Info about NEON STRUCT:

Official game description:
You are Jillian Cleary: an ex-spy on the run, framed for treason and hunted by your former agency. You must move in secret, survive off the grid, and find a way to clear your name. Old friends and new allies will lend their support; but with the eyes of the world upon you, who can you trust?
Stealth
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Keep in the shadows, move in silence, and stay out of sight. Escape from tight situations by scrambling your enemies' vision. Enhance your performance with black market stims.
World
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Explore a concrete-and-neon brutalist vision of the modern surveillance state. Undertake eight missions spanning two continents. Meet a diverse range of interesting characters.
Music
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Featuring an 18-song soundtrack by electronic rock band The Home Conversion.

Release date: May 20, 2015

Categories: First-Person Stealth, Immersive Sim, Cyberpunk, Single-player Story, Multiple Endings, Moral Decision-Making, Minimalist Graphics


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews consistently praise the game's stealth gameplay and cyberpunk setting, but many suggest waiting for a sale due to the short length and limited content relative to the current $17.99 price. One review says it's 'worth it on a sale or even full price if you want to support some indies,' while another notes it 'goes on sale for sub-$5 USD.' The consensus indicates that the community sees a fair base price in the range of $5–$10, where the game offers good value for its size.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 12.0h
  - Story completion: 4.0h
  - Session length: 3.5h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Game completion: 'took me almost 12 hours 100 it' indicates full completion including all content. Story completion: Multiple reviews state the game takes about 4 hours for a single playthrough (e.g., 'NEON STRUCT is not to long, about four hours for one playthrough' and 'I finished it in one sitting, for 3 and a half hours'). Session length: 'I finished it in one sitting, for 3 and a half hours' and 'about four hours for one playthrough (I finished it in one session)' suggest a typical session of 3.5-4 hours. Endgame: No evidence provided for dedicated endgame content.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Neon Struct begins slowly and somewhat boringly, but becomes more engaging after the first few missions; however, it can feel repetitive with extended play and ends before reaching its full potential.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: After the first missions
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: slow start and boring first missions; tedious hacking/lockpicking minigames; repetitive gameplay that becomes boring over long sessions; barebones visuals and boring gadgets
  - Unlock drivers: story improvement as missions progress; mission progression itself; atmospheric mood and sound design
  - Conditions: player patience to get through the slow start; short play sessions to avoid tedium from repetitive gameplay
- Player Archetypes:
  - Classic Stealth Purist (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Reliving the depth and challenge of old-school stealth and immersive sim experiences.
    - Playstyle: Methodical, ghosting-focused playthroughs aiming for high scores and zero detection. Tends to critique level design and complexity against genre benchmarks.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: old-school player; stealth fan; immersive sim enthusiast; genre veteran
    - Reference games: Thief; Deus Ex; Dishonored
  - Accessibility-Seeking Casual (buy)
    - Motivation: Exploring stealth gameplay in a low-pressure, forgiving environment without steep difficulty.
    - Playstyle: Relaxed, exploratory. Uses knockouts and forgiving detection mechanics to advance. Appreciates atmosphere and ease of play over hardcore challenge.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: casual gamer; stealth newcomer; relaxed player
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Indie Aesthetic Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Experiencing distinctive art direction, music, and mood in handcrafted indie titles.
    - Playstyle: Immersed in atmosphere and story; values presentation over mechanical complexity. Tends to be forgiving of limitations for the sake of originality.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: indie fan; art lover; soundtrack appreciator; unique experience seeker
    - 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:
- Excellent stealth gameplay (weight 0.61): Players consistently praise the stealth mechanics as fun, tense, and well-executed. The game is described as a refreshingly pure stealth experience with old-school appeal.
- High replayability (weight 0.11): The game offers good replay value through choices and the ability to perfect missions. Players find it rewarding to revisit levels and try different approaches.
- Enjoyable side quests (weight 0.11): Side quests brighten the main gameplay and add deeper immersion into the game world. They are seen as meaningful additions that enhance the overall experience.

