Overload

 PC
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 34
  3. Negative: 5 out of 34

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  1. Captain_Chaos
    Jul 5, 2020
    9
    Calling Overload a spiritual successor to Descent almost doesn't cut it. It essentially IS Descent 4 in all but name, and honestly is more faithful to the first two games then the third one was. I would expect little else from the co-founders of Parallax Software getting a team together to create a game celebrating Descent's anniversary.

    For those who were too young or otherwise missed    Calling Overload a spiritual successor to Descent almost doesn't cut it. It essentially IS Descent 4 in all but name, and honestly is more faithful to the first two games then the third one was. I would expect little else from the co-founders of Parallax Software getting a team together to create a game celebrating Descent's anniversary.

    For those who were too young or otherwise missed out on Descent, the gameplay of Overload is simple in design: You are the pilot of a small, but heavily armed spacecraft, exploring a series of zero-gravity mining bases infested with killer robots. You must find keys, destroy the mine's reactor and then race to the exit door before time runs out. Simple. You can move in any direction, leading to the subgenre's nickname of "6DOF", or six degrees of freedom, shooter. Many games of this type are more traditional space combat sims, lacking the Doom-esque level design that characterizes games like the aformentioned, Forsaken and Neon SXZ, with Sublevel Zero being a rogue-lite take on the concept.

    This time the setting is limited to the moons of Saturn in a series of mining and research bases belonging to a group called Cronus Frontier, in the year 2118. Cronus' parent company, Juno Offworld, has recieved a series of distress calls from Cronus and has dispatched you, a gunship pilot aboard the transport ship Iberia, to investigate.

    I would go so far as to say that Overload is better then its predecessors, refining the formula to a higher degree in a variety of ways. The basic feel of moving and shooting has improved greatly, with an ease and slickness not present in Descent. Auto-leveling relative to the level's axis's is more subtle, with none of the sudden rotational jerks you would get in Descent. An upgrade system has been added, allowing you to improve the weapons you prefer to use, such as the Cyclone gatling-laser or the Crusher shotgun in my case. This upgrade system was the focus of one complaint I read in a steam review, wherin the issue was that the points for said upgrades are mostly hidden in secret areas, and cannot be returned for if they were missed in an earlier level in the campaign.

    Said secrets on the whole are easier to locate- secret doors are typically obvious in appearance and are also revealed on the map when a new room is entered- they are not indicated as such, but one quickly learns to investigate conspicuous, 1-block square protrusions from otherwise flush room walls on the map. You could also just use a guide, though some would prefer not to constantly alt-tab out of a running game to view a guide as I did.

    One aspect that has been drastically downsized is the guidebot. As in Descent 2 and 3, you have a small guide robot, this time a holographic construct, that can be deployed to guide you through the level to your next objective. It cannot locate secrets for you, but in the earlier games it could be asked to find nearby enemies, items, or hostages. The hologuide in Overload cannot be given specific instructions- it will only take you to the next primary objective in sequence. At least the hostages, now in cryotubes, are marked on the map, which is easier to read then it used to be. You can also still place markers, though only one at at time, but they are now visible through level architecture so you can use it as a quick reference point when flying about.

    Another unexpected aspect is Overload's writing- the Descent games, in typical 90s action fashion, had very little plot or backstory, at least until the third game. Overload's levels are prefaced with briefings from the Iberia's onboard AI, Mara, and peppered with past audio logs and real-time transmissions from Mara that help you piece together why the mining robots went haywire and surviving staff are locked up in cryogenic escape pods. It has a few interesting twists that the genre-savvy might see coming, but it was compelling enough, with good enough voice acting, that I wanted to see how it concluded. There has been discourse lately of the importance or lack thereof of a good, or at least fun, story in videogames, and I am firmly in the former camp, regardless of what John Carmack has to say on the subject.

    There is a lack of visual variety in the level design as compared to Descent, but it's not something that really bothered me while I was playing. The overall layouts are far easier to navigate however.

