Info about WRATH: Aeon of Ruin:

Official game description:
You are Outlander. Once adrift upon the Ageless Sea, you now find yourself on the shores of a dying world. From the consuming darkness emerges a figure cloaked in white: the Shepherd of Wayward Souls, who burdens you with the task of hunting down the remaining Guardians of the Old World. You must journey into the vast gloom to explore ancient ruins, discover forgotten secrets and battle the horrors that lurk within.
Equipped with weapons of exceptional might and an inventory of powerful artifacts, you must traverse ancient crypts, sunken ruins, corrupted temples and howling forests to bring death to your enemies. But do not underestimate your adversaries, for they are great in power and number. Your mind must be as sharp as your blade if you hope to survive the dangers ahead.
Fueled by legendary Quake 1 technology, the veins of WRATH pump with the DNA of revered '90s shooters. The world of WRATH is rich with engaging combat, diverse environments and captivating lore. Every element is deftly intertwined to create an authentic and enchanting experience as timeless as the games that inspired it.
Highlights:
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*   Travel with the Shepherd of Wayward Souls across 3 unique hubs and 15 maps
*   Explore a vast world shrouded in darkness, passionately crafted by the hands of longtime veterans of the Quake scene.
*   Lay waste to 15 unique enemies lurking in the shadows, thirsting for your blood.
*   Defeat the 3 Godlike Guardians of the Old World
*   Exert your dominance through the aggressive dance of combat with 10 unique artifacts
*   Comb each level thoroughly, uncovering secrets to help you survive
*   Immerse yourself in haunting music born from the twisted mind of Andrew Hulshult (Quake Champions, Dusk, Amid Evil and DOOM Eternal: The Ancient Gods Part One).

Release date: Feb 27, 2024

Categories: First-Person Shooter, Retro FPS, Boomer Shooter, Arena Shooter, Exploration, First-Person Melee Combat, Secret Hunting

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 50; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: Linux/Proton support is mixed. The game can run very well through the native Linux build or Proton Experimental, with positive reports of stability and performance. However, multiple users report that the default Steam configuration selects a wrong or non-working Proton version, and the Fulqrum Launcher often requires custom launch options or executable selection to bypass. This creates repeated launch and setup friction that goes beyond minor tweaks, even though workarounds and native options exist.
- Steam Deck: score 55; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: WRATH: Aeon of Ruin is playable on Steam Deck but requires manual tinkering: the default Proton version is wrong and often prevents launch, and the third-party launcher creates additional boot problems in Game Mode. Controller support is present but criticized for dead zones, poor mapping, and missing aim assist. Positive reports of native Linux builds and Luxtorpeda show the game can run well once configured. The experience does not work out of the box and does not merit Verified status.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $15.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews repeatedly treat the current $24.99 base price as too high, with one reviewer directly saying it is not worth full price and another calling 25 euro too expensive. The strongest positive value statements are conditional on discounts, especially sale prices around $5-$10 or below $10. A few reviewers praise the content as worth playing, which keeps the fair base value above the lowest sale-only figures, but the overall consensus points to a fair base-game range well below the current price, around $10-$15.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 29.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 1.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The direct completion report 'i completed the game at 29 hours' supports gameCompletion = 29 hours, with another review citing roughly 18 hours as a shorter completion estimate. Level/map duration quotes of 40-60 minutes and the comment that players are unlikely to finish more than one level in a session support sessionLength = 1 hour. No quote provides a separate story-only completion time, and no quote gives post-story or endgame hour counts, so storyCompletion and endgame are null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Players consistently report Wrath as a repetitive, tedious slog that does not reliably become fun, even in later episodes.
  - Stance: Never clicks
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Repetitive enemy encounters; Tedious level design; Limited save system; Ammo scarcity; Bullet-sponge enemies; Confusing navigation
  - Unlock drivers: N/A
  - Conditions: N/A
- Player Archetypes:
  - Movement-First Arena Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: Chasing satisfying high-skill movement and fast, old-school arena combat.
    - Playstyle: Fast, momentum-driven strafing and bunnyhopping through combat encounters.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Quake veteran; movement focused arena/old-school shooters player
    - Reference games: Quake Champions; DOOM; TF2; Quake; Dusk
  - Hardcore Challenge Seeker (buy)
    - Motivation: Overcoming an extremely hardcore, punishing shooter that rewards patience and dedication.
    - Playstyle: Plays on high difficulty, self-restricting saves and pushing through brutal encounters.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: OUTLANDER runner
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Completionist Achievement Hunter (sale)
    - Motivation: Unlocking achievements and reaching 100% completion across repeated playthroughs.
    - Playstyle: Plans multiple runs, targets achievements, and optimizes progress toward full completion.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: achievement hunters
    - Reference games: Quake
  - Lost and Frustrated Modern Shooter Player (no buy)
    - Motivation: Wanting a clear, well-paced shooter experience without getting lost or overwhelmed.
    - Playstyle: Attempts straightforward progression and disengages when navigation and combat become punishing.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Satisfying weapon feel praised (weight 0.56): Weapons are consistently described as satisfying, meaty, and well-animated, with excellent visual and audio feedback. The selection is diverse and multifunctional, making combat enjoyable.
- Excellent level design highlighted (weight 0.44): Levels are huge, well-thought-out, and intricately designed, offering great exploration and rewards. The scale and technical quality of the maps are frequently praised.
- Retro shooter aesthetic appreciated (weight 0.4): The game successfully captures the aesthetics of 90s shooters, often compared to Quake and Heretic. It is praised as a great old-school or boomer shooter.
- Positive overall gameplay impressions (weight 0.23): Players widely regard the gameplay as good, polished, and fun, with smooth and fluid performance. The game is generally well-received for its core mechanics.
- Enjoyable visual style and graphics (weight 0.19): The visual style is enjoyable and the graphics are perfect for the genre, making the game gorgeous and pretty. The art direction and aesthetics are frequently praised.
- Impressive enemy design and variety (weight 0.18): Enemies are nicely animated, well-designed, and diverse, with behavior that impresses players. The roster of enemies adds to the combat experience.
- Fast and fluid movement (weight 0.17): Movement is fast, snappy, and fluid, often described as a speedrunner's dream. It feels good and adds to the overall enjoyment of the gameplay.
- Numerous well-hidden secrets (weight 0.14): The game features many secrets and caches for explorers, with tons of visible and hidden secrets to discover. This encourages thorough exploration.
- Smooth and stable performance (weight 0.08): The game runs very smoothly and stably without issues, ensuring a fast and fluid experience. Performance is consistently reliable.
- Excellent atmosphere (weight 0.07): The atmosphere is great and immersive, contributing to the overall enjoyment of the game. The ambient sounds and visual design enhance the mood.

