Info about Dead Horde:

Official game description:
As a survivor of the mutant virus together with a comrade or alone, you must make your way  
through the city levels, every new area uncovering new challenges to overcome and mutants to  
destroy. With a large variety of weapons at your disposal, together you must wipe out the hordes  
of flesh eating mutants. Teamwork is the key to survive the DEAD HORDE...
Key features:
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*   Dead Horde is an action packed, co-op top down, survival-horror shooter  
*   Play the campaign in single-player, local co-op or online co-op with a friend  
*   Make your way through the levels with a huge variety of weapons. Use assault rifles, shotguns, grenades, mini-guns and a lot more to unlock during the game  
*   Fast paced action with seemingly never ending hordes of mutants.  
*   Mutants evolve and become bigger, faster and stronger throughout the game.  
*   Use vehicles solo or with a teammate to fight the mutants  
*   Earn money by killing mutants and buy and upgrade weapons

Release date: 27 Jul, 2011

Categories: Cooperative Multiplayer, Horde Shooter, Twin-stick Shooter, Action Horror, Survival, Linear Progression, Character Progression, Vehicular Combat


- 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:
- Generally enjoyable and functional (weight 0.44): Many players found the game to be generally enjoyable and functional, despite its flaws. It offers a casual experience reminiscent of older games, providing simple fun for short periods.
- Enhanced by co-op play (weight 0.2): The game significantly improves when played with a friend in co-op, making the experience more enjoyable and smoothing out some of its shortcomings.
- Satisfying zombie shooting (weight 0.14): Players found satisfaction in the core zombie shooting mechanics, describing it as mindless fun that fulfills the desire to eliminate undead hordes.
- Enjoyable vehicle sections (weight 0.1): The vehicle sections, particularly driving and shooting from military vehicles or forklifts, were highlighted as fun and provided a welcome break from the standard gameplay.
- Casual time-waster entertainment (weight 0.09): The game offers several hours of casual entertainment, suitable for players looking to pass time without needing to engage in deep strategic thinking.
- Accessible difficulty and achievements (weight 0.08): The game's difficulty is not overly high, making it accessible and allowing players to complete it and achieve all accomplishments without significant frustration.
- Detailed and varied levels (weight 0.08): The developers showed attention to detail in crafting varied and well-made levels and scenarios, including an appropriate amount of environmental destruction.
- Good sound and music (weight 0.07): The game's sound design is generally good, with particular praise for the menu screens and dynamic music that enhances tension and action.
- Smooth and responsive controls (weight 0.06): Once players adapt to the controls, they are found to be smooth and responsive, with some even noting improvements over similar games.
- Pleasant lighting and shadows (weight 0.06): Reviewers noted the pleasant light and shadow effects, contributing positively to the game's visual atmosphere despite overall simple graphics.
- Progressive zombie difficulty (weight 0.04): The difficulty progression is well-paced, with stronger zombies gradually increasing the challenge, preventing the game from being too easy.
- Simple, clear physics (weight 0.04): The game features simple and clear physics for the surrounding world, which some players found to add a touch of realism.
- Bugs create accidental fun (weight 0.04): Some players found the game's numerous bugs to be unintentionally humorous, leading to unexpected and sometimes frustrating but amusing situations.
- Ample ammo supply (weight 0.03): Players appreciate the freedom to use ammo without worry, allowing for more uninhibited gameplay.
- Top-view aids awareness (weight 0.03): The top-down camera perspective is beneficial for situational awareness, allowing players to better monitor their surroundings.
- Gatling gun is a favorite (weight 0.03): The gatling gun weapon was a particular favorite among players, indicating its effectiveness and satisfying use.
- Suitable atmosphere (weight 0.03): The game successfully establishes a suitable and immersive atmosphere, contributing positively to the overall player experience.
- Moderately enjoyable solo play (weight 0.03): Solo play is moderately enjoyable, with some players finding it manageable and fun even after a co-op partner is no longer present.
- Simple story with good ending (weight 0.03): The game's story is simple and basic, but it concludes with a pitiful yet effective ending.

