Info about The Midnight Walkers:

Official game description:
Steam Next Fest: Most Played DEMO TOP 7
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About the Game
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**<Scavenge, Fight, Escape>**
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The Midnight Walkers is a hardcore **PvPvE FPS zombie extraction game**.
You can play in **solo** or **trios mode**.
You must scavenge for loot to get gear, kill zombies and other survivors, and escape.
**If you successfully escape**,   
you can craft with materials and buy/sell more powerful equipment,   
but if you die, you will lose everything you had.
**<Liberty Grand Center mega-complex>**
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Liberty Grand Center, a giant mega-complex in Golden County,  
has floors with different themes and unique loot, including a hospital, a shopping mall, and a casino.
The threats here are not just zombies or other survivors.
As time passes, the **poison gas system** spreads to random floors,  
and you must use elevators or stairs to avoid it.
But remember:  
every time you move to another floor, your chances of encountering other survivors will increase.
**<Choose Your Class>**
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**BRICK**, a steadfast warrior armed with a large hammer and heavy armor.
**CROW**, an assassin with nimble movements who uses daggers to strike opponents off guard.
**LOCKDOWN**, a sniper who can attack from a distance using a bow.
**BARTENDER**, a supporter who can mix cocktails to heal and buff allies.
Choose the one that fits your playstyle.
**<Face Your Enemies>**
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The zombies here are all deadly.
Even the weakest zombie, the **Walker**, can be a great threat if you are surrounded,   
and there are also zombies more lethally mutated than the **Runner**, which fiercely pursues survivors.
In any case, the biggest threat is other survivors.  
Triumph over other survivors, alone or with your teammates, and seize more loot.
The best show in Golden County, and the only show!
We look forward to your performance in The Midnight Walkers.

Release date: Jan 28, 2026

Categories: Extraction Shooter, PvPvE, Zombie Survival, Class-based Combat, Vertical Exploration, Looter Shooter, First-Person Shooter

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 85; verdict: Needs Improvement; summary: The analysis of user reviews reveals significant issues with the game's DLC and the presence of pay-to-win elements. Many users have expressed frustration with the DLC, finding it difficult to activate and questioning its value. Additionally, the inclusion of pay-to-win elements has been criticized, indicating a potential imbalance in gameplay fairness.
- Steam Deck: score 90; verdict: Broken; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant technical barriers related to performance issues and lack of Linux support. While some users report stable performance, the prevalence of severe performance issues and crashes indicates a high level of friction. The lack of Linux support and anti-cheat compatibility further exacerbates the problem, making the game less accessible on platforms like the Steam Deck.

- 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:
- High tension and atmosphere (weight 0.51): The game excels in creating a tense and immersive atmosphere with its dark background, eerie sound effects, and challenging PvE elements. The balance between horror and action keeps players engaged and on edge.
- Impactful and immersive combat (weight 0.48): The combat system is highly praised for its satisfying mechanics, distinct weapon types, and the brutal, hard-hitting nature of fights. Players appreciate the melee focus and the detailed reactions of enemies to hits, which allow for stagger combos.
- Good value for money (weight 0.46): Players feel that the game offers a great experience for its price, especially with the launch discount. The game is seen as a bargain and worth the investment for the content and enjoyment it provides.
- Enjoyable and engaging gameplay (weight 0.45): The overall gameplay experience is fun and engaging, with enjoyable progression, farming mechanics, and a satisfying learning curve. Players find the game enjoyable both solo and with friends.
- High potential and strategic depth (weight 0.38): The game is noted for its high potential and strategic gameplay. Players appreciate the variety of elements, tense atmosphere, and the depth of the game mechanics, which provide a rewarding experience.
- Unique extraction mechanics (weight 0.17): The extraction mechanics are well-received, with players enjoying the loop of fighting, looting, surviving, and extracting. The game stands out in the extraction genre with its unique mechanics and tense gameplay.
- Responsive and active developers (weight 0.11): The development team is praised for their responsiveness and active involvement in maintaining and improving the game. Players appreciate the visible effort towards refining the game and the release of a development roadmap.
- Comparison to Dark and Darker (weight 0.09): The game is often compared to Dark and Darker but with a unique twist of including zombies. Players find it a good replacement or alternative, appreciating the similarities and differences.
- Good optimization for early access (weight 0.06): The game is well-optimized for an early access title, with improvements in server frame rate and graphics. Players appreciate the smooth performance and the support for technologies like FSR and DLSS.
- Distinct class personalities (weight 0.03): The game features distinct class personalities with unique abilities and passives. Players enjoy the variety and depth that different classes bring to the gameplay.
- Variety in zombie encounters (weight 0.03): The game offers a variety of zombie encounters, adding to the excitement and unpredictability. Players enjoy the different types of zombies and the challenges they present.
- Enjoyable PvPvE elements (weight 0.03): The PvPvE elements are well-received, with players enjoying the balance and tension they bring to the gameplay. The survival mode is particularly noted for being fun and engaging.
- Improved animations and mechanics (weight 0.03): The game has seen significant improvements in animations and mechanics since its playtest phase. Players appreciate the enhanced visuals and smoother gameplay.

