Info about Dead Effect 2:

Official game description:
**Dead Effect 2** is the newest addition to the acclaimed Dead Effect franchise. This action sci-fi shooter is looking to push the boundaries of first-person shooters to new levels with slick graphics, rich narrative and RPG elements.  
Play the single-player missions at your own pace or engage your friends in the cooperative or PvP multiplayer mode. Train, develop your character, collect and upgrade countless weapons, gear and body implants and take control of the monster-infested ship.  
**KEY FEATURES:**  
Your hero adapts, grows and gets better as you play. Help them along the way by choosing the best gear!  
\- get 100+ upgradable weapons of all kinds – pistols, shotguns, plasma guns, bows, swords... you name it  
\- collect 300+ gear items and implants  
\- collect dozens of gear sets, from Regular to Mythical  
\- put together a complete gear set to gain special abilities  
\- equip your hero with a selection of 30+ special abilities, from bullet time to force field  
\- try high-tech body implants to increase your character’s performance  
A colonist ship is full of diverse environments, from maintenance rooms to oxygen gardens. And full of dark corners, too!  
\- enjoy the stunning environments with moody graphics  
\- explore the whole ship during the main story campaign  
\- return to complete various basic tasks in generic missions  
\- stand up to the challenge in special missions – Biohazard, Survive, Lone Wolf, Infestation modes  
You know you are not alone on this ship. There are friends, and there are foes. Sadly, the friends are outnumbered.  
\- test your strength against zombies, soldiers, cyborgs, mutant, cannibals, mechanical dogs, drones...  
\- get engaged in several unique boss fights  
\- complete special missions with various enemy types to gain experience  
You can face the enemy alone, but you won’t last long. Call your friends to action and together take up arms against the enemy!  
\- play together in the cooperative multiplayer mode – you can play the story campaign and all special missions  
\- challenge your friends to a life-and-death battle in the player vs. player multiplayer mode  
\- conquer the elaborate system of achievements – collect all 170 of them!  
\- get social - share your results and leaderboard position on social media channels  
By purchasing Dead Effect 2, you directly support the developers and get more than just a game!  
\- 20+ hours of gameplay  
\- all future updates for free  
\- downloadable game soundtrack  
\- exclusive art book with a comprehensive overview of the Dead Effect universe  
\- become a member of a lively community and participate in the development  
Feel free to drop us a line at info@badflyinteractive.com, or catch up with our latest news on our official website or a social media channel of your choice:  
Facebook: Dead Effect  
Twitter: @DeadEffectGame  
YouTube: BadFly Interactive

Release date: May 6, 2016

Categories: First-Person Shooter, Looter Shooter, Cooperative Multiplayer, Character Progression, Weapon Customization, Sci-fi, PvP

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 85; verdict: Predatory Story Paywall; summary: The game employs a predatory monetization strategy by locking the story's conclusion behind paid DLC, forcing players who purchased the base game to spend additional money to experience the full narrative. This is widely criticized as a deceptive and unfair practice.
- Steam Deck: score 40; verdict: Playable with Tinkering; summary: User reviews present a mixed picture for Steam Deck playability. While a subset of users report smooth performance and well-adapted controls, others experience control responsiveness issues and occasional instability. Overall, the game is playable but may require tinkering with control settings.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $20.00
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviews directly state or imply a fair base price between $10 and $20. One review explicitly calls it a '$10 - $20 game', another notes the full price is about $13 CAD (~$10 USD), and a third endorses buying at full price for fans of the genre. This consensus indicates the community considers $10-$20 a reasonable range for the base game.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 20.0h
  - Story completion: 9.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The first two evidence quotes directly indicate story completion times of 9 and 8 hours respectively, supporting a storyCompletion of 9 hours. The third quote states that playing through the story and all other modes totals 20 hours, which is used for gameCompletion. The fourth quote gives mission duration as 10-15 minutes, but does not represent a typical play session length, so sessionLength is set to null. No explicit endgame time was reported, so endgame is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Dead Effect 2's time-to-fun is mixed: some players enjoy it immediately, but many find it becomes significantly more fun after unlocking co-op, which requires completing a few missions. However, the game can become repetitive after an hour, leading to a drop in enjoyment for some.
