Info about Agony UNRATED:

Official game description:
CHECK OUT THIS HORRORS...
=========================
TO BE CONTINUED IN...
=====================
About the Game
==============
UNCENSORED JOURNEY THROUGH HELL!
--------------------------------
Explore the most terrifying vision of Hell in the history of gaming!  
Kill everyone who will stand in your way, and find the Red Goddess, in fully uncensored, Agony UNRATED.
YOU ARE IN HELL:
----------------
Be a witness to the brutal scenes of murder and become a judge and an executioner of the condemned souls!  
Avoid the traps and develop your character's skills to discover the secret of your past and the path to salvation.  
Your actions rewrite you to eight different endings that combine to form a bloody puzzle full of sin, sex and manipulation.
SUCCUBUS MODE:
--------------
Take on one of the most dangerous and at the same time the most attractive demon from hell.  
Complete the story mode as a brutal predator, leaving behind a bloody path littered with the limbs of your victims!
STORY MODE
----------
You will begin your journey as a tormented soul within the depths of hell, without any memories about your past.  
The special ability to control people on your path, and even possess simply minded demons, gives you the necessary measures to survive in the extreme conditions you are in.  
By exploring the hostile environment and interacting with other weary souls of the hellscape, the hero will soon understand that there is only one way to escape from Hell, and it will require meeting the mystical Red Goddess.
AGONY MODE
----------
Agony features a full-fledged story mode as well as an open challenge system that  
randomly generates levels for players to explore and survive to gain new Highscores.  
Challenge other players on the most brutal and malevolent environments.  
Complete the challenges of Agony Mode, and fight the Bosses, in several completely different environments, full of threats and traps!  
Agony throws you in the midst of hell where you strive to stay alive  
and solve the riddle behind the mysterious Red Goddess; architect of this place of sorrow  
and pain, and the sole entity with knowledge of how escape… but there is more to the  
story than it seems. Haunted by nightmare creatures, You will gain the ability to possess  
demons and other souls to find a way out of hell.

Release date: Oct 30, 2018

Categories: Psychological Horror, First-Person Perspective, Demon Possession Mechanic, Multiple Endings, Stealth and hiding mechanics, Extreme Gore and Taboo Content, Dark Fantasy

Feature scans:
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: Tier 3: The Student; summary: The reviews primarily show a dependency on external instructional data: players struggle with unexplained mechanics, minimal onboarding, and needing a guide to find all content. These complaints map to Tier 3 under mechanics and guide/secret discovery. No review explicitly requests farming data, drop rates, loot tables, inventory valuation, crafting requirements, or blueprints. One review adds a secondary progress-loss and alt-tab frustration issue, but it does not override the Tier 3 signal.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $1.99 - $5.99
  - Reasoning: The price comments repeatedly anchor the game's value to very low amounts such as $1 and $3.44, while full price is described as hard to justify and one reviewer calls even a 1.99 euro sale price a waste. Other reviews consistently advise waiting for a sale or buying only at a discount. Although a few positive comments would accept full price, the dominant community sentiment is that Agony is a deep-discount purchase. This supports a fair base-game range well below the current $14.99, roughly $2 to $6.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 13.5h
  - Story completion: 13.0h
  - Session length: 1.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: gameCompletion is estimated at about 13.5 hours from the report of roughly 12-15 hours of content. storyCompletion is estimated at roughly 13 hours from the statement that reaching the end took more than 13 hours, with chapter-length comments supporting a multi-hour story. sessionLength is estimated at about 1 hour from the comment describing play continuing for not even an hour before the player became frustrated while wandering. No review gives a reliable numeric post-story/endgame duration, so endgame is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game appears to start with a shocking, immersive atmosphere that can appeal at first, but that appeal fades as gore desensitizes and core gameplay becomes repetitive, tedious, and boring over time.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: Initial shock and immersive presentation
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Unreliable stealth mechanics; Sparse checkpoints and unclear direction; Tedious stamina management; Terrible save system; Repetitive enemies and traps; Open-world exploration often leads to death or getting lost
  - Unlock drivers: N/A
  - Conditions: Playing with friends may increase fun; Hardcore players may find it boring due to a lack of challenge; Tolerance for gore affects how quickly repetition sets in
- Player Archetypes:
  - Hellscape Gore Tourist (sale)
    - Motivation: To immerse in grotesque, hellish atmosphere and transgressive horror imagery.
