Info about AMID EVIL:

Official game description:
  
The producers of _DUSK_ and the creators of _Return of the Triad_ invite you to embark  
upon an UNREAL new FPS adventure:  
*   **SEVEN** distinct episodes each featuring a completely **different** setting and enemies  
*   **LUDICROUS** magical weaponry that can be **overcharged** with the souls of the dead  
*   **ENDLESS** Hordes of **Evil** to hone your skills against  
*   **BRUTAL** and adaptive **enemy AI** that will hunt you down on land, sea and air  
*   **SPRAWLING** **non-linear** levels filled with secrets and ancient lore  
*   **MULTITUDES** of in-game options + **cheat codes** for a truly golden PC age experience  
*   **EPIC** original & dynamic soundtrack composed by **Andrew Hulshult**  
*   **BUILT** in **Unreal Engine 4** for cutting edge visuals (even if they are a bit retro)  
*   **NOW** with support for **Ray Tracing** and **DLSS 2.0**

Release date: Jun 20, 2019

Categories: First-Person Shooter, Fantasy-themed Shooter, Soulslike Combat, Non-linear Exploration, Boss Fights, Mana-based Gameplay, Procedural Generation, Platformer

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 10; verdict: Fair Premium Model; summary: The game and its DLC follow a fair, one-time purchase model with no evidence of real-money microtransactions, predatory monetization, or exploitative design. Reviews consistently praise the DLC as a high-value expansion, with criticisms focused on gameplay quality (e.g., boss difficulty) rather than monetization. The absence of pay-to-win mechanics, loot boxes, or aggressive FOMO tactics aligns with a premium, player-friendly approach.
- Steam Deck: score 10; verdict: Seamless; summary: AMID EVIL delivers a largely seamless experience on Steam Deck, with users praising its smooth performance, intuitive controls, and strong visuals. Minor issues include occasional control unresponsiveness and minor UI clarity concerns, but these do not significantly detract from the overall experience. No critical technical barriers, such as Proton Experimental requirements or external launchers, were reported.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


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:
- Masterful Level Design and Variety (weight 0.96): Levels are lauded for their creativity, verticality, and interconnected design, with secrets, puzzles, and non-Euclidean elements. Each chapter introduces distinct themes, enemies, and mechanics, avoiding repetition and encouraging exploration.
- Unique and Creative Weapon Design (weight 0.93): Weapons are a standout feature, with each offering distinct mechanics, alternate fire modes (e.g., Soul Mode), and situational utility. Players appreciate the variety, creativity, and satisfying feedback, such as the planet-launching claw or auto-tracking staff.
- Exceptional Combat and Movement (weight 0.88): The game is praised for its smooth, fast-paced combat and fluid movement mechanics, reminiscent of classic FPS games but with modern refinements. Players highlight snappy controls, satisfying weapon feedback, and responsive platforming.
- High Replay Value and Secrets (weight 0.78): Secrets, hidden levels, and multiple difficulty modes encourage replayability. Exploration is rewarded with unique weapons, lore, and a hidden 
- Stunning Visuals and Art Direction (weight 0.75): The game’s low-poly retro aesthetic with modern lighting, dynamic effects, and vibrant colors receives widespread acclaim. Players frequently mention breathtaking environments, unique art styles per level, and impressive ray-traced visuals.
- Immersive Soundtrack and Audio (weight 0.72): Andrew Hulshult’s soundtrack is a highlight, with atmospheric, adrenaline-pumping tracks that complement the game’s fantasy theme. Sound design, including weapon effects and enemy cues, enhances immersion and feedback.
- Well-Balanced Difficulty and Progression (weight 0.69): Difficulty settings are praised for being fair yet challenging, with a well-designed curve that scales via enemy variety and level complexity. Hard mode offers a satisfying test without frustration, and weapons remain viable throughout.
- Strong Retro FPS Homage (weight 0.6): The game successfully blends retro shooter mechanics (e.g., circle-strafing, fast movement) with modern QOL improvements, appealing to fans of *Heretic*, *Hexen*, and *Quake*. Its unique fantasy setting and weaponry forge its own identity within the genre.
- Optimized Performance and Technical Polish (weight 0.54): The game runs smoothly with minimal bugs, supports modern features like ray tracing and DLSS, and offers robust performance across hardware. TAA and resolution scaling are well-implemented for visual clarity.
- Outstanding DLC Content (weight 0.26): The *Black Labyrinth* DLC is highly praised for expanding the game with new levels, weapons, and bosses, often exceeding the base game in creativity and challenge. Players appreciate its substantial value and fresh mechanics.

