Info about REVEREND:

Official game description:
  
From the twisted mind of TROMA Shorts Creator Emil Levin comes a new old-school first-person shooter paying homage to genre classics such as Blood, Duke Nukem 3D and Rise of the Triad.  
REVEREND puts you in the boots of a disillusioned former reverend, tasked with fighting back against the evil lurking beneath the church he once called home. Battle against Eldritch and Demonic beasts that would cripple the average mind to witness.  
Visit varied nightmarish locations ranging from crematoriums to flesh-pits. Use powerful and distinctive weaponry, including forbidden fruit which explode upon contact with the horrors surrounding you. Hunt for keys and scavenge for resources to keep you alive and get you closer to your goal. Also, keep an eye out for secrets, as easter eggs, resources and secret pathways make exploration a strong recommendation.  
GRISLY ENVIRONMENTS  
UNHOLY ARSENAL  
GRUESOME BOSS FIGHTS  
SATISTYING SECRETS  
GORE, SWEET GORE  
CLASSIC 90s FPS GAMEPLAY  
HIDEOUS ENEMIES  
Be sure to check out the old-school manual in your Steam Library Hub! Questions will be answered... and raised.

Release date: Jul 15, 2024

Categories: First-Person Shooter, Retro Boomer Shooter, Horror, Exploration, Single-player, Resource Management, Boss Fights, Secret Hunting


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $0.00 - $3.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence shows a split: some reviewers find the current $2.99 price fair or even too low, while others argue the game should be free or is only worth it on sale. The majority suggest the game is acceptable between free and $3, with several indicating sale pricing is necessary. Thus the community fair base-game price range is estimated from $0 (free/mod-like) to $3 (current full price accepted by some).
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 1.5h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviews consistently report playtime between 40 minutes and 2 hours to finish the main game, with most around 1 to 1.5 hours. No distinct story completion or session length metrics are provided, and no endgame content is described beyond the campaign's ending.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Reverend becomes enjoyable after the player completes the tutorial and adapts to its simple design, but early friction from simplicity and confusing level navigation causes many players to quit before reaching that point.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Completing the tutorial and acclimating to the simplicity
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: simplicity feels off-putting initially; confusing level navigation with key-hunting; boring early gameplay for some
  - Unlock drivers: acclimating to the game's simplicity; completing the tutorial; persisting through early confusion
  - Conditions: tutorial completion; player patience with early simplicity; tolerance for key-hunting and maze levels; appreciation for retro FPS design
- Player Archetypes:
  - Retro Boomer Shooter Fan (sale)
    - Motivation: Nostalgia for classic boomer shooters and appreciation of retro visual style.
    - Playstyle: Traditional run-and-gun with strafing and shooting, reminiscent of 90s shooters.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Rise of the Triad; Blood; Duke Nukem 3D; Cultic
  - Quality-Conscious Critic (no buy)
    - Motivation: Expects a technically sound and polished experience, unwilling to overlook bugs or poor value.
    - Playstyle: None specified; focuses on polish and functionality.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Casual Completionist (sale)
    - Motivation: Easy 100% completion and low time investment for a cheap price.
    - Playstyle: Casual, achievement-focused, playing through quickly without challenge.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: casual
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Secret-Seeking Indie Supporter (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoying discovery and supporting indie developers who put passion into their work.
    - Playstyle: Thorough exploration, actively hunting for hidden paths, easter eggs, and secrets.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - 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:
- Satisfying weapon handling (weight 0.51): Gunplay is generally well-received, with specific praise for the shotgun's feel and sound. The teeth machine gun is also singled out as a favorite, and weapons are described as satisfying and cool to use.
- Excellent art and atmosphere (weight 0.49): The game's art style and atmosphere receive high praise, with reviewers noting its 'spot on' aesthetic, old-school vibe, and personality. The ambience is described as awesome and oozing with charm, enhancing the overall experience.
- Well-hidden fair secrets (weight 0.29): Players appreciate the well-hidden and numerous secrets in the game, calling them 'fair' and 'cool.' The secret hunting adds replayability and depth to the otherwise short campaign.
- Clearly made with love (weight 0.28): Many reviewers feel the game was made with love and care, describing it as lovingly crafted and well-developed. This combination of passion and quality contributes to its overall positive reception.
- Nostalgic 90s FPS experience (weight 0.25): Players note that the game offers authentic 1990s FPS gameplay with a campy horror vibe. This blend of nostalgia and old-school goodness makes it a hit among those seeking retro experiences.
- Great weapons and enemies (weight 0.24): The weapon selection and enemy design are highlighted as well-executed, with players praising the arsenal's functionality and the variation in enemies. This contributes to the satisfying combat loop.
- Epic and hard soundtrack (weight 0.13): The soundtrack is described as epic and hard, with reviewers saying it 'goes hard.' The music adds to the intense and immersive atmosphere of the game.
- Decent level design (weight 0.13): Level design and visuals are considered decent by some reviewers. While not a standout feature, they are adequate and support the overall gameplay experience.
- Easy achievement completion (weight 0.12): Achievements are easy to unlock, with players noting that 100% completion is achievable without much difficulty. This is seen as a good feature for completionists.