  - Stance: Mixed
  - Anchor: Co-op unlocked
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: co-op locked behind a few missions; co-op setup is tricky; repetitive gameplay; slow progression; predictable enemy AI; poor voice acting
  - Unlock drivers: co-op unlocked; playing with friends; learning co-op system; sense of progression; weapon variety
  - Conditions: co-op requires beating a few missions; co-op is 3-player only; co-op may cause FPS drops; game is best enjoyed in shorter sessions; if playing with friends; if you like loot-based shooters; if you are fine with repetitive gameplay; solo play may be less enjoyable
- Player Archetypes:
  - Co-op Social Player (sale)
    - Motivation: Social multiplayer fun and shared experience with friends.
    - Playstyle: Cooperative campaign and survival modes with friends, willing to overlook flaws for social fun.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Killing Floor
  - Loot Grinder / ARPG Shooter Fan (buy)
    - Motivation: Loot progression and character optimization through grinding.
    - Playstyle: Intensive looting and upgrading, grinding missions for better gear and optimizing builds.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Hellgate London; Destiny
  - Budget-Conscious Casual (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Low-cost entertainment and value for money.
    - Playstyle: Casual play when cheap, tolerating bugs and poor graphics for occasional fun with friends.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Disappointed Player (no buy)
    - Motivation: Desire for a complete and polished experience, unmet by the game's flaws.
    - Playstyle: Solo play or minimal engagement, quickly turned off by DLC requirements, performance issues, or lack of depth.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no 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:
- Extensive upgradable equipment (weight 0.82): Players praise the extensive and upgradable arsenal including weapons, armor, and implants, with a focus on customization through various upgrade systems.
- Good but dated graphics (weight 0.45): Graphics are generally considered good, with some noting the visual improvement over the first game, while others find them decent but not groundbreaking.
- Great value for money (weight 0.22): The game is seen as a tremendous bargain for its price, offering good value for money despite any flaws.
- Satisfying gunplay (weight 0.19): Gunplay is fantastic, satisfying, and rewarding, with a good feel for both ranged and melee combat.
- Long and content-rich (weight 0.17): The game offers extensive gameplay with long playtime, especially when compared to the first game, ensuring substantial content.
- Improved sequel overall (weight 0.17): The game shows numerous improvements over the first game across graphics, weapons, enemies, and overall polish.
- Diverse enemy roster (weight 0.17): Enemy variety is praised with different types including mini-bosses and big bosses, preventing repetitive encounters.
- Plenty of achievements (weight 0.16): Achievements are plentiful and well organized, providing clear goals for completionists.
- Many mission types (weight 0.16): Many missions and different mission types keep the gameplay varied and engaging throughout the experience.
- Armor set bonuses (weight 0.16): Armor and consumable items feature set bonuses that encourage strategic loadout choices for different builds.

Common complaints:
- Story locked behind expensive DLC (weight 0.63): Several clusters indicate that the main story ends on a cliffhanger, with the final part locked behind paid DLC. This DLC is often seen as overpriced, sometimes costing more than the base game on sale.
- Voice acting is terrible (weight 0.51): Many reviews note that the voice acting ranges from average to hilariously bad. The dialogue is corny and the delivery is cringeworthy, making it a standout negative feature.
- Gameplay becomes boring quickly (weight 0.4): Players report that the game quickly becomes repetitive and boring. Both the general gameplay and storyline are cited as lacking engagement after the initial hours.
- Story is forgettable (weight 0.2): The story is seen as not engaging, forgettable, and generic. It lacks originality and fails to captivate players.
