DERELIKT Review Summary

Its authentic PS1 atmosphere and fun gameplay are undermined by inventory bugs that delete items, clumsy controls, and a confusing ammo and reload system.

Praise for atmosphere: Many reviewers highlight the spooky, eerie, and oppressive atmosphere, often comparing it to Alien and Lovecraftian horror. The mood and feeling of secrets around every corner are frequently mentioned.

Authentic PS1 retro aesthetic: Reviewers love the detailed PS1-style graphics, including jagged textures, low-poly models, dithering, and texture warping. The nostalgic look and feel are seen as a love letter to classic gaming.

Engaging and fun gameplay: Players find the game addictively fun and engaging from the start, with solid shooting mechanics and overall enjoyment. Many say it is worth playing and scratches the itch for a classic FPS.

Strong design and presentation: The game's design, enemy variety, art direction, and presentation are frequently praised as phenomenal and unique. Reviewers note the convincing arsenal and clever map design.

Compelling story and dialogue: The story, involving an alien artifact and psychological horror, is interesting and well-told. Many dialogues and conversations enhance character development and are integral to gameplay.

Item deletion and inventory bugs: Players report items disappearing or being deleted when stacking fails or when orientation does not match available space, leading to lost progress and reloads.

Poor control scheme: The default control scheme using left stick to move and right stick to look is described as terrible, and the reviewer cannot recommend playing with a controller.

Confusing ammo and reload system: Ammo display is unclear, showing magazine bullets and pile count in a way that is easily misunderstood. Automatic reload does not occur when empty, making combat frantic and confusing.

Flashlight turns off randomly: The flashlight randomly turns off during play, disrupting gameplay and forcing players to reactivate it constantly.

Inconsistent ammo availability: Some players feel there is always enough ammo even when missing shots, while others find ammo insufficient for the number of enemies, creating an unbalanced experience.

Retro PS1-style graphics praised: Many reviewers highlight the intentional PS1-style visuals with jagged textures, low-poly models, texture warping, and dithering. The aesthetic is consistently maintained across intro, loading screens, and gameplay, creating a nostalgic experience.

Horror FPS with immersive sim elements: The game blends horror FPS with survival horror and immersive sim influences, often compared to a primitive Deus Ex crossed with Half-Life. This combination appeals to fans of classic genre mixes.

Inventory management with Tetris-like system: The inventory features item stacking and orientation-based placement, reminiscent of Tetris, adding a layer of strategy to resource management. Gun ammo and inventory piles are part of this system.

Dual-stick controls with remapping: The game uses standard dual-stick controls for movement and looking, and controls can be remapped for customizability. This ensures accessibility for different playstyles.

Dark sci-fi mystery horror setting: Set aboard the Von Neumann station near Saturn, players explore a ruined base and face an unknown threat while uncovering what happened. The atmosphere is dark and mysterious.

Appeals to retro FPS fans: Recommended for fans of classic FPS games like Half-Life, Quake, and PS1-era claustrophobic shooters. The retro aesthetic and low-fidelity style are central to its appeal.

Mixed but positive reception: Some players give positive reviews but express mixed feelings, and it is recommended only if the PS1 style is acceptable. The game is worth playing but may not suit everyone.

Niche sci-fi survival horror: Recommended for those interested in pixel sci-fi survival horror and immersive sims. It combines horror FPS elements with an immersive sim framework.

Strong narrative and dialogue: Appeals to players who enjoy interesting stories, lots of dialogue, and retro-style graphics. The narrative is a key draw for some.

Controller support not recommended: Explicitly not recommended for playing with a controller, suggesting keyboard and mouse are preferred. This is a specific usability concern.

Session length: 2.0h.

Retro Sci-Fi Horror Veteran: Compares the game to classic horror shooters and immerses in tension, weapon feel, and atmosphere. Motivation: Atmospheric sci-fi horror tension and old-school immersive-sim action. Stance: buy.

PS1 Nostalgia Kid: Approaches the game through a PS1-era nostalgia lens rather than personal fit. Motivation: Nostalgia for the PS1 era and validating retro-style games. Stance: buy.

Story-Focused Retro Graphics Fan: Plays for story and dialogue, valuing retro graphics as part of the experience. Motivation: Narrative and dialogue delivered through a retro aesthetic. Stance: buy.

Compared to classic shooters: Reviewers frequently compare the game to Half-Life, System Shock, and Doom, citing similarities in design and atmosphere. These comparisons highlight the game's retro inspiration.

Alien franchise inspiration: The game's setting and enemies evoke the Alien film series, particularly Alien Resurrection and Aliens vs Predator 2. Reviewers note these influences as central to the experience.

Rough state with bugs: Several reviewers report that the game is in a very rough state with significant bugs and issues. Some refunded the game, while others believe it will be worth playing once fixed.

Nostalgic for classic games: The game evokes nostalgia for older titles like Metal Gear Solid and Medal of Honor, appealing to players' memories of classic gaming eras.

Similar to indie titles: Reviewers compare the game to small-team indie projects such as Underkeep and Queen's Domain, indicating its niche appeal.