Info about Overgrowth:

Official game description:
As a lightning-fast acrobatic ninja rabbit, you can choose how to approach each encounter. Do you want to pick off enemies one at a time like the killer in a slasher film? Dive into the thick of it and fight whole groups in a frontal assault? Steal the most powerful weapon you can find, and turn it on the rest?  
If you die, there is never any load time; you can try again instantly! As your skills improve, you'll see that the game is not about winning. It's about experimenting to make the coolest action scenes that you can. Every design decision is made with that in mind, from the mouselook camera to the context-sensitive combat controls.  
After completing the story modes, you can try out all the mods that players have created with the integrated editor! If you want to play as a human character in a city, or try a whole new campaign, or even fly around as a bat, there's probably already a mod that makes that happen.
Source Code
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Release date: Oct 16, 2017

Categories: First-Person Melee Combat, Parkour Gameplay, Physics Simulation, Mod Support, Sandbox Creation, Single-player Story, Action Platformer

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 10; verdict: Fair; summary: No evidence of microtransactions, pay-to-win, gacha, loot boxes, or any in-game purchases. All user complaints are about the base purchase price being too high for the amount of content provided. These are standard price-value complaints, not predatory monetization.
- Proton/Linux: score 55; verdict: Runs poorly on Proton/Steam Deck; summary: The two user reviews indicate that, despite its Steam Deck verification, the game runs poorly on Linux/Proton with frequent stutters and severe fps drops. No positive Linux/Proton experiences were reported, and no workarounds or tweaks were mentioned.
- Steam Deck: score 85; verdict: Broken - Frequent Crashes and Performance Issues; summary: The game suffers from severe performance issues, frequent crashes, and compatibility failures on Steam Deck, despite being marked as verified. Users experience stuttering, FPS drops, launch failures, and instability across campaigns and mods.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviews indicate the $30 full price is considered too high, with recurring suggestions that the game is worth at most $10, and often only $5 on sale. The community consensus from the evidence points to a fair base-game price range between $5 and $10.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 8.0h
  - Story completion: 3.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The quote 'The main campaign is just under three hours long' directly supports a storyCompletion of approximately 3 hours. 'It took me 8 hours to beat all the pre-made campaigns' indicates that the total gameCompletion (all story content) is around 8 hours. The third quote 'The main story is 3 hours and all others combined is 7 hours' corroborates the storyCompletion and suggests total game content may be up to 10 hours, but the 8-hour figure from another review is used as a conservative estimate. No clear evidence was found for session length or endgame hours, so those are null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Overgrowth initially delights with its unique combat and parkour, but repetitive levels, poor story, and lack of meaningful progression cause enjoyment to fade quickly for many players.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: bad tutorial; repetitive levels; poor story; lack of progression; limited content
  - Unlock drivers: N/A
  - Conditions: tolerance for repetitive combat; use of mods may extend enjoyment; interest in story; expectation of single-player campaign; willingness to overlook lack of polish
- Player Archetypes:
  - Combat & Parkour Enthusiast (sale)
    - Motivation: Mastering fluid parkour and challenging physics-based combat encounters.
    - Playstyle: Aggressive, arena-focused, seeks high-difficulty brawls and utilizes environment for movement.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Dark Souls
  - Sandbox & Mod Creator (sale)
    - Motivation: Creating custom levels, modding content, and messing around with physics in a sandbox environment.
    - Playstyle: Experimental, creative, spends most time in editor and modded arenas.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Garry's Mod
  - Price-Conscious Gamer (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Getting worthwhile entertainment per dollar spent; avoiding perceived ripoffs.
    - Playstyle: Cautious buyer, may wait for sales before engaging with content.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Disillusioned Backer (no buy)
    - Motivation: Hoping for the game to fulfill its original vision; monitoring updates out of loyalty.
    - Playstyle: Passive observer; may replay old content but not actively engage due to disappointment.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Lugaru