Common complaints:
- Poor and predictable AI (weight 0.99): Enemy AI is widely regarded as poor, stupid, predictable, and easy to abuse. Guards have limited perception, give up searching quickly, and generally pose no real threat.
- World feels empty and lacks detail (weight 0.72): The world feels empty and lacks detail, with sparse storytelling and little environmental narrative. Levels are often bland and fail to create immersion.
- Inconsistent and poor sound design (weight 0.64): Sound design is inconsistent and problematic: footsteps are too loud or confusing, 3D sound is lacking, and sound propagation does not match AI hearing. This hurts stealth gameplay.
- Falls short of Thief and Deus Ex (weight 0.62): The game is repeatedly compared unfavorably to classic Thief and Deus Ex titles. It is seen as too simple, unpolished, and lacking the depth of its predecessors.
- Minimalist graphics are unappealing (weight 0.57): The minimalist, blocky graphics are frequently described as ugly, cheap, and poorly aged. The visual style is seen as too barebones and unappealing.
- Stealth mechanics too basic (weight 0.48): Stealth mechanics are overly simple and basic, with limited complexity, poor peeking, and inconsistent sound cues. The game lacks multiple approaches and player agency.
- Gadgets and tools are uninteresting (weight 0.42): Most gadgets and tools are boring, redundant, or not useful. The game is stingy with them, discouraging experimentation, and players can often complete levels without using them.
- Sparse or missing music (weight 0.4): Music is very sparse or missing entirely during missions, making levels feel quiet and empty. The soundtrack that does exist sometimes clashes with the game's tone.
- Story is weak and predictable (weight 0.38): The story is lacklustre, with a predictable twist, unmemorable characters, and low stakes. It fails to be compelling.
- Game is too short (weight 0.31): The game is very short (around 3–7 hours) and many players feel it offers poor value for its price. The short length is a common complaint.
- Limited level variety (weight 0.26): Levels are small, monotonous, and lack environmental variety. Architecture becomes less impressive in later stages.
- Hacking and lockpicking minigames tedious (weight 0.2): The hacking and lockpicking minigames are widely criticized as tedious, boring, and reliant on randomness. They feel tacked on rather than properly integrated into gameplay.
- Knockout prompt unreliable (weight 0.11): The knockout prompt does not always appear, and knocking out enemies is too easy. This undermines the challenge.
- Too many unhackable doors (weight 0.06): Too many doors are labeled as unhackable, limiting player options and exploration.

Gameplay feedback:
- Thief and Deus Ex homage (weight 0.97): The game is widely described as a first-person stealth immersive sim, heavily inspired by classics like Thief and Deus Ex. It focuses on sneaking, gadgets, and exploration rather than combat.
- No combat options (weight 0.42): Many reviews emphasize the lack of combat options, with no guns, grenades, or lethal takedowns. Players must rely on stealth and non-lethal methods like knockouts.
- Minimalist cyberpunk graphics (weight 0.3): The game features minimalist, low-poly graphics with a neon cyberpunk aesthetic, focusing on simplicity over visual fidelity.
- Light and sound mechanics (weight 0.25): Stealth mechanics are enhanced by a light meter for visibility and sound propagation that varies with surface types, affecting footstep noise.
- Multiple level paths (weight 0.25): Levels are designed with multiple routes and approaches, allowing players to choose their path and method for completing objectives.
- Breakout hacking minigame (weight 0.19): A notable feature is the hacking minigame modeled after Breakout, used to bypass security systems and doors. This adds a unique gameplay element.
- Cyberpunk stealth setting (weight 0.17): The setting is a minimalist cyberpunk world, presented through first-person stealth gameplay.
- Core stealth actions (weight 0.17): Core actions include sneaking, knocking out enemies, using gadgets, moving bodies, disabling cameras, picking locks, and stealing items.
- Moral choices and story (weight 0.15): The game offers an intriguing story with moral choices and branching endings, allowing player decisions to affect the narrative outcome.
- Ghost playstyle encouraged (weight 0.15): A ghost playstyle is encouraged, meaning players should avoid detection and not harm any enemies, aligning with the non-combat focus.
- Immersive sim elements (weight 0.11): The game contains immersive sim elements, such as environmental interaction and flexible problem-solving, typical of the genre.
- Visibility indicator (weight 0.11): A visibility indicator helps players gauge how visible they are to enemies, aiding in stealth navigation.
- Quicksave and quickload (weight 0.1): A fast quicksave/quickload system is present, allowing players to easily retry sections without penalty.
- Cyberpunk Thief recreation (weight 0.1): The game is described as a stripped-down, low-poly cyberpunk version of the original Thief, offering a nostalgic feel for fans.
- Mission ranking system (weight 0.1): Mission ranking is tied to geocache collection and avoiding detection, offering cosmetic or achievement-based rewards.
- Simple guard AI (weight 0.1): The game is a bare-bones stealth experience with emotionless guard AI, focusing on simple mechanics.
- Non-lethal knockouts only (weight 0.1): The game allows only non-violent takedowns, such as knocking enemies from behind, with no lethal weapons.
- Steal and delete data (weight 0.1): Objectives often involve stealing items and deleting data from computers, reinforcing the espionage theme.
- Gadgets and resources (weight 0.09): Players can use resources like grenades and stims to aid their stealth approach, though combat is still discouraged.

