Info about SENTRY:

Official game description:
As a member of the SENTRY Defense Program, you have been thawed from stasis to protect your vessel as it flees across space.
As you choose your escape route in the Navigator, encounters with alien vessels are unavoidable. They will board your ship and attempt to fight their way through different subsystems to destroy the Core.
Your SENTRY must thwart the enemy by bringing to bear an arsenal of potent ranged weaponry. Even with the best shooting abilities, holding back the hordes is only possible by deploying traps and turrets - and if all else fails, utilizing environmental destruction to stem their advance; a well-timed shot could vent aliens into space, a closed blast door could buy you time to set up new defenses.
SENTRY features a singleplayer campaign with the option to have an online friend fighting alongside you in co-op.
Should your SENTRY fall in battle, death is not the end. Another member of the crew will be thawed from stasis by the SENTRY Defense Program, ready to continue the fight.
Even if you fail to defend a level, defeat only changes the strategic landscape in the Ship Overview, forcing you to make new decisions on where to make your next defiant stand.
As long as there is a surviving SENTRY and the Core remains operational, your skills in combat mean victory can always be grasped from the jaws of defeat.
SENTRY aims to carve out its own path in the Action-Defense genre by featuring a campaign where your choices and performance matter. Battles are not one-off events, defeat doesn’t mean replaying a checkpoint. Everything feeds into the ongoing battle for your ship’s survival.
A SENTRY is fast, responsive - and therefore powerful. Deployable traps, turrets and environmental destruction opportunities are needed to supplement this power when facing near-overwhelming forces of reactive and aggressive enemies. Successful escapes will need to utilize a mixture of skill and planning, with discovery and upgrading of new equipment providing an edge in combat.
Combining all these elements evokes the feeling of being a beleaguered and outnumbered SENTRY. On the journey you may lose battles, but you can win the war.

Release date: Mar 25, 2024

Categories: First-Person Shooter, Tower Defense, Cooperative Multiplayer, Roguelike, Sci-fi, Wave-based Survival, Base Defense


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $15.00
  - Reasoning: The community sentiment is mixed but leans toward the current $19.99 base price being too high for the game's early-access state. Multiple reviewers explicitly call $20 steep, say the game is not worth the current price point, and recommend waiting for a sale; one even says they cannot recommend it at full price or even a small sale, and a translated Japanese review says it is only acceptable on sale. A translated Chinese review adds that the EA pricing does not match the quality. On the positive side, a few reviewers say it is worth every penny, which suggests the value is real but conditional on future updates and discounts. The frequent advice to 'wait for a sale' points to a fair value around the $10-15 mark rather than the current $19.99, with sale pricing near the lower bound and the top of the range representing a reasonable full price for a more complete version.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 1.8h
  - Story completion: 1.1h
  - Session length: 1.5h
  - Endgame: 40.0h
  - Reasoning: Game completion is supported by one reviewer completing the base game in under 2 hours and another completing a first winning run in a little over 1.5 hours, so I estimate about 1.75 hours for finishing the current base game. Story/campaign completion is supported by the campaign reportedly taking 45-90 minutes, giving a midpoint of about 1.13 hours. Session length is supported by the first winning run lasting a little over 1.5 hours, suggesting a typical run/session around 1.5 hours. Endgame is supported by the reviewer reporting around 40 hours to unlock everything, indicating long-term completionist/endgame playtime around 40 hours.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Reports describe a rough early/solo experience with a weak tutorial, punishing difficulty, and slow starting loadout; the game often becomes fun once played in co-op with friends, though some players later find it repetitive or too easy.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Playing in co-op with friends
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Poor or nearly non-existent tutorial; No difficulty settings for early struggle; Solo play is punishing and overwhelming; Starting equipment feels weak; Slow early progression and unlocks; Repetitive early maps and limited starting traps
  - Unlock drivers: Playing in co-op with friends; Shared builds that compensate for each other's shortcomings; Co-op reducing solo difficulty and overwhelm; Multiplayer making the game more fun
  - Conditions: Having a friend or co-op partner available; Playing in multiplayer rather than solo; Tolerance for a slow start and early friction; Liking both FPS and tower-defense genres; Waiting for co-op or further early-access updates
- Player Archetypes:
  - Co-op Squad Defender (buy)
    - Motivation: To share the tower-defense/FPS challenge with friends and coordinate builds as a team.
