Info about Menace from the Deep:

Official game description:
*   **Three** unique playable heroes, each with their own **deck of battle cards** and fighting style
*   **3** types of inventory items: **Relics**, **Equipment**, **Consumables**. Most relics can be assembled into powerful **collections**
*   Collect and **upgrade** numerous unique cards  
*   Unique **travel system** based on **travel cards**
*   Participate in various **events** of the grim world and visit **different locations**
*   Gather **building materials** and construct **upgrades** to make subsequent journeys significantly easier  
*   **Grim and tragic story** of a secret society and the mystery of the strange monolith called the **Heart of the Sea**
*   Find **allies** for battles or summon help through magical rituals, items, or cards
*   Each member of the secret society hides their own **secret**. Discover them by collecting **memory fragments** together

Release date: Nov 11, 2024

Categories: Roguelike Deckbuilder, Card-based Combat, Lovecraftian Horror, Meta-Progression, Multiple Playable Characters, Relic Synergy System, Base Building

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 15; verdict: Fair / Paid DLC Only; summary: The audit found no direct evidence of real-money gacha, loot boxes, a cash shop, paid stat boosts, currency obfuscation, or pay-to-win. Monetization discussion is dominated by paid DLC: some users view the fourth character and new content as a cash-grab or overpriced content split, while others praise the DLC and recommend buying it, often on sale. Under the scoring rules, DLC/expansion pricing alone caps the score at 20.
- Proton/Linux: score 18; verdict: Works Well; summary: Linux/Proton-specific evidence in the provided reviews is limited to Steam Deck reports. Most reviewers say the game runs great or works out of the box on Steam Deck, with one positive note that the trackpad/trigger mouse mapping is functional. There is one isolated complaint about Steam Deck optimization and one reference to a non-full playable rating, but no repeated Linux launch failures, Proton tweaks, anti-cheat blockers, DRM issues, or crashes are reported. Overall, the evidence supports a works-well verdict.
- Steam Deck: score 80; verdict: Broken - frequent crashes and freezes; summary: Steam Deck feedback is mixed. Some users report excellent out-of-box performance, but multiple reviews describe frequent freezes and crashes during card draws or heavy turn actions, along with small text and workaround-dependent input using trackpads and the on-screen keyboard. The repeated crash and freeze evidence places the experience in the Broken band despite positive reports.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Across the Windows 8-11GB VRAM cohort, feedback is positive, with users reporting the game runs well and offers enjoyable deckbuilder gameplay.
  - Sample size: 42 (2% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (positive, 11 reports): Users report the game runs well, with praise for its graphics, art, and deckbuilder gameplay.
  - Caveats: 42 of 2647 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $17.00
  - Reasoning: The review evidence points to a discount-oriented fair-value view: multiple reviewers explicitly recommend buying on sale, one sets a ceiling near $15, another says the game is worth about half price, and a translated review treats the $0-$20 band as acceptable. At the same time, some reviewers call the current price excellent, undervalued, or worth full price, which supports a range near the current $16.99 base price rather than a much lower one. Balancing the frequent sale caveats with the positive full-price comments, the community fair base-game range is best estimated around $10-$17, with values above $17 receiving weaker support.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 22.0h
  - Story completion: 25.0h
  - Session length: 1.1h
  - Endgame: 79.4h
  - Reasoning: Game completion is set to 22 hours because one reviewer reports beating the final boss by that playtime. Story completion is set to 25 hours, supported by the 20-25 hour story-mode completion report and similar 20-30 hour campaign estimates. Session length is about 1.1 hours based on the 45-90 minute run estimate. Endgame is set to 79.4 hours from the reviewer who reached 100% achievements at that playtime. Shorter first-clear reports of 7-11 hours appear to describe partial or early runs, so they were not used for the main completion figure.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Reports mostly describe a rough opening of difficult fights, many systems, and slow early progression, then a turn toward fun once mechanics click and cards or upgrades open up. A minority found it addictive immediately, while others never got past the grind.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: When the mechanics click after a run or two and early unlocks improve runs
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Steep learning curve and many systems/statuses to learn; Punishing early difficulty and frequent deaths; Slow or unbalanced early meta-progression; Resource/material grinding tied to runs; Repetitive early fights and forced card picks; Limited deck options before unlocks
  - Unlock drivers: Mechanics clicking after a run or two; Unlocking cards and upgrades; Meta-progression upgrades that make later runs easier; Becoming strong enough to win later runs; Learning to exploit mechanics such as Fury
  - Conditions: Tolerance for roguelike difficulty and repeated deaths; Willingness to grind meta-progression resources; Focus on resource gathering in early runs; Preference for Lovecraftian theme and atmosphere; Enjoyment of deckbuilders and roguelites; Patience with slower turn-based pacing; Willingness to use difficulty modifiers or avoid fights
- Player Archetypes:
  - Veteran Deckbuilder Optimizer (buy)
    - Motivation: Mastering card synergies and breaking runs with optimized builds.
    - Playstyle: Min-maxing deck construction, hunting combo lines, and replaying difficult runs to test strategies.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Slay the Spire; Wildfrost; Griftlands; Monster Train
  - Lovecraft Lore Purist (no buy)
    - Motivation: Experiencing authentic Lovecraftian horror, story, and atmosphere.
    - Playstyle: Story-focused and immersion-driven; evaluates writing, translation, and thematic consistency more than pure card optimization.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: Lovecraft fundamentalist reader
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Casual Card-Game Newcomer (buy)
    - Motivation: Relaxing, accessible deckbuilding with appealing visuals and low-pressure runs.
    - Playstyle: Plays defensively, uses custom or chill modes, and values approachable mechanics over hardcore optimization.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: casual
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Progression Grinder / Completionist (sale)
    - Motivation: Unlocking upgrades, achievements, and long-term meta-progression.
    - Playstyle: Repeated runs focused on resource farming, base upgrades, and checklist completion.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: 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:
- Engaging and fun deck-building gameplay (weight 0.49): Many clusters describe the core deck-building as fun, satisfying, and replayable, with fresh mechanics that keep players hooked. The card gameplay is widely praised as the heart of the experience.
- Strong Lovecraftian theme and atmosphere (weight 0.37): Multiple clusters praise the game's pervasive Lovecraftian/Cthulhu mood, from story and characters to art and overall vibe. Reviewers repeatedly cite the atmosphere as a major strength that elevates the experience.
- Visually striking art and atmosphere (weight 0.23): Reviewers consistently highlight the outstanding art style, visuals, and mood they create. The art direction is described as distinctive, gorgeous, and a key selling point.
- Highly addictive roguelike card game (weight 0.23): Players frequently call the game addictive, often staying up late to play more. The roguelike loop combined with card battles creates a compelling, hard-to-put-down experience.
- Unique card upgrade system (weight 0.18): The mechanic of upgrading cards through repeated use, with branching paths, is frequently highlighted as a distinctive and interesting feature. It adds depth and customization to the deck-building.
- Favorable comparisons to Slay the Spire (weight 0.17): Reviewers often compare the game to Slay the Spire, noting it as a strong alternative or even superior in certain aspects like card variety and forgiveness. It builds on familiar mechanics while adding its own ideas.
- High-quality Ukrainian voiceover (weight 0.16): The game includes Ukrainian voice acting that is praised for its quality and ability to bring dialogues to life. This localization choice is specifically appreciated by reviewers.
- Great sound and music (weight 0.15): The sound design and music are consistently described as excellent, adding to the overall atmosphere. Reviewers often mention the audio as a strong point.
- Engaging story and narrative (weight 0.15): The story is frequently called interesting, entertaining, and well-told, keeping players invested. It complements the gameplay without overwhelming it.
- Varied characters with distinct playstyles (weight 0.08): Reviewers appreciate that each character offers different mechanics and strategies, enhancing replayability. This diversity adds to the game's depth.
- Polished and well-made game (weight 0.08): Many reviews broadly praise the game as fantastic, well-crafted, and worth the purchase, with some citing no complaints. This reflects high overall satisfaction.