Common complaints:
- Excessive level size and length (weight 0.39): Many players report that levels are too large and too long, often taking 25 minutes to over an hour to complete. This leads to fatigue and a tedious experience, especially in later acts.
- Publisher/third-party launcher issues (weight 0.36): The addition of a publisher or third-party launcher has caused numerous problems, including breaking Steam Deck compatibility and failing to launch the game properly. Many players find the launcher unnecessary and intrusive.
- Weapon and enemy variety lacking (weight 0.34): Both weapon and enemy variety are criticized as insufficient, with many enemies and weapons appearing early and then repeating. This leads to repetitive combat and a sense of staleness.
- Confusing navigation without map (weight 0.3): The lack of any map system makes it easy to get lost in the large, interconnected levels. Players frequently feel disoriented and frustrated when trying to find objectives.
- Scarce ammo and frequent shortages (weight 0.26): Ammo is often scarce, forcing players to constantly search for it. This issue is exacerbated on higher difficulties, making the game frustrating and less enjoyable.
- Monotonous and tedious gameplay (weight 0.2): The game becomes tiresome and monotonous after a few hours, with combat feeling repetitive and the overall experience feeling drawn out. Many players describe it as bland and lacking soul.
- Save system problems (weight 0.17): The save system is frequently criticized as annoying, complex, or broken. Some players report losing progress due to its limitations or bugs.
- Poor enemy placement and design (weight 0.13): Enemies are often placed haphazardly, with little synergy between enemy positioning and level design. This results in nonsensical and unimaginative encounters.
- Mediocre level design (weight 0.07): Level design is considered not great, mediocre, or even bad and cheap by some players. This contributes to a lack of engagement.
- High difficulty even on easy (weight 0.07): Even on easy or normal difficulty, the game is considered quite challenging by many players. This can be off-putting for those seeking a more relaxed experience.
- Forgettable and bland music (weight 0.06): The music is often described as monotonous, generic, and forgettable. It fails to enhance the gaming experience.
- Unsatisfying pistol feedback (weight 0.06): The pistol, a core weapon, is criticized for having zero feedback and feeling like a pea shooter. This detracts from the overall combat feel.