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:
- Combat is smooth and fluid (weight 0.43): Players consistently praise the combat for being smooth, fluid, fast-paced, and responsive. The mechanics are described as brutal, satisfying, and simple to control yet complex to master.
- Physics engine is exceptional (weight 0.38): The physics-driven combat and ragdoll effects are frequently cited as unique and satisfying. The ragdoll system is described as unmatched, adding to the visceral and entertaining gameplay.
- Parkour mechanics are praised (weight 0.29): Parkour and freerunning are highlighted as well-executed and enjoyable, with realistic physics and fun wall-running and wall-jumping. The parkour is considered challenging but rewarding.
- Combat and parkour balance well (weight 0.21): The integration of combat, parkour, and stealth is praised for working well together. Players enjoy the mix of mechanics, finding them well-balanced and excellent in combination.
- Game is fun and engaging (weight 0.2): General enjoyment of the game is expressed, with players finding it fun, good, and one of the best. The overall experience is positively received.
- Modding support is extensive (weight 0.2): The game offers strong modding support with a large quantity of high-quality mods available, including characters, maps, translations, and campaigns. The level editor and Steam Workshop integration are appreciated.
- Platforming is responsive and fun (weight 0.12): Platforming is noted as fun, responsive, and effective, with a great sense of scale and momentum. The mechanics are simple yet remarkably effective.
- Story is delightful and interesting (weight 0.1): The story is considered delightful, simple but fun, and interesting. It is positively received for its narrative quality.
- Therium 2 has branching story (weight 0.1): The Therium 2 campaign is noted for its ambitious branching paths, multiple endings, and good narrative. The campaign includes secrets and story branching.

Common complaints:
- Game abandoned by developers (weight 0.39): Several clusters indicate the game has been abandoned or neglected by developers, with no updates or new content for years. Development progress is seen as stalled.
- Campaign and game too short (weight 0.31): Multiple clusters highlight the extremely short campaign length, often under 3-4 hours for the main story and around 8 hours for all content. Players feel the game offers very little playtime for the price.
- Overpriced for what you get (weight 0.28): Many reviews state the game is not worth its full price, calling it overpriced or a rip-off given the limited content and quality. The price-to-value ratio is a major complaint.
- Game feels unpolished and unfinished (weight 0.25): Reviews describe the game as rough, amateur, and incomplete, with a lack of polish and a feeling of being unfinished. Multiple clusters echo this sentiment.
- Story is mediocre or absent (weight 0.24): The story is widely criticized as mediocre, shallow, uninspired, or barely present, often ending on a cliffhanger with no resolution.
- Parkour mechanics are bad (weight 0.2): Parkour is described as off, awkward, frustrating, and not fun. The platforming sections are criticized for being too long and poorly designed.
- Combat is poorly designed (weight 0.17): Players criticize the combat as horrendously bad, clunky, simplistic, and half-baked. The system is described as frustrating and not engaging.
- Boring without mods (weight 0.12): Some players find the base game boring and feel mods are the only redeeming factor, though mods also cause crashes and require troubleshooting.
- Poor level design (weight 0.1): Level design is called pathetic, poor, and full of wasted open spaces, leading to repetitive and frustrating gameplay segments.
- Stealth mechanics are poor (weight 0.09): Stealth is described as hit-or-miss, functional but not fun, and hampered by bad mechanics like slow movement and overly sensitive enemy detection.
- Jump kick is overpowered (weight 0.09): The jump kick is cited as overpowered and abusable, but also inconsistent, sometimes one-shotting enemies and other times requiring multiple hits.
- Worldbuilding and lore lacking (weight 0.09): Worldbuilding and lore are described as underdeveloped, with insufficient explanation and more promise than delivery.
- Limited arena mode variety (weight 0.06): The arena mode has only four variations with limited variety, and the overall content beyond the campaign is lacking.
- No online multiplayer (weight 0.05): The lack of online multiplayer is noted as a missing feature, disappointing some players.
- Outdated graphics (weight 0.05): Graphics are described as outdated and textures look old, contributing to the game feeling like an early access title.
- No voice acting (weight 0.05): There is no voice acting; grunts are stock sound effects, which adds to the amateur feel of the game.

