Info about The Citadel:

Official game description:
_Go forth, Martyr;  
For you are the finest among the Battlesisters;  
Go forth, and_  
**LET THE SLEEPING GOD DIE**
Descent into the depth of The Citadel
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THE CITADEL is a hardcore, brutal old-school shooter full of action that's a throwback to the 90's classics that we all love.  
Fight through 6 Episodes of 30 action packed levels (and an additional 6 secret levels). Face off against 6 fearsome bosses.  
Carry 14 different types of weapons, with obliterating secondary fire functions. Make the world tremble with 3 types of single-use special weapons.  
・Unlimited Continues.  
・You can continue trying until you break. Hub areas serve as respite if you find the episode to be too difficult.  
・Completely skill based: no cheap Hitscanner, all projectiles. You live as good as you dodge.  
・Huge enemy variety and diversity. From axe throwing cultists, to suicide drones, to mecha tanks, and flamethrower troopers.
Kick the Opponent into Lava!
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・Light-weight enemies can be kicked and stunned. Get your positioning right, and you can also make them fall into a bottomless pit or lava.
Upgradable Weapons
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・Some weapons can be upgraded or switched to superior versions.
Gibs!
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・Enemies explode into chunks of meat or metals when they die. Ouch!
Optional Features: Leaning and Weapon Jam
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The Citadel contains numerous optional features for added replayability and difficulty.  
・Leaning can be enabled in a option menu. Dodging is not the only way to avoid the enemy fire.  
・Weapon condition features can be enabled in a option menu.  
・Automatic weapons can be jammed in the middle of a battle, and they will be eventually broken.

Release date: Aug 5, 2020

Categories: First-Person Shooter, Shooter, Weapon Customization, Boss Fights, Gore-focused Combat, Bullet-hell, Tactical Shooter, Action, Retro Aesthetics, Survival


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


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:
- Exceptional gunplay mechanics (weight 0.99): The game features highly detailed and satisfying gunplay, including bullet drop, manual reloading, alternate fire modes, and weapon degradation. Players consistently praise the weighty, precise, and varied weapon handling.
- Tactical and fast-paced hybrid gameplay (weight 0.73): The game uniquely combines boomer shooter mechanics with tactical elements like bullet drop, cover-based combat, and manual reloading. Players appreciate the flexibility to play aggressively or methodically, with mechanics rewarding both playstyles.
- High replayability and customization (weight 0.69): Features like New Game+, difficulty sliders, secret levels, weapon upgrades, and mod support extend the game’s longevity. Players also praise the customizable settings for gore, HUD, and gameplay mechanics.
- Engaging level and enemy design (weight 0.68): Levels are praised for their variety, verticality, and secrets, while enemies feature distinct attack patterns, weak spots, and impactful death animations. Boss fights and platforming sections add further depth to the gameplay.
- Accessible yet challenging difficulty (weight 0.54): The game offers extensive difficulty customization, including sliders for enemy aggression, bullet physics, and gore levels. Players appreciate the balance between accessibility and challenge, with options like ‘Zealot’ mode for a zen-like experience.
- Strong atmosphere and soundtrack (weight 0.39): The game’s oppressive cyberpunk atmosphere, combined with a haunting and varied soundtrack, creates a unique mood. Players describe the ambiance as immersive, melancholic, and fitting for the game’s themes.