Gameplay feedback:
- Old-school FPS identity (weight 0.42): Reviewers consistently describe the game as an old-school first-person shooter in the vein of Quake and Doom. It is an arena-style, atmospheric shooter that deliberately evokes classic 1990s FPS design.
- Weapon variety and alt-fires (weight 0.42): Reviews highlight a wide arsenal of weapons with multiple ammunition types and alternate fire modes. Melee weapons and iconic guns like the double-barrel shotgun are also frequently mentioned.
- Soul Tether save system (weight 0.34): The game uses limited save tokens called Soul Tethers, supplemented by healing shrines that auto-save. This design is widely discussed as a deliberate anti-save-scumming mechanic with an option to enable unlimited saves instead.
- Huge labyrinthine levels with secrets (weight 0.26): Levels are described as gigantic, labyrinthine, and packed with secrets, shortcuts, and open environments. The scale and non-linear design are recurring praise points across many reviews.
- Campaign structured in acts (weight 0.22): The campaign is divided into multiple acts or episodes, with several reviews detailing three hubs each containing multiple large levels and boss fights. This episodic structure gives the game a clear progression path.
- Quake engine lineage (weight 0.22): The game is built on a modified Quake engine, with many reviews specifically naming the DarkPlaces source port. This technical foundation is frequently cited as a core part of its retro identity.
- Intricate level design praised (weight 0.13): The level design is frequently described as intricate, with large, wide-open environments and varied layouts. This complexity is often highlighted as a strong point of the game.
- Hundreds of enemies per level (weight 0.12): Many reviews note that levels contain hundreds of enemies, with some citing 200-600 monsters each. This high enemy count contributes to the game's intense, arena-like combat pacing.
- Fast-paced bunny hopping movement (weight 0.1): The game features fast-paced movement with bunny hopping, a hallmark of Quake-style shooters. This mechanic is often praised for enhancing the old-school feel and combat flow.
- Scarce ammo and clunky firearms (weight 0.1): Ammo scarcity is a deliberate core mechanic, and some reviews describe firearms as feeling clunky. This design choice forces careful resource management during combat.
- Repetitive enemy variety (weight 0.1): Several reviews criticize enemy variety as lacking, with enemies and weapons being introduced and then reused without much variation. This repetition can make combat feel stale over time.
- Hard difficulty available (weight 0.09): A hard difficulty option is available, providing a challenging experience for players seeking tougher combat. This is mentioned as a notable feature for veterans of the genre.
- Boss fights with damage negation (weight 0.08): Boss fights appear at the end of episodes and often feature damage negation effects. They are noted as a distinct part of the campaign's structure.
- Long level completion times (weight 0.08): Individual levels can take 30-60 minutes to complete, with some reviews noting 40-60 minute playtimes per level. This contributes to the game's substantial length and sense of scale.
- Platforming segments and traps (weight 0.08): The game includes platforming sections and environmental traps, adding variety beyond pure shooting. These segments are noted as part of the overall level design.
- Unpredictable enemy spawns (weight 0.07): Enemies sometimes spawn around the player without warning, particularly when picking up keys or jumping to platforms. This can feel unfair or startling to some reviewers.

Performance notes:
- Smooth Performance and Optimization (weight 0.23): Many players report smooth, stable performance with high frame rates and no stutters or crashes, even on lower-end hardware or Early Access.
- Linux and Steam Deck Compatibility (weight 0.2): The game runs natively on Linux and Steam Deck, but often requires specific Proton versions or fixes. Some updates improve compatibility.
- Launcher Prevents Game Launch (weight 0.16): Players report that the Fulqrum Publishing launcher stops the game from launching directly. Issues include the game refusing to start or requiring multiple attempts on Steam Deck.
- Memory Leak and High RAM Usage (weight 0.12): Saving the game consumes 2-4GB of RAM each time, leading to crashes from running out of memory and progressive stuttering. Restarting and reloading temporarily fixes the issue.
- Frequent Crashes and Instability (weight 0.08): The game crashes regularly, sometimes every 5-7 minutes, and some crashes happen during loading. This severely impacts playability.
- Stuttering and Performance Degradation (weight 0.08): Some players experience stuttering that worsens over time, especially on certain maps, and optimization has gotten worse. Upgrading hardware or restarting temporarily alleviates it.
- Janky Movement and Mechanics (weight 0.05): Jumping and slope movement feel janky, detracting from the overall experience.
- Weak PC Performance (weight 0.03): Some reviewers find the PC performance weak, with noticeable stutters or low frame rates.