- Bugs are prevalent (weight 0.18): Players report numerous bugs throughout the game. These issues detract from the overall experience, though specifics are not given.
- Enemy AI is predictable (weight 0.17): The enemy AI is described as simple, primitive, and highly predictable. This makes combat encounters feel unchallenging and repetitive.
- Controls feel clunky (weight 0.17): The controls and gameplay are described as clumsy and clunky. This affects the player's ability to move and interact smoothly.
- Multiplayer is dead (weight 0.17): The multiplayer mode appears to be dead, with players unable to find others. This renders the online component unusable.
- Graphics are average (weight 0.16): Graphics are considered adequate but not impressive. They are described as "just okay" and "iffy" by some players.
- Campaign is short (weight 0.12): The campaign is noted as being short, around 4 hours. This leaves some players wanting more content.
- Mobile port quality (weight 0.12): The game is identified as a port from mobile, which may explain some of its design limitations and quality issues.
- RPG elements unnecessary (weight 0.11): RPG elements are considered unnecessary and detract from the core experience, according to some reviews.
- Locations are monotonous (weight 0.11): Locations are described as monotonous and boring, lacking visual variety and interesting design.
- No jump or cover (weight 0.11): The game lacks a jump feature and cover mechanics, which some players find limiting for movement and tactics.
- Melee combat unsatisfying (weight 0.11): Melee combat is not satisfying, with most weapons feeling ineffective or unresponsive in close quarters.
- Weapon balance is poor (weight 0.11): Weapon balance is poor, with melee being overpowered or weak depending on perspective, while sniper rifles, bows, and pistols are considered useless.
- Performance issues in co-op (weight 0.11): The game suffers from optimization issues, particularly framerate drops in co-op mode. This affects performance on various systems.

Gameplay feedback:
- Weapon upgrade system (weight 0.72): Weapons can be upgraded and customized with various modifications, levels, rarities, and codex upgrades, affecting damage, magazine size, accuracy, and reload speed.
- Cooperative multiplayer (weight 0.49): The game supports cooperative multiplayer for up to three players across all missions, including story, side, and survival modes, with enemy scaling.
- First-person zombie shooter (weight 0.46): The game is a first-person shooter set on a spaceship with zombies, blending sci-fi and horror elements with gore and loot mechanics.
- Three playable characters (weight 0.41): Players can choose from three playable characters, each with unique specializations, abilities, and starting weapons, offering distinct playstyles.
- Character progression system (weight 0.36): Players progress through a leveling system with XP, affecting character level and difficulty, tied to overall progression.
- Multiple game modes (weight 0.36): Multiple game modes are available, including Story, Survival, Biohazard, Infestation, Lone Wolf, Arena, and PvP, offering varied gameplay experiences.
- RPG elements integrated (weight 0.24): RPG elements are pervasive, including leveling, weapon levels, rarity tiers, and upgrades, adding depth to the shooter gameplay.
- Melee and firearms (weight 0.23): The weapon roster includes firearms and melee weapons, such as grenades and melee weapons, for varied combat options.
- Looter-shooter mechanics (weight 0.19): The game incorporates looter-shooter mechanics with a loot system, emphasizing gear collection and upgrades.
- Side and survival modes (weight 0.19): Content includes side missions, survival modes, and optional challenges like kill counts and gear collection, complementing the main story.
- Brutal zombie killing (weight 0.19): The core gameplay involves killing large hordes of zombies in a brutal and gory manner, satisfying the horror-shooter theme.
- Enemy variety (weight 0.19): Enemy variety includes zombies, special infected, mutants, drones, soldiers, and bosses, providing diverse combat encounters.

Performance notes:
- Poor optimization causes FPS drops (weight 0.48): A significant number of players report poor optimization, frequent FPS drops, lag, and performance issues in specific modes like co-op or on water maps, with some citing hardware struggles.
- Well-optimized performance praised (weight 0.44): Multiple players report stable framerates, no crashes, and smooth performance across various hardware configurations, often praising the game's optimization.