    - Playstyle: Plays in co-op, coordinates trap and turret placement, covers multiple lanes, and builds around teammates' gaps.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Solo-First Defender (no buy)
    - Motivation: To enjoy a balanced solo tower-defense/FPS run without needing co-op partners.
    - Playstyle: Plays alone, tries to manage multiple defense lanes, and struggles with limited tools and enemy scaling.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: solo player
    - Reference games: N/A
  - FPS/Tower-Defense Hybrid Fan (buy)
    - Motivation: To play an action-heavy FPS that also satisfies tower-defense trap and turret building.
    - Playstyle: Shoots enemies while placing and upgrading traps, towers, and defenses along enemy paths.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Orcs Must Die!; Sanctum 2; Dungeon Defenders
  - Cautious Early-Access Value Hunter (deep sale)
    - Motivation: To get a polished, content-rich game at a fair price rather than paying full price for an unfinished experience.
    - Playstyle: Follows development, waits for updates and sales, and avoids buying until balance and content improve.
    - Experience: familiar
    - 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:
- Fun and engaging gameplay (weight 0.58): Many players find the core gameplay loop highly enjoyable and entertaining, consistently praising it as fun and interesting. This sentiment appears across numerous reviews, indicating a strong positive reception to the fundamental game design.
- Satisfying and unique gunplay (weight 0.2): Weapons are described as punchy, satisfying, and capable, contributing significantly to the game's enjoyment. The gunplay is often praised for its feel and effectiveness in combat.
- Strong potential and promising future (weight 0.17): Players see a lot of potential in the game, especially considering its early access status, and believe it has a solid foundation for future development. The game is frequently described as promising with many good elements already in place.
- Fantastic soundtrack and sound design (weight 0.17): The soundtrack and sound design receive high praise for enhancing the overall experience. Many players find the music fitting and fantastic, adding to the game's atmosphere.
- Enjoyable tower defense foundation (weight 0.12): The tower defense elements are solid and deliver a fun experience, forming a strong base for the game. Players appreciate the unique style and simple concept that effectively delivers on the tower defense genre.
- Good value for money (weight 0.1): Several players consider the game well worth its price, indicating good value for the content offered. This suggests that the game meets or exceeds expectations relative to its cost.
- Varied traps and strategic options (weight 0.07): The game offers plenty of different traps and encourages strategic problem-solving, allowing players to approach encounters in multiple ways. This variety adds depth and replayability to the gameplay.
- Appealing art style and aesthetics (weight 0.07): The art style and overall aesthetic are well-loved by players, contributing to the game's visual appeal. This positive reception indicates that the visual design resonates with the audience.

Common complaints:
- Brutal Single-Player Difficulty (weight 0.18): The game is designed for co-op, making single-player excessively difficult and stressful. Maps tuned for two players become nearly impossible alone, and many players do not enjoy the solo experience.
- Severe Ammo Scarcity Hinders Combat (weight 0.17): Players report that ammunition is severely limited, making shooting difficult and often running out quickly. This scarcity is not compensated by any means, leading to frustrating combat experiences.
- Underwhelming Traps and Weapons (weight 0.17): Traps and weapons often feel ineffective and underwhelming, especially early on when choices are limited. This reduces the strategic depth of the game.
- Repetitive Map Replay (weight 0.16): Players must repeatedly play the same maps, reinforcing identical hallways, which becomes extremely boring and discourages continued play. This high repetition is a major complaint.
- Ineffective Tower Defense Mechanics (weight 0.15): The tower defense aspect is seen as ineffective and lacking the essence of the genre, making it unfun for tower defense enthusiasts. The core mechanics fail to deliver a satisfying experience.
