11 people found this review helpful
Not Recommended
0.0 hrs last two weeks / 0.6 hrs on record
Posted: 12 Oct, 2016 @ 5:29pm
Updated: 12 Oct, 2016 @ 5:31pm

Early Access Review
Note: The fact I can't recommend this game in it's current state does not necessarily imply it won't be recommendation worthy in the future, once out of Early Access. Thoughts and comments follow below.

While I only spent enough time in the game to complete the tutorial, I feel like I have a good idea of what to expect from its current state. As others have said, please take the EA warning seriously with this title; it's very rough around the edges.

While the graphics are decent for 2016, I feel that's more a testament to UE4 than anything else. Looks aside, the game has a very long way to go (ie. years, not months) before it can be considered for an official launch that stands up to its promise. That's to be expected of course, coming from a small development team, but it's something to consider when making a purchase.

Further, what aspects have been implemented already, still need a lot of work. The main issue with it's current iteration is the combat system, which is frustrating beyond belief. It's very hard to target the creatures of the tutorial, partly due to the fact they're scripted to leap directly up to your feet and you can't really look down close enough to target them at your feet. Compounding the frustration is the long reload animation process and short ammo clip, which leads to a minute or so worth of frustrating combat in order to kill a creature that would otherwise take about five seconds if those problems weren't there.

The second major hurdle they're facing is the voiceovers, which are frankly far too amateur at least for the male protagonist. While they have stated they will be recording new voiceovers before launch, I feel like they should have kept them out of the EA entirely because they do more harm than good as it stands.

While lacking professional actors can be excused, the quality of the writing suffers just as much, if not more. My feeling is that some jokes are lost in the translation, while others simply aren't funny. Perhaps if the game was developed entirely in Russian, directed at that market to start with, and then had the writing and voicing translated before pushed to a US audience, this wouldn't be an issue.

In short, while there's a wonderful vision from the team, it's nowhere near there and in my honest opinion might never reach it. If you're buying this, do so only to support the team's efforts and do not expect to have a game you'll enjoy playing for at least another year or so.

Rating: 2/10
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4 Comments
40t0n 17 Oct, 2016 @ 3:59pm 
Wow! The first one decent, smart review even if it's a negative one. Just take my hat to that, thx man! This is really one of the impression you can get, if you don't fully understand what alfa stage is and if you load the game to see it in full glory. Guys just listen to form2function before posting a negative reviews, plz!
Malkano 12 Oct, 2016 @ 8:07pm 
@form2function

Thank you for replying I always support indie devs when it is deserved. I think I will still pick it up as you said at least for the future.
form2function 12 Oct, 2016 @ 7:28pm 
@Malkano, I can't really say that it was. There are cheaper titles out there that would provide far more entertainment, than Project Genom in it's current state. Perhaps in a few months it might reach the point it's entertaining enough to spend a few hours in it, but for me it isn't there yet.

I don't regret buying it, even if I don't touch it again for a year, because I like to support indie titles that show promise. But I wouldn't buy it with the expectation to be entertained just yet, only buy it with the promise of a future in mind.
Malkano 12 Oct, 2016 @ 6:22pm 
That's a wonderful review of this game. My question though is it fun to play? I was thinking of picking it up to help support them as it did look interesting. As for your Russian thing yes I do think it was made in Russian first.

Thanks