Info about Cepheus Protocol:

Official game description:
Special Announcement: Opt Into Cepheus Protocol Experimental Builds
===================================================================
Be the first to experience cutting-edge features and updates by opting into **Cepheus Protocol branch Experimental Builds**!
What You'll Get:
----------------
*   Early access to new gameplay mechanics, systems, and features.
*   A chance to provide feedback that shapes the future of Cepheus Protocol.
*   A sneak peek at upcoming content and improvements before they hit the main build.
How to Opt-In:
--------------
*   Buy/Own the Base Game of **Cepheus Protocol**
*   Go to your Steam Library.
*   Right click and go to properties
*   Go to Game Version & Betas and choose experimental
*   Install and have fun!  
About the Game
==============
An Open World RTS Military Survival Game. Command CERC (Center for Epidemic Research and Control) to stop a pandemic-level event from consuming the Bay Area. The Pangu Virus threatens humanity as it spreads, turning native inhabitants into infected, relentless swarms. Can you adapt, survive, and reclaim control?
**Hardcore RTS Military Combat Meets Survival Horror**
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*   **Aircraft Carrier Operations**  
    Your mobile base of operations in Pandemic Mode. If it’s destroyed, you lose. Defend it at all costs and utilize Winters, now a rebuildable hero, to lead your forces.
*   **A New Threat Rises**  
    Battle infected hordes that can infect and turn your own units. Command land, sea, and air forces to hold the line in this unforgiving world.
*   **Co-Op Multiplayer** up to 16 players in true RTS/TPS hybrid combat!  
    Share control of CERC operations with up to 16 players. Pool resources, coordinate tactics, and fight as a team against the infection.
**Dynamic Gameplay Systems**
----------------------------
*   **Command the Operator**  
    Control the battlefield in Third-Person Shooter mode or use the Operator as a hero unit in RTS mode. Adapt your strategies to survive.
*   **Doctrine Tree Progression**  
    Unlock new support options, powerful weapons, and unique units by leveling up through the Doctrine tree.
*   **Customize Pandemic Mode**  
    Create your perfect challenge. Turn off infected types, adjust gameplay options, and create custom scenarios to tailor the experience.
*   **Character Progression**  
    Improve your characters’ health and targeting efficiency as they gain experience through combat.
**Innovative Mechanics and Features**
-------------------------------------
*   **Line of Sight and Hearing AI**  
    Experience cutting-edge AI that hunts your units based on what they can see and hear. Stay stealthy, or face overwhelming swarms.
*   **Massive, Detailed Maps**  
    Explore sprawling urban environments filled with varied locales. Plan every attack, defense, and civilian evacuation carefully to ensure survival.
*   **Dynamic Civilian Diplomacy**  (**Legacy Only Coming in Q2 to rebuild**)  
    Interact with rogue civilian groups. Recruit them to your cause, negotiate alliances, or defend yourself from hostile factions.
*   **Civilian Evacuation** (**Legacy Only Coming in March to rebuild**)  
    Manage who lives and dies with an intricate Civilian Administration Structure. Customize your intake system or use preset templates to make critical decisions.
**Destroy the Infection**
-------------------------
*   **Research the Pangu Virus**  
    Delve into the secrets of the alien pathogen and find a way to kill Patient 0 before it’s too late.
*   **Hunt Patient 0 and Their Lieutenants**  
    Stop the infection from spreading by targeting its leaders. Destroy their expanding hordes before they consume every province.
*   **Dynamic Provincial Events**  
    Encounter unexpected challenges as rogue civilian combatants and infected groups form dynamically across the map. Your reputation and decisions will shape the world around you.
*   **Enhanced Operator Customization**  
    Tailor weapons, abilities, and appearance. Drive vehicles, gain progression perks, and refine your playstyle for maximum impact.
**Planned Features**
--------------------
*   **DNA Research System**  
    Develop a proper progression tree to counter the virus, protect your units, and evolve your strategies.
*   **Canon Campaign Mode**  
    Experience the official _Cepheus Protocol_ story, inspired by the novel and side stories

