Info about Pseudoregalia:

Official game description:
When reality feels like it's falling apart, one might retreat to a world in their dreams to escape it.  
Unfotunately, dreams aren't made to last.  
Explore a perverse image of noble living. Grow strong, and free those trapped within this rotten dream.  
A game originally made for the Metroidvania Month 19 game jam, this extended edition brings new areas, enemies, story, and a visual overhaul, all while retaining the original dreamlike atmosphere.
Game Features
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*   Classic metroidvania action in 3D! Find your own way through Castle Sansa with open ended level design.  
*   Unique platforming gameplay! Abilities such as the air kick let you tackle problems how you see fit, with a blend of tight challenges and smooth exploration.  
*   Face a littany of foes! Combat is light and keeps movement at its core.  
*   Retro inspiration! Experience a visual and audio aesthetic inspired by 5th-gen consoles, with modern gameplay refinements.  
*   A satisfying bite size experience! Pseudoregalia manages to give you a condensed but full metroidvania playthrough in just a few hours, but is highly replayable with different routes to take!

Release date: Jul 28, 2023

Categories: Metroidvania, 3D Platformer, Action-Adventure, Exploration, Precision Platforming, Movement-based Combat, Retro Aesthetics, Non-linear Progression

Feature scans:
- Wiki: score 10; verdict: Needs Improvement; summary: The primary issues highlighted by users revolve around the game's poor map design and lack of guidance, which significantly impact the user experience. The game's difficulty and mechanics also contribute to frustration, but to a lesser extent.
- Proton/Linux: score 10; verdict: Works Well; summary: The game generally performs well on Steam Deck with minor issues related to menu navigation and glitches. Most users report a smooth experience, indicating good compatibility with Proton/Linux. However, there is an isolated report of the game not running on Steam Deck, which may require further investigation.
- Steam Deck: score 50; verdict: Playable with Tinkering Required; summary: The game generally receives positive feedback for its performance and compatibility with the Steam Deck. However, there are notable issues with the user interface, controls, and stability. While many users enjoy the game's art style and music, the technical barriers such as menu glitches, control difficulties, and crashes detract from the overall experience.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: The game generally performs well on systems with 8-11GB VRAM, showing good optimization and high frame rates, despite some crashes on AMD hardware. Performance on systems with less than 8GB VRAM is mixed, with some users experiencing lag and crashes while others report smooth performance.
  - Sample size: 30 (1% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (mixed, 11 reports): Performance varies, with some users experiencing lag and crashes, while others report no issues.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (positive, 10 reports): Generally good performance and high frame rates, though some crashes are reported on AMD hardware.
  - Caveats: 30 of 3629 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $6.00 - $12.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence indicates that users find the game to be of great value for its price. Phrases like 'money well spent' and 'feels like a steal' suggest that the current price is perceived as very low compared to the enjoyment derived from the game. Additionally, comments about the game being worth double its price and especially worth it when on sale imply that even at a higher price, the game would still be considered a good deal.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 8.0h
  - Story completion: 5.0h
  - Session length: 2.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides direct and indirect mentions of playtime. The first quote mentions a 2-hour session, and the second quote mentions 4 hours of playtime. The third quote mentions spending an hour on a specific task, and the fourth quote mentions spending a significant amount of time re-running parts of the game. These quotes help estimate the typical session length and overall playtime for game completion and story completion.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game becomes fun and addicting after players overcome the initial learning curve and start acquiring new abilities, which open up new areas and make progression more satisfying.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Acquisition of new abilities
  - Time to anchor: 2h 0m
  - Friction: slow start; lack of direction; confusing progression
  - Unlock drivers: mastering abilities; exploring new areas; satisfying progression system
  - Conditions: nostalgic soundtrack; smooth controls; well-designed levels; high tolerance for platforming challenges
- Player Archetypes:
  - Exploration Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Discovery and exploration
    - Playstyle: Explores thoroughly, enjoys figuring out the game world without guidance.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: old-school player
    - Reference games: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time; Metroid Dread; Hollow Knight
  - Movement Master (buy)
    - Motivation: Mastery and challenge
    - Playstyle: Focuses on perfecting movement and overcoming challenges.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: platformer player; speedrunner
    - Reference games: Super Mario 64; Ultrakill
  - Aesthetic Admirer (sale)
    - Motivation: Aesthetic appeal and character design
    - Playstyle: Enjoys the game for its visual style and character design.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: furry; aesthetic enthusiast
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Challenge Seeker (buy)
    - Motivation: Replayability and self-imposed challenges
    - Playstyle: Enjoys multiple playthroughs and attempting various challenges.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: speedrunner; completionist
    - 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 movement system (weight 0.74): The movement mechanics are fluid, intuitive, and highly enjoyable. Players appreciate the smooth and responsive controls, which enhance the overall gameplay experience.
- Excellent platforming mechanics (weight 0.63): The game features highly praised platforming mechanics that are fun, challenging, and well-designed. Players highlight the demanding yet enjoyable nature of the platforming, making it a core strength of the game.
- Great value for money (weight 0.29): Players find the game to be worth the price, offering great replay value and overall enjoyment. The game is seen as a satisfying experience that justifies its cost.
- Charming retro graphics (weight 0.27): The game features a charming retro art style reminiscent of N64 and PS1 graphics. Players find the visual style nostalgic and well-executed.
- Amazing soundtrack (weight 0.25): The game features a highly praised soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players describe the music as excellent, atmospheric, and one of the best soundtracks.
- Exceptional Metroidvania experience (weight 0.25): The game is noted for its excellent Metroidvania elements, including exploration, map design, and sequence-breaking opportunities. It is highly recommended for fans of the genre.
- Wonderful level design (weight 0.22): The level design is meticulously crafted, smart, and challenging. Players appreciate the unique and non-linear levels that offer a variety of experiences.
- Charming and unique style (weight 0.13): The game has a charming and unique style, with pleasant animations and intuitive design. Players find the overall experience to be charming and enjoyable.
- High replayability (weight 0.13): The game offers high replay value with different routes, challenges, and speedrunning opportunities. Players express a desire to replay the game multiple times.

