Info about OUTBUDDIES DX:

Official game description:
OUTBUDDIES DX on Discord
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A Word From The Dev
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**OUTBUDDIES**' development started as a spare time passion-project in early 2013, influenced by timeless classics of my childhood starring Super Metroid, Castlevania, Super Mario Bros., and Mega Man. The quality, depth, and acceptance of indie metroidvanias like Axiom Verge & Hollow Knight proved what can be achieved by small teams or even single persons. Those developers inspired me to allocate even more personal resources and dedication to the project so it could eventually evolve into something really special.  
As a father, daytime employee, and gamer myself I loved how progression and iteration were tackled in outstanding indie platformer Celeste, so **OUTBUDDIES** was designed to provide challenging and encouraging gameplay while skipping punishing throwbacks and grinding mechanics in total. I listen to feedback and I'm dedicated to support and improve the game further after release, so shoot me your feedback anytime!  
**Julian Laufer, Game Designer & Developer**
About the Game
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Enter Bahlam, a sunken city of the Old Gods, located deep in the South Atlantic Ocean. Following a shipwreck, adventurer and maritime archaeologist Nikolay Bernstein regains consciousness 36.000 feet under the sea. He's severely wounded and unwillingly connected to a supernatural Buddy-unit. Searching for answers about his displacement our main protagonist digs deep into the lost undercity, gradually realizing an ominous presence hollowing in its shadowed caverns.  
On your journey home you will share your fate with a friendly tribe of mining creatures, the Wozan, who fear the Old Gods and strive to get back to the surface since their ancestors had been enslaved 5000 years ago. Some of them were able to flee and founded secret colonies deep inside the sunken ruins, others are still exploited by the hostile creatures that have overtaken the city since the Old Gods suddenly disappeared.  
Experience real non-linear Metroidvania gameplay and uncover five distinct areas, all with remarkable puzzles, environmental hazards, epic boss encounters and captured Wozan to uncage. Your Buddy unit will procedurally map the area and function as a handy quality of life tool that can be controlled at will to manipulate your surroundings using various abilities like hacking, scanning, and telekinesis.  
Explore Bahlam with high freedom of movement like climbing, crawling and diving right from the start. As you progress your set of options will expand by discovering ancient weapon systems, suit upgrades and hacking protocols for your droid. All gear will be carefully balanced in terms of combat abilities and has to be used selectively to overcome specific hazards and puzzles.  
The local Co-Op option invites a second player to explore and experience this adventure together by taking control over the invincible Buddy unit. Support each other on your journey home, solve puzzles and overcome Bahlam's hostile maze. This will also provide an opportunity for team-speedrunning as a very unique take on the scene.  
Outbuddies DX is a humble budget project but that does not mean it will run poorly or lack the quality of life features. All pixel art will scale crisp and free of distortion artifacts to your native screen resolution. The game runs at 60 FPS. A hybrid physics engine ensures realistic accelerations and object movements while maintaining the pixel perfect control of the old classics. Enemy and boss AIs are carefully crafted and will kick your ass in a Souls-like manner! Outbuddies DX also supports various mappable devices like keyboard, mouse and multiple gamepads to ensure you´re able to play with your preferred setup. We listen to feedback, so shoot us a mail anytime!  