Common complaints:
- Combat mechanics need improvement (weight 0.96): The combat system is criticized for being slow, clunky, and unsatisfying. Players report issues with hit detection, poor feedback, and unbalanced mechanics, making combat feel janky and poorly executed.
- Zombie balancing issues (weight 0.79): Zombies are often seen as overpowered, dealing too much damage and being difficult to kill. Players find it frustrating to deal with large groups of zombies, which can lead to frequent deaths and an unbalanced gameplay experience.
- Game feels unfinished and unpolished (weight 0.77): Many players feel that the game is in an early or unfinished state, with numerous bugs, poor optimization, and a lack of polish. This results in a clunky and unsatisfying gameplay experience.
- Lack of features and mechanics (weight 0.75): Players note the absence of essential features such as a friends list, revive mechanics, block or dodge options, and proper in-game guidance. These missing elements detract from the overall gameplay experience.
- Slow movement and attack speed (weight 0.71): The movement and attack speeds in the game are criticized for being too slow, making the gameplay feel sluggish and cumbersome. This includes slow sprinting, slow attack animations, and overall slow character movements.
- Poor loot system (weight 0.69): The looting system is criticized for being uninspired, tedious, and unsatisfying. Players report that loot is sparse, boring, and often feels like random junk, which diminishes the enjoyment of the game.
- Network and connection issues (weight 0.68): Players frequently experience network connection problems, including disconnections, high ping, and difficulties establishing server connections. These issues significantly impact the gameplay experience.
- Character and class imbalance (weight 0.68): There are significant issues with character and class balance. Some characters are overpowered, while others feel sluggish and ineffective. This imbalance affects the overall fairness and enjoyment of the game.
- Quest and mission design flaws (weight 0.67): The quest and mission system is criticized for being poorly designed, monotonous, and frustrating. Players report issues with quest progression, tedious tasks, and a lack of variety in missions.
- High difficulty and steep learning curve (weight 0.66): The game is often seen as too difficult, especially for solo players and beginners. The steep learning curve and high difficulty of tasks and combat can be overwhelming and frustrating.
- UI and control issues (weight 0.64): The user interface and control mechanics are criticized for being uncomfortable, unintuitive, and difficult to navigate. This includes issues with key rebinding, stash management, and overall UI design.
- Shader and technical issues (weight 0.61): Players report various technical issues related to shader compilation, game crashes, and problems with game progression. These issues can make the game unplayable and frustrating.
- Lack of innovation and uniqueness (weight 0.19): The game is criticized for being too similar to other games, particularly Dark and Darker, and for not bringing enough new or unique elements to the genre. This lack of innovation can make the game feel uninspired and boring.