Common complaints:
- Poor Technical Execution (weight 0.94): The game suffers from poor technical execution, including sluggish controls, unpolished animations, and frequent bugs. This leads to a frustrating and unengaging player experience.
- Low Quality & Value (weight 0.88): Many reviewers found the game's overall quality to be very low, describing it as dull, uninteresting, and not worth its price. This sentiment is widespread and consistent.
- Dated Graphics & Sound (weight 0.86): The game's graphics are considered outdated and unappealing, resembling older mobile games. Sound design is also criticized for being basic, repetitive, and low quality.
- Lack of Content Variety (weight 0.53): The game lacks variety in enemy types, level design, and overall gameplay mechanics, leading to a repetitive and monotonous experience. There's also a notable absence of story or unique features.
- Unfair Zombie Mechanics (weight 0.39): Zombies are frequently described as too fast and too durable, requiring excessive bullets to kill. This, combined with poor visibility and lack of feedback, makes combat frustrating and unfair.
- Limited & Useless Weapons (weight 0.38): Weapon variety is limited, and many weapons are deemed useless or ineffective, especially at higher levels. The upgrade system is also criticized for being unimpactful or too expensive.
- Restrictive Co-op Camera (weight 0.19): The co-op mode is severely hampered by a restrictive shared-screen camera that limits player movement and can lead to accidental friendly fire or being trapped, making it frustrating.
- Inconsistent Difficulty & Grind (weight 0.14): The game's difficulty curve is inconsistent, with some sections being overly hard and others becoming a repetitive grind. The upgrade system is also seen as ineffective against increasing enemy difficulty.

Gameplay feedback:
- Top-down zombie shooter (weight 0.44): The game is a top-down zombie shooter, similar to Alien Shooter, where players eliminate hordes of zombies in a stage-based progression. It features simple mechanics focused on continuous action and upgrades.
- Weapon variety and upgrades (weight 0.32): The game features a diverse arsenal of weapons, including an assault rifle with infinite ammo, shotguns, and grenades. Weapons can be purchased and upgraded to improve damage, clip size, and other attributes.
- Fast, varied zombies (weight 0.26): Zombies are generally fast, often outrunning the player, and appear in packs. There are various zombie types, including faster ones and special mutants, which contribute to the game's challenge.
- Backpedal and shoot gameplay (weight 0.26): Gameplay often involves backpedaling while shooting to manage zombie hordes, which are frequently triggered by player proximity or reaching specific points. The AI primarily consists of zombies running directly at the player.
- Co-op mode features (weight 0.22): The game offers a cooperative mode for two players, which is generally well-received. However, in co-op, enemies become significantly tougher, and the camera is tied to both players, requiring close coordination.
- Lack of narrative (weight 0.16): The game lacks a deep narrative or complex plot, focusing instead on straightforward action. It is described as having no significant storyline.
- Dodge roll mechanic (weight 0.13): The player character has a dodge roll mechanic, which is useful for avoiding zombies, especially larger ones. This roll can help in escaping dangerous situations.
- Problematic checkpoints (weight 0.06): The game's checkpoint system can lead to frustrating respawns, with players sometimes appearing in inaccessible areas. Enemies can also spawn from previously cleared and locked locations.
- Similar to Alien Shooter (weight 0.06): The game is frequently compared to other top-down zombie shooters like Alien Shooter and Zombie Shooter, suggesting a similar gameplay style and experience.
- Inconsistent aiming (weight 0.06): Player feedback on aiming is mixed, with some finding it simple while others describe it as terrible, leading to a reliance on holding down the fire button and hoping for hits.

Performance notes:
- Mixed Graphics Reception (weight 0.09): Player opinions on graphics are mixed. Some find them poor and ugly, while others appreciate the dark aesthetic and consider them good for a 2D game, with well-represented environments and character animations.
- Dark Visuals & Gritty Aesthetic (weight 0.06): The game's visual style is consistently described as dark and gritty, with a military aesthetic. Players note that the screen cannot be made brighter, which contributes to this dark atmosphere.
- Limited Resolution Options (weight 0.04): The game has limited resolution options, with maximums like 1400x1050 or 1366x768, which can result in black bars on the screen for some players.
- Good Performance on Older PCs (weight 0.03): The game performs well and is stable even on older hardware, such as a Core i3 PC, indicating good optimization.
- Easy Setup Process (weight 0.03): Players generally report no issues with the game's setup process, suggesting a smooth installation experience.

Recommendations:
- Do not recommend purchase (weight 0.5): Many reviewers strongly advise against purchasing this game, citing it as a waste of money and time. They often suggest alternative games or activities, indicating a general dissatisfaction with the game's quality and value.
- Buy only on sale (weight 0.23): Reviewers consistently recommend purchasing the game only when it is heavily discounted, typically during a sale. They believe the full price is not justified, but it offers some value at a very low cost.
- Better alternatives exist (weight 0.09): Several reviewers suggest playing 'Alien Shooter' or 'Shadowgrounds' instead, highlighting these games as superior alternatives within the same genre, offering better gameplay and overall experience.
- Best with a friend (weight 0.08): The game is highly recommended for cooperative play with a friend, especially for those with less powerful machines. The multiplayer experience seems to be a significant factor in its enjoyment.
- For hardcore twin-stick fans (weight 0.04): The game might appeal to hardcore twin-stick shooter enthusiasts who appreciate old-school challenges and can overlook issues like gloomy graphics and the lack of manual saves.
- Needs patches for issues (weight 0.04): Reviewers believe that if the game's glaring issues, particularly play control, were resolved through patches, it could significantly improve and become a much better experience.
- Manage expectations (weight 0.02): Reviewers suggest that managing expectations and not anticipating a high-quality experience can lead to less disappointment when playing the game.
- Casual short play (weight 0.02): The game is described as a 'snack for in-between', implying it's suitable for short, casual play sessions rather than a deep or lengthy experience.