*   Explore an open vibrant fantasy world  
*   Real Metroidvania gameplay with lots of gear, puzzles and Easter eggs  
*   Unique dual-hero scheme with local Co-Op support  
*   Epic boss battles & believable enemy AIs  
*   Intriguing narrative and memorable characters  
*   High freedom of movement @ 60 FPS  
*   Handcrafted pixel art with distortion-free scaling to your native display resolution  
*   Support for various input devices & key rebinding  
*   Original soundtrack by OGRE music

Release date: Oct 15, 2019

Categories: Metroidvania, Exploration, Platformer, Soulslike Combat, Cooperative Multiplayer, 2D Platformer, Boss Rush, Pixel Art Style

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 10; verdict: Seamless; summary: User feedback indicates a positive Steam Deck experience with no technical barriers reported. The game runs smoothly and is enjoyable on the device. General control complaints exist but are not linked to Steam Deck.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $15.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews indicate the game is only considered worthwhile when purchased at deep discounts (90% off for $2, 75% off, or 15 yuan on sale), implying the current full base price (likely $20 from the 90% off context) is too high. The community suggests a fair base price should be lower, around the $10-$15 range, as purchases at $2-$5 are praised but full price is rejected. The evidence comes from both English and non-English reviews, all pointing to the need for significant discounting.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 30.0h
  - Story completion: 17.5h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Game completion time is explicitly stated as 30+ hours for 100% in a review. Story completion time is supported by a dev quote relayed by a reviewer, indicating a blind playthrough takes 15~20 hours, though a speedrun is 4 hours. Another review claims a 7-hour playthrough, likely representing a faster run or partial completion, but the 15~20 hour estimate is more specific and authoritative. Session length and endgame content lack explicit hour reports; only vague mentions of short play sessions exist, so those metrics are null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Outbuddies has a rough early game that risks losing players, but those who push through find it becomes engaging and fun by mid-game as controls and progression click.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Mid game
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: too many controls; janky movement; lack of early guidance; level design causing non-fluid progression; tedious backtracking; instant death traps
  - Unlock drivers: player adaptation to controls; mid-game upgrades enabling better movement; understanding progression mechanics
  - Conditions: player persists through early rough period; controls become familiar; movement upgrades are acquired; map opens up with more options; player learns to avoid traps
- Player Archetypes:
  - Metroidvania Purist (buy)
    - Motivation: To explore a vast, claustrophobic world with classic Metroid-like gameplay and innovative twists.
    - Playstyle: Thoroughly explores, uses drone for puzzles and combat, enjoys strategic boss fights.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Metroid series fan
    - Reference games: Super Metroid; Axiom Verge
  - Co-op Adventurer (sale)
    - Motivation: Playing through a metroidvania with a friend using the innovative buddy system.
    - Playstyle: Controls Buddy in co-op, solves puzzles requiring two characters, switches characters on the fly.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Difficulty-Conscious Player (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Wants to explore but is put off by difficult or unfair design choices.
    - Playstyle: Cautious, avoids traps, relies on suicide mechanics to reset.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - 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:
- Extensive exploration (weight 0.37): The game features a large map with high freedom, non-linear paths, and many secrets, promoting a strong sense of discovery and exploration. Sequence breaking is possible.
- Enjoyable boss fights (weight 0.32): Boss battles are generally considered good, interesting, and challenging, with many praising their variety and unique defeat conditions. A few exceptions like sheep and fish bosses were noted.
- Good atmosphere and music (weight 0.23): The music, sound design, and overall atmosphere are widely appreciated, contributing to an immersive experience that complements the gameplay.
- Versatile drone companion (weight 0.21): The drone companion can scan terrain, find secrets, hack enemies, and provide a strategic overview, significantly aiding exploration and combat. This is a highly praised feature based on multiple player reports.
- Fair respawn system (weight 0.2): Deaths are not punishing as players respawn at room entrances or map transition points, allowing retry of tough sections without heavy backtracking.
- High difficulty is rewarding (weight 0.19): The game provides a strong challenge that is considered fair and fun, with many players enjoying the difficult but satisfying progression.
- Great pixel art graphics (weight 0.19): The retro-inspired pixel art is considered delightful and visually appealing, contributing positively to the game's style and charm.
- Reminds of Metroid (weight 0.15): The game evokes a classic Metroid-style atmosphere, with similar weapon design, setting, and overall feel. This nostalgic quality is a key selling point for many players.
- Boss rush mode (weight 0.11): A boss rush mode offers hitless rematches and challenges for skilled players, adding replay value and a satisfying test of mastery.
- Enjoyable upgrades and progression (weight 0.08): Upgrades feel rewarding and enhance gameplay, especially later abilities that allow flying and greater mobility, adding to the exploration enjoyment.