Gameplay feedback:
- Diverse combat and gameplay mechanics (weight 0.39): The game features a variety of combat mechanics including melee focus, strategic combat, and class-based gameplay. It also includes elements like crafting, item searching, and survival elements, providing a rich and varied gaming experience.
- Vertical map design (weight 0.29): The game has a vertical map structure with different floors, each having unique themes. Players need to traverse using elevators and stairways, adding a layer of complexity and strategy to the gameplay.
- Inventory and crafting system (weight 0.17): The game includes a crafting system for weapons, gear, and utility items, as well as an inventory system for managing loot and equipment.
- Extraction and looting mechanics (weight 0.17): The core gameplay revolves around extraction and looting mechanics. Players need to search for items, loot, and then extract, which can be tense and challenging, especially with the PvP and PvE elements involved.
- Challenging zombie combat (weight 0.15): The game features strong PvE elements with challenging zombies that have diverse attack patterns. Zombies require skill to defeat and can be quite tough, especially with basic gear.
- Early access and future updates (weight 0.1): The game is in early access, with plans for future updates and additions, including new modes and improvements based on player feedback.
- Similarities to Dark and Darker (weight 0.1): The game draws inspiration from Dark and Darker, with similar combat styles and aesthetics. This similarity is noted in both the gameplay mechanics and the overall feel of the game.
- Character and class system (weight 0.1): There are multiple characters with unique roles and abilities. Each character requires separate training and has different difficulty levels, adding depth to the gameplay.
- Tense and engaging gameplay (weight 0.07): The gameplay is designed to be tense and engaging, with a focus on teamwork and methodical combat. The slower pace adds to the intensity of the experience.

Performance notes:
- Optimization and performance issues (weight 0.27): Players report a mix of positive and negative experiences with game optimization. While some players experience smooth gameplay and high FPS, others encounter frequent frame drops, crashes, and shader compilation issues. There are also mentions of the game running well on high settings but struggling with specific elements like blood and corpses.
- Network and server issues (weight 0.19): Many players face problems with network connections and server stability. Issues include failed network connections, disconnections during character creation, and inability to launch the game. Some players also report high latency on specific servers and general server instability.
- Mixed performance reviews (weight 0.05): Performance reviews are mixed, with some players experiencing stable performance and improvements since beta, while others report unstable client operation and crashes. This indicates a divide in player experiences based on different setups or conditions.
- Shader compilation crashes (weight 0.04): Several players have reported crashes specifically during shader compilation. This issue seems to be a significant problem affecting the game's launch and stability for some users.
- Input and connectivity issues (weight 0.04): Some players experience issues with input devices not responding during matches and connectivity problems, such as team members appearing offline when they are online.
- Long loading and queue times (weight 0.03): Players have complained about excessively long loading times and wait times in queues, which significantly impact the gaming experience.
- Specific hardware performance (weight 0.02): There are reports of specific hardware setups achieving certain FPS, indicating that performance can vary widely depending on the player's hardware. Some players with good hardware report comfortable gameplay, while others with specific builds report varying FPS.
- Lag spikes (weight 0.01): Players have reported experiencing regular lag spikes during gameplay, which can significantly disrupt the gaming experience.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for genre fans (weight 0.32): The game is highly recommended for fans of extraction and zombie survival genres. It offers good value for its price and is particularly enjoyable with friends.
- Fix connection issues (weight 0.05): Players have reported frequent disconnection issues and long queue wait times. Optimizing server stability is crucial for a better gaming experience.
- Developer transparency and effort (weight 0.04): The developers are praised for their transparency and effort. Players hope that the developers will continue to listen to feedback and improve the game.
- Balance game mechanics (weight 0.04): Suggestions include lowering zombie damage, removing gear score, and balancing loot distribution to improve gameplay fairness and enjoyment.
- Improve crate rewards (weight 0.03): Players suggest adding more valuable items to crates to make them more rewarding and enhance the overall gaming experience.
- Wait for updates (weight 0.03): Some players recommend waiting for further updates and improvements before purchasing the game, especially if you are sensitive to performance issues.
- Regional restrictions (weight 0.02): Players from Australia are advised not to buy the game due to potential regional issues or limitations.
- Supporter Pack recommendation (weight 0.01): The Supporter Pack is recommended for its radar skin, which adds value to the gaming experience.
- Game has immense potential (weight 0.01): The game is already solid and has immense potential for future development and improvements.
- Survival mode for better loot (weight 0.01): Players suggest going to survival mode early for better loot and recycling opportunities.
- Prioritize locker room development (weight 0.01): Suggestions include prioritizing the development of the locker room feature to enhance the game experience.
- Start with Brick character (weight 0.01): Beginners are advised to start with the Brick character for a better initial experience.
- Bring back playtest mechanics (weight 0.01): Some players suggest bringing back mechanics from the first playtest to improve the game.