Common complaints:
- Combat system lacks depth (weight 0.43): Many players find the combat system shallow, underwhelming, and not well-developed. It is often described as average, lacking impact, and not the focus of the game.
- Confusing and ineffective map (weight 0.4): The map is frequently cited as confusing and difficult to navigate. Players report issues with map directions, lack of indicators, and overall poor map design.
- Game is too short (weight 0.17): A common complaint is that the game is quite short and brief. Players express a desire for a longer gameplay experience.
- Repetitive music and environments (weight 0.08): The music and environments in the game are often described as repetitive, which can detract from the overall experience.
- Lack of achievements (weight 0.08): Players note the absence of an achievement system, particularly Steam achievements, which is seen as a missed opportunity for added engagement.
- Insufficient boss fights (weight 0.07): There is a desire for more boss fights in the game. Players feel that the game could benefit from additional boss encounters.
- Disappointing final boss (weight 0.07): The final boss is often described as lackluster and disappointing, with some players feeling it was not worth the time invested to reach it.
- Low-quality textures (weight 0.06): Players report issues with low-quality and missing textures, which affect the visual quality of the game.
- Weak storyline (weight 0.06): The story is frequently cited as the weakest part of the game, with players describing it as weak and barely present.
- Limited enemy variety (weight 0.06): There is a noted lack of variety in enemies, which can make combat and exploration feel repetitive.
- Map size and availability issues (weight 0.06): Some players express a desire for a larger map and report issues with the map being cut off or not provided initially.