Common complaints:
- Poor optimization and performance issues (weight 0.48): Performance problems include stuttering, frame drops (especially during particle-heavy scenes), and high system requirements despite retro-style graphics. Unreal Engine 4 is frequently cited as a source of unoptimized performance and crashes.
- Frequent game crashes and instability (weight 0.45): The game suffers from widespread crashing, particularly during level transitions, late-game segments, and save/load sequences. Many players report crashes tied to Unreal Engine 4 errors, memory leaks, or specific actions like sprinting or respawning.
- Janky and buggy gameplay mechanics (weight 0.32): Numerous bugs affect core mechanics, such as mech boarding animations, weapon-switching glitches, ladder climbing inconsistencies, and enemies getting stuck in walls or terrain. These issues disrupt gameplay flow and immersion.
- Unintuitive and poorly explained mechanics (weight 0.28): Key systems like the hunger gauge, armor status, and alt-fire modes are poorly explained or lack tutorials. Players struggle with unclear mechanics, such as reloading, food consumption, and weapon upgrades.
- Repetitive and monotonous level design (weight 0.26): Levels lack variety in textures, colors, and layout, leading to a monotonous experience. Players note that environments feel samey, with repetitive assets and uninspired design, particularly in the latter half of the game.
- Unfair difficulty spikes and balance issues (weight 0.25): Difficulty is inconsistent, with some levels featuring overwhelming enemy spam or punishing mechanics (e.g., instant death pits). Boss fights and early-game segments are particularly frustrating for many players.
- Frustrating platforming and fall damage (weight 0.17): Platforming sections are criticized for unreliable mechanics (e.g., inconsistent ledge grabs), instant death from falling, and lack of quicksaves. These elements exacerbate frustration, especially when combined with crashes or enemy spam.
- Underwhelming boss fights (weight 0.16): Boss battles are described as repetitive, grindy, and lacking creativity. Many bosses are simply damage sponges with no unique mechanics, and crashes often occur during these encounters.
- Short length and value concerns (weight 0.16): The game is relatively short (4–10 hours), leading to perceptions of poor value for its price. Some players feel the experience is rushed or incomplete.
- Translation and localization issues (weight 0.1): Poor translations, typos, and awkward phrasing hinder immersion. Some players struggle to understand mechanics or story due to unclear or incorrect text.
- Lackluster story and abrupt ending (weight 0.1): The narrative is minimal, poorly translated, and ends abruptly. Players find the story hard to follow or unengaging, with weak character development and lore.
- Lack of quality-of-life features (weight 0.05): Missing features like quicksaves, manual saves, or a functional windowed mode frustrate players. New Game+ is buggy, and checkpoint systems are poorly implemented.
- Cumbersome reloading and ammo management (weight 0.05): Reloading mechanics are tedious, requiring manual input for each bullet or risking ammo loss. Bugs like unintentional reloads or broken chain gun reloads add to the frustration.
- Poor input and control feel (weight 0.03): Controls are criticized for being slippery, claustrophobic, or unintuitive, particularly during parkour or weapon-switching. Mouse input feels filtered, and controller support is clunky.

Gameplay feedback:
- Complex Weapon Mechanics (weight 0.79): Weapons feature alt-fires, manual reloading, jamming, and degradation systems. Some guns require single-bullet reloads or tactical magazine management, adding depth to combat.
- DOOM-Inspired Retro Design (weight 0.7): The game mimics classic FPS titles like DOOM and Wolfenstein 3D with maze-like levels, projectile-based ballistics, and fast-paced movement. Modern twists include verticality and mobility options.
- Gory and Anime-Style Violence (weight 0.68): The game features extreme gore (e.g., dismemberment, burning enemies) and anime-inspired character designs. Gore effects are customizable via settings.
- Mech Sections and Destruction (weight 0.66): Players pilot mechs in certain levels, using heavy weapons and jetpacks for large-scale combat. These sections add variety with explosive autocannons and dual miniguns.
- Movement and Mobility Focus (weight 0.66): Players can sprint, double-jump, ledge-grab, and slide. Movement is fast-paced but punishing (e.g., fall damage), with air control limitations to maintain challenge.
- Upgrades and New Game+ (weight 0.65): Players unlock weapon upgrades, hidden levels, and buffs via secret areas or merchants. New Game+ mode introduces additional challenges and rewards.
- Customizable Difficulty Settings (weight 0.64): Options allow players to adjust enemy aggression, gore levels, weapon jamming, and other mechanics. Difficulty modes range from arcade-like to tactical.
- Survival Mechanics (Food/Stamina) (weight 0.63): A hunger system affects max health and stamina, requiring players to manage food intake. Stamina impacts sprinting, jumping, and melee attacks.
- Checkpoint-Based Progression (weight 0.59): Progress is saved via monolith checkpoints, but death resets the stage. Extra lives are required to respawn, adding stakes to combat.
- Dystopian Sci-Fi Setting (weight 0.56): The game’s story is light but immersive, set in a techno-religious megacity with anime-inspired aesthetics. Lore is conveyed through environmental details.