Gameplay feedback:
- Emphasis on combat system (weight 0.39): The combat system is highlighted as a core, tight, and unique feature of the game. It is described as fast-paced and a primary mechanic.
- Core parkour and combat (weight 0.33): The game blends parkour mechanics like wall-running and flipping with combat, creating a unique action experience. Movement and fighting are closely tied together.
- Physics-based combat mechanics (weight 0.2): Combat relies heavily on ragdoll physics and a physics engine for realistic movement, impacts, and environmental interactions. This creates dynamic and unpredictable fights.
- Player character is Turner the rabbit (weight 0.17): Players control a nimble rabbit character named Turner, who is a fighter. The game features cute rabbits engaged in violent combat.
- Level editor and mod support (weight 0.16): The game features a built-in map editor for creating custom levels. It also supports Steam Workshop for sharing and downloading mods, maps, and visual enhancements.
- Fast and lethal combat (weight 0.13): Combat is lightning fast and brutal, often decided in one or two hits. There are no health bars, and kills can be instant.
- Variety of weapons (weight 0.12): The game includes several weapon types such as knives, swords, spears, and polearms. Each weapon falls into distinct categories with unique stats.
- Defensive options require precise timing (weight 0.1): Players can block, dodge, parry, and disarm opponents. These defensive actions have tight timing windows, requiring skill to execute effectively.
- Dropkick mechanic (weight 0.09): A dropkick is a notable combat move, often used by players to cheese fights. It is an exaggerated and effective attack.
- Multiple game modes (weight 0.06): The game offers various modes, including multiplayer and arenas. Players can engage in arena battles and custom game modes.
- Story with multiple endings (weight 0.06): The game features a story mode with multiple branches leading to several endings, including hidden and easter egg endings. This adds replayability.
- Jump kick combat strategy (weight 0.06): Using jump kicks is a common and effective combat strategy, sometimes seen as a way to cheese the game. It is a key part of the combat sandbox.

Performance notes:
- Frequent game crashes (weight 0.19): Multiple reviews mention crashes on startup, shortly after launch, or repeatedly during play. Examples include 6 crashes in 15 minutes and crashes every 10 minutes.
- Loading times too long (weight 0.17): Players report loading times lasting from 30 seconds to several minutes, even on low settings. This issue is widespread and affects gameplay flow significantly.
- Poor performance optimization (weight 0.11): The game is described as unoptimized, causing lag, glitches, and overheating even on decent hardware. Lowering settings is often required for acceptable performance.
- Glitches and bugs (weight 0.09): Players report numerous glitches and bugs, making the game feel unstable. This is a consistent complaint across several reviews.
- Works on low-end systems (weight 0.07): Some players report the game can run on a poor computer or MacBook Pro with acceptable performance after adjustments.
- Steam Deck performance issues (weight 0.06): Despite being verified for Steam Deck, the game runs poorly on the device, with low performance and broken compatibility.
- Grass optimization problems (weight 0.06): Grass assets are specifically called out as horribly unoptimized, causing performance drops in certain areas.
- Good performance on high-end hardware (weight 0.06): Some users achieve 50-60 FPS on max graphics or even 120fps on older GPUs, indicating the game can run well on sufficiently powerful systems.
- Game causes overheating (weight 0.06): The game is intensive and can cause the PC to overheat, even with few NPCs or after extended play sessions.
- Hardware underutilization (weight 0.03): CPU and GPU are underutilized below 50%, indicating poor optimization that does not leverage available hardware.
- Mods cause crashes (weight 0.03): Mods often lead to crashes due to loading flash, adding to stability concerns.
- Runs at very high FPS on low settings (weight 0.03): With low graphics and ocean simplified off, the game can run around 300 FPS, showing potential for performance tuning.
- Downloads excessive files on disable (weight 0.03): The game downloads 50,000 files upon disable, which is unusual and may indicate a technical issue.

Recommendations:
- Buy on sale (weight 0.41): Many players say the game is only worth buying when discounted. They recommend waiting for a sale rather than paying full price.
- Generally recommended (weight 0.24): A number of players give a positive recommendation overall, saying the game is worth playing and would recommend it to others.
- Recommended for fighting fans (weight 0.15): Players suggest the game is best suited for fans of fighting games, especially those who enjoy martial arts and hand-to-hand combat.
- Not for everyone (weight 0.08): Some players caution that the game has a niche appeal and is not suited for all types of players. They advise potential buyers to check if the game fits their taste.
- Consider price and expectations (weight 0.06): Some players note that the game may be very short or not a conventional game, so it is only recommended if the buyer has realistic expectations and buys it cheap.

