Info about Soldat:

Official game description:
The official sequel
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About the Game
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**_Soldat_** is a unique 2D (side-view) multiplayer action game. It has been influenced by the best of games such as Liero, Worms, Quake, and Counter-Strike and provides a fast-paced gaming experience with tons of blood and flesh. Soldiers fight against each other in 2D battle arenas using a deadly arsenal of military weapons, across 7 default game modes. It features 18 different weapons and 60 maps to frag away on, with full support for user created content.

Release date: Apr 15, 2020

Categories: Side-scrolling Shooter, Competitive Multiplayer, Cooperative Multiplayer, Weapon Customization, Mod Support, Arena Shooter, Jetpack Traversal, Gore-focused Combat


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides only vague or qualitative playtime statements. The only numeric mention is a 10-minute map duration, but it does not specify session length. No evidence supports game completion, story completion, or endgame hours for Soldat.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Soldat has a learning curve that can delay enjoyment for some players, but after adapting, the game becomes highly addictive, especially when played with friends.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: After getting used to the game
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: learning curve; finding populated servers
  - Unlock drivers: adaptation to controls/gameplay; playing with friends
  - Conditions: playing with friends; server availability; tolerance for old or simple graphics
- Player Archetypes:
  - Competitive Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: Competitive mastery and challenge through high-skill gameplay.
    - Playstyle: Fast-paced, skill-focused movement and combat with tactical use of weapons and powerups in competitive matches.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: hardcore player; skilled and competitive
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Nostalgic Casual (buy)
    - Motivation: Nostalgic fun and quick, social multiplayer sessions.
    - Playstyle: Casual, chaotic, social play with friends; enjoys experimenting with weapons and modes without serious competition.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: casual player; old school
    - Reference games: N+; Raze; Superfighters; Worms
  - Disappointed Veteran (no buy)
    - Motivation: No active motivation; they have stopped playing due to declining community and toxic atmosphere.
    - Playstyle: No longer playing; were previously invested but now disillusioned by the state of the game.
    - 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:
- Fun with friends (weight 0.65): Many players highlight the game's social appeal, enjoying it with friends or in groups, whether locally or over voice chat. It's considered perfect for quick sessions with buddies.
- Nostalgic childhood memories (weight 0.49): Players frequently mention the game evokes strong nostalgia and childhood memories, making it emotionally appealing. This sentiment appears across several clusters, indicating a powerful connection to players' past.
- Varied maps and modes (weight 0.49): There is strong appreciation for the extensive variety of maps and game modes, including classic modes like deathmatch, team match, and capture the flag. This variety keeps gameplay fresh and prevents boredom.
- Enduring classic quality (weight 0.38): The game is viewed as a classic that holds up well over time, remaining solid and enjoyable despite its age. Players consider it a strong title that retains its appeal across generations.
- Addictive gameplay loop (weight 0.31): Players describe the game as highly addictive and engaging, drawing them in for extended play sessions. The combination of fun and addictiveness is repeatedly emphasized.
- Best 2D multiplayer shooter (weight 0.26): Reviewers passionately describe the game as one of the best 2D shooters, with some calling it the best 2D multiplayer shooter ever made. Its uniqueness and quality in the genre are highly praised.
- Excellent ballistics system (weight 0.17): The ballistics system is singled out as excellent and central to the gameplay experience. Well-developed ballistics enhance the satisfaction of shooting mechanics.
- Broad positive sentiment (weight 0.16): General praise states the game is simply 'good' or 'really fun', without specific details. This indicates overall satisfaction but lacks deep insight.

