Unloved

Release Date: September 29, 2016

Action, FPP, FPS, indie games, shooters, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet

80%

Steam

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A first-person shooter that utilizes the Unreal Engine 4; initially, it existed as a free modification for Doom II: Hell on Earth. The player is taken to closed locations inspired by nightmarish visions. Those environments are filled with demons the player has to fight.

Plot
Mechanics
Game modes

Unloved for PC is a first-person shooter created by BlueEagle Productions. The project was founded in 2010, as a free modification for Doom II: Hell on Earth. The mod became popular and gained recognition, thus the creators decided to develop a commercial edition utilizing the Unreal Engine 4. this change obviously resulted in an increased the level of detail, but fast-paced action, as well as brutality present in the original project were included in this game.

Plot

The creators did not bother to create an extensive plot. The player is simply thrown into a virtual nightmare filled with demons and has to fight their way to freedom.

Mechanics

Unloved for PC was created specifically for fans of old-school FPS games. The action is hectic and the difficulty level is high. When it comes to the player's arsenal, the game does not limit the player in any way. Each weapon can be modified with parts found along the way. The player also gathers different magical trinkets that improve the protagonist's abilities – those can make them more durable or increase their movement speed. Only several trinkets can be carried by the protagonist at the same time however, thus the player has to decide which bonuses fit their fighting style best.

All the maps are randomly generated, albeit this mechanism works in a specific manner here. The developer created a massive number of smaller segments and the game engine creates different combinations of those each time. A special module called the Architect then restricts access to certain locations and decides where the keys for those are to be located. Also, the AI decides where the player will have to go in order to complete the ultimate task, which in turn results in the player reaching a new level.

Game modes

Unloved for PC offers several modes, which alter the shape of each playthrough. Ultra Violence is the standard mode that emphasises fast-paced action and gallons of blood spilt. In the Classic Horror mode, the enemies get stronger and the player has less ammunition. On the other hand, Arcade Style brings a reversed kind of experience, which focuses on blissful mayhem. The Hot Mode is the last one, and it borrows SUPERHOT’s mechanics – time moves only when the player moves. All of this can be played either solo or in co-op variant, for up to four players.

Last updated on October 19, 2016

Videos and Screens

[1:07] Unloved trailer #1

80%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (927)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Cooperative Gameplay: Many users praised the game for being fun, especially when played with friends. The cooperative aspect enhances the overall experience.
Atmosphere and Aesthetics: The spooky atmosphere and graphics (despite some criticisms) were appreciated, with users noting the game's dark and creepy design reminiscent of classics like Doom and Silent Hill.
Engaging Gameplay Mechanics: The shooting mechanics were generally well-received, with players enjoying the enemy behavior and the thrill of combat. The element of surprise from enemy spawns added to the tension and excitement.
Replayability: The game features randomly generated maps and a roguelike structure, allowing for varied gameplay experiences on each run. Players noted that the more they played, the more enjoyable the game became.
Fun Grind: Several reviews mentioned the enjoyable grind for weapon upgrades and experience progression, which kept players engaged over time.

The main cons of the game

Difficulty and Balance Issues: Many players found the game to be quite challenging, even on lower difficulty settings. Some felt that the game was designed primarily for multiplayer, making solo play frustrating.
Confusing Maps and Navigation: Users expressed difficulty understanding the maps, leading to moments of getting lost or disoriented during gameplay.
Technical Issues: Reports of bugs, such as enemies spawning in previously cleared areas and issues with key bindings, detracted from the experience. Some players noted problems with the HUD and item pickup mechanics as well.
Repetitiveness: A few reviews mentioned the repetitive nature of the gameplay and environments, which could lead to a lack of long-term engagement for some players.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

Story Depth: Many players noted the absence of a deep narrative or story-driven content, indicating that the game focused more on action than storytelling.
Save Mechanism: The lack of a save feature or checkpoints was a common complaint, with players feeling this made progress difficult to maintain, especially in a roguelike structure.
More Diverse Content: Some users wished for additional weapons, enemies, and bosses to enhance variety and keep gameplay fresh. Suggestions for more complex game mechanics or modes were also mentioned.
Better HUD and UI: Improvements to the HUD for better clarity and user experience were suggested, as some players found it hard to follow during intense gameplay.

Summary

Overall, while UNLOVED has its share of flaws and areas for improvement, it offers a unique and enjoyable experience, particularly for fans of horror FPS games who appreciate cooperative play.

Summary generated on: November 25, 2024