Release date: May 15, 2020

Categories: Real-time Strategy, Survival Horror, Base Building, Cooperative Multiplayer, Third-Person Shooter, Open-World Exploration, Tactical Combat

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 90; verdict: Broken; summary: The game suffers from significant stability and performance issues, including frequent crashes and critical errors. Additionally, the UI has been reported as inconvenient, further detracting from the user experience.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $15.00 - $25.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence suggests a range of opinions on the game's pricing. Some users find the game justifiable at around $20, while others mention it being fairly priced around $25 Canadian, which is roughly equivalent to $20 USD. One user mentions that a price not exceeding 20€ (approximately $22 USD) is decent. However, there is also a sentiment that the game is not worth the money at its current state. Balancing these views, the fair price range seems to be between $15 and $25 USD.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 40.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 4.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provided gives a few specific examples of playtime metrics. The first quote mentions a player with 50+ hours of playtime over a year and a half, indicating a long-term engagement but not necessarily continuous play sessions. The second quote details a single session lasting about 4 hours, which can be considered a typical session length. The third quote suggests that a solid 40 hours can be obtained from the game, which could be interpreted as the time needed for game completion. The fourth quote mentions early hours of gameplay, which might imply the initial story or campaign completion time.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game has a steep learning curve and lacks a proper tutorial, causing initial friction. However, once players overcome these challenges, the early game becomes enjoyable. Fun may drop later due to performance issues and complexity.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: Understanding game mechanics and resources
  - Time to anchor: 1h 0m
  - Friction: Lack of a proper tutorial; Steep learning curve; Initial guesswork required
  - Unlock drivers: Understanding team and resource management; Early game progression
  - Conditions: Solo play; Patience to learn mechanics; Tolerance for initial complexity
- Player Archetypes:
  - Strategic Micromanager (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoys the depth of strategy and micromanagement.
    - Playstyle: Focuses on detailed control of units and resources, enjoys complex strategic planning.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: RTS fan; strategy gamer
    - Reference games: Project Zomboid; Company of Heroes
  - Development Enthusiast (sale)
    - Motivation: Supports the development process and enjoys community involvement.
    - Playstyle: Engages with the game's development, provides feedback, and enjoys the evolving content.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: indie supporter; early access fan
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Casual Immersionist (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Seeks an immersive and enjoyable experience with a preference for single-player content.
    - Playstyle: Prefers a relaxed playstyle, enjoys narrative and atmosphere, and avoids highly competitive or complex strategies.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: casual gamer; immersion lover
    - 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:
- Active and dedicated developers (weight 0.36): The developers are highly active, working hard on fixing bugs, and committed to improving the game. They are described as passionate and dedicated to making the game better.
- Positive overall game experience (weight 0.35): Players consistently describe the game as fun, enjoyable, and well-made. The game is praised for its good concept, graphics, and variety of weapons and vehicles. Many reviewers find it worth playing and fairly priced.
- Responsive to community feedback (weight 0.25): The development team is praised for listening to the community and responding quickly to feedback, concerns, and bug reports. They actively engage with the player base and implement changes based on community input.
- Unique blend of genres (weight 0.21): The game is noted for its unique combination of RTS, third-person shooter, and survival horror elements. It blends base building, civilian management, and tactical squad command in an open-world setting, creating a distinctive gameplay experience.
- Frequent updates and improvements (weight 0.21): The game receives frequent updates, with new features and improvements being added regularly. These updates are meaningful and contribute to the ongoing development and enhancement of the game.
- High potential for future development (weight 0.18): The game is seen as having great potential for future development and improvement. Reviewers believe it could become an excellent game with continued development and support.
- Enjoyable and engaging gameplay (weight 0.18): The gameplay is described as enjoyable, engaging, and immersive. It keeps players interested and offers a compelling experience.
- Unique zombie RTS experience (weight 0.16): The game is appreciated for its unique take on the zombie and RTS genres. It combines zombie killing, base building, and army rallying action, offering a fresh and enjoyable experience for fans of both genres.
- Interesting and loved concept (weight 0.14): Reviewers love the idea and concept of the game, finding it brilliant and exciting. The game's concept is seen as innovative and promising, generating a lot of interest and excitement.
- Civilian evacuation mechanics (weight 0.11): The game features tactics in evacuation and maintaining citizen safety. Players appreciate the civilian evacuation system and the challenges it presents.
- Solid recommendation (weight 0.09): The game is seen as a solid recommendation, offering good value for its price. It has a solid backstory and is generally well-received by players.
- Strategic and tactical gameplay (weight 0.09): The game offers strategic and tactical gameplay elements, with multiple gameplay modes and strategies. Players enjoy the tactical decisions and military gameplay aspects.