Common complaints:
- Game is too short (weight 0.6): Multiple players report that the game's length is a major downside, with playthroughs lasting under three hours. Reviewers feel the content is insufficient and could benefit from additional chapters.
- Final boss disappointing (weight 0.33): The final boss is described as trivial, easy, and lacking impact, with weak music to accompany it. This creates an anticlimactic ending that fails to satisfy players.
- Praying for more enemies (weight 0.32): The game lacks both enemy variety and quantity, with a basic and uninspired roster. Players also mention that animations are weak and enemies can get lost in the background due to dark sprites.
- Poor weapon variety (weight 0.28): The weapon arsenal is extremely limited, and reviewers find the available weapons to be abysmal. This, combined with scarce ammunition, forces players to rely on melee for most encounters.
- Ugly graphics and sprites (weight 0.28): Players criticize the visuals for being unattractive and bland, even for a retro-shooter. The sprites are described as ugly and too dark, which negatively impacts gameplay clarity.
- Quicksave corruption issues (weight 0.2): Several players encountered corrupted quicksave files that forced them to restart the game from the beginning. This technical bug significantly harms the overall experience and is a major frustration.
- Lackluster level design (weight 0.13): Level design is described as rough and odd in several places, especially in the second-to-last level. The unusual layout choices detract from the gameplay flow and overall polish.
- Map is nearly useless (weight 0.13): The in-game map is a tiny line drawing in the corner that provides almost no navigational help. Players find it too small and essentially useless for finding their way through levels.
- Game too dark (weight 0.13): Players complain that the game is too dark, even when using the flashlight. This makes it hard to see enemies and obstacles, further frustrating the player experience.
- Billboarding causes headaches (weight 0.13): The game uses billboarding on almost all objects, which some players find headache-inducing. This visual effect is not well-received and adds to the discomfort while playing.
- Worst game from developer (weight 0.11): One reviewer considers this the worst game from DOSMan Games, citing multiple shortcomings. Even though this is a single opinion, it highlights the game's perceived low quality.