    - Playstyle: Slow, sensory exploration focused on gore, atmosphere, and shock value.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Stealth-Exploration Immersionist (buy)
    - Motivation: To piece together the hostile world through notes, NPCs, and environmental clues while mastering stealth.
    - Playstyle: Careful stealth, map reading, note collection, danger avoidance, and multiple story-focused runs.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Completionist Ending Collector (buy)
    - Motivation: To unlock every ending, secret, and gallery item and fully exhaust the game's content.
    - Playstyle: Multiple playthroughs, map completion, collectible hunting, and ending routing.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: completionist
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Version-Compare Technical Skeptic (no buy)
    - Motivation: To see whether UNRATED fixes the original's problems and whether the publisher deserves support.
    - Playstyle: Compares versions, tests performance and bugs, monitors storefront treatment, and drops the game when broken.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Agony


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:
- Striking Visuals and Art (weight 0.41): Reviewers consistently praise the game's striking, unique visuals and exceptional art direction. The hellish environments are described as beautiful, grotesque, and a realistic depiction of Hell.
- Good Overall Game Quality (weight 0.16): Many reviewers consider the game well-made and enjoyable overall. It receives positive general impressions.
- Improved Graphics and Performance (weight 0.15): The Unrated version and updates bring significant graphical improvements and smoother performance. Textures are updated, and the game runs better than the original.
- Engaging Possession Mechanic (weight 0.11): The possession mechanic is highly praised as the coolest part of the game, adding unique gameplay and keeping things interesting. Players enjoy controlling different demons.
- Compelling Story (weight 0.11): The story is frequently described as very good, excellent, and interesting. It keeps players engaged throughout the game.
- Excellent Atmosphere and Sound (weight 0.11): The game's atmosphere is praised as excellent and fitting the theme. Sound design is also highlighted as really good and well-adjusted.
- Helpful Minimap (weight 0.08): The minimap is appreciated for highlighting important items and helping players avoid getting lost. It aids navigation and collectible finding.
- Improved Gameplay Comfort (weight 0.06): Gameplay is significantly better and more comfortable to play. This improvement enhances the overall experience.
- Great Voice Acting (weight 0.06): Voice acting for important characters is consistently praised as great, adding to the overall experience.
- New Content and Puzzles (weight 0.06): The game introduces new forms of gameplay, traps, and more complex puzzles. This adds a fresh experience for players.
- Good Value for Price (weight 0.06): Reviewers feel the game is well worth the discounted price. It offers good value for the cost.
- No Censorship (weight 0.06): The absence of censorship is noted and appreciated by some players. It allows the game to present its content as intended.
- Shocking Scenes in Unrated (weight 0.06): The Unrated version contains shocking scenes as expected, which some players find appealing. It adds to the intended experience.

Common complaints:
- Frequent Crashes and Instability (weight 0.3): The game crashes consistently within minutes of launch, at the main menu, or during gameplay, often preventing completion. Many reviewers describe repeated crashes and freezes.
- Poor and Glitchy Controls (weight 0.26): Controls are described as glitchy, rough, viscous, janky, and clunky. This affects movement, stealth, and overall playability.
- Unengaging and Nonsensical Story (weight 0.24): The story is difficult to understand, convoluted, nonexistent, nonsensical, horrible, poor, confusing, banal, and not engaging. Reviewers find it lacks focus and coherence.
- Poor Level and Map Design (weight 0.17): Level design is described as terrible and poor, with invisible walls and barriers blocking nothing visible. This leads to confusion and getting lost.