Common complaints:
- Vehicle pathfinding issues (weight 0.42): Players report frequent problems with vehicle pathfinding, including vehicles getting stuck on terrain objects, taking illogical routes, and failing to navigate around obstacles. This issue affects both ground and air vehicles, leading to frustration.
- General bugginess (weight 0.33): The game is described as having a high number of bugs, including game-freezing bugs and general bugginess that affects gameplay. Players report that the game is unplayable due to these issues.
- Performance issues (weight 0.15): Players experience poor performance and stability issues, including drops in performance and computer performance issues. These problems affect the overall gameplay experience.
- Lack of save feature (weight 0.13): There is no feature to save the game, which means players cannot save their progress and continue later. This lack of a save system is a significant issue for many players.
- Clunky gameplay (weight 0.12): Players describe the game as janky and unpolished, with clunky gameplay and animations. The overall feel of the game is reported as rough and not fluid.
- UI problems (weight 0.11): The user interface is reported as not user-friendly, outdated, and inconvenient. Players find the UI abhorrent and in need of improvement.
- Lack of tutorials (weight 0.1): The game lacks tutorials or has barebones tutorials, making it difficult for new players to understand the mechanics. Tutorials that do exist are unclear or terrible.
- Game balance issues (weight 0.08): The game is reported as somewhat unbalanced, with some gameplay mechanics needing work. Players find the game a little hard and in need of balancing adjustments.
- Zombie AI issues (weight 0.08): Players report issues with zombie AI, including terrible AI behavior, slow spawning, and spawning issues. The AI is described as not being very intelligent.
- Long Early Access period (weight 0.08): The game has been in Early Access for a long time, with players noting its limitations and the extended development period since 2020.
- Horde mode problems (weight 0.07): Horde mode is reported as having bugs and being unfun. Players find that this mode does not work as intended and is problematic.
- Fast and slow pacing (weight 0.07): The game's pacing is criticized for being either incredibly fast or too slow. Players find the combat pace too fast or the overall pacing not well-balanced.

Gameplay feedback:
- RTS and hybrid gameplay (weight 0.41): The game blends real-time strategy (RTS) elements with other genres like first-person and third-person shooters. Players appreciate the mix of base building, unit management, and direct combat.
- Zombie theme and mechanics (weight 0.33): The game features a zombie pandemic setting with various mechanics for infection control, zombie combat, and containment. Players must manage infection spread and defend against zombie attacks.
- Unit control and customization (weight 0.17): Players can control and customize units, though there are some issues with unit commands and targeting. Efficient unit control is crucial for managing squads and completing missions.
- Base building and defense (weight 0.17): A core mechanic involves constructing and defending bases. Players enjoy the strategic depth added by base building, resource management, and defending against zombie hordes.
- Evacuation and mission variety (weight 0.13): Missions include evacuating citizens from contaminated zones and managing infection control. These missions add variety and strategic depth to the gameplay.
- Combat and tactical depth (weight 0.11): The game offers tactical combat with in-depth mechanics, including strategic base building and military gameplay. Players appreciate the tactical role-playing aspects.
- Environmental interaction and destruction (weight 0.09): Players can interact with the environment, including building management and terrain destruction. This adds a layer of realism and strategic depth to the gameplay.
- Multiplayer and cooperative modes (weight 0.06): The game features cooperative multiplayer modes, including co-op horde mode. Players enjoy the multiplayer aspects and the ability to team up with others.
- Variety of enemies and units (weight 0.06): The game features a variety of enemies, including ordinary zombies, infected bird swarms, and giant worms. Both infected and human units have different types, adding diversity to combat.