Other player notes:
- Game in Early Access (weight 0.03): The game is currently in the Early Access phase of development. This means players can expect ongoing updates and potential changes as the game evolves.
- VPN usage due to sanctions (weight 0.01): Some players mention the need to use a VPN to play the game, likely due to sanctions in specific regions such as Russia. This could impact the accessibility and player experience for affected users.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.3): Players are frustrated primarily due to technical issues such as frequent disconnections, game crashes, and server problems. Additionally, gameplay mechanics like slow movement, unbalanced combat, and confusing mission systems contribute to the frustration. The overall perception of the game being unfinished and poorly optimized further exacerbates these feelings.
- Disappointment (weight 0.14): Disappointment stems from the game's current state not meeting expectations, particularly for those who enjoyed the beta version. Players find the game lacking in unique features, with slow movement, poor combat mechanics, and an overall unbalanced experience. The removal of promised features and the similarity to other games also contribute to this sentiment.
- Excitement (weight 0.09): Players are excited about the game's unique vertical combat, class personalities, and the high tension and immersion it offers. The potential for future updates and the enjoyable gameplay mechanics, such as tactical combat and teamwork, also contribute to this excitement. The game's concept and potential for growth are highly appreciated.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.08): Satisfaction comes from the game's improvements in graphics, sound, and server stability. Players enjoy the rewarding looting and escape mechanics, as well as the tactical and strategic gameplay. The overall optimization and the value for the price paid also contribute to a satisfying experience.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.08): Enjoyment is derived from the fun and engaging gameplay, with a variety of elements that keep players entertained. The unique atmosphere, challenging PvE, and vertical climb mechanics are particularly enjoyable. Players also appreciate the game's tension, immersion, and the overall rewarding experience.
- Hopeful (weight 0.05): Players are hopeful due to the potential for future updates and improvements. They believe in the game's potential to grow and refine its systems, anticipating that the developers will address current issues and add more diverse elements. This hope is fueled by the game's unique concept and the belief that it can flourish into something better.
- Hope (weight 0.05): Hope is driven by the potential for future updates and improvements. Players have a positive outlook on the update roadmap and expect the developers to fix current issues. The anticipation of future updates and the belief in the game's potential to improve contribute to this feeling.
- Anger (weight 0.03): Anger is primarily caused by the game's low quality and technical issues. Players are frustrated with poor gameplay mechanics, performance issues, and the inconsistency in melee weapons. Cheating software issues and high monster damage also contribute to this anger.
- Fear (weight 0.01): Fear is generated by the immersive sound and visuals, which create a tense and scary atmosphere. The lack of guidance for new players increases fear and confusion, making the game experience more intense and frightening.
- Excited (weight 0.01): Excitement is driven by the game's innovations and strategic gameplay. Players enjoy the unique systems and the new vibe the game brings, finding the overall experience engaging and thrilling.
- Tension (weight 0.01): The dark background and sound create a tense atmosphere. The game's overall vibe and the eerie atmosphere contribute to a sense of tension and immersion.
- Tension (weight 0.01): The eerie atmosphere and immersive experience create a sense of tension. Players find the game tense due to its challenging and engaging mechanics.
- Optimism (weight 0.01): Optimism is fueled by the belief in the game's potential improvements. Players are hopeful that the game will become more fun and engaging with future updates and refinements.
- Satisfied (weight 0.01): Satisfaction comes from the game's concept and larger mechanics. Players appreciate the basic tension as an extraction shooter and find the overall experience satisfying.
- Determined (weight 0): Determination is driven by the desire to keep playing and achieve an escape. Players are motivated by the game's challenging mechanics and the goal of overcoming obstacles.}