Gameplay feedback:
- Retro boomer shooter (weight 0.88): The game is frequently described as a retro or boomer shooter in the style of 90s FPS games, with a focus on fast-paced action and old-school mechanics. It is often compared to classics like Blood.
- Short game length (weight 0.58): Multiple clusters indicate the game is quite short, with playthroughs lasting about one to two hours. This is a common point among players, often seen as a limitation.
- Levels have secrets (weight 0.45): The game includes hidden secrets, easter eggs, and hidden paths within levels, adding replayability and exploration. This is a praised feature by players.
- Boss battles present (weight 0.41): The game features multiple boss battles, typically on levels 2, 4, 6, and the final level. Bosses are described as big and tough, providing challenging encounters.
- Inspired by Blood (weight 0.35): Many reviewers highlight the game's strong inspiration from the classic FPS Blood, noting its horror aesthetic and love letter to that era. This is a key defining characteristic.
- Scarce ammo mechanic (weight 0.32): Ammo is scarce, especially in early maps, forcing players to rely on melee weapons like a hammer. This creates a survival-like tension and strategic resource management.
- Weapon variety (weight 0.32): The game offers a variety of weapons, including shotguns, revolvers, a nail gun, a holy relic, and quirky items like apple bombs. This adds combat diversity.
- Uses Easy FPS Editor (weight 0.13): The game runs on the Easy FPS Editor engine, which may influence its simplicity and basic mechanics. This is a technical detail noted by some players.
- Horror demon-hunting theme (weight 0.13): The game is a horror FPS where players take on the role of a reverend exterminating demons. This theme is a distinctive element mentioned in reviews.
- Platforming sections (weight 0.12): The game includes platform jumping passages, adding verticality and movement challenges to the levels. This is a notable gameplay element.

Performance notes:
- Performance issues on high-end hardware (weight 0.21): Users report low GPU utilization and poor framerates despite strong hardware, including 40-60 FPS on high-end cards and lag on a 2080. This suggests optimization problems.
- High CPU usage and resolution problems (weight 0.13): Users notice high CPU usage of 10-20% and resolution/scaling issues. These contribute to overall performance and display quality problems.
- Game is buggy overall (weight 0.08): Feedback indicates general bugginess, leading to crashes and other issues. This undermines stability and user experience.
- Fullscreen display malfunctions (weight 0.08): Fullscreen mode can malfunction, showing a giant screen depending on environment; a workaround exists via compatibility and high DPI settings. This affects usability.
- FPS drops on certain maps (weight 0.08): The game experiences frame rate drops on some maps, indicating inconsistent performance across different environments. This could be due to map-specific optimizations.
- Long loading times (weight 0.08): Users report long loading times, which can be frustrating and disrupt flow. This may be related to overall performance issues.
- Steam Deck runs perfectly (weight 0.07): One user reported zero performance issues on the LED Steam Deck, suggesting the game is well-optimized for that platform. This highlights a contrast with other hardware experiences.
- Frame rate capped at 60 fps (weight 0.07): The game is limited to 60 fps max due to the engine, which may frustrate players with high-refresh-rate monitors. This is a technical limitation.

Recommendations:
- Great value on sale (weight 0.52): Multiple reviews highlight that the game provides good value when bought on sale or at a low price, with several stating it's worth picking up for a few dollars or in a bundle. The consensus is that the price-to-content ratio is favorable, especially for budget-conscious players.
- Generally recommended purchase (weight 0.44): A number of reviews give straightforward positive recommendations, calling the game 'cool', 'cheap', and 'easy to recommend'. These reviewers generally approve of the purchase without major caveats.
- For retro shooter fans (weight 0.39): The game is frequently recommended specifically for fans of retro FPS, boomer shooters, and early 90s titles like Blood. Reviews note that it may not appeal to a wider audience, but it hits the right nostalgic notes for genre enthusiasts.
- Not worth full price (weight 0.25): A few reviewers explicitly do not recommend the game, calling it not worth its full price and impossible to recommend. These negative opinions appear to stem from perceived shortcomings in gameplay or content relative to the cost.
- Play better alternatives (weight 0.18): Some reviewers recommend alternative games such as DEAD TRASH, Slayers X, or Cultic as better examples of the genre, arguing they cost more but last longer and are more fun. This suggests the game may be overshadowed by other titles.
- Retro with modern polish (weight 0.18): Several reviews highlight the retro feel with modern polish, making it a good entry point for newcomers to old-school FPS games without technical hiccups. The modern conveniences combined with classic design are praised.
- Make regular saves (weight 0.13): Two reviews advise players to make regular manual saves in addition to quicksaves to avoid losing progress, suggesting the game may have save-related issues or a lack of autosave. This is a practical tip for new players.
- Exploration recommended (weight 0.08): A reviewer strongly recommends experiencing the exploration in the game personally, implying that the level design or discovery elements are a highlight. This points to a positive aspect worth noting.
- Nostalgic horror style (weight 0.08): The game is recommended for players seeking a nostalgic fix with blasphemous horror and style, drawing on classic horror shooter themes. This appeals to a specific taste within the genre.
- For horror shooter fans (weight 0.08): Recommended for fans of horror shooters who want a short experience, aligning with earlier points about the game's length and genre appeal. This reinforces the target audience.
- Give it a shot (weight 0.07): One review suggests not rushing to buy it immediately but still recommends giving it a shot for fans of the genre. This indicates a moderate level of interest, with a call to try it for genre enthusiasts.
- Not for Chinese players (weight 0.07): A review explicitly notes the game is not recommended for Chinese players, possibly due to localization, cultural elements, or availability issues. This is a specific caveat for a particular region.
- Low replay value (weight 0.07): One review predicts most players will play through the game once and never return, suggesting low replayability. This is a common criticism for short linear shooters.
- Don't trust hype (weight 0.07): One review warns players not to be fooled by positive reviews and demos, suggesting that the actual game might not meet expectations. This is a cautionary note against hype.
- Uncertain about worth (weight 0.06): One review expresses uncertainty about whether the game is worth playing, indicating a lukewarm reception. This lack of strong opinion suggests it may not leave a strong impression.
- Not recommended (weight 0.06): One very brief review simply says 'Pass.', indicating a definitive negative recommendation. This is a direct rejection of the game.

