Horns of Deliverance Review Summary

Inventive and addictive with great substance effects, but weapon and gunplay flaws, thin short content, and severe stability and performance issues hold it back.

Unique and inventive concept: Players consistently highlight the game's original premise as its strongest asset. Many note that nothing similar exists on the market, making it stand out as a fresh take for a shooter.

Fun and addictive gameplay: The core loop of shooting and consuming substances is widely described as enjoyable and addictive. Fast-paced moment-to-moment action keeps players engaged and entertained.

Excellent substance effects: The visual and gameplay effects of substances are highly praised for their polish and variety. The resulting chaos and overwhelming sensory experience are seen as core strengths.

Satisfying weapon feel: Gunplay, particularly with the rifle and handgun, is called extremely satisfying. The automatic extension and tactical nature of combat also receive praise.

Great graphics and visuals: Players frequently compliment the game's visuals, calling them insane or impressive. The distinct art style and screen effects contribute to the overall atmosphere.

Gunplay and Weapon Issues: Gunplay is often described as lackluster, with weapons lacking impact and variation. Specific issues include poor shotgun feel, no reason to use other guns once rifle is unlocked, and clunky mechanics.

Minimal Content and Short Length: The game is criticized for lacking content, being very short, and feeling barebones. Many note it can be beaten quickly and lacks replayability.

Severe Performance and Stability Issues: Many users report severe performance problems, including low FPS, freezes, crashes, and startup failures. Some cannot play at all due to these issues.

Substance System Flaws and Disorientation: The drug system causes aim disruption, disorientation, and interface issues. Managing substances is cumbersome and effects can be frustrating.

Unpolished and Buggy Experience: The game is described as rough, unpolished, and buggy. Many features feel half-baked and the overall experience is unrefined.

Substance-centric core mechanic: The game heavily features drugs and substances as a central mechanic, used for healing, buffs, and altering perception. Players collect and consume various substances like cigs, beer, mushrooms, and pink pills to survive and progress.

Varied gunplay and weapons: Players use a variety of firearms including rifles, shotguns, handguns, and swords, with attachments and modifications available. Gunplay involves reloading, weapon switching, and tactical aiming, though some find it spray-and-pray.

Visual and perception effects: Substance use causes intense screen effects, flashing lights, and altered vision, affecting aim and movement. These effects must be managed to avoid death, with a visuals-off mode available.

Roguelike shooter structure: The game is a fast-paced roguelike shooter where players choose upgrades between levels and persist buffs across runs. It features a gameplay loop of killing enemies, taking substances, and selecting power-ups.

Enemy variety and challenge: The game features a relentless stream of diverse enemies including moosemen, robot dogs, self-driving cars, and drones. Managing these enemies requires skill and can be overwhelming.

Crashes and freezes at launch: Multiple players report the game crashing or freezing during startup, before even reaching gameplay. Issues include permanent freezes in fullscreen, crashes before loading completes, and launch failures lasting up to an hour.

Unplayable due to low FPS: One player reports an unplayable level that averages about 5 seconds per frame, despite low graphics settings and non-demanding visuals. This suggests major optimization issues in specific sections.

Crashes when changing settings: Attempting to change any settings or load into a game results in a crash or freeze. This blocks basic configuration and gameplay access.

Game won't pass loading screen: The game crashes consistently before finishing loading the environment, preventing any play. This is a critical blocker for affected users.

Mixed recommendation status: Opinions are split between recommending and not recommending the game in its current state. Most reviewers lean positive, though several caution against buying right now.

Worth the price tag: Multiple reviewers agree the game is worth its roughly ten-dollar price. It delivers good value for the money even in early access.

Strong word-of-mouth recommendation: Reviewers say they will recommend the game to friends and enthusiastically endorse getting it now. The tone is very positive and encouraging.

Hope for future updates: Reviewers want to see the game evolve and are glad to wait for its continued development. They express confidence in the project's future.

Short-term distraction value: Several reviewers recommend the game as a fun, short-term distraction from other games. It works well for casual enjoyment in its current state.

Game completion: 2.0h.

Session length: 0.4h.

Players report the game is immediately addictive and fun in fast-paced moment-to-moment action, though maps, guns, tutorial quality, and content depth are friction points.

Friction: Boring and hard-to-navigate maps; Boring guns; Tutorial needs upgrades; Early access content gaps.

Chaos Sandbox Tinkerer: Uses the game as a sandbox toy, triggering chaotic effects and asking for more tools like explosives and a berserk mode. Motivation: Chasing absurd, chaotic fun and screen-warping novelty. Stance: buy.

Content-Hungry Early Access Optimist: Plays through the available content, reaches bosses, and posts suggestions for more features and enemy depth. Motivation: Squeezing value out of an addictive core loop while it grows. Stance: buy.

Short-Burst Distraction Seeker: Dips in for short bursts, enjoys the novelty, then moves back to mainstay games. Motivation: Getting quick, low-commitment fun between other games. Stance: sale.

Early Access with Limited Content: Many reviewers note the game is in Early Access and currently lacks substantial content relative to expectations. Some find this acceptable for the price, while others feel it does not yet justify the cost.

Strong Potential for Future Growth: Players see significant potential in the game and express hope that the developer continues to expand and polish it. The lone developer is praised for their work so far.

Pricing Concerns in Some Regions: Some reviewers feel the price is too high for the current amount of content, especially in certain regions. Others consider the game cheap or worth the price.

Comparisons to GMod and Other Games: Several reviewers compare the game to Garry's Mod with bad addons or mods, and also to Post Void, Cruelty Squad, and Terry Davis Simulator. One notes similarities to GTA5's weapon wheel.

Unique Concept with Polish Needed: The game offers a unique concept not found elsewhere, but reviewers mention it needs more polish and content. Some find the 'tweak out' aspect excessive and readability poor.