Common complaints:
- Poor game balance (weight 0.23): Multiple clusters highlight balance issues: overall balance is uneven, card and monster balance is poor, numerical balance makes fights nearly unwinnable, and enemy scaling outpaces player power. Build balance and character balance are also problematic.
- Poor story and writing (weight 0.21): The story is thin, uninteresting, and poorly written. Dialogue and writing quality are often criticized as horrendous.
- High difficulty and steep curve (weight 0.17): The game is considered too hard, with a steep and uneven difficulty curve. Early game is very painful, and the difficulty is not introduced gradually.
- Unfavorable comparison to genre leaders (weight 0.15): Players repeatedly find the game inferior to Slay the Spire in content, depth, satisfaction, polish, and balance. Learning curve and overall elegance are also seen as worse compared to similar games like Balatro or Monster Train.
- Repetitive and boring gameplay (weight 0.13): Core gameplay gets boring quickly, becoming monotonous and repetitive. The game also feels like a slog and is grindy, with late-game becoming too easy and repetitive.
- Tedious card upgrade system (weight 0.13): The upgrade system requires using cards many times, encouraging prolonged battles and tedious grinding. Upgrades often feel inconsequential or not worth the cost.
- Technical issues and bugs (weight 0.13): The game has bugs that cause freezes when playing cards, and is poorly optimized overall. It also feels janky and rough around the edges.
- Meaningless rarity and upgrades (weight 0.09): Card rarity is meaningless with some rare cards having worse stats than commons, and upgrades give very low stat gains and often no effect changes.
- Weak deckbuilding experience (weight 0.08): Reviewers feel the game is not a great deckbuilder, lacking the depth to compensate for weak deckbuilding mechanics. Deckbuilding is simple with few card types.
- Limited card variety and creativity (weight 0.07): There are few cards and combos, with little novelty or diversity. Many cards feel too simple or lackluster, reducing deckbuilding options and enjoyment.
- Insufficient content and depth (weight 0.07): The game lacks overall content, especially after finishing the campaign, and feels shallow. The base game could include more acts and a longer campaign mode.
- Weak voice acting (weight 0.07): Voice acting is frequently criticized as weak, unbelievable, and bad, especially for certain characters like the officer.
- Unclear mechanics and explanations (weight 0.07): Many game mechanics are not properly explained, and some things don't make sense. Mechanics are also somewhat complicated and complex.
- Harsh healing scarcity (weight 0.07): There is no health recovery between stages and few healing options, making the game frustrating, especially with enemy counter-armor in the second stage.
- Grindy meta-progression (weight 0.07): Out-of-run progression is grindy and difficult, with meta-progression having too much weight, making the early game bland.
- Unfair random elements (weight 0.07): Runs can be lost to bad luck due to pure randomness, and there is a limit on discards per run, adding frustration.
- Cluttered UI and weak audio (weight 0.06): The UI is cluttered with too many elements and has an uncommon layout. Sound effects could be better, with ambience lacking bass.
- Forced card picks dilute decks (weight 0.06): The game forces players to take a card after every battle with limited skips, leading to bloated decks filled with useless cards. This dilutes builds and weakens the player.
- Too long and drawn out (weight 0.04): The game feels dragged out and takes too long to finish, overstaying its welcome.
- Lack of innovation (weight 0.04): The game borrows too much from other titles and has little unique character, making gameplay feel unoriginal.

