Cruelty Squad

 PC
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. NME
    Jul 5, 2021
    100
    A furious shout at the hypercapitalism currently infesting our society has created one of the year’s most compelling video games. Cruelty Squad completely reinvents the FPS playbook, introducing plenty of new ideas under a neon-flecked haze of dystopian aesthetics.
  2. Hooked Gamers
    Dec 20, 2021
    97
    Make no mistake, this game is the definition of niche appeal. Its visuals are ugly in a way that is not just visually repellent but deeply unsettling. Its world and lore are in turn, confusing, disturbing, and sickening. Playing its soundtrack above a certain decibel level probably constitutes a war crime. Yet the game demands attention all the same. It's brilliant, disturbing, and endlessly fascinating. I'm painfully aware that not everyone will love Cruelty Squad as much as I do, but those that love it will love it with abandon. For me, it's a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
  3. PC Gamer
    Jul 5, 2021
    93
    Cruelty Squad celebrates feeling bad in surprising ways, all of them fun.
  5. Destructoid
    Jun 16, 2021
    75
    I’m not even sure if I enjoyed it, I just couldn’t look away. It’s like being trapped in a burning circus; it’s a little terrifying, but you can’t help enjoying yourself. There’s something awe-inspiring about having all these terrible little facets come together into a cohesive package. So, I guess I recommend playing it?
This publication does not provide a score for their reviews.
This publication has not posted a final review score yet.
These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation.

In Progress & Unscored

?
  1. Polygon
    Jul 27, 2021
    Will you enjoy Cruelty Squad? I don’t know. It’s a hard game to recommend. It feels like it rips mechanics wholesale out of slick, satisfying shooters like the old Rainbows Six, Deus Ex, or Hitman. Except it’s also intentionally opaque, refusing to lend players a hand in deciphering its visuals or navigating its oppressive atmosphere. And yet, I’m still here gnawing on this coconut, because the pain is worth the taste of that delicious joy.
  2. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Jun 29, 2021
    Deliberate efforts creatie that same feeling require a certain vision and vitality to not feel hollow by comparison. Cruelty Squad kept me clicking, and I might click on it some more. I just don’t feel the need, as others have, to rush to the Steam reviews and write a piece of abstract microfiction about it.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 27
  3. Negative: 2 out of 27
  1. Hecker
    Sep 6, 2021
    9
    in age where every video game is basically feels like the same thing with a different skin on its refreshing to play a game that is soin age where every video game is basically feels like the same thing with a different skin on its refreshing to play a game that is so un-apologetically different and weird… Full Review »
  2. teratoma666
    Dec 23, 2021
    8
    Great immersion sim game - many viable ways to tackle a mission, abuse the systems or just experiment with them.

    The visual style and    Great immersion sim game - many viable ways to tackle a mission, abuse the systems or just experiment with them.

    The visual style and atmosphere are also great and intriguing, I was compelled to explore every single part of the map because I had no idea what to expect from a game like this.    … Full Review »
  3. hange122
    Nov 6, 2021
    9
    This game is so weird and confusing, but i enjoyed it a lot. The game is so creative.
See all user reviews »