Today, we’re taking a closer look at Simulakros, a third-person rogue-lite action game developed by Sirio Games and published by Dear Villagers. Released on October 10, 2024, the game has garnered mixed reviews. Let’s break down what it does well and where it needs some polish.. The game boasts fast-paced combat, distinct playable characters, and a randomized level design that keeps each run fresh. We have seen this described a Warframe design inspired rougelike and that description fits perfectly. Its a fun pickup concept but is it worth your time?
In Simulakros, you’re thrust into a futuristic world dominated by robots and AI. The powerful CORP is developing a deadly combat android called the Simulakros unit, and it’s up to you, alongside a mysterious hacker, to sabotage their plans. Using their creations against them, you’ll battle through procedurally generated levels, tackle dynamic challenges, and try to escape CORP’s sprawling, high-tech facilities. In Simulakros, players can choose from three unique Simulakros units—Sharpshooter, Barrage, and Rupture—each offering varied playstyles and abilities, which enhance the overall replayability.
While the gameplay loop is generally smooth and engaging and while the procedural generation adds variety, the visual style across levels can feel repetitive, as many areas fail to stand out from the industrial aesthetic.
As mentioned before, The game features three unique Simulakros units: the Sharpshooter, a precision fighter using rifles and time manipulation; the Barrage, a mid-range specialist with SMGs and energy-based abilities; and Rupture, an aggressive, close-quarters fighter with shotguns and grenades. Each unit has its own distinct playstyle, offering variety and replayability. However, the limited roster means that extended play sessions may feel repetitive, and the addition of more characters would significantly enhance the experience. There are upgrade paths and enhancements to go along to make yourself permanently better as time grows but I quickly wanted more units and different combat weapons or abilities after several hours of playing with each unit.
The neon-lit visuals and sleek character models are a highlight, although the environments lack distinctiveness, often feeling like a continuous steel factory. Sound design is another area where the game stumbles; while the soundtrack and weapon effects add excitement, the lack of clear enemy sound cues impacts the gameplay experience. While the core mechanics are enjoyable, boss encounters leave much to be desired as well.
The fights are straightforward and lack the complexity or adrenaline-pumping mechanics that make battles memorable- I felt I was just was running in circles waiting for my abilities to regenerate over and over with no interesting mechanics to keep me hooked. Adding more dynamic phases, environmental changes, or unique challenges could elevate these encounters and provide the depth players crave.
On the technical side, Simulakros shows promise but suffers from occasional bugs, such as guns failing to fire and enemies getting stuck in terrain. Frame rate issues on higher settings also hint at the need for further optimization. Despite these flaws, the development team’s active engagement and consistent updates show a commitment to improving the game. This game does support frame generation and it performed well on our machine besides the occasional glitch.
The foundation is solid, and the gameplay itself is undeniably fun and addictive, but Simulakros just needs more content and more variety to keep it from becoming so repetitive. For those who enjoy roguelike shooters, Simulakros is a thrilling option, though it may be worth waiting for additional patches to address its rough edges and expand its content. With its fast-paced combat, unique progression system, and immersive aesthetics, Simulakros stands out as a title with significant potential, even if it doesn’t fully deliver just yet.
Simulakros: The foundation is solid, and the gameplay itself is undeniably fun and addictive, but Simulakros just needs more content and more variety to keep it from becoming so repetitive. For those who enjoy roguelike shooters, Simulakros is a thrilling option, though it may be worth waiting for additional patches to address its rough edges and expand its content. – Mario Vasquez