- Basic, Dull, and Monotonous Gameplay (weight 0.17): Gameplay is basic, dull, monotonous, and becomes boring after the first level. It feels agonizing and painful to play in the wrong ways.
- Bugs and Getting Stuck (weight 0.15): The game has many bugs, and players frequently get stuck in textures, forcing checkpoint reloads. This disrupts gameplay and requires replaying sections.
- Poorly Executed Mechanics (weight 0.14): Gameplay mechanics are poorly executed and unintuitive. The demon possession mechanic is underused and poorly implemented, and Succubus mode lacks new content.
- Dark Levels and Visibility Issues (weight 0.13): Many areas are excessively dark, making it hard to see walls or navigate, even with gamma adjustments. This contributes to getting lost and frustration.
- Low Quality and Repetitive Textures (weight 0.12): Textures are low quality, repetitive, and so-so. Overall picture and animation quality are lacking, with animations only being OK.
- Removed from Owners' Libraries (weight 0.12): Multiple reviewers report the game was removed from their libraries without warning, even for those who originally purchased it. This is a serious trust and ownership issue.
- Terrible Mouse Minigame (weight 0.11): The mouse-movement struggle minigame is nearly impossible to win, requiring rapid short movements that are unmaintainable. It is also annoying and damages mouse feet.
- Uncomfortable and Tiring Design (weight 0.11): Game design, controls, and physics engine are uncomfortable and tiring. The game causes physical discomfort, frustration, and loss of patience.
- Not Scary Despite Horror Label (weight 0.09): The game fails to deliver horror, lacking a tense atmosphere and scares. Reviewers note it is not scary despite being presented as a horror game.
- Clunky and Imprecise Stealth (weight 0.09): Stealth mechanics feel imprecise, clunky, and unreliable, making stealth sections frustrating and inconsistent.
- Original Agony Was Disappointing (weight 0.07): The original Agony was painful to play, had worse performance, and was a grave disappointment. This compares negatively to the current game.
- Lack of Explanation and Guidance (weight 0.06): The game explains almost nothing, leaving players unclear on what to do and how mechanics work. This leads to confusion and getting lost.
- Performance Issues (weight 0.06): There are tons of performance issues, including poor optimization and frame rate problems, affecting the overall experience.
- Pickup Animation Can Cause Death (weight 0.06): The pickup animation can cause death if a monster or hazard appears, leading to unfair deaths and frustration.
- Hard to Achieve Some Endings (weight 0.06): Some endings, like the angel ending, are hard to achieve due to labyrinth changes. This adds unnecessary complexity and frustration.

Gameplay feedback:
- Succubus mode included (weight 0.35): A separate Succubus mode lets players take on the role of a succubus with expanded exploration abilities, the power to kill anything, and fighting back. It has its own two endings and is necessary for unlocking all endings.
- Horror game in Hell (weight 0.34): It is a first-person survival horror game set in Hell, featuring a brutal yet oddly alluring rendition of hell where people die and are tortured. The atmosphere is a central focus.
- Demon possession mechanic (weight 0.24): Players can possess demons and other sinners, gaining control of their bodies and using monstrous powers. One reviewer notes possession also enables a strategy upon death.
- Multiple endings feature (weight 0.23): The game includes numerous endings, commonly cited as five to eight, determined by found items and player behavior rather than dialogue choices. Some endings are easy to obtain while others are hard, and unlock conditions are often unclear.
- Stealth and hiding mechanics (weight 0.17): Stealth-focused gameplay involves hiding in shadows and many hide-and-seek sections. Players hide to avoid threats in this horror setting.
- First-person horror gameplay (weight 0.15): Players explore hallways in first person, combining exploration with horror and stealth elements. The game is story-driven with limited marker uses replenished by collectibles.
- Skill progression system (weight 0.08): Abilities are unlocked and acquired as players progress through the story. This progression system grants more powers over time.
- Unskippable cutscenes (weight 0.08): The game features cutscenes that cannot be skipped, which some players may find frustrating.