Performance notes:
- Poor performance and FPS (weight 0.27): Players report poor performance, including low frame rates and general performance issues. This affects the smoothness and enjoyment of the game.
- Frequent game crashes (weight 0.22): The game experiences frequent crashes, which are a significant issue for many players. These crashes occur occasionally and can be hard crashes, affecting the overall gameplay experience.
- Numerous bugs and glitches (weight 0.21): The game is reported to be very buggy, with various game-breaking bugs and general bugginess. This includes issues with pathfinding, movement, and other core systems.
- Optimization needed (weight 0.12): The game could benefit from better optimization to improve performance and reduce issues like crashes and low FPS. Players have noted that the game needs some optimization to run smoothly.
- Graphics and rendering issues (weight 0.11): There are several reports of graphics-related issues, including corrupted shaders, GPU driver issues, and texture bugs. These problems affect the visual quality and stability of the game.
- Hardware and compatibility issues (weight 0.11): Some players experience issues related to hardware, such as insufficient or unstable VRAM/RAM, high GPU usage, and overheating processors. The game also has specific requirements like running only on DirectX 12.
- Pathfinding and movement bugs (weight 0.11): Ground and air vehicles often get stuck or take bizarre routes due to pathfinding issues. These bugs have been a long-standing problem and affect gameplay significantly.
- Mixed performance on different hardware (weight 0.06): Performance varies widely depending on the hardware. Some players report good performance on high-end systems, while others experience significant issues on mid-range hardware.

Recommendations:
- Specific gameplay improvements (weight 0.22): Players have suggested various specific improvements such as increasing population limits, adding new features like tanks or air support, and enhancing building interactions.
- Mixed recommendations (weight 0.19): Some reviews are mixed, with players recommending the game but also noting its current flaws and potential for improvement.
- Support the developers (weight 0.16): Many reviews encourage supporting the developers due to their active involvement and transparency. The game shows potential and players appreciate the ongoing development efforts.
- Recommendations for RTS and zombie fans (weight 0.16): The game is highly recommended for players who enjoy RTS games and zombie themes. It combines elements of city-building and direct control, making it appealing to a specific audience.
- Wait for full release (weight 0.14): Several reviews suggest waiting until the game leaves early access or until more updates are released. This indicates that while the game has potential, it may not be fully polished yet.
- Unique and promising game (weight 0.1): The game is noted for its unique premise and execution. Players believe it will be amazing once fully developed and recommend giving it a shot for its uniqueness.
- Community and future updates (weight 0.08): Players are looking forward to future updates and anticipate improvements. There is also a mention of joining the game's Discord for more community engagement.
- Bug fixes and quality of life updates (weight 0.04): Reviews mention the need for bug fixing and quality of life updates to improve the overall gaming experience.
- Criticism and comparisons (weight 0.02): Some reviews suggest saving criticism for AAA games, indicating that the expectations for this game might be different due to its development stage.
- Playtest and development suggestions (weight 0.02): Suggestions for switching to public playtest for old players and specific development recommendations are mentioned.