Gameplay feedback:
- Deckbuilding roguelite core gameplay (weight 0.73): The game is fundamentally a deckbuilding roguelite with card-based combat, relics, and meta-progression. Many players compare it to Slay the Spire and highlight the mix of card play, roguelike runs, and strategic deck construction.
- Similar to Slay the Spire (weight 0.54): Many players describe the game as similar to Slay the Spire in its deckbuilding and roguelike mechanics. This comparison is frequent but the game adds its own twists.
- Cthulhu and Lovecraftian theme (weight 0.37): The game features a strong Cthulhu Mythos and Lovecraftian theme, including cosmic horror monsters, events, and atmosphere. This thematic skin is frequently mentioned as a key differentiator.
- Cards upgrade through repeated use (weight 0.35): Cards gain experience and level up as you play them during runs, with multiple upgrade paths available. Upgrades are earned by using cards a certain number of times, such as 4-6 plays, and some cards can upgrade multiple times.
- Custom deck building (weight 0.24): Players can create and customize their own decks, with options to unlock and compose decks for different classes. Deck management includes avoiding deck bloat and making strategic card choices.
- Card-based turn-based combat (weight 0.21): Combat is card-based and turn-based, featuring RNG draws, card combinations, discarding mechanics, and strategic decision-making. The system differs from Slay the Spire in several ways, offering a unique tactical experience.
- Meta progression system (weight 0.2): The game includes a meta-progression system that unlocks new cards, relics, and permanent upgrades through repeated runs and story mode. Progression is often tied to grinding and gradually improving characters to complete all acts.
- Combo system with attacks and defends (weight 0.19): The combat features a combo system that encourages low-cost cards and synergies between attacks and defends. Deckbuilding includes out-of-combat upgrades and strategic card combinations.
- Multiple playable characters (weight 0.18): There are multiple playable characters, each with distinct playstyles, mechanics, and card themes. Some characters have multiple starting deck options, adding variety and replayability.
- Story mode available (weight 0.17): The game includes a story mode with narrative elements and permanent upgrades. Some players mention story immersion and campaign events as part of the experience.
- Relic set bonuses (weight 0.14): Relics can be collected in sets to grant powerful bonuses or upgraded versions. For example, collecting three of a type grants a new relic, and large relics can be combined for set effects.
- Varied builds and enemy types (weight 0.13): The game offers multiple build archetypes through synergies between cards, relics, and equipment, along with varied enemy types and encounters. Progression introduces new enemies, bosses, and decision paths.
- Permanent card downgrade mechanic (weight 0.07): Enemies have abilities that can permanently downgrade cards during combat, adding a unique risk to deck strength. This mechanic sets the game apart from typical deckbuilders.
- Roguelike structure with acts (weight 0.07): The roguelike structure features acts, card and relic acquisition, and high replayability. Runs progress through different acts with increasing challenges.
- Deckbuilding with card upgrades (weight 0.07): The game combines deckbuilding with card upgrade mechanics, where cards improve based on usage frequency. This dual system is core to the gameplay loop.