Performance notes:
- Poor PC Optimization (weight 0.29): The game is poorly optimized on PC, with low frame rates, stuttering, and high hardware demands regardless of settings. This is a common complaint across many reviews.
- Frequent Crashes on Start (weight 0.23): Many players report crashes immediately upon launching or entering the main menu, often within seconds to minutes. This is a widespread and severe issue.
- Random Mid-Game Crashes (weight 0.22): Crashes occur unpredictably during gameplay, sometimes multiple times per session. This affects overall stability and player experience.
- Stuttering and Freezing (weight 0.19): Players experience frequent stuttering, micro-freezes, and hitches even on high-end systems. This often occurs during loading or area transitions.
- Inconsistent Performance (weight 0.17): Performance varies widely, with some systems running smoothly and others struggling, indicating poor optimization across hardware.
- High Hardware Demands (weight 0.15): The game is extremely demanding on CPU and GPU, causing high temperatures and resource consumption even on capable systems.
- Terrain and Collision Bugs (weight 0.13): Players get stuck in terrain, fall through the world, or experience objects floating or stuck, breaking immersion and gameplay.
- Graphics Settings Ineffective (weight 0.11): Changes to graphics settings often have no visible effect, and some options like gamma or anti-aliasing cannot be adjusted properly.
- Steam Launch Command Fix (weight 0.09): A workaround using a Steam launch command resolves crashes for some users, indicating a potential fix.
- Long Loading and Freezes (weight 0.09): Loading screens are long, and freezes occur during loading or area transitions, even on SSDs.
- No In-Game FPS Cap (weight 0.08): The game lacks an option to cap frame rate, leading to performance instability and high resource usage. External tools are required but not always effective.
- Internet Connection Causes Issues (weight 0.08): Some players report freezes or crashes when connected to the internet, requiring workarounds like disabling WiFi.
- UE4 Engine Limitations (weight 0.08): The game uses Unreal Engine 4.17, which contributes to optimization challenges and technical issues.
- Processor Compatibility Issues (weight 0.08): Certain processors may cause the game to fail at the menu, but a command-line workaround can resolve it.
- Blurry and Slow Textures (weight 0.06): Textures appear blurry and render slowly, even on recommended hardware, reducing visual quality.
- Console Crashes Reported (weight 0.06): Crashes are not limited to PC; some console players also report stability issues, though less frequently.
- Poor Lighting and Visibility (weight 0.06): Lighting issues make it hard to see, with excessively dark or bright areas, and flickering global illumination.
- Lack of Shader Compilation (weight 0.04): The absence of shader compilation leads to stutters and performance issues during gameplay.
- Mods Needed for New PCs (weight 0.03): Some players require mods to run the game on newer PCs, indicating compatibility issues.
- Random Respawn Bug (weight 0.03): Players sometimes respawn at checkpoints without dying, indicating a checkpoint or death detection bug.

Recommendations:
- Unique Hellish Atmosphere (weight 0.45): Players praise the game's unique and disturbing depiction of Hell, with its grotesque and mature themes. The atmosphere and art style are often cited as the main reasons to play.
- Mixed Recommendation (weight 0.33): Opinions are divided, with some recommending the game despite its flaws and others strongly advising against it. The game elicits polarized reactions from players.
- Deep Discount Only (weight 0.29): The consensus is that the game is only worth buying at a significant discount, with many stating it is not worth full price. Some even suggest waiting for a 90% or higher discount.
- Not for Everyone (weight 0.19): Reviewers stress that the game is not suitable for all players due to its intense content and niche appeal. It requires a specific taste for horror, gore, and psychological discomfort.
- Poor Gameplay and Clunky Design (weight 0.15): Many criticize the gameplay as lackluster, with clunky mechanics and awkward design that hinder enjoyment. The game is often described as not fun or worth playing for the gameplay alone.
- Play Scorn Instead (weight 0.13): Reviewers frequently recommend playing Scorn as a superior alternative for those seeking a similar horror experience. Scorn is highlighted as a much better game in the same genre.