Common complaints:
- Empty servers and low population (weight 0.84): Many reviews mention empty servers and a drastically reduced player base, making it hard to find matches. This is the most frequent issue, indicating a dying online community.
- Outdated graphics and design (weight 0.49): Players consistently note that the game's graphics and design have not aged well, falling behind modern standards. This is a common and specific criticism affecting the game's appeal.
- Gameplay balance and bugs (weight 0.39): Specific gameplay criticisms include weapon balance changes, AI getting stuck, terrain glitches, and other technical bugs. These issues have persisted for years, showing a lack of care.
- Unfair and toxic community (weight 0.3): Players report a toxic, cruel, and uncensored community, along with cheating issues. This makes the game unwelcoming for newcomers and degrades the overall experience.
- Negative development direction (weight 0.3): Some reviews indicate the game has become worse over time, with mods ruining it and the owner allegedly killing it years ago. There is a sentiment of wasted potential and lack of support.
- Poor UI and accessibility (weight 0.27): The interface text is barely readable or too small, and there is no controller support or Steam overlay. This makes the game difficult to navigate and play for many users.
- Lack of clear instructions (weight 0.27): The game offers scarce tutorials and unclear instructions, making it hard for new players to learn. Complex mechanics and a steep learning curve further deter entry.
- Performance and technical issues (weight 0.27): Unstable optimization, high ping, core netcode flaws, and Alt+Tab issues degrade the experience. These technical problems prevent smooth gameplay and frustrate players.
- Limited content and modes (weight 0.2): Players note that only a few modes are played, and the game lacks variety with limited weapons and always capture the flag. Classic modes are not interesting by modern standards.
- Not new-player friendly (weight 0.19): The combination of a toxic community, steep learning curve, and veteran dominance makes it extremely hard for newcomers to enjoy. Many suggest playing with friends for a better experience.
- Bots are unbalanced (weight 0.13): Bots are either too difficult or worse than they were a decade ago, providing poor practice for players. This affects the offline experience and training.
- Missing localization and features (weight 0.13): There is no Chinese localization, and the game lacks original features like the 2002 version. This limits accessibility for non-English speakers and nostalgia for original fans.
- Controls and aim issues (weight 0.13): Controls feel rough and precise aiming is complex due to small characters, making the game hard to get into. This is a barrier for new players and affects playability.
- Cheating and exploits (weight 0.13): Cheaters are a problem, with some using grenade launcher queuesable for unfair advantages. This ruins fair play and is a significant concern for the community.
- Repetitive music and audio (weight 0.07): The music is repetitive, which can become annoying over time. While not a major issue, it contributes to the overall dated feel of the game.
- Missing esports and support (weight 0.07): The game lacks esports tournaments and dedicated support, which could help sustain interest. Without community events, the player base continues to decline.