Other player notes:
- Language settings issue (weight 0.03): Players have reported problems related to the language settings in the game.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.26): Players are frustrated primarily due to persistent bugs, poor optimization, and game crashes that hinder gameplay. Additional concerns include the removal of previously existing features, such as the save system, and issues with AI pathfinding and game mechanics. The game's high learning curve, aggressive AI, and lack of tutorials also contribute to this frustration.
- Disappointment (weight 0.15): Disappointment stems from the game's lack of progress and the removal of important features over time. Players also express dissatisfaction with the game's current state, including persistent bugs, poor optimization, and the overall direction of development. The focus on certain aspects like co-op mode over other promised features adds to this sentiment.
- Excitement (weight 0.11): Excitement is driven by the game's unique blend of genres and its potential for future improvements. Players are enthusiastic about the ongoing redevelopment, new features, and the game's promising 'rebirth' version. The active involvement of developers and the potential for co-op mode also contribute to this excitement.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.07): Despite some issues, players enjoy the game's unique blend of RTS and third-person shooter gameplay. The engaging and fun gameplay experience, along with the strategic and challenging mechanics, contributes to overall enjoyment. The game's innovative concept and active development also enhance the positive experience.
- Hope (weight 0.06): Hope is centered around the game's potential and the developers' active involvement and frequent updates. Players are optimistic about future improvements, the game's unique mechanics, and the potential for it to become a special and standout title. The belief in the game's future potential and the responsiveness of the developers fuels this hope.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.05): Satisfaction comes from the game's unique gameplay features, improvements over time, and the enjoyable experience despite some bugs. Players appreciate the responsive developers, the game's evolution, and the overall mechanics and theme. The game's potential and the active development process also contribute to this satisfaction.
- Frustrated (weight 0.04): Players are frustrated with the game's frequent crashes, bugs, and pathfinding issues that disrupt gameplay. The lack of a save system, delayed updates, and the game's overall instability add to this frustration. Additionally, the game's high difficulty and lack of tutorials make it challenging and less enjoyable.
- Hopeful (weight 0.04): Hopefulness is driven by the potential for future improvements and the developers' responsiveness and dedication. Players are optimistic about the game's future updates, the potential for mods, and the ongoing development. The belief in the game's potential and the encouraging progress fuels this hope.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Appreciation is centered around the developers' commitment to quality, community engagement, and responsiveness. Players value the strategic and tactical gameplay, the unique concept, and the transparent and community-driven development process. The regular updates and patches by the developers also contribute to this appreciation.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger arises from persistent game crashes, performance issues, and mechanics not working as expected. Players are also frustrated with the developer's response to feedback and the constant implementation and subsequent removal or reworking of features. The game's overall instability and lack of progress contribute to this anger.
- Optimism (weight 0.01): Optimism is fueled by the game's potential for improvement and the developers' active communication and efforts. Players are looking forward to the game's future development, believing in its future success. The game's potential and the developer's responsiveness contribute to this optimistic outlook.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration is driven by the game's ambitious hybrid of genres and its unique gameplay experience. Players appreciate the development team's efforts, progress, and responsiveness. The game's depth, strategy requirements, and the devs' activity and progress also contribute to this admiration.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm stems from the enjoyment of the game's potential and its various strategies. Players are excited about the overall quality and gameplay, finding it to be the best in its genre. The unique blend of gameplay elements and the time spent playing contribute to this enthusiasm.
- Disappointed (weight 0.01): Disappointment is caused by the game's decline over the years, unaddressed issues, and performance problems. Players feel the game has lost its potential and direction, with lack of zombies and other issues making it less compelling to replay.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from missing features, character designs, and version differences. Players are also confused by translation issues, development progress, and early sale questions. Language display issues and unclear gameplay mechanics add to this confusion.
- Happy (weight 0.01): Happiness comes from the game's improvements over time, such as the cool operator mode and encouraging progress. Players are happy with the developers' efforts to overhaul the game and the positive changes implemented.
- Positive (weight 0.01): Positivity is driven by the game's potential, dev involvement, and fun gameplay. Players appreciate the developer updates, improvements, and the overall enjoyable experience despite some issues.
- Supportive (weight 0.01): Supportiveness is shown through encouragement for the developers and recommendations based on the game's unique qualities. Players support the game by reading up on the lore and showing appreciation for its unique aspects.
- Excited (weight 0.01): Excitement is generated by the potential for co-op mode, fun gameplay, and mods. Players are looking forward to new features like heavier vehicles and the overall promising future of the game.
- Hopefulness (weight 0): Hopefulness is driven by the developer engagement and the potential of the game. Players are hopeful for future improvements and the implementation of features like saving game progress.}