Info about The End Is Nigh:

Official game description:
Just Updated
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The End is Nigh now includes Steam Workshop support! Check out the workshop to play a whole ton of cool, brutal, or just plain silly mods! And check out our discord if you would like to make your own!
About the Game
==============
If you are reading this you are probably dead...  
Just kidding, you aren't dead... YET!  
See, in the future, everything dies... for the most part.  
and this is a game about just that.  
The End Is Nigh!  
_\-the management_  
**Gameplay:**  
The End Is Nigh is a sprawling adventure platformer where the player takes control over Ash, one of few "things" that have "survived" the "end of the world".  
Follow Ash as he flops his way through a future of pain and suffering. Feel his stress levels rise as you throw him into an endless swarm of decaying, mutant animal-like creatures and help aid his final epic quest... to simply make a friend (out of pieces of people he finds along his journey).  
Oh, also you collect video game cartridges and tumors! if that does anything for ya.  
*   **Features:**
    -------------
*   600+ levels!  
*   12+ explorable chapters!  
*   20+ collectible and fully playable mini game cartridges! (each with their own tiny achievements!)  
*   80+ achievements that will make you feel good about yourself  
*   100s of collectible little squishy tumors!  
*   loads of hidden extras and endings that you will probably see someone else find before you do!  
*   and stress!

Release date: Jul 12, 2017

Categories: Precision Platformer, 2D Platformer, Action Platformer, Mod Support, Collectibles, Speedrunning, Hardcore Difficulty

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 10; verdict: Seamless; summary: No technical barriers reported. The game runs natively on Steam Deck with responsive controls and no required configuration tweaks. Performance is smooth and playable out of the box.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $9.99 - $14.99
  - Reasoning: The reviews consistently highlight that the current full price is acceptable but not outstanding value, while the common deep discounts (e.g., 67% off) make the game a bargain. The community sentiment suggests a fair base price should be lower than the full price, closer to the typical sale price, which is often around $5–$10. However, the game's content and difficulty still justify a base price in the lower double digits.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 20.0h
  - Story completion: 11.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Story/campaign completion is well-supported by multiple reviews: ~10 hours from a Japanese review, 11.6 hours with 72% save completion, and 12 hours with some secrets. Game completion (full collection) is suggested by a Chinese review citing at least 20 hours for the main full-collection process, though other players report 15+ hours without reaching full completion. Session length and endgame hours lack specific quantitative evidence; session references are vague ("hours on end") and endgame is described as challenging but no typical hour count is given. Therefore session length and endgame are set to null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Players find the game addictive with tight gameplay, but the early game can feel too easy or boring, and a frustrating life system appears after a few hours. The fun deepens as difficulty ramps up and players progress into later levels.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: After the early game when difficulty ramps up and players reach more challenging areas
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: early game too easy and boring for achievement hunters; rocky start for newcomers who explore cartridges too early; life system becomes restrictive after a few hours; music gets repetitive quickly; color palette causes visibility issues in midgame areas
  - Unlock drivers: persistence through early easy levels; acquiring more lives and tumors for revives; understanding level design and difficulty curve; adjusting to the trial-and-error gameplay loop; turning off repetitive music if bothersome
  - Conditions: solo play (no multiplayer mentioned); high skill and patience required for later levels; preference for challenging platformers; willingness to accept a trial-and-error approach
- Player Archetypes:
  - Iron-Willed Masochist (buy)
    - Motivation: Sense of triumph after enduring extreme, self-imposed hardship
    - Playstyle: Relentless deathless runs, Iron God achievement hunting, obsessive practice of single segments until perfection
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: try-hard; completionist (reluctant); hardcore
    - Reference games: Super Meat Boy; The End is Nigh
  - Precision Platforming Aficionado (sale)
    - Motivation: Mastery of movement and solving execution puzzles in each room
    - Playstyle: Methodical trial-and-error, practicing sections, optimizing jumps and timings
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: platformer fan; Edmund McMillen fan; precision platformer lover
    - Reference games: Celeste; Super Meat Boy; The End is Nigh
  - Speedrunner Connoisseur (buy)
    - Motivation: Efficiency, speed, and routing optimization
    - Playstyle: Replaying levels to minimize deaths, treating cartridges as shortcut challenges, practicing timings for consistent runs
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: speedrunner; old-school player; routing enthusiast
    - Reference games: Super Meat Boy; The End is Nigh