Gameplay feedback:
- Metroidvania genre blend (weight 0.29): The game combines elements of the Metroidvania genre with 3D platforming, offering a unique mix of exploration, sequence breaking, and platforming-focused gameplay.
- Extensive world exploration (weight 0.21): Players appreciate the open-ended exploration mechanics, which include a large world to explore and various puzzles that encourage exploration.
- Ability-based progression (weight 0.18): The progression system is based on unlocking new abilities, which enhance gameplay and allow for customization of moves.
- Detailed map design (weight 0.12): The game includes a detailed and non-linear map design, which adds to the exploration and navigation experience.
- Puzzle-solving mechanics (weight 0.07): Players encounter various puzzles that require solving, adding a layer of complexity to the exploration and progression.
- Time trial challenges (weight 0.07): The game features optional time trials, which provide additional challenges and replayability.
- Power-ups enhance gameplay (weight 0.06): The game includes power-ups that have specific functions and enhance the overall gameplay experience.
- Average game length (weight 0.05): The average game length is around 7 hours, providing a substantial amount of content for players.

Performance notes:
- Performance on lower-end hardware (weight 0.12): There are performance issues on lower-end machines, making the game less accessible for users with less powerful hardware.
- Frequent game crashes (weight 0.09): The game often freezes and crashes, particularly on laptops and systems with specific hardware configurations.
- Frame rate issues (weight 0.08): The game has various frame rate issues, including being locked to 144 FPS, low FPS, and high frame rates causing problems.
- Camera and control issues (weight 0.06): There are reported issues with the camera and control settings, including bugs with control reassigning.
- Texture quality issues (weight 0.04): Players have reported low-quality textures and texture bugs affecting the visual experience.
- Graphical and engine bugs (weight 0.04): Players have encountered graphical clipping errors and bugs related to the Unreal Engine.
- Compatibility mode required (weight 0.04): Users need to configure the game's EXE to run in compatibility mode for Windows 8/7 to function properly.
- Visual artifacts (weight 0.02): Some players experience visual artifacts such as the screen being constantly covered with white.
- Lacks 4K support (weight 0.02): The game does not support 4K resolution, which is a drawback for users with high-end displays.

Recommendations:
- General recommendation to try (weight 0.22): Many reviewers strongly recommend trying the game, highlighting its overall quality and enjoyable experience.
- Recommended for platformer fans (weight 0.21): The game is highly recommended for fans of platformers, especially those who enjoy Metroidvania-style gameplay and retro graphics. It is praised for its challenging and fast-paced platforming mechanics.
- Worth the investment (weight 0.09): The game is considered worth the money and time, offering substantial content and a compelling experience.
- Hope for more content (weight 0.06): Players express a desire for more content in the future, including sequels, additional story, lore, and DLCs.
- Standout indie release (weight 0.06): The game is considered a standout indie release, deserving more recognition and called a hidden gem.
- Positive overall sentiment (weight 0.06): The game is described as a 10/10 chill exploring game and a good way to spend a weekend, with a compelling experience.
- Recommended for specific groups (weight 0.05): The game is recommended for specific groups such as speedrunners, furries, and those interested in retro graphics.
- Recommended for randomizers and replayability (weight 0.04): The game is highly recommended for fans of randomizers and those looking for replayability, with mentions of installing the randomizer after finishing unmodded runs.
- Suggestions for improvement (weight 0.04): Suggestions include adding a pinpoint to the map to show player location and hopes for more games like this.
- Similar to Tunic (weight 0.02): The game is compared to Tunic, suggesting it has similar qualities or gameplay mechanics.

Other player notes:
- Accessibility options needed (weight 0.02): Players are requesting more accessibility options, specifically the ability to add pants to characters.
- Mod support for maps (weight 0.02): There is a demand for additional map content, with players looking for maps on NexusMods.
- Content expectations not met (weight 0.02): Some players express dissatisfaction with the game's content, mentioning specific expectations related to character designs.