Gameplay feedback:
- Multiple game modes available (weight 0.97): The game offers seven default modes, including deathmatch, team deathmatch, and capture the flag, along with modded variants. This variety provides players with diverse gameplay experiences.
- 2D shooter gameplay (weight 0.89): The game is a real-time 2D side-scrolling shooter with high intensity and continuous action. It is often compared to Worms but without turn-based mechanics.
- Multiplayer and online support (weight 0.82): The game supports online multiplayer, LAN play, and player-hosted rooms, with public servers available. It also includes bot support with adjustable difficulty for practice.
- Modded and custom content (weight 0.73): The game includes a level editor, mods, and external tools, allowing for extensive customization. Custom game modes like INF and Zombie existed but broke due to updates.
- Diverse weapon arsenal (weight 0.68): Players have access to a varied arsenal including guns like AK, AUG, minigun, Barrett, M79, chainsaw, and combat knife. Each weapon offers a unique playstyle, enhancing tactical depth.
- Jetpack and momentum movement (weight 0.66): Movement is momentum-based, featuring jetpacks for vertical mobility and rocket or grenade jumping. The unique movement system requires practice to master.
- Fast-paced chaotic action (weight 0.57): Described as absolute mayhem, the game is a high-speed, arcade-style shooter with dynamic gameplay and refined ballistics. It emphasizes quick reflexes and skill improvement over time.
- Military and two-team battles (weight 0.45): Soldiers fight using deadly military weapons on 2D battlefields, typically in two-team matches on small maps. This team-based combat is a core element.
- Capture the Flag emphasis (weight 0.45): Capture the flag is a prominent mode, including standard CTF, one-flag CTF, and objective variants. It is a popular choice among players.
- Spacious and varied maps (weight 0.34): The game features spacious maps with varied structureschers, supporting different playstyles. Map voting and custom modded maps add replayability.
- Community and competitive play (weight 0.34): The community organizes matches via Discord server, with ranked 3v3 best-of-three format lasting 10 minutes. Competitive and tournament play are supported.
- Similar to Worms references (weight 0.28): Several reviews compare the game to Worms due to its 2D side-view and weapon physics, but they emphasize the lack of turn-based mechanicsforth a real-time experience.
- Skill and difficulty curve (weight 0.27): The game requires skill that improves over time, with a movement system that takes practice. Players can become decent after about an hour, but it's not for everyone.
- Simple controls and interface (weight 0.25): Controls are simple, using WASD and mouse, and the interface is utilitarian. The visual design is intentionally primitive, focusing on gameplay.
- Survival and special modes (weight 0.25): The game includes a survival mode and special variants like instagib sniper and Rambo mode with explosive bow. Climb mode is also available, adding platforming challenges.
- Quick respawn and pacing (weight 0.23): Players respawn immediately after death, contributing to the fast tempo and continuous action. This keeps matches intense and reduces downtime.
- Weapon accuracy and ballistics (weight 0.16): The weapon accuracy system relies on understanding bullet speed and player speed inheritance, with curved bullet trajectories. This adds a skill-based layer to combat.
- Includes bots and adjustable difficulty (weight 0.16): Bot AI has multiple difficulty levels, and players can adjust bot count and difficulty. This supports solo play and practice.

Performance notes:
- Unstable optimization and netcode flaws (weight 0.25): Players report inconsistent performance and technical instability. Combined with server latency issues, the online experience is negatively impacted.

Recommendations:
- Strongly recommended by many (weight 0.55): Multiple clusters show overwhelming positive recommendations, ranging from 'totally' and '100%' to 'absolutely' recommended. This feedback indicates high player satisfaction and strong word-of-mouth.
- Free game worth trying (weight 0.43): The fact that the game is free is frequently cited as a reason to try it without risk. Players emphasize that there is nothing to lose, making the recommendation easy to follow.
- Not suitable for everyone (weight 0.34): Some players cannot recommend the game even to hardcore players, and others suggest it may be best left as nostalgia or not worth starting now. This indicates a niche appeal that may not resonate with all players.
- Best enjoyed with friends (weight 0.24): Players highlight the fun of playing with friends and recommend finding companions for the game. This social aspect is a key selling point for the multiplayer experience.
- Appreciation for developer support (weight 0.2): Players express gratitude towards the developers, specifically Marcin and the team, for keeping the game running. This positive sentiment towards the developers strengthens the game's community and long-term support.
- Recommendation despite outdated graphics (weight 0.19): Several players advise not to be deterred by the old-school graphics, emphasizing that the gameplay compensates for the visual presentation. This suggests a common barrier to entry that is easily overcome by the experience.
- Appeals to skilled competitive players (weight 0.18): The game is recommended for skilled and competitive players who enjoy challenging gameplay. Once players overcome the learning curve, they can enjoy decent online matches.
- PC classic for LAN parties (weight 0.18): Considered a classic PC game, it is essential for LAN parties due to its fun, competitive nature. This highlights its role in social gaming events.
- Valued as an honest experience (weight 0.09): Some reviewers describe the game as an honest and compelling experience, indicating respect for its straightforward and genuine nature. This resonates with players looking for authenticity.
- Suitable for genre fans with patience (weight 0.09): The game is recommended for fans of the genre who are willing to invest time and patience. This indicates a steep learning curve but a rewarding experience for those who persist.
- Try if interested in Soldat 2 (weight 0.08): One player recommends trying this game if you are interested in Soldat 2, positioning it as a precursor or related experience. This is relevant for franchise enthusiasts.
- Cautions against voluntary payment (weight 0.07): One recommendation explicitly advises against paying via the 'Thank You Tip' option, suggesting that funding the game through tips may not be advisable. This could be a financial caution or a sign of dissatisfaction with that system.

