
A fast run and gun horror shooter with roguelike elements
Modeled estimate, not a reported figure. How we estimate →
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About
CRUEL drops you into a twisted world. One where you must embrace a demonic entity brought on by well yourself, choose what you truly desire and brace yourself for the horrors ahead.
Survive a Living Nightmare: Battle through 10 dynamic, ever-changing levels filled with bloodthirsty enemies who won’t stop until you’re dead. The building itself is your enemy and it’s trying to consume you.
Run, Fight, and Adapt: Speed is your only ally as you race against a constantly shifting environment. Keep an eye out for cans, which serve as both health boosts and currency for powerful upgrades. Stack them up and unleash a devastating attack when you need it most.
Pulse-Pounding OST: Feel the adrenaline surge with a hard-hitting electronic soundtrack that keeps you on edge. The relentless beats and aggressive synths mirror the intensity of the gameplay, immersing you deeper into the chaotic, surreal world of CRUEL.
A Blast from the Past: Inspired by the adrenaline-pumping classics of FPS and arcade games, CRUEL delivers fast-paced action with a twist of dark humour. It's a nostalgic thrill ride that doesn’t take itself too seriously, offering a fresh experience with a comedic kick.
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Stats
All-time low is the lowest price we've recorded for this game since we started tracking it.
Languages: English**languages with full audio support
Engagement
Reviews
Themes across 51 recent reviews and how positive each mention is. A keyword signal, not full sentiment analysis.
Reviews
[h2]Cruel: "disposed to inflict pain or suffering : devoid of humane feelings"[/h2] How far are you willing to go to kill? 10 floors in a derelict soviet style apartment building stand between you and the answer. Every cultist, crackhead tenant, dark entity, fueled my insatiable bloodlust climaxing with a choice so Cruel, I wasn't sure of who I was anymore. Weapon variety is solid. You've got your standard fare - revolver, smg, shotgun, chainsaw, axe, among others that I'll leave you to discover. Perks after each floor in exchange for soda (health) created an interesting balance between survivability and build crafting. Would you rather enemies drop more bullets or sacrifice your last soda without knowing where the next vending machine is? Fast paced is not an exaggeration here, the fire spreading throughout the building is unrelenting and forces you to be decisive and commit to your movements and choices. Several new rituals (game modes) have been added since release including the fan favorite "endless" which adds replayability. There is little in the way of telling a story, but the incentive of completing a murder ritual was plenty of fun to me. You're not getting many options/settings here. Cruel is a tight, fun, and complete experience that I'd happily recommend to fans of fast paced intense fps combat with horror elements. I'm looking forward to whatever James Dornan decides to cook up next.
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Trends
Modeled estimate over time, reconstructed from Steam's monthly review histogram.
Hours played at review time, across 51 reviews with recorded playtime.
positive critical· bar length = how often the theme comes up
When you get ahold of CRUEL's gameplay loop, you will enter a FLOW STATE. Pop a headshot, kick cultist out the window, roll over and grab his melee weapon, slice up three enemies who are charging straight at you, toss the melee weapon down the hall at another poor cultist, vandalize a vending machine and chug its contents, yadayadayada. CRUEL's gameplay loop is a total blast and is supported by powerful and satisfying weapons, a varied and fleshed out enemy roster, and super tight controls. CRUEL's levels are procedurally generated which does mean they don't have a handcrafted feel, but the level layouts are never exactly the same, and it keeps you on your toes. CRUEL'S SOUNDTRACK is high energy, fast tempo electronic music of various types and it does a stellar job of motivating the player to keep moving forward at a breakneck pace. One of my favorite elements of the game easily. This game doesn't have the most content, but there are various side modes and I've been having so much fun trying to beat them for all the achievements. I also love CRUEL'S GRUNGY and SILLY ATMOSPHERE. CRUEL rules and deserves to be talked about more
Simple fast and fun great pick-up-and-play shooter with a cool horror vibe. Recommended 👍
Fast-paced Roguelike with PS1 style visuals. I don't regret buying this game and I recommend Game is made in GODOT Engine (I think that's cool)
This game makes me feel like I'm suppose to run in blazing guns and glory, and meant to die in a way where you understand the game more, it is a good feeling for it 10/10 game would recommend.
