Alpha Particle

[code]Curator page here-->[url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/37670120/] DaRevieweD #103 [/url]<-- [i]New review every Weekend[/i][/code] [h1] ! DISCLAIMER ![/h1] I don’t usually review games I haven’t finished- but I had to comment on my experience. Alpha Particle (APT) is a sci-fi action adventure that is astounding and curious in nature! Scrupulously designed but it doesn’t have much of an audience- YET! Unfortunately, I couldn’t finish it, nor get very far… BUT it had my attention as well as brainpower from the claustrophobic beginning, up to the point I was stumped and I’m sure even further if I wasn’t so dumb~ [h1]PARTICLE-LARY Attractive~[/h1] https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2536240698 [u]Here's The Thing:[/u] You exist as a measly and tiny particle contemplating the purpose of your creation. But you’re ever absorbent with an unquenching thirst for power and answers… Explore different stations and vanquish those that stand in your path! Will you finally find what it is you were made for? To be continued~ [h1][+] WHAT I LIKED SO FAR;[/h1] [b]STORY[/b] :) Plot is a bit of a black hole but I liked what it stood for- a quest of growth and discovery, who can’t relate to that!? Don’t think there’s much lore but that’s because I’m a noob, so this is just conjecture. The puzzles are stifling enough but the cutthroat competition between you and other particles (even though they’re AIs) to emerge victorious sucks the oxygen out of the room. Their tenacity is commendable and you’d do well to learn a thing or two from them. If you replace “particle” with “human” for every instance I mention the former, it can be quite overbearing~ [b]GRAPHICS[/b] :) Dazzling with wonder, but don’t be fooled by their luring lights- those patrolling particles are anything but friendly!! The interior of the stations can become rather dim, eerie leaving you cramped and hyperventilating. But then open and well-lit the next, leaving you feeling exposed and still peculiar. It’s not a horror game but it can certainly be that way! Whether it be the steam wafting out of vents or the trail left by luminous, deciduous entities. Or the many MANY bursting of teeny, tiny particles from outsmarting a fellow enemy or simply recharging your energy- APT has some absolutely eye-candy level and mesmerizing visuals! The short hype-building “cutscenes” or more like in-game flashy sequences of preparing your awakening and getting ready to launch to other stations showcase the amount of diligence and time in setting them up~ [b]SOUND[/b] :) Complete with enticing sound effects such as but not limited to the beep-boops, laser beams, robotic moving parts, pulsating, shimmers and what have you- everything straight out of the “nerdy section” buffet and I gobbled them up good! Though I’m not a big fan of sci-fi (unless it’s horror) anything, I was deeply intrigued by the reverb of the sounds and the exciting mixing!! The score isn’t very present but it’s made up for by a symphony of ambience to dress the journey into an ominous venture into the unknown…!! Your normal pace generates a small buzzing but when you sprint, becomes louder and like a jet engine. Remember the tugging of your heartstrings when you feasted your peepers on the fancy consoles and held up your Dumbo ears fascinating tech of [b]Alien (1979)[/b]? Little things like that and more~ [b]GAMEPLAY[/b] :) The overall design is- to put it plainly, magnetizing. The visuals and sounds bond to create a truly sci-fi faithful experience. And it isn’t any less so gameplay-wise, of which there are probably 50+ levels divided across a number of stations. Though there is help available, each level is challenging and how the hostile beings operate require firsthand experience and creative experimentation with for yourself. Things like the reach/radius of detection before they can begin homing in on you. The various speeds by which they can go up to and of course figuring out their respective weaknesses! https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2536244132 So far, there are levels akin to a race or agility-oriented and you have to get to the end. But then there are the more standard survival ones that involve your weeding out the weaker, insignificant particles and knowing when to retreat as well!! There’s even a boss battle, which I’m sure won’t be the last. All these and a plethora of other hidden areas, upgrades and equipment call for you tread lightly. I can’t definitively claim it’s all worth the 15.99 price tag but I’m leaning towards yes~ [h1][-] WHAT'S HOLDING IT / ME BACK;[/h1] :( Okay, if I practically have my mouth in the butt of this game already, then why have I not finished it? Well, I simply “couldn’t” because I ended up wandering around aimless and directionless. Because of the whole having to traverse around the map, even simply navigating “options” menu is unconventional and takes an extra mile. But that’s beside the point, most pressingly- the objective was just not laid out properly! I thought I was all set to progress but instead I was slapped with having triggered… something into motion but no idea what it unlocked. :( I guess I’m jumping the gun but I did find it a bit too niche and too challenging for the casual gamer and it requires, for one, to be first a lover of the sci-fi genre and also strategy-savvy person!! Something I’ve been in dialogue with the dev as well. What’s worse is there’s a tip generating machine in the main menu (which is a giant hub to lounge around) but it displays hints for things I’ve yet to encounter and so only adds to my disorientation… :( Lastly, APT is jargony. What this means is it plays out like a giant physics lecture with all those terms and concepts. Most of which I’m sure are fictitious but you still need to grasp at least some in order to fully work the game to your advantage!! Although I did not pay much attention, frankly… Rather, I just trial-and-error my way through (could that be the issue hahah). Also, the too big font size and spacing a little too close together made the idea of reading even less than appealing. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2536247910 [h1]BUGS:[/h1] x Da-bugged (none thus far) [h1]NITPICKS:[/h1] ~ Seems almost made for the mobile and would’ve been much better if it’s like playing stage after stage instead of the feel of an adventure! ~ Not a bug, but inconsistent behavior. Like when dealing with the boss- getting the projectiles to follow you is almost entirely by luck. ~ Option/interface for fast travel; quick level-select and ability to quit game without the back-and-forth in between. Just to help those struggling or impatient XD ~ Unskippable transitions; clever way of loading? ~ Main objective laid out or at least have an AI to guide/remind me at the press of a button (again optional)! [h1] But Repelling At The Same Time...[/h1] [u]Last Words?[/u] Sci-fi strategy game with very crisp presentation & noteworthy design. But suited for a specific target group; much to the bewilderment of unsuspecting geeks… Had me wondering if it’s still in alpha~ [h1]3 / 5[/h1] [b](for now)[/b] [code]Thank you to [b]Function Unknown[/b] for da key!![/code]