Performance notes:
- Hardware-dependent instability (weight 0.22): Performance varies drastically by hardware, with crashes, FPS drops, and overheating reported even on mid-to-high-end systems. Low RAM or CPU bottlenecks exacerbate instability, particularly in later levels.
- Auto-save and save system flaws (weight 0.16): The auto-save system is buggy, and the lack of quick save/load functionality frustrates players, especially after crashes or progress loss. Some crashes occur during respawn or death sequences.
- Post-patch residual bugs (weight 0.13): While the 2.0 patch improved stability, players still report lingering crashes, FPS drops, and minor bugs. Some issues (e.g., UE4 errors) persist despite updates.
- Input and display limitations (weight 0.03): Issues include filtered mouse input, unsupported resolutions (e.g., 3440x1440), and controller button limitations. Some players also report texture flickering or anisotropic filtering missing.
- Low-end hardware compatibility (weight 0.03): The game runs on low-end hardware but with significant trade-offs, such as chugging, overheating, or reduced visual fidelity. Performance is often capped at 30-40 FPS.
- Gore and particle performance impact (weight 0.03): Excessive gore or particle effects cause FPS drops, stuttering, or crashes. The game offers a gore-reduction option, but performance remains inconsistent in chaotic scenes.

Recommendations:
- Highly recommended for genre fans (weight 0.29): The game is frequently recommended for fans of retro FPS, DOOM-like shooters, and anime-style violence. Players highlight its uniqueness, depth, and fun gunplay as key strengths, making it a standout choice for enthusiasts.
- Unique art style and niche appeal (weight 0.26): The game’s controversial design choices (e.g., erotic gore, anime aesthetics) are polarizing but praised for their boldness. It’s recommended for players who enjoy retro shooters with a twist or are tired of AAA homogeneity.
- Purchase on sale for best value (weight 0.24): The game is widely recommended at a discounted price, with many noting its affordability (e.g., $10–$15) and substantial content (6–7 hours). Sales are suggested for casual or budget-conscious players.
- Technical issues and jank (weight 0.23): Despite its strengths, the game is criticized for crashes, instability, and polarizing aesthetics. Some players tolerate these flaws for the gameplay, while others suggest refunds or waiting for fixes.
- High difficulty and replayability (weight 0.22): The game is praised for its skill-based, challenging gameplay and high replay value due to customizable mechanics (e.g., difficulty, episode order). However, it’s not recommended for players who dislike frustration or lack of quicksaves.
- Play first game before sequel (weight 0.21): Many reviews advise playing the original game before its sequel (*Beyond Citadel*) to fully appreciate the story, improvements, and polish. The sequel is often described as a more refined experience.
- Demo strongly recommended (weight 0.2): The free demo is frequently suggested to unsure players, as it effectively showcases the game’s style and mechanics. Purchasing the full game or sequel is often contingent on enjoying the demo.
- Mouse and keyboard preferred (weight 0.19): Players strongly recommend using mouse and keyboard for optimal control, especially given the game’s fast-paced, skill-driven combat. Controller settings may need adjustment for better performance.
- Sequel potential and developer support (weight 0.19): Players express excitement for the sequel (*Beyond Citadel*) and future installments, praising the developer’s vision and execution. Some urge focusing on improving the current game before expanding.
- Good for background play (weight 0.01): The game’s replayability and customizable mechanics make it suitable for casual play while multitasking (e.g., listening to music or podcasts).