Other player notes:
- Long development history (weight 0.28): The game was in development for many years, with some reviewers noting a development cycle of nearly 20 years, 9 years, or a lengthy early access period. This long history is a frequently mentioned point.
- Limited base game content (weight 0.19): Reviewers mention that the base game has very little content, with a short main story of around 3 hours and a lack of world building. This is a common criticism.
- Includes prequel Lugaru (weight 0.13): The game includes the prequel Lugaru as part of the package, either as a campaign or a remake. This is a key selling point for fans of the series.
- Described as a tech demo (weight 0.13): The game is often described as more of a tech demo than a full game, with reviewers noting it feels like a proof of concept. This perception lowers its value as a complete title.
- Mods may cause crashes (weight 0.12): While mods are supported, they can sometimes cause crashes and require troubleshooting. This is a drawback for some users.
- Small modding community (weight 0.1): The modding community is described as small but dedicated, with some high-quality mods available. The community size limits the variety of mods.
- Game released in 2017 (weight 0.1): The game was fully released in 2017, making it about 8 years old at the time of some reviews. This contextualizes its graphics and gameplay.
- Game has four campaigns (weight 0.1): The game includes four campaign modules: Overgrowth, Lugaru, Therium 2, and Drika's Story. This adds variety beyond the main story.
- Modding support via Steam Workshop (weight 0.09): The game supports mods through Steam Workshop, allowing the community to create and share custom content. This is a widely appreciated feature.
- Devs stopped updating (weight 0.06): The developers appear to have stopped updating the game, only reviewing workshop maps. This suggests the game is no longer actively supported.
- Long early access period (weight 0.06): The game had a long early access period from 2008 to 2017, which is noted as a significant aspect of its development history. This may affect player patience.
- Story requires external comic (weight 0.06): Full understanding of the lore requires reading an external comic, which some reviewers find inconvenient. This limits narrative accessibility.
- Includes fan campaign Therium-2 (weight 0.06): The game comes prepackaged with the fan-made campaign Therium-2, which some reviewers consider better than the official campaign. This adds value.
- Developer sued Valve (weight 0.06): The developer, Wolfire, sued Valve, which some reviewers mention as a notable event. This may affect player perception of the studio.
- Purchased from Humble Bundle (weight 0.06): Some reviewers acquired the game early from Humble Bundle, with promises of a full game. This affected their expectations and satisfaction.
- Considered a furry game (weight 0.06): The game is acknowledged as a furry game, which may attract or deter specific audiences. This is a niche aspect.
- Includes Receiver game (weight 0.06): The package includes the game Receiver as a bonus, which adds extra value for buyers. This is a positive point.
- Developed for 7 years (weight 0.06): Some reviewers mention the game was in development for 7 years, adding to the discussion of its lengthy creation process.
- Purchased on sale (weight 0.05): Some reviewers purchased the game on sale, indicating that the full price may not be seen as justified. This affects value perception.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.23): Players widely feel the game is unfinished and lacks content, with a very short campaign and an abrupt cliffhanger ending. The developer's abandonment, long early access period, and failure to deliver on promised features despite high potential are major causes. Many describe it as a tech demo rather than a full game, with boring combat and story.
- Frustration (weight 0.22): Frustration stems from buggy and unpolished gameplay mechanics like parkour, combat, and stealth, which often feel inconsistent or unfair. Frequent crashes, long loading times, poor performance, and a lack of developer updates compound the negative experience. The high price for an incomplete game and unbalanced difficulty also contribute significantly.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.16): Players enjoy the unique physics-based combat and parkour mechanics, finding them fun and satisfying once mastered. The ragdoll physics, dropkicks, and blood effects provide visceral entertainment, and the modding community adds variety. Many simply have fun with the movement system and fighting animals.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.1): Satisfaction comes from the rewarding and well-executed combat and parkour systems, which feel tight and impactful after learning. The physics engine, smooth animations, and satisfying kill effects give a sense of accomplishment. Good mod support, arena modes, and branching campaigns like Therium-2 add lasting value.