- No Enemy Path Visualization (weight 0.12): There is no map or visual indicator showing enemy paths, making it hard to plan defenses on complex maps. Players want this feature to strategize effectively.
- Overwhelming Difficulty Spike (weight 0.12): The game becomes overwhelming very quickly, with players feeling swamped by enemies or mechanics. This steep ramp-up can be frustrating.
- Boring Early Game and Monotony (weight 0.1): The beginning of the game is considered boring and monotonous, with little to engage players initially. This early slump may deter players from continuing.
- Tanky Enemies and High Damage (weight 0.08): Enemies have too much health and deal excessive damage, making combat feel unbalanced and tedious. This difficulty spike is a common complaint.
- Co-op Limited to Two Players (weight 0.07): Co-op is restricted to only two players, which players find limiting. Many would prefer larger team sizes for a better multiplayer experience.
- Resource Balancing Issues (weight 0.07): Resource balancing is flawed, with players feeling that ammo, upgrades, or other resources are not properly tuned. This affects overall game balance.
- Not Worth Price in Early Access (weight 0.07): Players feel the game is not worth its current price given its early access state and lack of content. Many advise waiting for more updates.
- Clunky and Unsatisfying Gameplay (weight 0.07): The game feels clunky and many parts are unsatisfying, detracting from the overall experience. This lack of polish affects enjoyment.
- No Endless Mode (weight 0.07): Players desire an endless or infinite wave mode, which is currently missing. This absence limits replayability for those seeking continuous challenges.
- Weak Starting Equipment (weight 0.07): The starting equipment is weak and uninspired, making the initial experience feel underpowered and dull. Players expect more impactful gear from the start.
- Friendly Fire Toggle Broken (weight 0.07): Friendly fire persists even when turned off, indicating a bug or unimplemented feature. This can cause unintended damage and frustration.

Gameplay feedback:
- FPS Tower Defense Hybrid (weight 0.61): The game is widely described as a hybrid that blends first-person shooter action with tower defense strategy. Many reviews highlight this combination as the core identity of the game.
- Co-op Multiplayer Support (weight 0.46): A significant number of players mention that the game supports cooperative play, typically for up to two players. It is often described as being designed for co-op, though some note that trailers suggested four-player support which is not present.
- Turrets and Deployables (weight 0.33): Players frequently discuss the use of turrets and other deployable defenses. These can be unlocked, upgraded, and placed strategically to defend against enemies.
- Trap Placement Mechanics (weight 0.25): Traps are a core gameplay mechanic, with players able to set up various types such as slow plates, shockwave plates, and slicers. Trap placement often involves costs and limited available spots.
- Roguelike Progression Elements (weight 0.23): The game incorporates roguelike or roguelite progression, with elements such as unlocking new weapons and traps during runs. This adds a layer of replayability and progression.
- Weapon and Trap Upgrades (weight 0.22): Players can upgrade their weapons and traps, as well as unlock new equipment. This progression system allows for customization and improvement over time.
- Variety of Weapons (weight 0.18): The game features multiple weapons including pistols, submachine guns, shotguns, and rifles, some with special ammunition like explosive bullets. This variety supports different playstyles.
- Solo Play and Difficulty (weight 0.18): The game supports solo play, but it is often described as more challenging compared to co-op. Some players note that solo mode is significantly harder.
- Resource Management Systems (weight 0.15): The game includes management of ammo, health, and research points. Ammo and health can be refilled at terminals, but are otherwise limited, adding a survival element.
- Enemy Variety and Pathing (weight 0.15): There is a diverse range of enemies with different behaviors, and some do not take the shortest path. This variety keeps combat engaging and unpredictable.
- Multiple Ships and Classes (weight 0.14): There are several playable ships, each with different characteristics and classes. Players can choose between them, adding variety to the gameplay experience.
- Multiple Defense Paths (weight 0.14): Levels feature multiple defense points or lanes that must be protected, often with little intersection between them. This requires strategic placement of defenses.
- Difficult Hard Mode (weight 0.12): A hard difficulty mode is available for players seeking a greater challenge. Some note that difficulty can decrease or increase depending on progression.
