CRUEL

Release Date: January 9, 2025

Action, FPP, roguelike, FPS, indie games, shooters, boomer shooter, singleplayer

100%

Steam

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A first-person boomer shooter with elements of roguelike titles. In CRUEL we end up in a strange hotel and our goal is to survive. This involves eliminating hords of enemies and also defending from the building itself. Our character uses a range of weapons, including a revolver, a shotgun, a machine gun or even a chainsaw.

Videos and Screens

[1:08] CRUEL - Trailer

100%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Positive (42)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Satisfying Gunplay and Movement: Players consistently praise the shooting mechanics, describing them as "crisp," "snappy," and "satisfying." The movement is noted to be fluid and responsive, which enhances the fast-paced gameplay.
Visual and Audio Aesthetics: The game's art style and soundtrack receive high marks for being visually appealing and well-matched to the game's frenetic atmosphere. Many users highlight the "banger" soundtrack as a standout feature.
Engaging Gameplay Loop: The core gameplay is described as addictive, with a mix of action and strategy that keeps players engaged. The roguelike elements add replayability, with players enjoying the challenge of improving their skills and runs.
Unique Concept: The combination of a horror shooter with roguelike elements and a time-based escape mechanic (escaping a fire) is seen as innovative and refreshing compared to other titles in the genre.

The main cons of the game

Short Length: Many users express disappointment with the game's brevity, noting that the main mode can be completed in under an hour. This leads to concerns about replayability and content longevity.
Limited Content and Variety: Players mention that there is a lack of diverse levels, enemies, and modes. The game feels repetitive after a few runs, and some users desire more upgrades and features.
Frustrating Mechanics: Certain gameplay elements, such as the randomness of enemy spawns (especially birds and ghosts) and the inconsistency of melee attacks, are criticized for disrupting the flow of play and adding unnecessary difficulty.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

More Game Modes and Content: Users are eager for additional game modes, challenges, and perhaps an infinite mode or campaign to enhance replayability.
Expanded Upgrade System: There are requests for a more robust upgrade system with clearer descriptions of perks, as well as more impactful upgrades that make runs feel distinct.
Quality of Life Improvements: Suggestions include the addition of a quick restart button, options to disable head bobbing, and better controller support with aim assist for a smoother experience.
Achievements and Leaderboards: Players express interest in having achievements, scoring systems, and leaderboards to foster competition and provide additional goals.

Summary

Overall, while CRUEL is lauded for its engaging gameplay and stylish presentation, players are hopeful for future updates that would address its current limitations and expand its content.

Summary generated on: January 13, 2025

CRUEL is a boomer shooter (a first-person shooter maintained in a style reminiscent of FPS games from the 1990s) enriched with elements borrowed from the roguelike genre. The game is the debut work of a single independent developer - James Dornan.

Story

In CRUEL we end up in a bizarre hotel, where our disoriented character wakes up in the elevator. The corpse lying on the floor does not bode well. As it turns out shortly afterwards, the building is overrun by bloodthirsty enemies who start hunting us. As if that wasn't enough, the building itself is also trying to swallow us up. From the moment we cross the threshold of the elevator, our primary goal becomes survival for as long as possible.

Gameplay

In CRUEL the action is presented from a first-person perspective (FPP). During the game we go through changing levels and eliminate hordes of adversaries, among which the most prominent are hostile people armed with shotguns or even chainsaws.

We are not defenseless in the game and we acquire our first weapon even before leaving the elevator, taking it from the body lying there. Over time, we get our hands on various weapons, including a revolver, a shotgun, a machine gun, or even one of the aforementioned saws. Our advantage over enemies can also be ensured by being constantly on the move, avoiding attacks and making accurate shots.

We can regenerate our weakened health by drinking the contents of cans scattered around the locations. Interestingly, cans are also the currency with which we can purchase various upgrades that increase our chances of survival (for example, by expanding the magazines of our guns).