- Patches improved optimization (weight 0.07): Patches have improved optimization over time, suggesting the developer is addressing performance problems post-launch.
- Customizable graphics settings valued (weight 0.07): Players appreciate the ability to adjust graphics settings to tailor performance to their system, which is seen as a positive feature for optimization.
- HUD cut off on Mac M2 (weight 0.07): A Mac Air M2 user reports screen resolution issues causing the HUD to be cut off, indicating a specific compatibility problem with this hardware.
- Higher hardware requirements noted (weight 0.07): A player notes that the game requires higher hardware specifications, which may exclude lower-end systems from running it smoothly.
- DirectX 9 patch improves performance (weight 0.07): The addition of a DirectX 9 patch is highlighted as an improvement, helping some players achieve better performance or compatibility.
- Occasional bugs mentioned (weight 0.06): Occasional bugs are reported, though they are not frequent or critical, suggesting a generally stable but not flawless experience.
- Performance issues vary by player (weight 0.06): A general observation that some players encounter performance issues, though details are vague, indicating variability among users.
- Flashlight bloom effect poor (weight 0.05): One player finds the flashlight bloom effect to be visually unappealing or problematic, likely due to over-brightness or performance impact.

Recommendations:
- Not recommended for most (weight 0.89): Many reviewers advise against buying this game due to its repetitive content, engine issues, or failure to meet expectations. It is not recommended for those looking for originality or difficulty.
- Wait for a steep sale (weight 0.76): The majority of reviewers advise against paying full price for this game. Many suggest waiting for a steep discount, such as 50-80% off, to get good value.
- Recommended for casual zombie shooter fans (weight 0.68): The game is recommended for specific audiences such as casual shooter fans, zombie enthusiasts, and those who enjoy mindless shooting. It suits players who do not emphasize story or deep gameplay.
- Good value at low price (weight 0.62): Considering the low price and content, many players feel the game is a good deal. It provides many hours of fun for a small investment.
- Better with co-op friends (weight 0.41): The game is much more enjoyable when played with friends in co-op mode. Solo play is often described as boring or unrewarding.
- Not worth any price (weight 0.34): Multiple reviewers strongly advise against purchasing this game, calling it a waste of money. They suggest it is not worth buying even on sale.
- Recommended for loot shooter and Dead Effect fans (weight 0.34): Fans of the Dead Effect series or loot-based shooters are more likely to enjoy this game. It offers bigger and better content than the original.
- Only buy if extremely cheap (weight 0.32): Several reviewers recommend buying the game only if it is extremely cheap or obtained through a bundle. They set low maximum prices like $5 or €2.
- Great for casual and mobile shooter fans (weight 0.27): The game is especially recommended for casual shooter fans, mobile shooter enthusiasts, and those who enjoy mindless shooting with upgrades. It suits a specific taste.
- Worth full price for some (weight 0.19): Some players found the game worth its price even without a discount. They praise its content and value at full or reduced price.
- Good for passing time or Steam cards (weight 0.17): A few players see the game as a fun time waster or for grinding Steam cards. It is not a must-play but can fill time.
- Mobile port roots should be forgiven (weight 0.15): Some players defend the game as a mobile port, arguing it should not be judged harshly for its origins. They recommend playing on original mobile devices for the best experience.
- Technical and balance issues present (weight 0.15): Some reviewers mention issues with controllers, game engines, or need for cheats. These technical or balance problems detract from the experience.
- Cheats or high difficulty advised (weight 0.14): A few players suggest using cheats or playing on high difficulty immediately to enhance the experience. This implies the default balance may be off.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.26): Players are frustrated by the grindy, mobile-adapted economy, repetitive levels, and simple enemy AI, which are compounded by bugs, poor optimization, and performance issues like frame drops and invisible enemies. The requirement to purchase DLC to access the game's ending and overall slow, unrewarding progression systems further exacerbate negative sentiments.