- Support for Sequel (weight 0.08): Some players express a desire for a sequel and appreciation for the developer's work. They hope the studio continues to create more games in the series.
- Removed Content Re-Sold (weight 0.07): Reviewers strongly condemn the practice of removing previously purchased versions from libraries and re-selling them as a new edition. This is a major ethical concern that leads many to advise against buying the game.

Other player notes:
- Unrated Version Superior to Original (weight 0.31): The Unrated version is widely considered a major improvement, restoring censored scenes and reducing technical issues. It provides the complete, uncensored experience that the original release lacked.
- Multiple Endings and Modes (weight 0.3): The game features multiple endings, with some reports mentioning seven or eight, requiring several playthroughs. Additional modes like Succubus and Agony mode add replay value and content.
- Extreme Gore and Taboo Content (weight 0.3): The game includes intense gore, body horror, and controversial themes such as infanticide and sexual imagery. This has led to an Adult Only rating and descriptions as suitable only for mature audiences.
- Comparisons to Other Horror Games (weight 0.25): Reviewers frequently compare it to Scorn, Outlast, Amnesia, and DOOM, noting similarities in atmosphere and design. Some find it less playable than these alternatives.
- Religious and Mythological Story (weight 0.23): The narrative draws from Jewish and Christian scriptures, Dante's Divine Comedy, and the Tower of Babel legend. It follows a Babylonian king's journey through hell to find the Red Goddess.
- Developed by Small Studio Madmind (weight 0.23): Madmind Studio is a small Polish developer with a limited budget and team. The game is their debut project and has faced challenges, including the studio's closure and reopening.
- Short Length and Replay Value (weight 0.22): The game offers about 8-10 hours of content for a single playthrough, with additional modes and collectibles extending playtime. It is considered reasonably priced for its length.
- Mixed Critical and Community Reception (weight 0.21): The game has received mixed reviews, with praise for its world-building and criticism for its mechanics. Initial reviews were negative, but improvements over time have been acknowledged.
- NSFW and Adult Content (weight 0.19): The game features full nudity and sexual content, but it is not the primary focus. Some suggest it would work better as a hentai game, while others appreciate its artistic approach.
- Free for Original Owners (weight 0.19): Agony Unrated was initially offered as a free DLC for owners of the original Agony. However, the developers later removed it from libraries and re-sold it as a separate premium product.
- Unique Art Style Inspired by Classics (weight 0.18): The visuals are heavily inspired by artists like Beksinski, Giger, and Bosch, featuring hellish landscapes made of organic matter. The art direction is often praised as the game's strongest aspect.
- Succubus Mode Adds Gameplay (weight 0.17): Succubus mode allows players to access areas unreachable in normal mode and is primarily for item collection and secret exploration. It is available immediately in the Unrated version.
- Censorship and Legal Issues (weight 0.16): The original release faced censorship and legal problems, leading to the Unrated version. Publishing and rating contracts blocked the removal of censorship, and console releases are restricted.
- Inspirations and References (weight 0.16): The game references works like Clive Barker's Jericho, Wayne Barlowe's Inferno, and the DOOM series. It also draws on Dante's Divine Comedy and other religious texts.
- Atmosphere Over Gameplay (weight 0.14): The game is praised for its immersive atmosphere but criticized for awkward controls and repetitive environments. It is described as an art museum-like experience focused on exploration.
- Kickstarter Funded and Long Development (weight 0.13): The game was funded on Kickstarter and underwent a lengthy development with multiple remakes. Early versions are viewable in a gallery, and the project required significant perseverance.
- Comparisons to Succubus Spin-off (weight 0.13): Succubus, a follow-up by the same developer, is often compared favorably for its action and higher Steam ratings. Some find Agony Unrated less impressive than Succubus.
- Unreal Engine 4 and Modding (weight 0.11): Built on Unreal Engine 4, the game has typical technical requirements and supports modding, including a Ukrainian localization mod. DLSS support is hoped for by some.