- Ship Defense and Boarding (weight 0.11): Players defend their ship from boarders, choosing which areas to protect or sacrifice. This adds a tactical layer to the defense gameplay.
- Turret Placement Strategy (weight 0.1): Turrets can be placed to block enemy paths and must be positioned strategically. There is a limit of up to five turrets.
- First-Person Perspective (weight 0.06): The game is played from a first-person view, which immerses players in the action. This perspective is a key aspect of the gameplay.
- Wave-Based Enemy Attacks (weight 0.06): Enemies attack in waves, requiring players to prepare defenses between waves. This structure creates a rhythm of planning and action.
- Environmental Kills (weight 0.06): Players can use the environment to kill enemies, such as by causing environmental hazards. This adds an extra tactical option.
- Randomized Ship Maps (weight 0.06): Maps are randomized on the ship each game but remain consistent within a playthrough. This adds replayability and variety.
- Traps and Enemies Interaction (weight 0.06): Enemies run into traps and towers, and players can shoot enemies while managing defenses. This creates a dynamic combat loop.

Performance notes:
- High CPU usage causing issues (weight 0.07): The CPU works at 60-80% causing AI issues, indicating optimization problems and CPU tanking at times. This can lead to degraded gameplay and AI behavior.
- Performance issues during heavy action (weight 0.04): Significant lag occurs when deployables activate all at once while dozens of enemies explode into slugs, overwhelming the PC. This scenario is a key performance bottleneck.
- Regular frame stutters (weight 0.04): Frame stutters occur regularly throughout the game, disrupting gameplay flow. This suggests a systemic performance issue rather than an isolated incident.
- Crashes during multi-ship fights (weight 0.04): The game crashed during a fight involving multiple ships, indicating instability under certain combat conditions. This is a severe and isolating issue.
- Performance issues near recommended specs (weight 0.04): Some stages exhibit performance issues when the system is near the recommended specifications. This indicates that even adequately equipped PCs may struggle.
- Sporadic freezes without crashes (weight 0.04): The game experiences sporadic freezes but does not crash, causing temporary unresponsiveness. This can be disruptive during critical moments.
- Runs well on low-end GPU (weight 0.04): Despite widespread performance complaints, the game runs well on a 750ti graphics card. This suggests that performance may vary significantly across hardware configurations.
- Rare stutters in new areas (weight 0.04): Rare stutters lasting 2-4 seconds occur during the first visit to a new ship area. These stutters are infrequent but noticeable when exploring new environments.

Recommendations:
- Strong Recommendation Despite Issues (weight 0.28): Despite various design issues, many reviewers highly recommend the game because the core gameplay feels amazing. It is praised for its unique blend of genres.
- Better With Friends (weight 0.26): Feedback frequently states the game is more enjoyable in co-op or with friends. Solo play is often described as unbalanced or overwhelming.
- Wait For More Content (weight 0.26): A common recommendation is to wait for full release, more updates, or a sale before buying. Some suggest waiting months or even years given the development pace.
- Not Recommended As Is (weight 0.24): A significant number of reviewers cannot recommend the game in its current state. Reasons include lack of content, balance issues, and overall poor experience.
- High Difficulty and Unbalance (weight 0.22): Many complaints focus on the game being over-tuned, with harsh difficulty and unbalanced solo play. Some recommend waiting for difficulty options or balancing patches.
- Mixed Full Price Value (weight 0.18): Many reviewers feel the game is not worth full price but becomes a good purchase on sale or at a lower base price. Some consider it worthwhile only as an investment in the developers.
- Good For Co-op Focused Players (weight 0.17): The game is particularly recommended for those who enjoy co-op, but not for single-player or those seeking a four-player co-op experience.
- Game Has Potential (weight 0.16): Reviewers acknowledge the game's potential and recommend supporting the developers. Some are optimistic about future improvements and updates.
- Fun With Friends For A Night (weight 0.15): Some reviewers find the game worth getting to play with friends for a short time. It is seen as a fun co-op experience for a night or two.