Other player notes:
- Short, Replayable Campaign (weight 0.11): The game features a short, linear campaign with 9 levels designed for multiple playthroughs on increasing difficulty. There is no manual save, and progress within a level is lost if the game is quit, though checkpoints exist.
- Apocalyptic Setting, Short Story (weight 0.06): The game's setting is a military-themed mutant/zombie apocalypse, with a short story about a soldier investigating an infestation. The narrative is brief and can be easily overlooked between levels.
- Linear Twin-Stick Shooter (weight 0.04): The game is a linear 2.5D twin-stick shooter, primarily appealing to fans of the genre and old-school games. Its design caters to players who enjoy this specific gameplay style.
- No DLC, Similar Sequel (weight 0.04): There is no DLC for the game, but a sequel titled 'Primal Fear' exists, which is noted to be very similar to this game. This suggests a continuation of the game's style.
- No Voice Acting (weight 0.02): The game lacks voice acting, which is likely due to budget constraints. This might impact the immersion for some players.
- Budget-Friendly Price (weight 0.02): The game is not priced as a full-price title, suggesting it is positioned as a budget-friendly option. This might influence player expectations regarding content and polish.
- No Steam Cards (weight 0.02): The game does not offer Steam Trading Cards. This is a minor point for some players who collect them.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.39): Players expressed disappointment primarily due to the game's overall low quality, including outdated graphics, poor animations, and repetitive models. This was compounded by a lack of engaging content, uninspired enemy design, and repetitive, unrewarding gameplay, leading to a feeling of poor value for money and unfulfilled potential.
- Frustration (weight 0.28): Frustration stemmed from various gameplay and technical issues. Players found weapons useless at higher levels, experienced tedious movement, and struggled with janky mechanics and wonky controls. Bugs, poor optimization, and co-op limitations also significantly contributed to player frustration.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.09): Satisfaction was generally derived from the game's entertainment value, especially considering its price point. Players enjoyed the straightforward gameplay, the fun co-op experience, and the ability to casually play the game, finding it a good value for money.
- Anger (weight 0.06): Anger was primarily directed at the game's perceived low quality, poor craftsmanship, and numerous bugs. Players felt a lack of effort from the developers, leading to a strong negative reaction regarding the overall state and design of the game.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Enjoyment was a result of the overall gameplay experience, particularly when playing with friends in co-op. The game's ability to provide entertainment and its specific features contributed to a positive and fun experience for players.
- Boredom (weight 0.05): Boredom was a significant emotion, caused by monotonous and repetitive gameplay, slow movement, and a general lack of originality. The game's simplicity and uninteresting nature, coupled with a lack of plot, led to a tedious experience for players.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Joy was experienced through nostalgia for older games, as well as positive aspects like vehicles, upgrades, and the co-op mode. Players also found joy in collecting achievements and striving for high scores.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Amusement was specifically caused by the presence of game bugs. While bugs often lead to frustration, in some instances, they provided an unexpected source of entertainment for players.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arose from specific game mechanics, such as confusing weapon customization, and issues with default display settings. These elements made it difficult for players to understand and interact with the game effectively.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise was a positive emotion, stemming from unexpected enjoyment and unexpected quality from the game. Players were pleasantly surprised by aspects of the game that exceeded their initial low expectations.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance was specifically caused by limitations within the co-op mode. These restrictions hindered the multiplayer experience, leading to player irritation.
- Stress (weight 0.01): Stress was a direct result of the game's difficulty and design flaws. These elements created a challenging and often frustrating experience that put players under pressure.
- Disgust (weight 0.01): Disgust was caused by the extremely poor visual and audio experience of the game. The low quality of these elements was so severe that it evoked a strong negative reaction from players.
- Excitement (weight 0.01): Excitement was generated by the game being perceived as a 'wonderful mix' and an exception, particularly for a game obtained through a bundle. This indicated a positive and unexpected experience.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope was expressed regarding the potential for improvement with future patches. Players held out hope that updates would address the game's issues and enhance the overall experience.
- Regret (weight 0.01): Regret was specifically tied to the action of giving a copy of the game to a friend. This suggests a negative experience with the game that the player wished they hadn't shared.}