- Excitement (weight 0.09): Excitement is driven by the brutal, fast-paced combat and fluid movement mechanics that make players feel powerful. The ragdoll physics, gore effects, and one-of-a-kind gameplay create thrilling moments. Many are also excited by the modding potential and finally being able to play a game they anticipated for years.
- Appreciation (weight 0.05): Players appreciate the creative combat system, physics engine, and visual charm of the game despite its flaws. The dedicated developer efforts, regular updates for a small team, and the supportive modding community are praised. Niche appeal and unique mechanics like realistic blood effects and instant retries are also valued.
- Admiration (weight 0.04): Admiration is expressed for the depth of the movement and combat system, as well as the well-optimized engine. Players respect the developer's long-term passion and progress from Lugaru to Overgrowth. The game is considered impressive for its graphics, gameplay integration, and simple yet deep controls.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.03): Nostalgia arises from childhood memories of watching let's plays or following the game's development for years. Many recall playing Lugaru and finding this sequel equally captivating. The game evokes fond memories of early gaming experiences and a long-awaited fulfillment of a childhood dream to play it.
- Annoyance (weight 0.03): Annoyance is caused by finicky controls, a dumbed-down story compared to the original, and the overpowered dropkick making combat simplistic. Bad camera control, useless dialogue windows, and unreliable rolling mechanics during combat also frustrate players. Attacks hitting without visual connection adds to the irritation.
- Love (weight 0.02): Love for the game is centered on the overall movement and fighting mechanics, which are described as almost perfect. Players adore the ragdoll physics, force-based combat damage, and martial arts style. The combination of combat, campaigns, and platforming creates a deeply enjoyable experience.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger is directed at the developer's behavior of abandoning the game, deleting bug reports, and suing Steam. Players feel the game is broken, poorly made, and a scam at full price due to broken hitboxes and unplayable mechanics. The high price for an unfinished product and lack of remorse from developers fuel this emotion.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Amusement comes from the humorous physics and over-the-top violence, such as flinging animals, dropkicks, and neck slitting. The contrast of rabbits performing kung fu and the 'beautiful jank' of character models are entertaining. Players find the exaggerated physics deaths, like breaking a neck from a somersault, funny.
- Fun (weight 0.02): Fun is derived from easy controls, smooth combat, and satisfying wins, especially with dropkicks and ragdolls. The ability to mod the game easily and play with physics in story mode and workshop maps adds to the enjoyment. Overall gameplay and the violence of combat are key factors.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom sets in after the game's limited content is exhausted, with post-game missions feeling bland and repetitive. The weak writing and limited sandbox features offer little to keep players engaged. Nothing remarkable beyond the initial novelty leads to a quick loss of interest.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope remains that developers will return to update the game with more content or polish. Some players wish for a sequel or for the concepts to be fleshed out into something more meaningful. The desire for continued community content also reflects optimism for the game's future.
- Delight (weight 0.01): Delight is found in the combat system, workshop support, and local co-op play, especially with a friend. The movement system and overall charm of the game bring joy. Playing through the story is a positive experience that reinforces this feeling.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from the disconnect between movement and combat, making it hard to understand the mechanics. The story is poorly explained and hard to follow, and inconsistent enemy health and damage add to the bewilderment. Players struggle to grasp the game's systems.
- Sadness (weight 0.01): Sadness comes from the game being abandoned by developers, leaving many ideas and promised features unrealized. The untapped potential and developer arrogance are seen as a waste. Players mourn what could have been a great game.
- Immersion (weight 0.01): Immersion is achieved through getting lost in the fighting and ragdoll physics, with AI enemies fighting desperately. The enemy AI feels different each time, adding to the dynamic experience. Players become absorbed in the physicality of combat.
- Engagement (weight 0.01): Engagement is driven by the physics-driven combat and fluid movement that keep players invested from the start. The game is described as fun and engaging immediately. The interactive systems hold player attention effectively.}