Other player notes:
- Game is very short (weight 0.71): Multiple reviews state the game is short, with completions ranging from under an hour to about three hours. This is the most frequently mentioned characteristic.
- Comparisons to Blood (weight 0.43): The game is frequently compared to the classic FPS Blood, with some calling it a lighter or indie version. This indicates strong genre inspiration.
- Achievements are easy (weight 0.33): All achievements can be unlocked by simply completing the game, with no misses. This makes achievement hunting straightforward.
- Inspired by classic FPS (weight 0.33): The game draws inspiration from classic FPS titles like Blood, Duke 3D, and Rise of the Triad. This sets player expectations for retro-style gameplay.
- Game is inexpensive (weight 0.32): Reviews mention the low price, often noting it is cheap and appropriate for the short length. This is a positive aspect for budget-conscious buyers.
- Inferior to Dead Trash (weight 0.29): Reviewers compare the game unfavorably to DOSMan Games' Dead Trash, citing shorter length and less satisfying experience. This suggests a comparative weakness.
- Lack of Chinese localization (weight 0.2): Several reviews note the absence of Chinese language support and request localization. This is a notable gap for non-English players.
- Developer and publisher identified (weight 0.16): The game is developed by Twisted Sickle and published by DOSMan Games. This confirms production details.
- Solo developer first game (weight 0.13): The game is developed by a solo indie developer as their first project. This might explain its quaint charm or rough edges.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.15): The game is extremely short, with only about 45 minutes of content, and mostly involves AFK card farming. The visual and audio quality, level design, weapon handling, and story are all underwhelming, and the final boss is trivial. The game fails to live up to its potential, feeling like the bare minimum effort was put in, with many better free alternatives available.
- Frustration (weight 0.14): Players face numerous technical and gameplay issues such as bullet-spongy bosses that don't die despite emptying magazines, unreadable levels, poor visual clarity, and save file corruption bugs. The game also suffers from heavy performance problems like FPS drops even on high-end graphics cards, and a lack of ammo forcing constant melee combat. These elements combine to make the game difficult to recommend and frustrating to play.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.11): Players found the game fun and entertaining, enjoying the campy horror vibe, goofy voice acting, and creative enemy designs. The gameplay, weapons, and level design were engaging, with a solid soundtrack and B-movie charm. Overall, the experience delivered a good amount of fun for the price.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.09): The game offered a decent experience for its price, with satisfying gunplay, hidden secrets, and cleverly designed maps. The difficulty was appropriately challenging without being unfair, and the length felt perfect for the cost. It successfully scratched the itch for classic build engine games like Blood.
- Excitement (weight 0.06): Players were pulled into the boomer shooter genre by the game's intense atmosphere and gunfights, enjoying the epic soundtrack. The game built anticipation for a potential sequel or update, with players eager to see more from the developer. Even the final levels provided surprising and cool moments that heightened excitement.
- Appreciation (weight 0.05): Players valued the game's dark, moody horror atmosphere and its spot-on aesthetic, which compensated for basic combat. The art, sound, level design, and creative monster concepts clearly reflect the developer's passion. The charming B-grade horror theme and black humor were highlights, and the developer's commitment to fixing issues was respected.
- Joy (weight 0.03): Players were happy with the game's quality, considering it peak and worth the money despite its short length. The secrets, easter eggs, unique weapons, and creative levels brought delight. The game's joyful colors and high-quality presentation enhanced the overall experience.