- Excellent level design (weight 0.08): Level design is described as breathtaking and great, supporting exploration and progression effectively.
- Great value for cost (weight 0.08): Players feel the game offers excellent value, especially at its low price point, providing high-quality content and many hours of gameplay.
- Reasonable playtime (weight 0.08): The game offers a satisfying length of approximately 12 to 17 hours, providing substantial content without overstaying its welcome.
- Fun multiplayer co-op (weight 0.08): The multiplayer co-op mode is highlighted as a very fun and entertaining aspect, adding replayability and social enjoyment.
- Overall enjoyable experience (weight 0.08): The game is described by many as a nice, fun, and good game overall, with positive sentiments from various players.
- Interesting lore (weight 0.07): The lore of the game is noted as somewhat enjoyable, adding depth to the world and story.
- Developer cares about product (weight 0.07): Players feel that the developer shows strong care for the game, which likely contributes to its quality and updates.

Common complaints:
- Clunky and awkward controls (weight 0.36): Multiple players report that the control scheme feels bizarre, unergonomic, and counter-intuitive. The controls are described as clumsy, unfair, and unresponsive, making the game frustrating to play.
- Confusing and unclear map (weight 0.33): Players find the map to be bad, inaccurate, and barely legible, with opaque and confusing symbols that are difficult to read. The lack of zoom functionality and misleading icons further compound navigation frustration.
- Excessive and frustrating difficulty (weight 0.26): Boss fights and overall difficulty are often described as tough, frustrating, and extremely high, causing suffering and confusion. The presence of many instant death traps and gimmicks contributes to the punishing experience.
- Unreliable wall jump mechanic (weight 0.15): The wall jump is frequently criticized for being inconsistent and unreliable, with weird timing that makes it particularly annoying. This issue is noted as a specific pain point during gameplay.
- Heavy and stiff platforming controls (weight 0.14): During precise platforming sections, the controls feel heavy and stiff, making movement and jumping cumbersome. This negatively impacts the overall gameplay experience.
- Underwater movement feels clunky (weight 0.11): The underwater movement controls are specifically highlighted as being worse than standard controls, feeling clunky and unresponsive. This adds an extra layer of difficulty to underwater sections.
- Tedious backtracking due to fast travel (weight 0.09): Fast-travel points are sparse, making backtracking feel tedious and time-consuming. Players suggest that the fast travel system could be more streamlined to reduce frustration.
- Overly complex control scheme (weight 0.08): The controls are considered too complex, with too many buttons and combinations dumped on the player early on. This overwhelms players and makes learning the game difficult.
- Unclear progression in level design (weight 0.08): Level design sometimes makes progression unclear or hard to follow, causing players to get stuck. This hampers the sense of progress and can be frustrating.
- Repetitive and boring music (weight 0.08): The music is criticized for being boring and repetitive, failing to enhance the game's atmosphere or enjoyment. This makes the audio experience feel monotonous over time.
- Janky physics and box interaction (weight 0.08): Physics, especially involving box interactions, are described as janky and unreliable. This inconsistency can lead to unexpected and frustrating outcomes.
- Mediocre story quality (weight 0.08): The story is considered average and mediocre, failing to engage or impress players. This is a minor but notable complaint among reviewers.
- Unnecessary run button (weight 0.08): The run button is considered pointless and unnecessary, likely because a faster default speed would be more convenient. This control feels redundant to many players.
- Low max HP makes game tedious (weight 0.08): Players note that maximum HP does not increase from the start, making the game feel tedious and unforgiving. This limitation forces excessive caution and repetitive healing.

Gameplay feedback:
- Metroidvania genre with retro style (weight 0.57): The game is strongly identified as a Metroidvania with a retro aesthetic, often compared to the Metroid series. This style and genre are core to the game's identity.
- Exploration and non-linear progression (weight 0.38): Players highlight the non-linear Metroidvania exploration and ability-based progression as key features. The large map with interconnected zones encourages discovery.