- Localization and Translation Issues (weight 0.1): The game has translations with some errors, such as mistranslations in the Portuguese version. However, a well-received Ukrainian localization mod exists.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.2): Players are frustrated by severe technical issues including frequent crashes, stuttering, and poor performance that often make the game unplayable. Additionally, confusing level design, unclear objectives, and clunky controls lead to repeated deaths, aimless wandering, and getting stuck in textures.
- Disappointment (weight 0.18): Many players expected a compelling horror experience but found shallow mechanics, weak atmosphere, and underdeveloped features. Technical problems, poor optimization, and unpolished gameplay often prevented them from enjoying the game's art and story.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.06): Players feel satisfied when technical issues are resolved, such as fixing launch commands or experiencing improved performance. The Unrated version's enhancements, including better graphics, new content, and fair mechanics, also provide a rewarding experience.
- Appreciation (weight 0.06): Players appreciate the game's unique and bold artistic vision, particularly its depiction of Hell and religious themes. The developers' courage to create uncensored content and improve the game over time is also highly valued.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Players enjoy the beautiful, immersive Hell environments and the game's dark, violent, and sexual content. Despite flaws, the atmosphere, story, and unique mechanics like Succubus mode provide a fun and engaging experience.
- Boredom (weight 0.05): The game becomes tedious due to repetitive gameplay, slow walking, and excessive collectible gathering. The lack of engaging story and desensitizing gore lead to a monotonous and uninteresting experience.
- Confusion (weight 0.04): Players are confused by unclear objectives, poor level design, and an underexplained possession system. The story and mechanics are often incomprehensible, leaving players uncertain about what to do or why events occur.
- Annoyance (weight 0.03): Technical issues such as frequent crashes, performance problems, and poor lighting require constant adjustments. Getting stuck in textures, repetitive walking due to sparse auto-saves, and a terrible sigil mechanic further irritate players.
- Discomfort (weight 0.03): The game's disturbing visuals, oppressive atmosphere, and extreme content like violence and nudity create a deeply uncomfortable experience. Players also feel uneasy due to unpleasant choices and viscous controls.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Players are angry about the developer removing purchased games from libraries to re-sell them, which feels like a betrayal. Additionally, unfair deaths, a terrible save system, and frustrating minigames provoke strong anger.
- Disgust (weight 0.02): The game's excessive gore, awful jiggle physics, and unpleasant voice acting for the Succubus create a disgusting atmosphere. The gruesome art design and poor lighting also contribute to feelings of revulsion.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Players admire the stunning ending scenes, the grotesque yet beautiful Hell art design, and the developers' determination to finish the project despite challenges. The unique depiction of Hell and the team's effort are highly praised.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): The game's twisted, uncensored violence, depravity, and unique possession mechanics excite players. The creepy design, superb ambient sound, and satisfying fetishes make it a thrilling experience.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Players find amusement in the absurd and extreme content, such as throwing babies with different heads and laughing at user reviews. The game's disturbingly unique and fun nature provides dark humor.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Players feel relief when they finally overcome confusing mechanics, such as learning to burn grass after a long time, or when the Unrated version fixes original issues. Using map abilities and finishing the game also bring relief.
- Interest (weight 0.01): The intriguing story with multiple endings, varied locations, and secret paths keep players interested. The Succubus mode and strong atmosphere also engage players in exploration.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Players are surprised when the game exceeds expectations, such as Agony mode feeling like a new game or the game having many stages. The improved Unrated version also surprises given the original's reputation.
- Unease (weight 0.01): The creepy soundscape, dread-inducing level design, and oppressive tone create a deep sense of unease. The grotesque surreal vision of Hell makes players question why they continue playing.
- Immersion (weight 0.01): Players feel immersed through the game's sound design, environmental audio, and thick atmosphere. Exploring corners and listening to whispers and screams with headphones enhances the experience.
- Irritation (weight 0.01): Irritation arises from collectibles respawning after death with no clear purpose and stealth systems that feel unreasonable. These mechanics frustrate players during gameplay.}