Performance notes:
- Stable, no crashes (weight 0.11): Multiple reviews confirm that the game runs without crashes. This indicates strong stability across different setups.
- Occasional microfreezes (weight 0.06): Occasional microfreezes are mentioned, which can interrupt smooth gameplay despite otherwise good performance.
- Graphical glitches present (weight 0.06): A reviewer mentions visible graphical glitches that detract from visual quality. These are sporadic but noticeable.
- Fast loading times (weight 0.06): Loading times are praised as very good, which improves the overall experience.
- 60 fps lock (weight 0.05): One reviewer reports the framerate is capped at 60 fps. This may disappoint players with high-refresh-rate monitors.
- Perfect on Ubuntu Linux (weight 0.05): One user confirms flawless performance on Ubuntu Linux, suggesting cross-platform compatibility is solid.
- No controller issues (weight 0.05): No issues with game controller support were reported, indicating good input compatibility.

Recommendations:
- Strong recommendation for stealth fans (weight 0.63): Players consistently recommend the game to fans of stealth, especially those who enjoy classic titles like Thief, Deus Ex, and Dishonored.
- Good value on sale (weight 0.37): The game is considered good value, especially when purchased on sale or at a low price, with many reviewers stating it is worth the money.
- Better to play classics (weight 0.28): Some players advise skipping this game and instead playing classic stealth titles such as Thief 2 or Deus Ex, citing superior quality.
- Not recommended by some (weight 0.25): A minority of players do not recommend the game, citing mediocrity, poor value, or better alternatives, and advise skipping it.
- Wait for a discount (weight 0.21): Reviewers recommend waiting for a sale or a discount of at least 40-50% before purchasing, to get better value for the short playtime.
- For hardcore stealth fans only (weight 0.14): The game is recommended primarily for stealth fans who have exhausted similar titles or who prefer simple gameplay.
- Niche appeal (weight 0.13): The game is described as niche, specifically for hardcore stealth or cyberpunk fans, or those who enjoy retro aesthetics.
- Alternatives suggested (weight 0.11): Some reviewers suggest playing other games like Neon Struct or Dark Mod instead, implying this game is not the best option.
- Try the demo first (weight 0.08): A few reviewers recommend trying the demo before committing to a purchase, as the gameplay may not suit everyone.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.22): Players felt the game fell short of its immersive sim predecessors like Deus Ex and Thief, citing short length, simplistic mechanics, and poor AI. The low-stakes story, lack of ambient music, and small levels contributed to a sense of missed potential.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.17): Players enjoyed the exploration, stealth gameplay, and hacking minigame, praising the soundtrack and atmosphere. The game was seen as a fun homage to Deus Ex with solid level design and replayability.
- Frustration (weight 0.16): Frustration stemmed from inconsistent AI, confusing minimalist art style, and repetitive level design. Issues like broken sound propagation, microfreezes, and tedious minigames further marred the experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.12): Players found satisfaction in the multiple mission approaches, challenging rating system, and stealth mechanics that evoked classic immersive sims. The hacking minigame and no-crash stability added to the positive experience.
- Appreciation (weight 0.12): Players appreciated the atmospheric musical score, immersive sound design, and lack of objective markers, which created a realistic and focused experience. The soundtrack was frequently highlighted as a standout element.
- Admiration (weight 0.04): Players admired the pure stealth-first focus with no lethal options, and the developer's mature approach to the genre. The combination of excellent stealth gameplay, good story, and great soundtrack earned respect.
- Boredom (weight 0.03): Boredom arose from the game being too easy, with enemies having poor memory and no consequences for being spotted. The atmosphere was described as boring.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Players felt relief from the tense yet doable stealth sections, which were balanced with safe wandering periods.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Players found amusement in the bad AI that could be easily cheesed or exploited.
- Impression (weight 0.01): Players were impressed that the game's spaces felt real and lived-in despite being mundane in design.
- Dislike (weight 0.01): Players disliked the blocky early-3D visuals and garish neon art direction, finding them ugly and unappealing.
- Criticism (weight 0.01): Players criticized the basic and unbelievable AI, such as guards not reacting to lights being turned off.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Players were confused by the discrepancy between their own negative experience and the positive reviews from major outlets like Eurogamer and RPS.
- Immersion (weight 0.01): Players felt immersed due to the strong atmosphere and feel of the game world.
- Excitement (weight 0.01): Players were excited by the tense and satisfying stealth gameplay, with some citing it as their introduction to the stealth genre and a favorite game.
- Slight disappointment (weight 0.01): Players expressed slight disappointment with the story being throw-away and predictable.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Players were enthusiastic about the game, strongly recommending it as a big fan.
- Praise (weight 0.01): Players praised the story for tackling political topics beyond generic tropes.}