- Amusement (weight 0.03): The game's silly voice acting, quirky weapons, and cheesy one-liners provided humor, reminiscent of Duke Nukem. The explosive apple and a few decent jokes added to the entertainment. These elements contributed to a playful and amusing tone.
- Love (weight 0.03): The satanic and demonic vibe, along with the uncomfortable corridor locations and tacky aesthetics, resonated with players. The Eldritch-themed enemies and areas, combined with a music atmosphere reminiscent of 70s-80s horror, created a strong fondness. Digitized sprite art and creative weapon designs further deepened the love for the game.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): The game exceeded expectations, surprising players with creative enemies and animations. Many were caught off guard by the quality, having expected something worse. However, in one instance, the game turned out to be a favorite but then became the least favorite, indicating a shift in perspective.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Aspects like too many damaging floor tiles, invisible attacks, and the inability to rebind the jump key irritated players. Headache-inducing prop billboarding and long save loading times further added to the frustration. These minor but persistent issues detracted from the experience.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): The game's lack of enemy and weapon variety led to repetitive combat, making the experience drag despite its short length. Players often found themselves going through the motions, waiting for something exciting to happen. Even the two-hour duration felt too long, with many wishing it ended sooner.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.02): The game evoked strong nostalgic feelings through references to classics like Duke Nukem 3D and Outlaws. The 90s level design and oldschool-cool presentation reminded players of discovering new FPS games back in the day. This retro shooter vibe was a major positive for those who grew up with such games.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Some levels were confusing, with players unable to figure out how to avoid damage and feeling lost. The slenderman enemy and unclear gameplay mechanics contributed to the confusion. This lack of clarity detracted from the overall experience.
- Fun (weight 0.02): The game provided a fun experience with challenging boss fights and quick, enjoyable shooting gameplay. Players found it easy to get into and appreciated the simplicity once they got used to it. The overall fun factor made it a worthwhile pick for quick sessions.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Players expressed anger over performance issues like low FPS on high-end graphics cards and save file corruption that forced restarts. The almost invincible boss and tough pillars that depleted ammo also caused frustration. These issues significantly marred the gameplay experience.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): The game's awesome graphics and atmospheric presentation impressed players, especially the monster designs that were genuinely freaky and weird. The developer's background and Troma collaboration added to the admiration. The unique weapons, particularly the shotgun and teeth machinegun, were also appreciated.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Players were relieved to pass the game by exploiting bugs where enemies got stuck, avoiding frustration. Initial issues with gamepad controls were resolved after figuring them out. This allowed them to complete the game and move on without major hurdles.
- Indifference (weight 0.01): The game didn't appeal to some players, who only completed the first level and boss legitimately. Despite drawing inspiration from classics like Blood and Duke 3D, it failed to capture their interest. Overall, they felt it was a take-it-or-leave-it game that would likely be forgotten quickly.
- Anticipation (weight 0.01): Players are eagerly looking forward to the sequel and other upcoming games from the developer, such as Surf n Sin and Reverend II. The anticipation is fueled by the current game's promise and the developer's potential. Many hope to see the story continue and the game's ideas expanded upon.}