zone"
> ohmy♥♥♥♥inggod.ogg
> openopenopenplease
> "door opens"
> :DDDDDDDDD
> both running like hell
> finds 2 d-boye corpse
> holy crap they came this far
> both keep running
> Gate A
> oh my god
> goes up elevator
> wecandoit.mp4
> gunshots
> DDDDDDDDD:
> goes down elevator
> "go to the right corner they never check there"
> hiding
> see's grenade flash
> ohno
> "what was that" i say
> "IT WAS JUST LIGHT JUST FRIENDLY LIGHT"
> ...
> "i think it was a grenade"
> ...
> other guy is like ♥♥♥♥ it and runs to elevator
> i follow
> goes up
> "Alpha warhead resumed detonation, T-14"
> "♥♥♥♥"
> "we can still make it" other guy
> me "ok ok"
> charges outside
> dont stop the b-hop
> passes guard
> guard doesn't even bat an eye
> "JUST RUN" guard says
> sprinting past
> guard ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ dies within the distance
> ohno
> screen static
> SCP wins
> celebrate.jpg

and that, is how i survived with absolutely nothing but some other guy. now that i think of it i dont think he knew what he was doing either.

get the game please

A fun little game if your bored. Would wait for a sale though.

this game. i dont know- i genuinely dont know how it does it.

i finally build up the strength to play this game. schools over- so i can play untill i get bored. and thats usually around an hour or so.

its 10 in the morning, i decide to start a new game, then ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ its 3. i've spent 5 ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ hours on this game. i dont do that. i dont do that with any game. and i play with enemies off- which is another whole conundrum that i dont dare screw with.

then i decide that perhaps its time to get off. so i do.

then, eventually i look back and say, what did i accomplish?

theres a reason why i added "built up the strength to play this game." it taunts me. every time i decide to invest in this monster i lose countless hours. and i do get stuff done, and its not even that i didn't enjoy it! but then i look back. i look back and my mind starts to panic. didn't do anything. i say to myself. all that time and effort and you couldn't even start working on it.

if you need an example, then here is one.

i currently have two worlds. and before i made the second one i would always go on and say "im gonna do this. im gonna get this done. and then i do work. then i look back. and im here. and now im wondering to myself, "why does everything feel the same?"

perhaps its obvious, but im ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ scared of this game. it haunts me. everytime i think of it i get anxious. like a huge, ominous wall. something out of a dystopian nightmare. i dont know whats beyond that wall. all i do know is that theres something that will drain me. feed off of me.

except now this wall has huge, 1000 ft bulletproof glass panels connecting to two grey columns. with each column feeling like they get bigger the farther they're from me.

every time i look in i see black. but then sometimes i see gears turning from the cold sweat that powers this machine. people willingly putting time and effort. like mindless slaves connected to a hivemind that wants it. wants it all.

and that hivemind- that factory.

it grows.

it takes in anyone no matter how prepared and uses them. exploits them. for reasons i will probably never know.

all i know is that it gets bigger because because of this.




dont do it.