Emotions:
- Joy (weight 0.23): Players experience joy primarily due to the game's movement mechanics, which are frequently described as fluid, satisfying, and well-crafted. The music and soundtrack are also highly praised for being enjoyable and nostalgic. Additionally, the exploration and platforming mechanics contribute significantly to the overall joy, as players appreciate the freedom and creativity in navigating the game world.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.18): Enjoyment stems from the game's movement mechanics, which are often described as fluid, responsive, and fun. The soundtrack and visual style also contribute significantly to the enjoyment, with many players appreciating the retro aesthetic and engaging music. The exploration and platforming aspects, along with the overall gameplay experience, further enhance the enjoyment.
- Frustration (weight 0.16): Frustration is mainly caused by the game's map design, which is often described as confusing, minimal, and difficult to navigate. Players also express frustration with the combat mechanics, which are seen as lackluster or underdeveloped. Additionally, bugs, crashes, and the lack of clear guidance or objectives contribute to the frustration.
- Excitement (weight 0.08): Excitement is generated by the game's movement mechanics, which are praised for being smooth, fluid, and offering high potential for creativity and skill expression. The open-ended exploration and the discovery of new tricks and techniques also contribute to the excitement. Players are eager to replay the game and explore its speedrunning potential.
- Disappointment (weight 0.08): Disappointment arises from the game's short length and lack of depth, with players feeling that the game ends too quickly even when completing 100%. The combat mechanics are also a source of disappointment, as they are described as lackluster and underdeveloped. Additionally, the final boss and ending are criticized for being underwhelming.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.06): Satisfaction comes from the game's movement mechanics, which are praised for being fluid and well-crafted. The progression system and the acquisition of new abilities also contribute to the sense of satisfaction. Players feel that the game offers good value for money and a rewarding experience overall.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.03): Nostalgia is evoked by the game's retro aesthetic, which reminds players of classic N64 and PS1 games. The art style, graphics, and soundtrack all contribute to this nostalgic feeling. Players appreciate the game's ability to bring back memories of older gaming experiences.
- Love (weight 0.03): Love for the game is primarily directed towards the character Sybil and her design. Players also express love for the overall gameplay experience, including the movement mechanics, soundtrack, and retro style. The game's design and mechanics are highly appreciated and contribute to the overall love for the game.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.02): Players express satisfaction with the game's movement mechanics, which are described as some of the best in a 3D platformer. The smooth and enjoyable movement, along with the modern controllers and high frame rates, contribute to a highly satisfying experience.
- Positive (weight 0.02): Positive feelings are generated by the game's overall quality, including its deep gameplay, smooth mechanics, and enjoyable exploration and platforming aspects. The game's unique characteristics, such as its movement, combat, and rewarding experience, are highly appreciated.
- Disappointment (weight 0.01): Disappointment is caused by the lackluster combat mechanics, which some players feel would be better if removed. Additionally, bugs and the underwhelming final boss contribute to the sense of disappointment. Some players also express a desire for more achievements and personality in the environments.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration is directed towards the game's art style, level design, and overall brilliance. The fantastic soundtrack and character designs are also highly praised. Players admire the game's peak platforming mechanics and old-school charm.
- Happy (weight 0.01): Happiness is derived from the fun gameplay and movement system, which remind players of classic N64-style games. The enjoyable platforming aspects and the nostalgic feelings contribute to the overall happiness.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Appreciation is expressed for the movement system and controls, which are praised for being well-designed and enjoyable. The game's accessibility settings and overall design are also highly appreciated. Players value the 3D movement and progression system.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope is expressed for future developments and projects from the game's creator. Players look forward to potential sequels and expansions of the game world. The high potential for future games generates a sense of hope and anticipation.
- Sadness (weight 0.01): Sadness is felt due to the game's short length, with players wishing for a longer experience. The lack of similar games and the feeling that the developer did not fully explore the game's potential also contribute to the sadness.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from the game's map, which is often described as confusing and difficult to navigate. Players also express confusion about the game's ending and certain mechanics, leading to a sense of disorientation.
- Joy (weight 0): Joy is derived from the well-polished core gameplay, which players thoroughly enjoyed. The satisfying movement mechanics and the overall fun experience contribute to the sense of joy.
- Excited (weight 0): Excitement is generated by the game's good movement mechanics and addictive gameplay. Players are eager to engage with the game's mechanics and explore its potential for speedrunning and replayability.
- Stress (weight 0): Stress is experienced during moments of high difficulty, particularly in races without needed abilities. The challenging gameplay and the pressure to perform well contribute to the sense of stress.}