Death Trash Review Summary

A fun, polished pixel-art game with fluid real-time combat, engaging atmosphere, and deep worldbuilding, but years in early access and slow progress frustrate players.

Overall enjoyment and fun: Players have a lot of fun with the game and enjoy every aspect of it. The general sentiment is highly positive.

Praise for pixel art style: Reviewers consistently praise the game's art style, particularly the well-executed pixel art. The visuals are described as top-notch and appealing.

Engaging atmosphere and world building: The game's atmosphere is described as extraordinary, and the world building is interesting and incredible. The concept and atmosphere are excellent.

Combat is fun and satisfying: Many players find the combat enjoyable, satisfying, and rewarding. It is frequently described as fast and fun.

Smooth performance and optimization: The game runs smoothly with no performance issues, crashes, or lag. Gameplay feels smooth and fresh.

Stuck in early access: Many reviewers note the game has been in early access for years with no clear end in sight. The lack of full release is a common source of frustration.

Slow development progress: Players frequently complain that development is slow and updates are infrequent. The game appears to be in development hell with little meaningful progress over years.

Game feels unfinished: Reviewers describe the game as incomplete and unfinished at its current stage. This aligns with the early access status but also points to missing core content.

Content is too short: The available content is minimal and can be completed quickly. Reviewers feel there is not enough to justify the current state.

Doubts about completion: Some players believe the game will never be finished and fear it has been abandoned. This reflects a lack of confidence in the developer's commitment.

Co-op and Local Multiplayer: The game supports co-op play, including local co-op and split screen, as well as Steam Remote Play. This allows players to team up with at least one controller.

Engaging Combat Mechanics: The game features real-time action combat with ranged and melee options. Combat is engaging and includes dodging and stealth elements.

Early Access Status: The game is currently in early access, with basic mechanics, graphics, story, and levelling. The main storyline is not yet finished.

Story and Dialogue: The game has a storyline with dialogue and humor, set in a unique world with aesthetic elements.

Top-Down Post-Apocalyptic RPG: The game is a top-down action RPG set in a post-apocalyptic world. It includes combat and a skill system.

Controller issues on native Linux: The native Linux version does not recognize 8BitDo Adaptor 2 and PS4 controllers. This prevents proper controller use without workarounds.

Runs flawlessly on MacBook Air M1: Players experienced no bugs, lag, or errors on a base MacBook Air M1. The game is well-optimized for Apple Silicon.

Proton Experimental fixes controllers: Forcing Proton Experimental resolves the controller compatibility issue on Linux. This workaround restores full controller functionality.

Crash occurred during play: One player experienced a crash while playing. This indicates occasional stability issues.

Game length about 10 hours: Players report the game takes roughly 10 hours to complete. This provides a clear expectation for time commitment.

Avoid Early Access Purchase: Buyers are strongly advised against purchasing the game in its current Early Access state due to its incomplete content and high price. Many recommend waiting until the game is fully released before considering a purchase.

Mixed or Conditional Recommendations: Some reviewers give conditional recommendations, such as recommending only for fans of specific genres or if certain conditions are met. Others are mixed due to the game's unfinished state.

Recommended for Fallout Fans: Players who enjoy classic Fallout or isometric RPGs like Fallout 1/2, Planescape, Wasteland, and Underrail are likely to appreciate the game's setting and humor. Its mechanics and atmosphere cater to fans of old-school role-playing games.

Wait for Full Release: Many recommend waiting until the game is fully finished before buying, as it currently lacks polish and content. This is especially advised for those who prefer complete experiences over Early Access.

Worth Buying Despite Unfinished: Some reviewers consider the game worth its price even in its unfinished state, citing its potential and current enjoyment. They believe the experience justifies the cost despite ongoing development.

Community fair range: $10.00 - $15.00.

Game completion: 10.0h.

Story completion: 6.5h.

Most time-specific reports describe initial intrigue and fun that turns repetitive within the first hour to about five hours, even though some players say combat clicks later or never clicks for them.

Friction: Poor tutorial and tooltips force trial-and-error learning; Combat starts out tedious; Mechanics, items, and abilities are unexplained; Random encounters and combat become repetitive; Abilities feel bland and lack weapon synergy; No fast travel makes map travel tedious.

Unlock drivers: Combat flows once it clicks after getting used to it; Combat gets decent by midgame; Progression, crafting, upgrades, and secondary skills feel satisfying; Local co-op adds an extra layer of fun; Stealth, melee, and rush gameplay feel good when they click; Exploring the worm section in co-op is fun.

Classic Fallout Veteran: Approaches the game as an old-school action RPG: stat-building, fast-paced combat, and appreciation for retro atmosphere and writing. Motivation: Relive the style, atmosphere, and dark humor of classic isometric Fallout-style RPGs. Stance: buy.

Early Access Cautious Waiter: Follows updates, checks content volume, plays demos or waits, and buys only after release or a sale. Motivation: Avoid unfinished Early Access products and pay only when the game is complete or discounted. Stance: sale.

Local Co-op Companion: Plays in local co-op, often with a controller, exploring and fighting together while valuing split-screen options and social discovery. Motivation: Share the game with a friend or partner through local split-screen co-op. Stance: buy.

Steam Deck: The Steam Deck experience is overwhelmingly positive, with users calling it one of the best games for the Deck and confirming it runs on Linux, even on older hardware. The main technical barrier is controller recognition on native Linux: 8BitDo Adaptor 2 and PS4 controllers require forcing Proton Experimental. Under the scoring criteria, a required Proton Experimental workaround places the experience in the Tinkering Required band.

Linux and Proton: User feedback shows the game is generally functional on Linux and Steam Deck, including on old hardware. The main Linux-specific issue is that the native build fails to detect some controllers, with Proton Experimental resolving the problem. This is a minor Proton workaround rather than a launch or stability blocker.

Long Early Access Duration: The game has been in Early Access for over five years with no clear end date, and many reviews mention it may remain incomplete for a while. This frequent complaint highlights a prolonged and uncertain development period.

Comparison to Fallout: Multiple reviews compare the game to various Fallout titles, especially Fallout 2 and the original Fallout, noting a similar post-apocalyptic vibe while still standing on its own. These comparisons target fans of classic Fallout games.

Demo Availability: A free demo is available that showcases the base of the game, allowing players to try it before committing. This is a positive point mentioned in several reviews.

Developer Posts Devlogs: The developers regularly post devlogs on Steam and the forums, documenting their progress. This communication is appreciated by some players.

Solo or Tiny Developer Team: The game appears to be developed by a solo developer or a very small team of about two people. This context may explain the slow development pace.