Visually, the game is a stunning achievement, showcasing impressive work, especially considering it’s a fan project. Going with UE5 was definitely the best decision the team made, in terms of visuals at the very least.

The UI faithfully mirrors the Source engine, but it’s disappointing that the logo isn’t clickable on the main menu. 0/10 IGN, immersion ruined.

Weapon animations fall short. There's no satisfying feedback when firing the pistol or shotgun. In Half-Life 2, shots have a clear impact, but here it feels like I’m endlessly unloading into zombies with no reaction. The blood splatter is also terrible.

Basic movement is competently recreated but feels subtly "off" in a way that’s hard to pinpoint. One noticeable flaw is the retention of speed when you start crouching; it wasn’t like this in the Source engine.

However, the physics capture some of Source’s charm, particularly when using the gravity gun. Throwing barrels at headcrabs or slicing through zombies feels very satisfying, even in UE5.

At the time of writing this review, the game suffers from severe performance problems and crashes frequently—about half the time it fails to start, likely due to my ultrawide monitor. On an RTX 4090 with an i9-13900K, I'm getting just 50 FPS.

Me and my girlfriend also immediately found a bug with the developer console where it only works if you restart the game after enabling it.

Ultimately, after waiting over five years for this, a mere ten minutes of gameplay isn’t enough to justify this. This is honestly the shortest prologue to be released as a standalone game ever. The development team clearly put in a lot of effort, but with such a short playtime and so many issues, it may have been better to just not have released this. I simply cannot recommend this.

https://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/thewired
https://steamproxy.com/id/rightness/inventory/#753_6_31375110163

As a long-time Steam user, I've had enough of the platform's numerous and persistent issues. Despite its widespread popularity and substantial library, Steam’s numerous flaws overshadow its benefits. From poor customer service to a frustrating user interface, it’s time to address the glaring problems that plague this digital distribution giant.

Steam's customer support is notoriously poor. Each interaction feels like a waste of time, with generic, automated responses that barely address your issue. Whether dealing with broken game downloads or billing problems, the support staff often seem indifferent or uninformed. Response times are painfully slow, and when you finally get a reply, it's often unhelpful and shows a lack of genuine effort. The frustration of resolving even the simplest problems through Steam Support is a significant drawback.

Resolving issues through Steam’s support is often akin to navigating a maze with no exit. Issues are frequently mismanaged or left unresolved, leading to repeated attempts at contact. The lack of effective resolution leaves many users feeling helpless and frustrated, as their problems remain unresolved or are inadequately addressed.

The Steam interface is cluttered, unintuitive, and desperately needs a redesign. The store page is overrun with promotions and ads that make finding specific games a chore. The search function is hit-or-miss, often yielding irrelevant results and making it difficult to find what you're looking for. The constant barrage of advertisements for games you have no interest in only adds to the frustration of navigating the platform.

Steam's search and filtering options are either too broad or too restrictive. This lack of precision often results in an overwhelming number of irrelevant results, making it challenging to discover new titles or find specific games. The search function’s inefficiency is a major hindrance to user experience and hampers the ease of browsing.

The review system on Steam is highly flawed, with many games receiving inflated ratings due to developer manipulation or fake reviews. The lack of effective moderation allows misleading reviews to skew the perception of a game, making it difficult to trust the overall ratings. This undermines the reliability of user feedback and impacts purchasing decisions.

Steam frequently suffers from issues with incomplete or misleading game information. Games can be updated or removed without notice, leaving users in the dark about significant changes. The absence of clear communication about these changes creates confusion and dissatisfaction among users.

The Early Access model on Steam has become a dumping ground for unfinished and often broken games. Many titles remain in Early Access indefinitely, with no guarantee of future updates or completion. This results in users paying for incomplete products and contributes to a growing frustration with the platform.

Steam’s DRM practices can be restrictive and problematic. The concept of owning a game on Steam means you’re essentially leasing it under the threat of revocation. This control over digital content often results in users losing access to purchased games due to policy changes or account issues, undermining the sense of ownership.

The Steam client itself is riddled with bugs and performance issues. Crashes, slowdowns, and failures to launch are common problems. Each update often introduces new bugs or exacerbates existing issues, making the client increasingly unreliable. Quality control seems to be a low priority, resulting in a frustrating user experience.

Regular updates to the Steam client frequently come with new problems or fail to address existing ones. This lack of stability and reliability in updates contributes to a poor overall experience and highlights a troubling disregard for quality and user satisfaction.

Steam operates with a troubling lack of transparency. Changes to policies, algorithms, and features are rarely communicated effectively. Users are left in the dark about why certain decisions are made or why features are removed, leading to a significant erosion of trust.

The absence of clear, proactive communication from Steam means that users often have to deal with sudden changes or issues without any prior notice. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for users to understand or adapt to changes, further diminishing the platform’s credibility.

The increasing trend towards microtransactions and in-game purchases is disheartening. Many games now require additional payments for a full experience, which detracts from the overall enjoyment and value. This aggressive monetization strategy prioritizes profit over player experience and continues to worsen.

The push for in-game purchases and microtransactions negatively impacts gameplay. What was once a straightforward gaming experience is now marred by the need for additional expenditures to fully enjoy or progress in many titles. This shift towards a pay-to-win model undermines the integrity and enjoyment of gaming on Steam.

Steam has significant advantages, such as a vast library and frequent sales, but these benefits are overshadowed by its numerous and persistent issues. Problems with customer support, a cluttered interface, misleading reviews, Early Access failures, DRM policies, and poor client performance all contribute to a frustrating user experience. The platform’s lack of transparency and aggressive monetization strategies further erode its credibility. As a long-time user, I hope Steam will address these critical issues before they further diminish the platform’s reputation and usability.

https://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/thewired