Performance notes:
- Freezing during gameplay (weight 0.08): The game frequently freezes when playing cards, selecting events, or when combo/block stacks reach high numbers, often requiring a restart.
- Severe optimization issues (weight 0.08): Many users report poor optimization, including lag from Chapter 4, long delays when clicking options, and overall terrible performance.
- Steam Deck compatibility is positive (weight 0.07): Multiple users report the game runs well on Steam Deck, even with default trackpad layout, despite being listed as Unsupported.
- Frame rate drops and stuttering (weight 0.06): Frame rate drops significantly during turns as cards are drawn and discarded, and stuttering occurs during cutscenes.
- General performance is smooth (weight 0.06): Some players experience no bugs and report the game runs well with native settings requiring no adjustments.
- Long loading times (weight 0.04): Loading times exceed ten seconds between scene transitions and after events, disrupting gameplay flow.
- Game becomes unplayable (weight 0.04): Users report the game no longer works and is plagued by many bugs.
- Runs on low-end hardware (weight 0.04): The game can be played on a laptop with integrated graphics and is surprisingly light on battery usage.
- Crashes and black screens (weight 0.03): Some players experience crashes that cause monitors to go black and require a system restart.
- Steam Deck optimization lacking (weight 0.02): One user notes the game is not optimized for Steam Deck, though others report positive experiences.
- On-screen keyboard needed (weight 0.02): Entering text requires manually invoking the on-screen keyboard, which may inconvenience some players.

Recommendations:
- Strong recommendation for Lovecraft and card game fans (weight 0.34): Many reviewers recommend the game specifically to fans of Lovecraftian horror and card games. Cluster 1 (19 mentions) and Cluster 2 (11) highlight this as the primary audience.
- Recommended for deckbuilding enthusiasts (weight 0.19): The game is highly recommended for those who enjoy deckbuilding mechanics. Cluster 5 (6 mentions) and Cluster 4 (8) show strong appeal to card game and deckbuilding fans.
- Better to buy on sale with DLC (weight 0.17): Many suggest purchasing the game and DLC at a discount. Cluster 9 (5 mentions), Cluster 10 (5), and Cluster 14 (3) advise waiting for sales.
- Great for Slay the Spire fans (weight 0.17): Reviewers frequently compare the game to Slay the Spire and recommend it to players who enjoy that style. Cluster 3 (10 mentions) and Cluster 19 (2) emphasize this comparison.
- Good for roguelike deckbuilder fans (weight 0.12): Reviewers recommend the game to fans of roguelike deckbuilders, often mentioning similar games like Inscryption. Cluster 7 (6 mentions) and Cluster 20 (2) support this.
- General positive recommendation (weight 0.12): A number of reviewers give a warm recommendation without specific caveats. Cluster 11 (4 mentions), Cluster 18 (2), and Cluster 24 (2) are examples.
- Worth the full price (weight 0.11): Some players find the game well worth the money at full price. Cluster 8 (5 mentions) and Cluster 21 (2) express this sentiment.
- Base game plus DLC bundle recommended (weight 0.1): Some suggest buying the base game and DLC together, especially at a discount. Cluster 17 (2 mentions) and Cluster 9 (5) mention bundles.
- Negative reviews exist (weight 0.06): A few reviewers do not recommend the game due to gameplay issues. Cluster 16 (2 mentions) and Cluster 22 (2) are negative.
- Not recommended for Cthulhu purists (weight 0.05): Some reviewers warn that fans of Call of Cthulhu or those seeking a genuine mythos experience may be disappointed. Cluster 13 (3 mentions) highlights this.