CRUEL is a relentless first-person shooter that captures the intensity of classic boomer shooters while introducing an innovative mechanic that constantly changes the battlefield beneath the player's feet. Developed and published by James Dornan, the game places speed, precision, and adaptability above everything else. Rather than relying on an elaborate story, it focuses on delivering a pure gameplay experience where every level becomes a desperate fight for survival. Its straightforward premise allows the mechanics to take center stage, creating a satisfying experience for players who appreciate skill-driven action and nonstop combat. The most distinctive aspect of CRUEL is its ever-changing environment. Instead of navigating static maps, players find themselves in levels that transform as they progress, with walls shifting, pathways opening, and familiar routes disappearing. This dynamic system forces players to remain alert throughout every encounter since memorizing a layout offers little advantage. The evolving architecture not only keeps exploration engaging but also affects combat by creating unexpected opportunities and fresh dangers. Every run feels different, giving the game considerable replay value while maintaining a constant sense of uncertainty. Combat is designed around movement and aggression. Standing still is rarely an option, as enemies relentlessly pursue the player through increasingly dangerous arenas. A varied arsenal provides tools for different situations, encouraging players to switch weapons depending on enemy behavior and battlefield conditions. The controls feel responsive, allowing fluid movement while firing, dodging, and repositioning during intense firefights. Success depends on maintaining momentum, managing resources effectively, and reacting quickly to rapidly changing situations instead of relying solely on overwhelming firepower. Enemy variety contributes significantly to the challenge. Each opponent introduces different attack styles and movement patterns, preventing encounters from becoming repetitive. As levels continue to shift during battle, players must constantly reconsider their positioning and priorities, making every confrontation feel unpredictable. The combination of aggressive enemies and dynamic environments creates an exhilarating gameplay loop that rewards careful observation, quick reflexes, and strategic decision-making without sacrificing the fast pace expected from the genre. The visual presentation embraces retro-inspired aesthetics while incorporating modern graphical enhancements. Its gritty environments, atmospheric lighting, and detailed effects successfully recreate the spirit of classic shooters without feeling outdated. Blood-soaked corridors, industrial structures, and unsettling architecture establish a harsh atmosphere that perfectly complements the game's brutal tone. The visual clarity also serves gameplay well, ensuring enemies and environmental changes remain easy to recognize even during the most chaotic battles. Audio design plays an equally important role in reinforcing the experience. Powerful weapon effects make every shot feel impactful, while enemy sounds provide valuable cues during combat. The energetic soundtrack sustains the game's relentless pace, encouraging players to stay aggressive and maintain momentum. Together, the music and sound effects enhance immersion and make victories feel even more rewarding after surviving difficult encounters. Replayability is one of CRUEL's strongest qualities. Because the environments continuously evolve and encounters rarely unfold the same way twice, each playthrough presents new tactical possibilities. Players can experiment with different weapon combinations, movement strategies, and approaches to overcoming increasingly difficult situations. This emphasis on replayability ensures that mastering the game remains an engaging process rather than a repetitive grind. CRUEL successfully modernizes the old-school first-person shooter formula without abandoning the core principles that made the genre popular. Its transforming levels, satisfying gunplay, relentless pacing, and strong audiovisual presentation combine to create a memorable action experience that rewards both skill and persistence. While the minimal narrative and demanding difficulty may not appeal to everyone, fans of fast-paced shooters will find a challenging and highly replayable adventure that stands out through its inventive environmental mechanics. It is an exhilarating blend of classic design philosophy and fresh gameplay innovation. Rating: 9/10
Really easy to pick up and have fun
frickin love the music in this game man, its so fun to play. 10/10
ts game is aura
My only critique of the game is that i wish there was more of it! I'm working on getting all achievements because the core gameplay is so solid and satisfying, despite being so simple. It's probably the best feeling roguelike if you like fast-paced boomer-shooters. Looking forward to what my boy james is cooking next.
Audience
Estimated from the language of this game's reviews — a proxy for where players are, not official Steam demographics.
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