Vladik Brutal

The main pros of the game

• Nostalgic Appeal: The game draws heavy inspiration from classic FPS games, particularly the Half-Life series, which resonates with fans of that era.
• Satisfying Gunplay: Players praise the gun mechanics, noting that weapons feel impactful and satisfying to use, with a variety of weapons available.
• Atmosphere and Setting: The game effectively creates a tense and immersive environment, with a gritty Eastern European aesthetic that enhances the overall experience.
• Value for Money: Many players feel that the game is worth its low price point, often considering it a steal given the content and enjoyment it offers.
• Solo Developer Achievement: The fact that the game was primarily developed by a single person is frequently highlighted as an impressive feat, showcasing creativity and dedication.
• Variety of Enemies: There is a good mix of enemy types, including both mutants and soldiers, which keeps combat engaging.

The main cons of the game

• Technical Issues: Some players reported bugs, crashes, and performance drops, especially during intense battles or in particular levels.
• AI Limitations: Enemy AI is often described as simplistic or frustrating, with some enemies exhibiting predictable behavior that can detract from the challenge.
• Level Design Flaws: While some levels are praised, others are noted to be poorly designed, leading to confusion about where to go or how to progress.
• Story and Dialogue: The narrative is often seen as weak or nonsensical, with poorly localized dialogue that fails to engage players.
• Difficulty Balance: Some players found certain sections, particularly towards the end, to be overly punishing or unbalanced, especially on higher difficulties.

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

• Improved Enemy Tactics: Many reviews suggested that the game could benefit from more varied and intelligent enemy behaviors to enhance combat dynamics.
• Better Optimization: Users expressed a desire for patches to improve game performance and balance, particularly regarding enemy spawn rates and difficulty scaling.
• Quality of Life Features: Suggestions included adding a photo mode, the ability to holster weapons, and more intuitive level navigation elements, such as ladders or clearer pathways.
• Enhanced Storytelling Elements: Players indicated a desire for a more coherent narrative and better voice acting to enrich the gaming experience.

Summary

• Overall, VLADiK BRUTAL is viewed as a commendable indie title that successfully captures the essence of classic FPS games while also facing challenges typical of smaller-scale projects.

Summary generated on: October 30, 2025