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:
- Outstanding Music and Soundtrack (weight 0.43): The soundtrack is repeatedly called sensational, amazing, and perfectly fitting. It features excellent classical music remixes and metal covers that enhance the game's mood and atmosphere.
- Superior to Super Meat Boy (weight 0.43): Players consistently compare the game favorably to Super Meat Boy, citing improvements in collection, consistency, mechanics, controls, stability, atmosphere, and overall design. Many consider it a true and excellent spiritual successor.
- Exceptional Level Design (weight 0.4): Level design is praised as almost perfect, monstrously good, well-crafted, and consistently excellent with varied and interconnected layouts, especially in the late game.
- Rewarding Difficulty and Satisfaction (weight 0.39): The game is hard but fair, demanding precision while providing immense satisfaction upon completing challenging levels. Players describe the feeling as indescribable and highly rewarding.
- Precision Platforming Excellence (weight 0.38): The game is hailed as the best precision platformer ever made, with incredible, smooth, and precise mechanics and controls that feel tight and responsive, making it a benchmark in the genre.
- Great Graphics and Art Style (weight 0.14): Visuals are praised as great, excellent, and clear, with a distinctive art direction that contributes to the overall positive experience alongside the music.
- One of the Best Platformers (weight 0.12): Many players express that this is their favorite 2D platformer or among the best they have ever played, loving the genre and placing this title at the top.
- Abundant Collectibles and Secrets (weight 0.12): The game features a large number of collectibles, including tumors, cartridges, keys, and souls (with unlockable minigames), adding depth and replay value for completionists.

Common complaints:
- Impossible achievements (weight 0.19): Achievements are nearly impossible to unlock, particularly the Iron God achievement that requires a no-death run, which is considered too ridiculous.
- Extreme difficulty level (weight 0.16): The game is extremely difficult, especially when aiming for 100% completion, which many players find insurmountable.
- Ledge grab is unreliable (weight 0.16): The ledge grab mechanic is inconsistent and often feels like pixel hunting, leading to frustration.
- Late-game difficulty spike (weight 0.06): The difficulty ramps up significantly in the late game, becoming punishing and less enjoyable.
- Collectibles feel empty (weight 0.06): Collectibles do not provide lasting satisfaction; they feel unrewarding and empty.
- Artificial difficulty spikes (weight 0.06): Some areas have artificial difficulty inflation, making the challenge feel cheap rather than rewarding.