Common complaints:
- Repetitive & Monotonous Gameplay (weight 0.74): The game suffers from repetitive combat, reskinned levels, and a lack of progression or unique mechanics. Players note that enemies and weapons become tedious, with little variety to sustain engagement over time.
- Technical & Visual Issues (weight 0.63): The game suffers from bugs (e.g., getting stuck, broken achievements), poor texture quality, and inconsistent visual effects (e.g., grainy filters, harsh colors). Some players report performance issues or eyestrain.
- Frustrating Platforming Sections (weight 0.52): Platforming is criticized for imprecise controls, awkward jumps, and excessive difficulty due to floaty movement or narrow paths. Many players find these sections tedious or unfair, especially in first-person perspective.
- Aggressive & Unfair Enemy AI (weight 0.47): Enemies are overly aggressive, spawn unpredictably, or attack from off-screen. Some designs (e.g., bullet sponges, high-damage foes) disrupt pacing and frustrate players, especially in later levels.

Gameplay feedback:
- Fantasy-themed boomer shooter (weight 0.73): The game blends classic first-person shooter mechanics with a fantasy setting, featuring magic weapons and medieval aesthetics. This unique combination appeals to fans of retro shooters like Quake and Heretic.
- Enemy variety per episode (weight 0.71): Enemies are tailored to each episode, avoiding reskins and ensuring combat remains fresh. Some enemies counter specific weapons, encouraging adaptability.
- Unique weapon mechanics (weight 0.7): Weapons have primary and secondary (Soul Mode) attacks, with some enabling movement tricks (e.g., rocket jumping) or puzzle-solving. Each weapon feels distinct and remains useful throughout the game.
- Exploration and secrets (weight 0.7): Levels are packed with hidden areas, keys, and platforming challenges, rewarding thorough exploration. Secrets often contain powerful upgrades or alternate paths.
- Soul Mode weapon upgrades (weight 0.68): Collecting enemy souls temporarily enhances weapons, adding strategic depth to combat. This mechanic encourages varied playstyles and rewards aggressive gameplay.
- Non-linear level design (weight 0.67): Levels feature verticality, interconnected paths, and puzzles (e.g., switches, moving platforms). This design encourages replayability and caters to both action and exploration-focused players.
- Episode-based level design (weight 0.66): The game features seven distinct episodes, each with unique themes, enemies, and level architectures. This structure provides variety and replayability, with open-ended progression via a central hub.
- Boss fights with mechanics (weight 0.64): Bosses feature unique attack patterns and environmental interactions (e.g., day/night cycles). They often require specific weapons or strategies to defeat.
- Platforming and movement (weight 0.62): Levels incorporate platforming elements (e.g., moving platforms, momentum-based jumps) and verticality, adding variety to traversal and combat.
- Difficulty customization (weight 0.61): Players can select difficulties per episode, with hidden 'Evil' mode offering extreme challenges. Difficulty primarily affects enemy/item density, not mechanics.
- Mana-based weapon system (weight 0.6): Weapons consume different mana types (e.g., blue, green), adding a resource-management layer. This system ties into enemy weaknesses and puzzle-solving.
- DLC expands content (weight 0.58): DLC introduces new weapons, enemies, and puzzles, often with adjusted difficulty. It maintains consistency with the base game’s mechanics while adding fresh challenges.

Performance notes:
- RTX and ray tracing support (weight 0.11): The game offers robust ray tracing and RTX support, including DLSS 2.0 and FSR compatibility, which improves visual fidelity without significant performance drops. However, AMD GPUs are excluded from RTX features, and ray tracing can increase GPU usage substantially.
- Anti-aliasing trade-offs (weight 0.04): TXAA and TAA reduce shimmering and improve performance but may introduce blur during fast-paced gameplay. Adjusting post-processing settings can mitigate texture flickering, though it may degrade image quality.
- Stable FPS on mid-range settings (weight 0.01): The game maintains a stable 60 FPS on medium-high settings with FXAA, making it accessible to a broad range of hardware configurations without sacrificing smoothness.
- Large installation size (weight 0.01): The game occupies a significant amount of storage space, requiring up to 15% of a 1TB hard drive. This may be a consideration for players with limited storage capacity.

Recommendations:
- Comparisons to other boomer shooters (weight 0.32): The game is frequently compared to titles like *Quake*, *Hexen*, *Heretic*, *Dusk*, and *Ultrakill*. Some reviewers recommend it over these alternatives, while others suggest trying them first or prefer them outright.
- Highly recommended for retro FPS fans (weight 0.25): The game is widely praised as a must-play for fans of boomer shooters, retro-inspired FPS games, and classic 90s shooters. It is frequently cited as one of the best modern retro FPS titles, appealing to those who enjoy fast-paced, fantasy-themed combat with magical weaponry.
- Appeals to fantasy and power-fantasy fans (weight 0.22): The game is particularly recommended for players who enjoy feeling like a 'badass wizard' or appreciate high-intensity combat with magical elements. It caters to those seeking a creative and visually spectacular experience in the FPS genre.
- Artistic and visual masterclass (weight 0.21): The game is lauded for its artistic expression and visual spectacle, with reviewers highlighting its creativity and unique aesthetic as a major selling point.
- Criticisms of uneven quality (weight 0.15): Some players note that certain chapters or episodes are weaker, with about half the game considered less enjoyable. Episode 5 is specifically cited as a low point, with advice to avoid or complete it early.
- Mixed recommendations for challenge seekers (weight 0.15): While the game is praised for its unique level designs and gameplay, some reviewers note it may not be ideal for players seeking a real challenge. Others recommend it as a relaxing or palate-cleansing experience between more demanding titles.
- Strong value at discounted price (weight 0.1): Many reviewers highlight the game's strong value, especially when purchased on sale or bundled with its DLC. It is often described as a steal at lower price points, though some suggest it may not be worth full price for all players.
- Potential for sequel and nostalgia (weight 0.05): Reviewers express hope for a sequel and appreciate the game's ability to evoke nostalgia without the jank often associated with older titles. It is seen as a standout in the boomer shooter revival.
- Refund option for uninterested players (weight 0.01): The game's refund policy (available within 2 hours) is mentioned as a safety net for players who find it boring or not to their taste, reducing the risk of purchase regret.