Other player notes:
- Guro and extreme gore content (weight 0.08): The game prominently features guro (gore hentai) and extreme gore depictions, which are central to its artistic style and appeal. This includes graphic violence and fetish elements that may not suit all audiences.
- Minimal and esoteric narrative (weight 0.07): The story is minimal, leaving many questions unanswered, and is described as esoteric or metaphysical. Players note niche themes (e.g., 'catalepsy') that require interpretation, which may not appeal to all.
- Unsettling character designs (weight 0.05): Character designs, including visible anatomy and exaggerated features (e.g., 'thicc thigh soldier with B-Cup melons'), are described as unsettling or fetishistic by players. This reflects the developer's unique artistic perspective.
- Accessibility for non-Japanese speakers (weight 0.04): The game provides helpful tips for non-Japanese speakers, such as keybindings, which improves accessibility for a broader audience.
- Niche appeal and fanbase (weight 0.02): The game has a dedicated but niche fanbase, with players expressing excitement for future installments (e.g., a third game) and noting ownership of prior titles.
- Improvements in sequels (weight 0.01): Some issues mentioned in reviews were addressed or fixed in later installments of the game, indicating iterative development and responsiveness to feedback.
- Solo developer effort (weight 0.01): The game was developed by a single individual, which is noted as impressive given its scope and niche appeal. This may explain some of its unique or unconventional design choices.
- Comparisons to Drakengard and Doom (weight 0.01): Players frequently compare the game to *Drakengard* and *Doom*, likely due to its blend of fast-paced action, dark themes, and over-the-top violence.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.25): Players frequently cite technical issues, particularly frequent crashes, performance problems (e.g., FPS drops, input lag), and game instability as major sources of frustration. Additionally, unfair or poorly balanced mechanics—such as unclear hitboxes, excessive fall damage, instant-death traps, and lack of checkpoints—amplify the difficulty and disrupt gameplay flow.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.13): The game's engaging core mechanics, such as satisfying gunplay, weapon variety, and enemy AI, are consistently praised. Players also appreciate the unique art style, atmospheric design, and nostalgic elements, which contribute to an overall fun and immersive experience despite its challenges.
- Excitement (weight 0.13): Players express excitement over the game's innovative mechanics, such as alternative firing modes, mech piloting, and tactical combat. The blend of fast-paced action, brutal gore effects, and unique level design (e.g., secret upgrades, boss battles) creates an adrenaline-fueled and fresh gameplay experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.08): Satisfaction stems from the game's polished gunplay, attention to detail (e.g., reload animations, enemy designs), and rewarding progression system. Players also appreciate the customizable settings, smooth combat, and the sense of accomplishment from discovering secrets or overcoming challenging sections.
- Disappointment (weight 0.05): The game falls short of expectations due to performance issues (e.g., crashes, poor optimization), repetitive or shallow content (e.g., lack of lore, underwhelming boss fights), and technical bugs. Some players feel the game feels unfinished or overpriced, with false advertising or abrupt endings detracting from the experience.
- Amusement (weight 0.05): Players find humor in the game's over-the-top gore, bizarre design choices (e.g., fetishistic elements, anime-style violence), and unintentional bugs (e.g., crouch-spam exploits, funny death animations). The absurdity of certain mechanics or dialogue adds a layer of entertainment beyond the core gameplay.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Players admire the developer's passion, creativity, and attention to detail, particularly in areas like gun mechanics, level design, and atmospheric world-building. The game's unique blend of retro and modern elements, along with its experimental style, is often highlighted as a standout feature.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.03): The game evokes nostalgia through its retro aesthetics, sound design, and gameplay mechanics, reminiscent of classic FPS titles like *DOOM* or *Quake*. Players who grew up with these games appreciate the callbacks to 90s anime and boomer shooters, which resonate on a personal level.
- Discomfort (weight 0.02): The game's juxtaposition of brutal violence (e.g., gore, flamethrower effects) with anime-style or fetishistic art direction creates an unsettling tone for some players. The over-the-top violence, particularly when targeted at specific demographics, can feel jarring or uncomfortable.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Players are pleasantly surprised by the game's depth, quality, or originality, especially when their expectations were low. Unexpected mechanics (e.g., hunger system, hidden levels), strong sound design, or immersive gameplay elements exceed what they anticipated from the genre.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Enthusiasm is driven by the game's core strengths, such as fluid movement, engaging combat, and unique mechanics (e.g., dual-wielding SMGs, mech sections). Players often strongly recommend the game for its ability to blend classic and modern shooter elements in a fresh way.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Players admire the developer's vision, creativity, and technical skill, particularly in areas like sprite design, gun animations, and atmospheric storytelling. The game's unique setting and attention to detail in combat mechanics are frequently praised as standout achievements.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Players report confusion over unclear UI elements, health mechanics, or item interactions. Some also struggle with the game's lore or find positive reviews puzzling, given the game's technical or design flaws.
- Approval (weight 0.01): Players approve of the game's modern take on retro FPS design, particularly its combat versatility, customization options, and inclusion of diverse protagonists. The balance of classic mechanics with contemporary refinements is often highlighted as a positive.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Relief is expressed when technical issues (e.g., crashes) are resolved or when the game's difficulty is adjusted to a manageable level. Players also appreciate smooth performance, accessible design, or saved progress after frustrating setbacks.
- Recommendation (weight 0.01): Players recommend the game to fans of old-school FPS titles or those who enjoy challenging, gory shooters. However, some suggest waiting for sales due to the game's price or technical issues.
- Love (weight 0.01): Players express deep affection for the game's mechanics, vibe, and gore, often citing specific moments (e.g., mech piloting) as transformative. The sequel and overall experience are described with strong emotional attachment.
- Anticipation (weight 0.01): Players look forward to sequels or related titles (e.g., *Beyond Citadel*), eager to explore more of the game's universe or improved mechanics. The excitement for future content is a recurring theme.
- Awe (weight 0.01): The game's unique visual style, impactful enemy death animations, and immersive gameplay create a sense of awe. Players are impressed by the depth and originality of the experience, which stands out in the shooter genre.}