Gameplay feedback:
- High skill platforming required (weight 0.57): The game is frequently described as a demanding, skill-based platformer with tight controls and a high skill floor, requiring patience and precision. It is often compared to Super Meat Boy for its difficulty.
- Comparison to Super Meat Boy (weight 0.38): The game is consistently compared to Super Meat Boy in terms of style, mechanics, and design philosophy, though some note it is slower, more strategic, or more annoying. It is seen as a hardcore platformer in a similar vein.
- Tumor collectible system (weight 0.29): A core mechanic involves collecting tumors, which act as collectibles that can unlock extra lives, secret levels, achievements, and content. Tumors are also tied to a system of cartridges and minigames.
- Precision platforming focus (weight 0.28): Many reviews highlight the game as a precision platformer, emphasizing slow, methodical, and strategic gameplay. This includes a focus on careful movement and level design, often with a darker or more contemplative theme.
- Cartridge minigame mechanic (weight 0.21): The game includes cartridges as a mechanic, offering 16 cartridges with 10 levels each, providing additional content like minigames. Collecting cartridges is tied to tumor collectibles.
- Puzzle and exploration elements (weight 0.18): Some reviews mention the game includes puzzle elements, exploration, and Metroidvania-style world design, adding depth to the platforming experience.
- Difficulty progression (weight 0.15): Reviews note that the game has increasing difficulty with no spikes, and levels get progressively harder, requiring skill and patience.
- Extra levels and secrets (weight 0.12): Collectibles unlock harder extra levels and secrets, providing additional content and replayability beyond the main game.
- Workshop mod support (weight 0.1): The game features mod support through a workshop, allowing community-created content to be added to the game.
- Simple two-button controls (weight 0.08): The game is described as a 2D platformer with precise jumping and simple controls, often using one or two buttons, making it accessible but challenging.
- Ledge grab mechanic (weight 0.07): A specific mechanic replaces wall jumping and wall sliding with the ability to grab ledges and special objects, changing the movement dynamics.
- Classical music soundtrack (weight 0.07): The soundtrack features revisited classical music or remixes, providing a musical backdrop to the gameplay.

Performance notes:
- Performance varies across hardware (weight 0.18): Multiple reviewers reported that the game runs well on some systems but poorly on others. Clusters 1, 2, 3, 15, and 17 highlight smooth performance on Steam Deck, low-end devices, and mid-range hardware, while Clusters 4, 10, and 18 mention lag or issues on max settings or lower-end computers.
- Multiple crash reports (weight 0.09): Several clusters (6, 7, 9) report that the game crashes multiple times and is unstable, particularly on Windows 11. This indicates a recurring problem that hinders gameplay.
- No significant bugs reported (weight 0.08): Clusters 14, 16, and 19 indicate that some users experienced no significant bugs or issues, with occasional slight frame drops being rare. This contrasts with other reports of crashes and lag.
- Smooth on some systems (weight 0.06): Clusters 15 and 17 report that the game runs smoothly on certain configurations, including a Macbook and mid-range hardware at full settings. This shows that performance is not universally poor.
- Memory leak causes crashes (weight 0.04): Cluster 5 describes a specific memory leak that leads to a crash after approximately 30 minutes of play. This is a notable stability issue that affects long sessions.
- Unstable FPS affects jumping (weight 0.04): Cluster 12 reports that unstable FPS causes inconsistent jump heights, which is a gameplay-affecting issue. This is particularly problematic for platforming games.
- Missing in-game graphics options (weight 0.04): Cluster 13 notes that the game lacks in-game graphics options to adjust FPS or filters, limiting players' ability to optimize performance. This is a missing feature that could help mitigate issues.
- Graphical glitches when tabbed (weight 0.04): Cluster 8 notes that graphical glitches occur when tabbing out of fullscreen mode. This is a specific visual bug that may affect user experience.
- Lag during specific moments (weight 0.03): Cluster 10 mentions that the game experiences lag in some moments, though it is not consistent. This suggests occasional performance dips rather than a constant issue.
- Unoptimized gimmick (weight 0.03): Cluster 11 describes the game as an unoptimized gimmick, implying that certain features may be poorly optimized for performance. This is a general criticism of the game's design.
- Lag on max settings (weight 0.03): Cluster 4 describes lag when playing on max settings, which may be a performance issue for high-end hardware. This is a separate concern from general stability.
- Vector graphics issues on low-end (weight 0.03): Cluster 18 suggests that vector graphics may cause issues on lower-end computers, indicating a potential compatibility problem. This is a specific technical concern.