Other player notes:
- Dark thematic antagonist (weight 0.02): The main villain embodies pure 'Evil,' with themes of violence and ideology drawing parallels to real-world extremism (e.g., Manson Family). This adds depth to the game’s narrative tone.
- Lore through environment (weight 0.01): Storytelling relies on environmental details rather than dialogue, immersing players in the world through visual and atmospheric cues. This approach aligns with classic FPS design philosophies.
- DLC as prequel content (weight 0.01): The 'Black Labyrinth' DLC serves as a prequel, expanding the game’s lore and setting the stage for the main story. This adds value for players seeking additional content.
- Poor accessibility options (weight 0.01): Font and other accessibility features are poorly implemented, frustrating players who rely on these adjustments for a better experience. This oversight limits inclusivity.
- Dev priorities questioned (weight 0.01): Some players speculate that the developers prioritized trend-chasing in the boomer shooter genre over innovation or polish, though this remains subjective.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.17): Players frequently cite poor level design, including labyrinthine and confusing layouts, as a major source of frustration. Additionally, gameplay mechanics such as slippery movement, unintuitive platforming, and poorly balanced weapon systems exacerbate the difficulty and create a disjointed experience, particularly in late-game levels like 'The Forges'.
- Excitement (weight 0.13): The game's unique and imaginative level design, combined with fast-paced, skill-driven combat, generates excitement among players. The creative weapon mechanics, such as spell-like abilities and over-the-top functionalities, enhance the power fantasy and contribute to a dynamic and engaging gameplay experience.
- Disappointment (weight 0.13): Players express disappointment due to the game failing to meet expectations in areas like boss design, difficulty balance, and progression systems. Many find the gameplay repetitive, with uninspired enemy variety and lackluster weapons, while others feel the game lacks the depth and polish of classic shooters it aims to emulate.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.11): The game delivers satisfaction through its balanced difficulty, smooth combat, and creative level design, which blends retro and modern elements effectively. Players appreciate the unique weapon effects, open-ended episode structure, and the overall value provided by the game's content, including DLC.
- Appreciation (weight 0.07): Players appreciate the game's unique identity, high-quality visual design, and thematic creativity, which set it apart from other shooters. The effort put into weapon mechanics, level design, and atmospheric elements, such as the soundtrack and art style, is frequently highlighted as a standout feature.
- Admiration (weight 0.06): The game earns admiration for its exceptional level design, art style, and immersive atmosphere, which create a seamless and visually striking experience. Players also praise the game's ability to deliver nostalgia while incorporating modern improvements, making it a standout title in the retro FPS genre.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Players enjoy the game's fun and engaging gameplay, particularly its unique weapons, colorful worlds, and fast-paced combat. The overall experience is described as refreshing and satisfying, with a strong emphasis on the game's ability to deliver enjoyable moments through its design and mechanics.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.05): The game evokes nostalgia by reviving the energy and design of classic 1990s shooters like *Heretic* and *Hexen*. Players appreciate its retro aesthetic, manual saving mechanics, and bold creative choices, which resonate with fans of early FPS games.
- Awe (weight 0.04): The game's visually stunning environments, intricate level architecture, and atmospheric design inspire awe in players. The unique mystical and sci-fi-fantasy aesthetic, combined with breathtaking vistas, creates a sense of immersion and wonder.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Players report boredom due to repetitive gameplay loops, limited enemy variety, and dull weapons, particularly in the second half of the game. The lack of innovation and rewarding mechanics contributes to a sense of tedium and monotony.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): The game's humorous elements, such as creative weapon designs (e.g., an axe spinning like a blender) and quirky enemy encounters, provide moments of amusement. These lighthearted features add a layer of fun and unpredictability to the experience.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Players are surprised by the game's varied level themes, unique weapon mechanics (e.g., staffs instead of guns), and unexpected narrative elements, such as the sudden introduction of a speaking character in the final world.
- Discomfort (weight 0.01): Certain design choices, such as harsh textures, poorly lit levels, and visually overwhelming effects, cause physical discomfort like eyestrain and headaches. The last level's unconventional design also contributes to an unsettling experience for some players.}