Other player notes:
- Slay the Spire comparison (weight 0.47): The game is frequently compared to Slay the Spire, with many noting it follows the same formula but introduces novel mechanics. Some view it as a strong complement, while a few consider it less polished.
- DLC adds characters and content (weight 0.33): The game has paid DLC that introduces new characters, items, and additional content such as a fourth act and new routes. Players mention that DLC reduces difficulty and adds significant value.
- Ukrainian localization and voiceover (weight 0.21): Reviewers highlight the inclusion of Ukrainian language support and voice acting, with some noting the game is made by Ukrainian developers. This is a notable point of appreciation.
- Darkest Dungeon and Arkham Horror comparisons (weight 0.16): The game is often compared to Darkest Dungeon for its mechanics and horror theme, and to Arkham Horror for its setting and vibe. These comparisons highlight its dark, tactical style.
- Made by Ukrainian solo developer (weight 0.12): Several reviewers note that the game is developed by a Ukrainian solo developer, which adds to its appeal and authenticity. This is sometimes mentioned alongside the game's Ukrainian origins.
- More content and lore than Slay the Spire (weight 0.06): Some reviewers feel the game offers more additional content and ideas compared to Slay the Spire, with better artwork and storytelling. This is seen as a positive differentiator.
- Purchased on sale, great value (weight 0.05): A few reviewers mention buying the game on sale and finding it to be of great value. This indicates good cost-effectiveness for players.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.2): Players are frustrated by excessive RNG and unfair difficulty spikes, especially early game and in later acts where enemies scale faster than decks. Bugs, forced card acquisition, permanent downgrades, and grindy meta-progression further undermine runs and make success feel luck-based rather than skill-driven.
- Disappointment (weight 0.13): Many found the game shallower than expected, with weak story, uninteresting Lovecraftian themes, and limited card synergy compared to genre peers. Card upgrades feel inconsequential, build diversity is low, and the overall experience falls short of hopes for a deep deckbuilder.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.11): Players enjoy the fun deckbuilding loop, Lovecraftian atmosphere, varied characters, and satisfying combos. The game offers engaging mechanics, good art and music, and a progression system that keeps them coming back despite some flaws.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.07): Satisfaction comes from overcoming challenges, building powerful combos, and experiencing meaningful progression. The game offers depth, tactical choices, and a rewarding sense of accomplishment when runs succeed.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.04): Enthusiastic players praise the game as a strong, fresh take on the roguelike deckbuilder genre, often comparing it favorably to Slay the Spire. They love the Lovecraftian theme, unique mechanics, and high-quality presentation, and are eager for more content.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Players appreciate the game's excellent Lovecraftian atmosphere, art style, music, and voice acting. They value the solid mechanics, creative boss designs, and the developers' clear respect for the source material.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.03): Dissatisfaction stems from shallow deckbuilding, unbalanced difficulty and progression, and a lack of satisfying depth. Issues like weak starting decks, scarce resources, and overpowered DLC characters leave players feeling the experience is unrewarding.
- Addiction (weight 0.03): The game's addictive 'one more run' loop, driven by unlocks, build variety, and engaging card gameplay, keeps players hooked for long sessions. The constant progression and strategic combat make it hard to put down.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Annoyances include forced card picks that dilute decks, grindy out-of-run progression, and repetitive content. Bugs, poor tooltips, and design choices like permanent downgrades add to the irritation.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Players admire the game's stunning art, atmospheric music, and innovative card upgrade system. The high production quality and Lovecraftian style earn strong praise and respect.
- Love (weight 0.02): Players love the combination of deckbuilding roguelike mechanics with a Lovecraftian noir setting, praising the synergies, art, and voice acting. The game's unique blend and addictive progression foster deep affection.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom arises from repetitive gameplay, lengthy battles, and a lack of meaningful card variety or build-defining synergy. The slow pacing and grind make later stages feel tedious.
- Fun (weight 0.02): Players have fun with the replayable deckbuilding, varied builds, and interesting twists on the genre. The game becomes more enjoyable as mechanics click and runs diversify.
- Engagement (weight 0.02): The engaging narrative, atmospheric tension, and tactical decision-making keep players immersed. New encounters and replayability encourage continued play.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger is triggered by save file loss, unfair enemy designs that hard-counter archetypes, and bugs that ruin progress. Permanent card downgrades and disrespect for source lore also provoke strong frustration.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Players find amusement in absurd moments like killing Elder Gods with bricks or Tommy guns, and in unintentionally funny sound effects or lore inaccuracies.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise comes from the game exceeding expectations, offering richer content and more fun than anticipated, especially for those new to the genre.
- Immersion (weight 0.01): Immersion is driven by the gloomy graphics, eerie settings, and faithful Lovecraftian atmosphere, making players feel part of the strange events.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from complex card interactions, unexplained gimmicks, and unclear progression systems, leaving players puzzled about mechanics and achievements.
- Excitement (weight 0.01): Excitement stems from addictive gameplay, fun events, and anticipation of trying new modes. The game pulls players in and keeps them engaged until late hours.}