Miasmata

1. Onyx

   Dec 29, 2012

   10

   For a two man indie game this game is quite impressive. As some people have said, the graphics aren't the best. But the graphics aren't thatFor a two man indie game this game is quite impressive. As some people have said, the graphics aren't the best. But the graphics aren't that important really. There's no huge polygon counts or extremely high resolution textures. But the game makes up for this with a really good atmosphere. It has very impressive lighting and has really good scenery and land details. There's plants and grass almost everywhere for example, something that you almost never see in realistic amounts in games. The game play itself is the main feature of the game. Those that say it's a bush walking simulator are missing the entire point of the game. You play the role of a man called Richard, a scientist who was researching the cure for a plague. Richard catches said plague and comes to the game's island where a lot of researchers were working on curing it. He arrives to find the scientists missing or dead. And there's a lot of references to some creature stalking everyone. Your role in the game is to find the cure which involves exploring the island and gathering ingredients, all while evading the mysterious creature. Exploring the island by itself is a challenging hazard. With the way the mapping system works (which is easily my favorite part of the game) it's incredibly easy to get lost if you're not paying attention. In addition to that, in your weakened state it's easy to stumble and fall (which can result in you taking damage and sliding down hillsides) and you can't swim very far because you wear out quickly (which can be somewhat helped later on in the game). Then there's the creature. It has a random chance of appearing in most places plus there's certain times it's guaranteed to appear. You're too weak to harm it and it's faster than you. It has really well written intelligent AI that dynamically reacts to the player's actions (although there's an occasional bug where the creature can get stuck running around in circles although that's not too terribly common and is a bug the developers are addressing), trying to cut off escape. Evading and escaping it is somewhat challenging (very challenging until you learn how to deal with it) and extremely exciting.
   
   Graphically, the real impressive parts are the lighting system (which is extremely impressive and realistic) which can stand on even footing with most professionally done development engines and the careful attention to details such as having grass and plants everywhere. For having only two people making the entire game, it's an incredible accomplishment. It's more impressive than many games developed by dozens of people.
   
   The game isn't for everyone, just like as any other game. But for those who enjoy exploring beautiful landscapes, solving mysteries, and trying to survive a challenge, this game is one of the best you'll find. Even with the occasional bug and performance issue.… Expand

   • 2 of 3 users found this helpful
2. Kazzier

   Dec 8, 2012

   10

   Incredibly good survival game. Beautiful scenery but enough action (or worry) to keep you on your feet. Have played for multiple hours.
   
   MyIncredibly good survival game. Beautiful scenery but enough action (or worry) to keep you on your feet. Have played for multiple hours.
   
   My only real disappointment was there there presently is no hunger factor, however this is something the designers are apparently working on.… Expand

   • 13 of 19 users found this helpful
4. obeahmon

   Dec 31, 2012

   9

   This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. For three days I wandered alone in this land pondering its mysteries and beauty. Dissecting plants and exploration had become almost rote by now. By day I honed my navigation skills, fighting the terrain and sickness. I mostly slept at night because the darkness was immersive and dizzying making course plotting near invisible. This cursed fever trailed me like a shadow gaining the upper hand whenever I became slack in my preparation. The scout in me had been dormant for far too long to be relied on so heavily now. It was on that third night that bravery, or perhaps hubris, forced me into a corner of my mind rarely visited. Thus far the squirrels, rabbits, and birds had been but cute decorations between falling while running downhill and categorizing the island flora. I synthesized some basic and xtra strength fever meds, filled my canteen, and set off into that bottomless darkness armed with only a handful of flaming twigs and the feeling there was more than I had seen thus far. I had wandered no more than a few hundred yards when my heart began beating loudly. I quickly searched the journal to see if I was in poor health but I was fine. Still the heart and the beating as if Edgar Allen Poe himself had cursed my ears. The a large snap from the east rang out over my heart, now thundering like sasquatch feet. "Damn that squirrel is loud" echoed in my head as fear gripped my spine and pulled me to the west at full speed. Bushes then darkness then trees, more bushes, and falling for what seems to be an eternity. When I regain my footing I hear some thing growling in my ear and again leap to my feet sprinting towards a bridge, clearly losing against my predator. At last I clear the door and cowered in this flimsy until the daylight cleansed my paranoia.
   
   Many days have passed since then but that was when I learned to respect this land and my fragile place in it.
   
   That said this game is easily the most original and innovative title I have seen in 20+ years of full-time gaming, the fact it is also survival horror makes it even better imo. The devs are rather interactive and responsive. Performance is decent and the visuals stunning. This game is such that it will push some of your real life skills to new heights, such as wilderness navigation. Minor frustrations with interface regarding falling. Even then I love that sprinting downhill ends poorly for the runner.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
5. bloodraven209

   Nov 29, 2012

   9

   This game is very different then other games I have played. Normally I stay away from indie games due to the poor quality of most. MiasmataThis game is very different then other games I have played. Normally I stay away from indie games due to the poor quality of most. Miasmata was a game that I bought because of Steam Greenlight. I was not disappointed. The game looks very good for being an indie game (puts some AAA titles to shame). The game-play is very interesting. The world is open and fun to explore. As light487 said, it is a bit low on the frame per second area, but I was able to fix this by lowering a few things, and many of the issues will be fixed via a patch most likely. I recommend this game to anyone looking for something different. PROS: Good graphics, large open-world, interesting map system. CONS: Some Frame per second issues, but those can be fixed if you lower a few settings (Sky quality and water)
   
   OVERALL: For 15 dollars, this is a great game that shows a lot of promise. To anyone thinking of buying the game, just do it. You won't be disappointed. I know I was not! 9/10!… Expand

   • 9 of 10 users found this helpful
6. Matariki

   Oct 30, 2013

   8

   For a two man effort and low budget, this game is really well made considering those two factors, I originally voted for this game on SteamFor a two man effort and low budget, this game is really well made considering those two factors, I originally voted for this game on Steam Green Light. I found it to be fun, with a great combination of survival adventure and thriller. Yes, there are a few flaws with the game and I would of enjoyed more of a back story. But considering that, I highly recommend this game and I hope IonFX make a sequel.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
7. Mallion666

   Jan 2, 2013

   6

   I turned the graphics down and such, so that's all fine. But my only problem is that the camera is constantly slowly moving to the left. II turned the graphics down and such, so that's all fine. But my only problem is that the camera is constantly slowly moving to the left. I don't know why it's doing that, and even if I unplug my mouse, it continues to move left.… Expand

   • 0 of 3 users found this helpful
8. MikefromAngus

   Feb 2, 2014

   0

   I was a sucker and I ended up buying this game. The graphics are from 10 years ago. the gameplay is bad as well.. Avoid this so called game!I was a sucker and I ended up buying this game. The graphics are from 10 years ago. the gameplay is bad as well.. Avoid this so called game! good thing I bought it at a huge discount!… Expand

   • 1 of 3 users found this helpful

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