Crunch Element

I feel really bad for Crunch element because the games ratings over the last few years are likely to kill people who just look at it for a glance, and move on before looking deeper. So if you're reading this, stop for a sec and try to read the "most recent" reviews. First and foremost, as of 6/27/25 this game *officially* is no longer abandonware, or at least for now. So all those reviews saying to check something else, disregard those for now. The game got a massive update, with a complete overhaul of virtually almost everything in the game, and boy is it smooth. I liked the old crunch element for what it's worth. Sure, it was clunky and a bit janky at times, but for what it was up against when it came out, it was pretty fun, and provided a few hours of laughs (I don't think my playtime is correct, I played quite a bit longer than what shows on the experimental branch). But compared to this update, it's hard to imagine going back. The performance of the game is notably a lot better, I have a pretty beefy computer to be fair, but on the recent update, I have no stutters or serious issues with performance, even in hectic or chaotic engagements. The AIs aren't perfect, but they aren't dumb either. For better or for worse depending on who you ask, the time to kill against you is pretty fast too, especially in close quarters, which emphasizes good strategy, and teamwork if you got the friends to play with. In my eyes, this is a major plus compared to being a bullet sponge with no real risk or challenge against PvE ai. It can be cheesed don't get me wrong, but if you allow yourself to get immersed, it really fun. Rainbow Six Siege style destruction with walls, windows, and doors is just such a good feeling mechanic in vr. And Crunch Element really nails it, you need to be thorough to fit through small holes, bullets going through soft materials, the cracking of glass as bullets fly, its immersive and fun, without taking a big hit in the frames department of performance. The roguelike mode is gone (for now) however, I see this as a bit of a downside, but the dev has expressed how much time it would take to re-write something like that, but hasn't straight up said no either. In my eyes this is a bit of a loss for the new update, the "campaign" if thats what you want to call it, should take you a few hours, and is a bit linear, but definitely has charming moments. Replay ability might suffer a bit, but I do hope content keeps flowing over the next couple months. This great chance for the dev to prove this isn't just an abandoned project after this update, but time will tell there. I also want to mention the gunplay feels SIGNIFICANTLY better than before, I really wasn't a fan of how the guns felt in old Crunch Element, but they did a MUCH better job in this update. There's still a few nuances I have, around some gripping points and chambering visuals, but these are nitpicks easily. I wouldn't say it is above H3VR for me, but I would place it around the level of Onwards (RIP) in terms of handling and feel. Okay I could keep rambling for ages, and I am no means a professional reviewer. But I am glad to see this project get a breath of life. Keep up the good work devs. TLDR: NO LONGER ABANDONED, Better performance, Better handling/Controls, Fun with friends, no roguelike, but campaign + gear/intractables/mechanics worth the price.

This game use to be abandoned and i still enjoyed it tbh. BUT NOW its back and honestly im digging it way more than before, its super fun. New update rocks, though i miss the sandbox mode where you can continuously keep raiding with whatever equipment you have / acquire over time

The Creator of the game fooled us all. It is not dead. Have fun playing :D

It's not there. The main gimmick of being able to break walls is in theory fun but none of the rest of the game supports that being tactically valuable. Instead it's a basic cawadooty campaign with lots of mooks to shoot and cheesy voice lines and objective markers. Maybe the later campaign levels are better, but the first levels didn't inspire enough confidence to continue, nor does having to grind through all the levels to unlock more than an AK12.

THEY DID IT. REIVIVE THIS GAME

The Dev didn't abandon it...

Its a very fun game better with friends new update makes the old version feel like a demo for what he really wanted to make which was this game its hours of non stop fun and if you're thinking about it get it because I promise its worth it.

Good update :) Despite the simple graphics it has fun gameplay elements you don't see in what few VR tactical shooter there are

Welcome back...

beyond recommended for the price. for a solo dev project this game is a wonderful piece