    No doubt a treat for veterans of Descent and other 90s shooters, I believe Overload also has something to offer for fresh players, offering a tight, explosive FPS experience in keeping with both its forebears and the recent resurgence of the design sensibilities of that decade. Descent 2 was one of my favorite games as a kid, moreso then Doom or Quake, and Overload feels like the best kind of trip down memory lane.    … Expand
  2. DescentMax7930
    Nov 6, 2018
    9
    This game is everything I have ever wanted. As I play this game, Overload, I am thrown back into the 1990s when I was playing the Descent series. The feel of it feels like Descent. The gameplay feels like Descent. Yes the multiplayer servers are buggy and the design of the online play isn't perfect which is why I give it a 9/10, but overall, the game is amazing. I am buying it for my XBOXThis game is everything I have ever wanted. As I play this game, Overload, I am thrown back into the 1990s when I was playing the Descent series. The feel of it feels like Descent. The gameplay feels like Descent. Yes the multiplayer servers are buggy and the design of the online play isn't perfect which is why I give it a 9/10, but overall, the game is amazing. I am buying it for my XBOX One when it releases, the people I am associated with they have all bought the game and love the game.… Expand
  3. TheDudeIsRight
    Oct 8, 2018
    10
    This game represents what happens when a group of responsible, intelligent, talented people set off on a common goal - to create something truly innovative without compromising in a world full of clones, sequels and copy cats. To anyone posting a negative review of this awesome game - which accomplishes exactly what it promised - Nobody is taking you seriously!
  4. Thermoluminesce
    Sep 23, 2018
    10
    Growing up with the Descent series, this game is a dream come true.

    I supported both Descent: Underground and Overload on Kickstarter. Very happy at least one of them turned out worth the money.
  5. krayzkrok
    Jun 29, 2018
    10
    Overload is the spiritual successor to Descent, and as it was created by much of the original team it shouldn't come as a surprise to hear they nailed it. If they still owned the IP, they could have called it Descent 4. To be honest it's more like a successor to Descent 2 than the slightly divergent Descent 3, but that's a good thing as D2 was always my favorite. Bearing in mind this was aOverload is the spiritual successor to Descent, and as it was created by much of the original team it shouldn't come as a surprise to hear they nailed it. If they still owned the IP, they could have called it Descent 4. To be honest it's more like a successor to Descent 2 than the slightly divergent Descent 3, but that's a good thing as D2 was always my favorite. Bearing in mind this was a small team with a very small budget, what they've produced here is nothing short of stunning. A meaty single player campaign with an interesting story, a good selection of "challenge" levels where it's you against a horde of bots, and multiplayer, not to mention New Game +, dozens of secrets to find (and secret levels), and a raft of achievements, this will keep you busy for a while.

    The best part of Overload is the feel of flying the ship. Like I said, they absolutely nailed this, and it's critical in a 6 DOF game. Keyboard and mouse are as good as it gets, but you can use any combination of joystick, gamepad, Steam controller, HOTAS and whatever else with the thorough control options. Graphics are sharp, clean and beautiful, with some AAA quality lighting, although bear in mind this isn't a 100 million dollar project so temper your expectations. The explosions though are a thing of beauty, and as you'll be creating lots of them, this is a good thing. Dogfighting consistently feels awesome, which is why I've put hundreds of hours into it so far. It's hard to explain how good it feels, but there's a free Playable Teaser available if you want to try it out. Special mention to the soundtrack which gets the Descent feel down perfectly, and is a great slice of industrial-tinged electronica in itself, and includes contributions from all three musicians from D1, D2 and D3.