Other player notes:
- Long-lasting legacy (weight 0.5): The game has been around for nearly 20 years since its 2002 release, showing enduring appeal. It continues to run and attract players even after all this time.
- International community (weight 0.38): The game has a diverse international community, including Turkish, Japanese, and Chinese playersched. Localization efforts, such as Chinese and Belarusian support, make it accessible worldwide.
- Original developer involvement (weight 0.35): The game was created by a lone programmer (MM), who has since parted ways to work on a pseudo-successor. The community appreciates the original creator's efforts and acknowledges the developer's legacy.
- Comparable to classic shooters (weight 0.34): The game is often compared to classics like Worms, Counter-Strike, Quake, and Starsiege: Tribes due to its gameplay mechanics. It combines elements from these influential titles, appealing to fans of the genre.
- Aged well (weight 0.34): Despite its age, the game has aged well and remains playable. The simple 2D graphics and gameplay still hold up, providing enjoyment to players.
- Free to play (weight 0.33): The game is completely free to play, with no initial cost. This makes it accessible to a wide audience and removes a barrier to entry.
- Competitive and social scene (weight 0.31): The game has a competitive scene with leagues, clans, and regional tournaments, along with social communities on platforms like Mirc and Discord. This fosters a strong sense of community.
- Sequel anticipation (weight 0.27): There is a pseudo-successor in the works called Soldat 2, which is coming soon. The community looks forward to a modernized continuation of the game.
- Steam availability (weight 0.26): The game has been released on Steam, making it easy to access and download. This move has helped keep the community alive and introduced the game to new players.
- Small but dedicated player base (weight 0.25): The player base is small, leading to intimate matches and a tight-knit community. While there are few players online, those who play are passionate and active.
- Declining player count (weight 0.23): The player count has declined over time, and the game's server population is shrinking. Some feel the owner killed the game years ago, but the community persists.
- Customization now free (weight 0.18): Customization features that previously required payment are now free on Steam, including changing jetpack color and interface design. This removes paywalls and enhances the player experience.
- Mod and community support (weight 0.18): The game has strong mod and community support, including a map editor and community-driven content. This ensures the game has a long lifespan with new content.
- Community-driven development (weight 0.18): Development has shifted to open source, with community volunteers driving the project forward. This ensures the game continues to receive updates and support.
- Influence on other games (weight 0.15): The game is said to have influenced many Newgrounds games and is compared to titles like N+, Raze, and Superfighters. Its impact on the indie game landscape is significant.
- Genuine appreciation for developers (weight 0.13): Players compliment the developers of that era for their work and acknowledge the creators of the game. This shows a deep respect for the people behind the project.
- Optional payment system (weight 0.11): The game features a 'Thank You Tip' payment system, allowing players to support development voluntarily. This is a non-intrusive way to monetize while keeping the game free.
- Challenging gameplay (weight 0.07): The game is described as Souls-like in difficulty, offering a challenging experience for players. This difficulty is part of its appeal to dedicated players.