Recommendations:
- Not recommended (weight 0.26): A number of reviewers do not recommend the game, some citing its current state or personal preference. Others advise against buying it altogether.
- Recommended for boomer shooter fans (weight 0.23): Fans of boomer shooters and old-school FPS games highly recommend it. It appeals to those who enjoy classic 90s shooters.
- Recommended for Quake fans (weight 0.21): The game is recommended for fans of Quake, Turok, Painkiller, and similar classic shooters. However, some suggest playing Quake and its mods instead, as they are superior.
- On sale recommended (weight 0.2): Many reviewers recommend buying the game on sale, warning against full price. The game is worth it at a discount but not at full price.
- Highly recommended (weight 0.12): Many reviewers highly recommend the game without hesitation. They express strong positive sentiment.
- Not as good as Quake (weight 0.11): Some reviewers feel that even for Quake fans, the game is not as good as Quake 1. They suggest playing Quake instead.
- Not recommended on full price (weight 0.1): Several reviewers explicitly advise against purchasing the game at full price. They suggest waiting for a sale to get better value.
- Support the developers (weight 0.1): Some reviewers encourage buying the game to support the developers. They highly recommend it and urge others to purchase it.
- Must-have for genre fans (weight 0.05): Reviewers consider it a must-have for fans of the genre. It is highly recommended for those who enjoy similar games.
- Do not support publishers (weight 0.05): A few reviewers advise against giving money to the publishers. They do not recommend buying from them.