Recommendations:
- Highly recommended for platformer enthusiasts (weight 0.54): The game is widely recommended for players who enjoy difficult achievements, demanding platforming, and challenging gameplay, particularly for fans of hard platformers like Super Meat Boy or Celeste.
- Not suitable for newcomers (weight 0.23): Multiple reviews indicate the game is not recommended for platformer newcomers or casual players, as it requires experience with difficult games and tolerance for high stress and frustration.
- Spiritual successor to Super Meat Boy (weight 0.22): The game is seen as a spiritual successor to Super Meat Boy, with strong recommendations for fans of that game and other precision platformers like Celeste.
- Recommended for masochistic players (weight 0.1): The game is explicitly recommended for players who seek extreme difficulty and masochistic gameplay, suggesting it offers a punishing but fair experience for hardcore gamers.
- Better alternatives like Celeste (weight 0.1): Some reviews suggest playing Celeste or Super Meat Boy instead, citing better design or a more satisfying experience for those seeking challenge without excessive frustration.
- Excellent level design praised (weight 0.08): The level design is highlighted as a key strength, making it a highly recommended game for platformer fans who appreciate well-crafted challenges.
- Challenging but rewarding experience (weight 0.06): Despite the difficulty, the game is praised as a great choice for those looking for a fun challenge that is rewarding, with tight controls and good design.
- Avoid 100% completion (weight 0.06): Achievements for 100% completion are extremely time-consuming and not recommended, with some players advising against attempting full completion due to insane difficulty.
- Hardcore 2D platformer fans (weight 0.06): The game is strongly recommended for fans of 2D action platformers and hardcore platformer enthusiasts who value precision and exploration.
- Not for easily angered players (weight 0.05): The game is not suitable for players who anger easily or become frustrated quickly, as it demands high tolerance for stress and failure.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.24): Players experience frustration primarily due to extreme difficulty, including absurdly hard achievements, precise timing challenges, and unfair deaths. The game presents punishing level design with high death counts, inconsistent controls like imprecise movement and ledge grabbing, and mechanics such as life limits and forced backtracking that exacerbate the frustration. Technical issues like crashes on Windows 11, memory leaks, and RNG tied to unstable FPS further contribute to a negative experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.19): Satisfaction arises from mastering challenging levels and overcoming difficult obstacles, with players noting tangible improvement in their skills. The responsive controls, fair difficulty curve, and well-designed levels make completing screens and finding secrets rewarding, often leading to a sense of achievement. The game's substantial content, instantaneous respawn, and multiple ways to reach the finish line enhance the feeling of reward and progression.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.12): Players enjoy the game for its addictive difficulty, great music, and well-crafted level design that regularly introduces new mechanics. The fast respawn and precise controls make tough challenges acceptable and fun, while exploration for hidden cartridges and mega-tumors adds depth. The atmosphere, humor, and polished gameplay contribute to an overall entertaining experience despite high death counts.
- Excitement (weight 0.1): Excitement is driven by tight controls, demanding platforming, and the adrenaline rush from surviving difficult sections. The stellar soundtrack, particularly classical music remixes, combined with the discovery of hidden content and secrets, creates a thrilling experience. New mechanics keep gameplay fresh, and the game is described as intensely fun and challenging, evoking the same excitement as Super Meat Boy.
- Admiration (weight 0.08): Admiration is directed at the game's outstanding level design, tight controls, and the developer's craftsmanship. Players praise the fluid and responsive platforming, excellent music, and cohesive mechanics that make the game a standout in the precision platformer genre. The art style, world building, and thematic depth, including themes of stress and solitude, are also highly commended.
- Disappointment (weight 0.06): Disappointment stems from the game not meeting expectations as a successor to Super Meat Boy, lacking charm and variety. Issues include imprecise movement, limited lives in retro phases discouraging completion, rewards that are only harder levels instead of new abilities, and a bleak story. The soundtrack can be repetitive or off-putting, and some find the game boring and imitative rather than innovative.