Emotions:
- Nostalgia (weight 0.14): The dominant cause is childhood and teenage memories tied to the game, with players recalling playing it in school, computer clubs, and with friends across many years. The game's cult classic status and hundreds of hours of multiplayer time spent in the past evoke a strong desire to revisit those experiences.
- Disappointment (weight 0.12): The main causes are the game's decline, evidenced by empty servers, a diminished player base, and a loss of the original 2002 experience. The weapon rebalance, lack of esports, cheating, and low player counts leave the game feeling like a shadow of its former self.
- Frustration (weight 0.12): Frustration stems from persistent technical issues such as bugs, unreadable menu text, netcode flaws, and unstable optimization, compounded by the empty servers and lack of updates. The game's precise aiming on small characters, scarce tutorials, and dominating veteran players also contribute to a frustrating experience.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.08): Enjoyment comes from the classic, dynamic, and fun gameplay that remains engaging over long periods, with users praising the action, weapon quirks, mode variety, and the community. The game's simplicity and direct controls, along with its high replayability)Skip over newer titles, are key reasons for continued enjoyment.
- Joy (weight 0.07): Joy is primarily derived from the fun, engaging gameplay and the happiness of returning to the game, often after many years. Playing with friends, laughing at the chaotic action, and enjoying battles on full servers contribute to this positive emotional response.
- Excitement (weight 0.05): Excitement is fueled by the anticipation of playing with friends flagged the game's addictive nature and potential, the long-awaited Steam release, and the thrill of rocket jumping. The high-tempo ranked matches and the revival of the game's activity also generate excitement.
- Nostalgic (weight 0.05): The cause is a deep reminiscence of LAN gaming sessions and teenage years, often recalling specific periods like 2005-2007 and the experience of creating early maps. Seeing the game still exist after all this time takes players back to those childhood moments with friends.
- Love (weight 0.04): Love is rooted primarily in cherished memories of playing the game on LANs in the early 2000s ticket the depth, skill gap, and meaningful community experiences. The enjoyment of spending hours with friends and an appreciation for the developers who created the game are central causes.
- Admiration (weight 0.03): Admiration stems from the game being considered the best 2D multiplayer shooter ever made, praised for its physics and mode variety. The simple yet beautiful design, especially in vanilla settings, elevates it in the eyes of many.
- Amusement (weight 0.03): Amusement results from the absurd ragdolling corpses and the game's crazy, over-the-top play style, which provides hours of fun. The reactions of friends during play and a nod to the Polish community add a layer of light-hearted entertainment.
- Sadness (weight 0.03): Sadness arises from the slow decline of the communitycars with the game now feeling dead online due to the lack of friends playing. There is a melancholic awareness of getting older and being unable to recapture the past, which deepens the sense of loss.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Appreciation is expressed for the game's timeless classic statusclipboard the dynamic gameplay, good soundtrack, and lively battle atmosphere. Players value that everything it did, it did well, solidifying its legacy.
- Happiness (weight 0.02): Happiness comes from having a cherished childhood game back in their hands, which has provided a substantial amount of fun. The port to Steam is a particular source of joy, allowing a new generation to experience the game.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Surprise stems from the game being a lot of fun despite being a small Indie title. The fact that it has aged gracefully and still holds up so well after all these years is an unexpected and pleasant surprise.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm is driven by the game's enduring activity and a strong community that continues to play. A passionate recommendation to experience the game suggests it's still a rewarding experience worth sharing.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Gratitude is directed towards the developers for keeping the game running and continuing to update it. This dedication ensures the game remains alive and playable, which is deeply appreciated by the community.
- Fun (weight 0.01): Fun is derived from the chaotic PvP gameplay that induces laughter, combined with the wide variety of modes and constant action. The game's ability to deliver endless entertainment is a primary cause of this emotion.
- Desire (weight 0.01): Desire is expressed as a strong wish to play the game with friends, highlighting the social element that makes the experience more enjoyable. This intention suggests that shared play is a key motivator.
- Fascination (weight 0.01): Fascination comes from discovering that the game has deep gameplay mechanics hidden beneath its simple appearance. This complexity provides a surprising level of tactical depth for 2D arena shooter.
- Impressed (weight 0.01): Impression is made by the game's high skill ceiling, which attracts both veterans and new players, ensuring that the challenge remains appealing. This balance between accessibility and depth is a noteworthy accomplishment.}