Kong: Survivor Instinct
Release Date: October 22, 2024
Action, platformers, movies, Polish, indie games, 2.5D, action adventure, singleplayer
OpenCritic
Steam
An action adventure game, with a 2.5D view and some metroidvania elements. Kong: Survivor Instinct is related to Godzilla vs. Kong movie - we end up in a Hong Kong destroyed by the huge monsters. We control a character who's trying to survive and find his daughter.
Kong: Survivor Instinct is a 2.5D action platforming game. It is set in the Monsterverse world, which includes such pop culture icons as Godzilla and King Kong. What's more, the whole thing takes place shortly after the events of the movie Godzilla vs. Kong from the Legendary studio. The game was created by the independent Polish studio 7Levels, whose portfolio includes the similar genre game Jet Kave Adventure.
Plot
The battle between Godzilla and King Kong destroyed Hong Kong, leaving behind a labyrinth of ruins.
In Kong: Survivor Instinct we play the role of David, an oil rig worker who must make his way through the city and find his missing daughter Stacy. As we go through the devastated city streets, we encounter other surviving residents. Some of them want to help us in our journey, others are fighting with us for resources.
In addition, our path will be crossed by the bloodthirsty Titan Abaddon and also by the eco-terrorist leader Alan Jonah, known from the Godzilla II: King of the Monsters movie.
Gameplay
The game features dexterity sequences, combat, and exploration in the style of metroidvania. Thanks to the resources, weapons, and tools we collect, we are able to cope with challenges and move forward.
We can defeat opponents directly with a melee weapon in the form of a hammer or from a distance using a pistol.
Titans pose a huge threat, but they can also be helpful. For this purpose, we use the prototype of Monarch technology, known as ORKA Sigma. It's only up to us how these huge monsters will affect our journey.
Videos and Screens
[1:33] Kong: Survivor Instinct KONG Survivor Instinct - Reveal Trailer
Push Square: 5 / 10 by Henry Stockdale
Survivor Instinct's biggest saving grace is the entertaining set-pieces, which usually involve escaping from a Titan strangely determined to kill you. While this can deliver a visually impressive spectacle, it's frustrating how little room for error there often is. These moments are meant to be fast-paced, sure; you're running for your life after all. However, a split-second delay or mistimed jump is often enough to kill you, and that annoyingly restarts the entire segment.
GameOnly: 2 / 5 by Michał Marasek
Kong: Survivor Instinct is a mediocre game in every aspect. Boring storyline, craftsman-like mediocre gameplay, and visually appealing graphics. To be honest, it's hard for me to say who this game is for. Maybe for the biggest fans of the Monsterverse or Kong, who would be delighted by anything from their beloved universe? Alternatively, possibly for people really craving some Metroidvania gameplay. If you're not a member of the mentioned groups, then Kong won't be a good choice. It's not a bad game, but the only thing saving it is the name of the giant gorilla in the title.
WayTooManyGames: 6.5 / 10 by Leonardo Faria
Even if, mechanically speaking, there is nothing special about Kong: Survivor Instinct, and it’s filled with questionable decisions and clunky sections, I do appreciate the uniqueness in its premise. Its developmental team tried to come up with an interesting mixture between a cinematic platformer, a metroidvania, and an apocalyptic survival game, with the limited budget they had at their disposal.
The main pros of the game
- Graphics and Visuals: Many users praised the game's graphics, noting that the environments and monster designs are visually appealing and well-executed.
- Engaging Cutscenes: The cutscenes were described as engaging, adding to the overall experience.
- Lore and World-Building: The game introduces new lore about the Monsterverse, including lesser-known Titans, which fans appreciated.
- Atmosphere: The game effectively conveys a sense of scale and tension when Titans appear, enhancing the immersive experience.
- Casual Gameplay: Some players found the game to be a relaxing experience, suitable for casual gaming sessions.
The main cons of the game
- Repetitive Gameplay: Many reviews pointed out that the gameplay loop becomes monotonous, with repetitive combat and puzzle-solving mechanics.
- Combat Issues: The combat was criticized for being janky and unresponsive, lacking the fluidity expected in action games.
- Weak Story and Characters: The narrative was described as bland, with a generic protagonist and poorly written dialogue that detracted from the experience.
- Limited Titan Interaction: Despite being set in the Monsterverse, the game features minimal interactions with the Titans, which frustrated many players.
- Voice Acting: The voice acting received negative feedback, with many finding it unconvincing and at times annoying.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- More Titan Encounters: Players expressed a desire for more frequent and impactful encounters with Titans, feeling that the game underutilized its central theme.
- Improved Combat Mechanics: Many users suggested that the combat system needs refinement and more variety in enemy types and encounters.
- Depth in Exploration: Some players felt that the game lacked the depth typical of Metroidvania titles, with limited collectibles and hidden areas to discover.
- Checkpoints in Chase Sequences: The absence of checkpoints during intense chase scenes was a common complaint, leading to frustration when players failed and had to restart lengthy sequences.
- Character Development: Users noted a lack of character depth and development, particularly for the protagonist and supporting characters, which could have enhanced the emotional engagement with the story.
Summary
- Overall, while "Kong: Survivor Instinct" has its merits, particularly in visuals and atmosphere, it suffers from repetitive gameplay, combat issues, and a lackluster story, making it a mixed experience for players.
Summary generated on:
Kong: Survivor Instinct Summary
Platforms:
PC Windows
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
Kong: Survivor Instinct System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i5-2400 / AMD Phenom II X6 1100T, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 950 / Radeon RX 460, 9 GB HDD, Windows 8.1/10 64-bit