Other player notes:
- Quake-inspired comparisons dominate feedback (weight 0.57): Many reviewers compare the game to Quake, Heretic, Doom, Hexen, and similar classic shooters. This reflects the game's strong influence from 90s FPS titles.
- Extended early access period noted (weight 0.33): Players frequently mention that the game was in early access for several years before full release. This long development phase is a common point of discussion.
- Publisher launcher causes inconvenience (weight 0.23): A launcher was added by the publisher, which some players find unnecessary. It was introduced after release, and workarounds exist to bypass it.
- Troubled development history mentioned (weight 0.17): Some reviewers describe the game's development as troubled or going through 'development hell'. This perception stems from delays and a protracted cycle.
- Playtime varies around 20-30 hours (weight 0.16): Reviewers report completion times ranging from 18 to 30 hours, with 100% completion taking longer. This indicates a substantial game length.
- Built on modified Quake engine (weight 0.15): The game uses a modified version of the Quake engine, specifically Dark Places. This technical detail is often highlighted by players.
- Boomer shooter comparisons (weight 0.12): The game is often compared to boomer shooters and platformer FPS titles. However, some feel there are better alternatives in the genre.
- Soundtrack by Andrew Hulshult praised (weight 0.11): The game's soundtrack is composed by Andrew Hulshult and is frequently mentioned in reviews. It blends styles reminiscent of Quake and other retro shooters.
- Developed by experienced Quake modders (weight 0.08): The development team includes prolific Quake modders, which lends credibility to the game's design. Their background is often praised.
- Compared to Doom Eternal (weight 0.07): Some players draw parallels to Doom Eternal, especially regarding movement and replayability. This suggests similar fast-paced action elements.
- Contains 15 levels across hubs (weight 0.05): The game features 15 large levels organized into three hubs, with three bosses. This structure is noted by players.
- Level design compared to Quake expansions (weight 0.05): The level design direction is sometimes contrasted with Quake's Dimension of the Machine expansion. This highlights differing approaches to level layout.
- Worth buying on sale (weight 0.05): Some reviewers suggest the game is a good purchase when discounted. They imply the full price may not be justified for everyone.
- Save system compared to Daikatana (weight 0.05): The save system has been unfavorably compared to that of Daikatana. This suggests potential frustration with how saving works.
- Arena combat reminiscent of Serious Sam (weight 0.05): Some reviewers liken the arena battles to Serious Sam or other arena shooters. This indicates a focus on large-scale enemy encounters.
- Native Linux support available (weight 0.05): The game has a native Linux build, which is appreciated by Linux users. This is a positive technical aspect.
- Published by 3D Realms (weight 0.05): The game is published by 3D Realms, a well-known publisher in the FPS genre. This association is noted by some reviewers.
- Obtained through Humble Bundle (weight 0.05): Some players acquired the game via a Humble Bundle. This indicates the game has been part of bundle deals.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.22): Players are frustrated by a broken and limited save system that frequently loses large amounts of progress, combined with poor level navigation that forces constant backtracking. Combat is hampered by scarce ammo, weak weapons, exploding enemies that punish melee, and unfair enemy placement. Technical issues like crashes, stuttering, and a mandatory third-party launcher further compound the annoyance.
- Disappointment (weight 0.17): Many players had high expectations from the Quake-inspired trailers and years of Early Access, but found the game failed to live up to its potential. The enemy and weapon variety are repetitive, the soundtrack is ambient rather than energetic, and the level design becomes bloated and tedious. External factors like the publisher adding an unwanted launcher and broken Steam Deck support also contributed to the letdown.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.09): Players enjoy the fast-paced movement mechanics, satisfying weapons, and classic boomer shooter gameplay inspired by Quake. The large levels with secrets, varied enemies, and atmospheric soundtrack provide a fun and nostalgic experience. The overall polish and solid combat loop make it a standout retro shooter for many.
- Boredom (weight 0.06): The game becomes boring due to repetitive enemy encounters, monotonous environments, and a lack of variety. Combat often feels like a routine against health-sponge enemies, and long levels with unclear objectives lead to tedious wandering. The music and pacing fail to maintain engagement over time.
- Annoyance (weight 0.06): Players are annoyed by the forced third-party launcher that interferes with launching the game, as well as technical issues like stuttering and crashes. Gameplay irritants include scarce ammo, punishing melee against exploding enemies, and a limited save system that leads to lost progress. Small annoyances like unskippable cutscenes and loud sound effects add to the irritation.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.04): Players feel satisfied by the solid weapon feel, fluid movement, and challenging combat that offers a faithful Quake-like experience. The post-launch improvements, including infinite quicksaves and better enemy distribution, have enhanced the game. The overall polished gameplay and rewarding exploration provide a sense of accomplishment.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Players appreciate the game's stunning level design, atmospheric soundtrack, and careful development. The generous save system, numerous secrets, and balanced difficulty on medium settings are highlights. The art style, sound design, and unique engine uses show a high level of craftsmanship.
- Anger (weight 0.03): Anger is primarily directed at the publisher for adding an unwanted launcher that breaks the game on Steam Deck and raises privacy concerns. The restrictive save system and technical issues like crashes and enemy AI problems also infuriate players. Long development delays and Early Access mismanagement have fueled resentment.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Players are excited by the fast-paced gameplay, punchy weapons, and amazing enemy designs. The lush world-building and atmospheric visuals, especially in later hubs, create anticipation for what's next. The game stands out as a top-tier retro shooter, generating enthusiastic engagement.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Relief comes from successfully bypassing or disabling problematic elements like the launcher or strafe tilting, or from finally obtaining a refund. Finishing the game after a long playtime or getting it to run on Linux also provides a sense of closure. These moments resolve prior frustration or anxiety.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Players are confused by unclear level design and lack of direction, often getting lost in complex, repetitive environments. The old graphics can mistakenly suggest technical issues, and boss fights sometimes convey unclear damage feedback. Overall, navigation and objectives are frequently ambiguous.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.01): Dissatisfaction stems from poor weapon feel, dreadful balance, and anticlimactic boss fights. High inertia movement and weak enemy hit feedback detract from the combat experience. The lack of music and easy-to-get-lost maps further reduce enjoyment.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasts praise the game as a cool indie FPS that Quake fans will love, with a speedrunner-friendly movement system and challenging fights. The retro-inspired atmosphere and evolved Quake feel generate eagerness for future levels. The game successfully captures the essence of classic shooters.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Nostalgia is evoked by the game's old-school feel reminiscent of Quake, Heretic, and other 90s shooters. The enemy types and level design bring back memories of early 2000s LAN parties and classic FPS experiences. It feels like coming home for veteran gamers.
- Fatigue (weight 0.01): Fatigue results from lengthy, repetitive levels with large empty spaces and monotonous combat. Constantly switching between aggressive fights and aimless wandering to find progression drains energy. Long play sessions become exhausting due to the game's pacing.
- Dislike (weight 0.01): Dislike is directed at specific elements like the Crucible of Souls level, weak starting weapons, and the forced launcher. The save system and artifact mechanics are also unpopular. These factors detract from an otherwise potentially enjoyable experience.
- Tedium (weight 0.01): Tedium arises from overused enemy types, overly long levels, and a repetitive gameplay loop. Each level overstays its welcome, becoming a slog to complete. The lack of variety makes the experience feel drawn out and monotonous.
- Exhaustion (weight 0.01): Exhaustion is caused by levels that are too long and intense, often lasting 30-40 minutes or more. The constant high-intensity combat without breaks leads to burnout, limiting play sessions. The game's bloated structure makes it tiring to play for extended periods.
- Distrust (weight 0.01): Distrust stems from beliefs that the game is a scam abusing Early Access and preying on nostalgia. The developer's dishonest communication and use of the pandemic as an excuse erode trust. Players are hesitant to support future releases from the same developer.
- Tension (weight 0.01): Tension is created by the limited save system and constant sense of danger, with punishing difficulty keeping players on edge. The music and atmosphere suggest imminent threats, enhancing the feeling of unease. Exploration is fraught with risk, contributing to a tense experience.}