- Disappointment (weight 0.16): Disappointment stems primarily from the story ending being locked behind a costly DLC, leaving players feeling the game is incomplete and rushed. Additional complaints include outdated graphics, poor voice acting, monotonous gameplay, and a weak plot that fails to deliver on the promised horror experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.13): Satisfaction arises from satisfying shooting mechanics with good recoil and spread, complemented by smooth graphics, clear sound, and a well-optimized, addictive gameplay loop. The game is praised for its value, fun co-op, and enjoyable gore effects that provide stress relief.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.09): Players enjoy the satisfying shooting, weapon variety, and ability to play in short bursts, with addictive gameplay and co-op adding to the appeal. The B-movie charm, gore, and old-school feel make the experience surprisingly enjoyable despite some rough edges.
- Excitement (weight 0.05): Excitement is driven by the fun, addictive gameplay with a variety of enemies, co-op support, and active developer engagement with patches. The range of features including PVP and upgrade systems also contributes to the positive anticipation.
- Anger (weight 0.04): Players feel cheated and angry because the game requires paid DLC to access the ending, making them believe the base game is a waste of money even at a low price. This practice is seen as exploitative and undermines the overall value.
- Boredom (weight 0.04): Boredom sets in quickly due to repetitive levels, uninteresting enemies, and gameplay that feels identical to the first game. The pointless loot system and RPG mechanics only make the experience more tedious, especially in solo play.
- Amusement (weight 0.04): Players find amusement in the game's so-bad-it's-good quality, particularly the hilariously terrible voice acting and B-movie story elements. The exaggerated performances, such as those for Minikin and Dr. Bielik, are a source of unintentional comedy.
- Annoyance (weight 0.03): Annoyance is caused by boring grind modes required for achievements, unsympathetic characters, and technical issues like a controller reset bug and ear-piercingly loud gun sound effects. The corny voice acting with stereotypical accents also irritates players.
- Addiction (weight 0.02): Addiction is triggered by the game's barely passable loot upgrade system, which appeals to players' dopamine responses and keeps them engaged despite flaws. This psychological hook makes the game difficult to put down.
- Displeasure (weight 0.01): Displeasure results from pay-to-win mechanics involving virtual currency, which undermines fair gameplay and makes progression feel artificially constrained. This system is viewed as a negative mobile game port element.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Nostalgia is evoked as the game is a favorite childhood title for some, while the music also recalls the soundtrack from Interstellar. These positive memories enhance the emotional connection to the game.
- Disgust (weight 0.01): Disgust arises from the game being essentially identical to the first part, a mobile game ported to PC without significant improvements. This lack of originality and effort feels disappointing and uninspired.
- Tiredness (weight 0.01): Tiredness is felt due to the overwhelming number of tedious side quests that drain player energy without offering meaningful rewards. This repetitive design makes the game feel like a chore.
- Eye strain (weight 0.01): Eye strain is caused by the game's color palette, which is harsh and uncomfortable to look at during extended play sessions. This visual discomfort detracts from the overall experience.
- Tension (weight 0.01): Tension is effectively built through the game's tense atmosphere, reinforced by lore notes that add depth and unease to the setting. This element successfully heightens immersion and suspense.
- Cringe (weight 0.01): Cringe is elicited by the terrible voice acting, particularly the use of fake accents that feel forced and inauthentic. These performances make dialogue scenes awkward and hard to take seriously.
- Indifference (weight 0.01): Indifference stems from the story being completely forgettable, lacking any memorable moments or compelling narrative hooks. Players feel no strong emotional investment in the plot.
- Betrayal (weight 0.01): Betrayal is felt because players purchased the game believing it was a complete experience, only to discover that half the content is locked behind DLC. This deceptive practice undermines trust and satisfaction.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Appreciation is expressed for the game's straightforward nature, with players valuing it for what it is rather than what it could be. This acceptance allows them to enjoy the experience without high expectations.}