- Positive For Tower Defense Fans (weight 0.15): The game is recommended for fans of tower defense and horde defense games, especially those who enjoy an active role rather than passive trap watching.
- Balancing and Difficulty Options Needed (weight 0.14): Specific requests for balance fixes, difficulty sliders, and better tutorials are common. Some cannot recommend until these are addressed.
- Good For Challenge Seekers (weight 0.12): Reviewers note the game is suited for players who love a real challenge and are not afraid to fail. It is not recommended for those seeking a relaxing experience.
- Similar To Orcs Must Die (weight 0.12): Several reviewers compare the game to Orcs Must Die and suggest playing that instead for a more balanced experience. Others recommend it for fans of similar games.
- Not Recommended For Single-Player (weight 0.12): Multiple reviewers state the game is not good for solo play, citing poor balance and overwhelming mechanics. They recommend playing with a friend instead.
- Good For FPS Fans (weight 0.11): The game is recommended for fans of first-person shooters, especially those looking for a strategic twist. It appeals to those who enjoy fast-paced gameplay.
- Recommended For Roguelite Fans (weight 0.07): The game is recommended for fans of innovative roguelites. However, some find it too hard for roguelike beginners, especially in solo play.

Other player notes:
- Early access status and updates (weight 0.46): Reviewers mention the game is in early access with regular updates, a roadmap, and ongoing development towards 1.0. Some note slow pace or breaks.
- Comparisons to Orcs Must Die (weight 0.43): The game is frequently compared to Orcs Must Die, often described as a sci-fi version or with similar tower defense mechanics but different map design. Some find it lacking the charm of Orcs Must Die.
- Co-op development and future plans (weight 0.4): Many reviewers discuss co-op, noting it is planned, in development, or has been added. Some mention it is in beta or on the roadmap.
- Short content length (weight 0.23): Several reviewers mention the game has a short campaign, around 2 hours, with limited content. Some note it has more content than expected or takes longer to unlock everything.
- Developer and community (weight 0.2): The developer is Fireblade, and reviewers note they are active, listen to feedback, and are passionate. Some express trust or lack thereof.
- Comparisons to Sanctum (weight 0.16): The game is compared to Sanctum and its sequel, often described as first-person tower defense with similar core gameplay. Some mention it as a mix of FTL and Sanctum.
- Roguelike elements and replayability (weight 0.14): The game is described as an FTL roguelike with replayability, randomized maps, and a final portal objective.
- Graphics and performance (weight 0.14): The game has a lo-fi sci-fi aesthetic with polished pixel art, and runs well on older hardware. However, graphical options are limited.
- Comparisons to Dungeon Defenders (weight 0.12): The game is compared to Dungeon Defenders, often noting differences in tower upgrading or enemy variety. Some find Dungeon Defenders superior in certain aspects.
- Localization and language support (weight 0.11): The game supports multiple languages, including Ukrainian and Russian, but some text remains in English and localization is unfinished.
- Soundtrack quality and potential (weight 0.11): Reviewers praise the soundtrack, comparing it to Portal 2 and Risk of Rain 2. Some suggest it could be released as paid DLC.
- Game modes and content requests (weight 0.11): Reviewers request more game modes, an endless mode, or longer runs. Some mention lack of modding community and limited ship types.
- Pricing and value (weight 0.11): Some reviewers consider the price too high for the content, while others find it worth more than its price or a bargain.
- Difficulty scaling and options (weight 0.09): The game has received scalable difficulty and developers plan to provide options to make it harder. Some find updates increase difficulty.
- Technical issues and fixes (weight 0.09): Some reviewers experienced issues with saves breaking after updates, but switching to Proton Experimental fixed Linux problems.
- Tutorial and new player experience (weight 0.09): Some find the tutorial too simple, while others appreciate the addition of a tutorial in recent versions. The game has a good tutorial according to some.
- Steam Deck compatibility (weight 0.07): Reviewers report the game works well on Steam Deck with controller support. Some mention it runs on Steam Deck.