- Drone companion mechanics (weight 0.35): A drone companion is used for scanning secrets, hacking, and puzzle solving. This buddy system is a central gameplay mechanic that enables exploration and interaction.
- Boss fights are difficult (weight 0.25): Boss fights, including mini-bosses, are noted for being challenging and often require trial and error or specific actions. A boss rush mode with hitless requirements is also present.
- Upgrades and power-ups (weight 0.21): Progression is driven by upgrades such as power-ups and a jetpack, which unlock new movement abilities and paths.
- Death and respawn system (weight 0.19): On death, players respawn at the room entrance with some HP refilled or their state from entry. This system allows for repeated attempts without heavy penalties.
- Multiplayer co-op available (weight 0.11): The game supports co-op multiplayer, including via Steam Remote Play, allowing players to experience the adventure together.
- Platforming elements (weight 0.08): Platforming and parkour are featured as part of the gameplay, requiring precise movement and navigation.
- Underwater diving suit theme (weight 0.07): The game has a diving suit theme and an underwater setting, adding a unique atmosphere to the Metroidvania experience.

Performance notes:
- Steam Deck runs perfectly. (weight 0.05): On Steam Deck, the game performs flawlessly with consistent frame rates and no crashes, aside from a single drop when the battery is low. This indicates excellent optimization for the platform.
- Screen lacks smoothness. (weight 0.05): The screen occasionally feels unsmooth, pointing to inconsistent frame pacing or frame rate issues. This disrupts the visual fluidity during gameplay.
- Input lag frustrates players. (weight 0.05): Players experience noticeable input lag, which undermines responsiveness and precision. This affects the overall playability and enjoyment of the game.

Recommendations:
- Recommend for Metroidvania fans (weight 0.53): Many reviewers recommend the game to fans of the Metroidvania genre and especially the Metroid series. This is the most common positive sentiment across multiple clusters.
- Highly recommended overall (weight 0.39): Several reviewers give strong recommendations, calling it 'highly recommended,' 'wholeheartedly recommended,' or a 'must have' for genre fans. This shows strong positive reception.
- Buy only on sale (weight 0.23): Several reviewers suggest waiting for a sale or discount before purchasing, with some specifying it is not worth full price. This reflects mixed value perception.
- Not recommended at all (weight 0.19): A few reviewers strongly advise against buying, suggesting refunds or playing alternative games instead. This indicates niche dissatisfaction.
- Similar to known games (weight 0.17): Reviewers compare the game favorably to classics like Axiom Verge, Super Metroid, and Hollow Knight, suggesting it fits well within the genre. This helps set expectations.
- Worth trying for fans (weight 0.16): Several reviewers encourage giving the game a try, calling it 'worth a try' or 'well worth giving a try.' This moderate recommendation reflects cautious positivity.
- Controls are problematic (weight 0.15): Multiple reviewers mention poor or complicated controls as a major downside, with some saying the controls ruined the experience. This is a significant criticism.
- Good for experienced players (weight 0.14): The game is recommended for players who like a challenge or have experience with the genre, while beginners may struggle. This targets a specific audience.
- Appeals to exploration fans (weight 0.13): Reviewers who enjoy exploration and puzzle-solving in metroidvanias find the game appealing, pointing to its atmospheric and exploration-focused design.
- Not for casual players (weight 0.1): Some feedback indicates the game is not suitable for casual or inexperienced players, citing high difficulty or lack of power progression. This warns off a broad audience.
- Rough start but improves (weight 0.08): Some reviewers note that the early game can be tedious or frustrating but gets better as players progress. This is a caveat for potential buyers.
- Sequel is desired (weight 0.06): A couple of reviewers express hope for a sequel or would buy one, indicating positive engagement.
- Developer support is good (weight 0.04): One reviewer appreciates active post-launch development, indicating the developer cares about the game. This adds positive value for potential buyers.
- Controller recommended (weight 0.04): A reviewer suggests using a controller for a better experience, implying that keyboard/mouse controls may be suboptimal. This is a practical tip.