- Appreciation (weight 0.06): Players appreciate the game's dark theme, difficult challenges that feel like opportunities, and music that perfectly fits the atmosphere. The tight controls, good level design, and active community with modding support are valued. The grimy art style and classical music remixes add to the appreciation, with many noting the game pushes genre limits.
- Love (weight 0.05): Love for the game is expressed through admiration for its simple mechanics that allow developing intuition, overall design, and existential themes paired with remixed classical music. Despite frustration, players enjoy the collectibles mechanic and the factor of overcoming doubt. The game is considered a masterpiece and a favorite platformer, with its purposeful inaccessibility adding to its charm.
- Anger (weight 0.03): Anger is triggered by unreliable mechanics like the ledge grab, artificially inflated difficulty, and frustrating level design, particularly in 8-bit bonus levels and glitch levels. Players report wanting to break things due to high death counts per level and a sense that the game trains then betrays their skills. The difficulty of later content and specific frustrating rooms also contribute to anger.
- Boredom (weight 0.03): Boredom results from repetitive stages and a flat moveset that lacks variety, with difficulty increasing without introducing new elements. The remixed classical music becomes tedious and loops quickly, and the Iron God achievement's early ease is seen as boring. Some players found the game lackluster within minutes, citing flat art and lack of fun.
- Surprise (weight 0.03): Surprise stems from players not expecting to enjoy the game as much as they did, discovering it as a superior alternative to games like Celeste. Others were surprised by the lack of achievements early on, the quality of classical music remixes, or the game's lower popularity. Some discovered the correct title after initial confusion, adding to the unexpected positive experience.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Amusement comes from dark humor and comedic moments, such as humorous descriptions of tumor collection, comedic deaths from unexpected hazards, and the quick respawn making unfair moments feel like a wink from the developers. Comparisons to Super Meat Boy and a friend's failed attempt at a tumor become group jokes. The funny soundtrack and playful comparisons to other games add to the entertainment.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Annoyance is caused by the final difficult jump with limited lives, loud sound on intro death, audio mixing issues, and optimization problems. The wall-grab implementation worsens in later levels, and life systems force redoing levels. Simple mechanics but strict controls lead to arbitrary-feeling deaths, and some sections like the fish area and redundant screens aggravate players.
- Determination (weight 0.02): Determination is shown by players continuing to play despite extreme frustration, with some aiming for 100% completion or to beat difficult chapters like Nevermore. They choose to keep going even when the game encourages them to give up, driven by a desire to overcome challenges. This persistence reflects a commitment to master the game's punishing difficulty.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Joy is felt when overcoming difficult challenges, accompanied by excellent level design and music. The fast respawn and lack of annoying bosses respect the player's time, while hidden secrets and well-crafted levels provide moments of triumph. The BGM remixes and beautiful visuals also contribute to the joy of playing.
- Pain (weight 0.01): Pain arises from the near-impossible deathless run achievement for 100% completion, leaving the game unfinished for many. Players report physical and emotional suffering, including heart pain, eye strain, and finger pain from repeated deaths. The torturous obstacles and extreme difficulty cause tears and a sense of agony.
- Happiness (weight 0.01): Happiness is derived from the beautiful and emotional ending that made some players cry, as well as the game's incredible difficulty that enhances fun. The OST being reused in other games is also a source of joy. Overall, the game is seen as a rewarding experience despite its challenges.
- Regret (weight 0.01): Regret is expressed by players who bought the game due to association with other McMillen titles but found it not meeting expectations, or because the game did not gain popularity. Some had to refund despite loving the game, indicating disappointment in its reception or personal circumstances.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Nostalgia is evoked by music and details from the early creative period, reminding players of 90s platformers and old indie games. Specific tracks, such as 'The Arid and Gloomy Flats', become memorable and emotionally resonant, creating a sense of longing for the past.
- Addiction (weight 0.01): Addiction is fueled by the game's addictive nature on Steam Deck and comfortable controls that make challenging gameplay compelling. Players willingly return for more suffering, finding the difficulty so engaging that they cannot stop playing despite frustration. The satisfaction of overcoming tough sections creates a cycle of repeated play.}