- Turret balance and rework (weight 0.06): Developers have acknowledged turrets are overpowered and plan to rework them. Some updates have added turrets that are accessed randomly.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.24): Players are frustrated by brutal difficulty, ammo scarcity, and poor solo balance, especially on co-op-focused maps. Technical issues like crashes, frame drops, and broken gamepad support compound the problem. A lack of meta-progression and repetitive content also contribute to the frustration.
- Disappointment (weight 0.19): Disappointment stems from the game feeling too easy, repetitive, and lacking depth in both tower defense and shooter elements. Many find the campaign short, progression slow, and traps or upgrades underwhelming. The game falls short of its potential and does not justify its price for some.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.13): Players enjoy the fun blend of tower defense and FPS, especially in co-op, with satisfying gunplay and meaningful decisions. The rogue-lite elements and variety of weapons and traps keep runs fresh. The core gameplay loop is engaging and rewarding.
- Boredom (weight 0.06): Boredom arises from repetitive maps and equipment, making runs feel stale. The game is often too easy for skilled FPS players, and the lack of variety in enemies and traps reduces engagement. The early game and overall design can feel monotonous.
- Excitement (weight 0.05): Excitement comes from the promising blend of genres, with smooth gameplay and hard-hitting visuals. Players look forward to future updates and the game's continued evolution. The rogue-lite elements and varied weak spots add to the thrill.
- Anticipation (weight 0.04): Anticipation is high for future content, updates, and the full release. Players hope for new ships, multiplayer, and continued developer support. The game's potential keeps them looking forward to what's next.
- Love (weight 0.04): Players love the core gameplay feel, the co-op experience, and the fusion of FPS and tower defense. The aesthetic, sounds, and trap-laying mechanics are particularly appreciated. The game allows learning through failure without complete wipes.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.03): Satisfaction comes from unlocking new items, mastering playstyles, and overcoming challenges. The physics interactions enable creative traps, and the polished experience is rewarding. Becoming the stomper rather than the stompee is fulfilling.
- Anger (weight 0.03): Anger is fueled by perceived unfairness, such as instant loss from turret explosions and useless upgrades. Bullet sponge enemies and resource struggles make the game feel vindictive. Some feel deceived by the game's resemblance to Orcs Must Die.
- Annoyance (weight 0.03): Annoyance stems from shared resources in defense segments, limited turret deployment, and lack of easy co-op revival. Time-limited build phases and poor damage feedback add to the irritation. Enemies attacking from behind and unpleasant missiles are also annoying.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Appreciation is felt for the developer's communication, detailed updates, and personal support. The well-made levels and successful genre combination are praised. The excellent OST and active listening from the dev team are valued.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Enthusiasm is driven by the addictive unlock loop, regular updates, and the game's high potential. The stylish tactical blend and co-op prospects evoke a golden era of arcade titles. It provides some of the best fun in an FPS.
- Optimism (weight 0.02): Optimism is based on the game's solid foundation and roadmap promises, with hope that co-op will make it a gem. Developers are seen as caring and responsive, and the game is recommended for fans of the hybrid genre.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.01): Dissatisfaction arises from unfair elements, poor reward timing, and traps being bypassed by certain enemies. Incomplete localization and English-only plugins also detract from the experience.
- Fun (weight 0.01): Fun is experienced once the gameplay clicks, with cohesive mechanics and equipment variety. The difficulty and pistol secondary add to the enjoyment. Overall, it's a really fun game.
- Stress (weight 0.01): Stress comes from active defense management and extremely hard solo play, especially without leveled weapons. The tense gameplay and expensive, inefficient traps add to the pressure.
- Regret (weight 0.01): Regret is felt by those who bought the game expecting a tower defense but found it lacking. Some consider it money wasted on the worst tower defense game.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope remains that the game will follow its roadmap and receive future updates. Players hope developers will gradually improve the game rather than abandon it. The promising potential may address current issues.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise comes from the game being surprisingly good and co-op being a pleasant, unmentioned feature. Mixed reviews despite quality also surprise some players.
- Happiness (weight 0.01): Happiness is derived from the game delivering on a rare niche and the joy of getting it on a whim. It fulfills a unique combination of genres.}