- Good for pixel art fans (weight 0.04): The game is recommended for fans of pixel art and platformers, highlighting its visual style as a selling point.
- Affordable price good (weight 0.04): One reviewer notes the affordable price makes it a good purchase, suggesting value for money.
- Not worth replaying (weight 0.04): A reviewer states the game is not worth a second playthrough, indicating limited replayability.
- Better than negative reviews (weight 0.04): One reviewer claims the game is better than its negative reviews suggest, potentially countering low scores.
- Good for non-English speakers (weight 0.04): The game is recommended even for non-English speakers due to its use of illustrations, broadening its appeal.
- Not hardest game (weight 0.03): One reviewer mentions the game is not the hardest in the genre, potentially reassuring less skilled players.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.28): Players are frustrated by poor controls, including unremappable inputs, unresponsive movement, and awkward wall-jumping mechanics. Additionally, cheap instant deaths, unfair boss fights, and excessive backtracking due to unclear maps and limited fast travel compound the negative experience.
- Disappointment (weight 0.13): Disappointment stems from the game failing to deliver on its potential due to clunky controls, repetitive boss fights, and a lack of meaningful rewards. Players feel the strong atmosphere and visuals are undermined by poor movement and weapon mechanics.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.11): Satisfied players report that after overcoming initial control hurdles, the game becomes a rewarding Metroidvania with interesting weapons, meaningful upgrades, and a well-designed world. The fair checkpoint system, challenge, and sense of progression contribute to an enjoyable experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.08): Excitement is generated by the powerful upgrades, extensive exploration, and creative mechanics like the drone and stealth elements. Players enjoy the freedom of movement after mastering controls and the many surprises hidden in the large world.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.06): Enjoyment comes from fun combat, exploration, and well-designed boss fights, with generous checkpoints and satisfying progression. The atmosphere, music, and co-op option also enhance the experience.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Players appreciate the immersive underwater atmosphere, impressive pixel art from an indie team, and the developer's passion and support. The death system that balances stakes and fairness is also valued.
- Confusion (weight 0.03): Confusion arises from unclear map icons, muddy visuals that cause disorientation, and poorly localized settings menus. Some players struggle with obtuse puzzles and multi-function buttons.
- Admiration (weight 0.03): Admiration is directed at the beautiful Lovecraftian boss designs, unique mechanics like buddy and enemy recoding, and the developer's solo effort. The music and visual design are praised as saving graces.
- Curiosity (weight 0.02): Curiosity is sparked by the massive beautiful world that encourages exploration, the mysterious artifact quest, and hidden paths that reward discovery.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Annoyance is caused by a cluttered and unclear map, lack of fast travel, poor underwater controls, and a bug where the TAB key fails to open the map.
- Love (weight 0.02): Players who love the game cite overall enjoyment, attention to detail like idle heartbeats, and the ability to sequence break and explore the map freely.
- Delight (weight 0.01): Delight comes from smooth gameplay, satisfying upgrades, and unique mechanics like scanning and hacking enemies.
- Regret (weight 0.01): Regret is expressed over not being able to refund the game and not stopping play sooner to avoid the frustrating experience.
- Interest (weight 0.01): Interest is piqued by the gradual increase in fun and the unique concept of a co-op Metroidvania where players have distinct roles.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement is found in funny dialogue at the first boss and in the ironic contrast between the game's title and its quality.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise comes from the unexpectedly large map and the game being better than its initial poor graphics suggest.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Nostalgia is evoked by the game reminding players of classic Super Metroid and the feeling of exploring underground worlds.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom results from drone puzzles that feel like artificial padding and long empty rooms lacking creative design.
- Wonder (weight 0.01): Wonder arises from discovering hidden layers of the world design, the art reminiscent of the first Metroid, and an interesting story with good boss fights.
- Unease (weight 0.01): Unease is created by the oppressive stillness and atmosphere of the deep underwater environment.}