    I've put maybe a couple of hundred hours into this game, so the honeymoon period is well past, so when I tell you this is my game of the year (despite my probable bias given how long I've been waiting for another Descent!) I'm being quite serious. I never expected the same devs would get back together and give us such a perfect modern Descent, but I guess not everything in the world has gone to **** yet.    … Expand
  6. Parabolicus
    Jun 29, 2018
    10
    This is a worthy successor to the Descent series. The six-degrees-of-freedom experience feels amazing, the graphics are good and the music is stellar. There are some minor gameplay nitpicks. I would've liked to see some more creative and different levels as well as more use of the system that allows for other objectives than blowing up the reactor, seeing the tech is clearly there for it.This is a worthy successor to the Descent series. The six-degrees-of-freedom experience feels amazing, the graphics are good and the music is stellar. There are some minor gameplay nitpicks. I would've liked to see some more creative and different levels as well as more use of the system that allows for other objectives than blowing up the reactor, seeing the tech is clearly there for it. I do believe however that the pros outweigh the cons in my opinion.

    Update: With the level editor, the game definitely deserves the full 10 rather than just a 9.    … Expand
  7. MO3BIUM
    Jun 23, 2018
    8
    was glad to see it developed. I have to give it a solid score but there is no .5 so I cant sy 8.5 I have to choose 8 or 9. I would give it a nine but we are in 2018 so the textures should have been implemented in a better way so I would say a 7 on textures, I'm not sure how you do that but its still looks great for the most part, the graphics just don't pack that oomph but they do get awas glad to see it developed. I have to give it a solid score but there is no .5 so I cant sy 8.5 I have to choose 8 or 9. I would give it a nine but we are in 2018 so the textures should have been implemented in a better way so I would say a 7 on textures, I'm not sure how you do that but its still looks great for the most part, the graphics just don't pack that oomph but they do get a pass for being such a tiny team! load up descent 3 and you will see t doesn't look much better than it is. that's ok but...like I previously stated 2018.

    other than that it really is descent, but they cannot make the original weapons due to copyright infringement so... any hardcore player will notice direct similarities here and there ; they are still solid for the most part. so for design and 8.5

    level design is really good. this game has been done many times before so it is incredibly difficult to create great new levels so they are still very good. I preffered 3's rock generation better this looks how else do I say it... "clumpy" all in all design is an 8.5

    music is classic descent I give it a 10 all the way. lots of atmosphere sounds and crunchy riffs during tension and nice exploration music. solid. it is the same musician from the originals so its no wonder

    the only real gripe I have is the gimmicky sparks or "glitter" flying everywhere whilst you are in combat blowing stuff up. it gets in the way and makes it difficult to focus. they should take that $hitt out or tone it down 50% so for that a -1 . other than that I am glad it is here and glad to have spent the money on it. I am still waiting for descent underground to launch = if it ever does? so if it does launch this should be dubbed descent 3.5 if not this is it's successor! :D

    so real overall score for me is an 8.5 but I wont give it a nine so... 8 it is    … Expand
  8. Papageorgeo86
    Jun 22, 2018
    10
    Awesome game!!!! I hope we will get a sequel. This is Descent 4, wink wink ;). Gameplay and music are amazing. Voice over work is professional. Multiplayer is solid. Can't say anything bad. If you have money buy this. You wont be disappointed!
  9. M1Combat
    Jun 14, 2018
    9
    This is an excellent Ode to Descent. Made by the original creators of Descent no less :). It has the right feel... that old creepy Descenty feel :). Welcome back to the mines Material Defender. The reviews that mention repetition and boring are kinda missing the point and are almost certainly not fans of the Descent series. Overload is for the fans. If it catches a few new pilotsThis is an excellent Ode to Descent. Made by the original creators of Descent no less :). It has the right feel... that old creepy Descenty feel :). Welcome back to the mines Material Defender. The reviews that mention repetition and boring are kinda missing the point and are almost certainly not fans of the Descent series. Overload is for the fans. If it catches a few new pilots that's great but it stays true to the originals and like fans around the world (Who have elevated the Steam reviews to "Overwhelmingly Positive")... I love it. If you liked the originals you'll like this. If you haven't played them... Then you can only give a negative review if you don't understand the point of Overload.… Expand
  10. GmrReview
    Jun 11, 2018
    2
    Nostalgia, repetitive, boring. A game that you play once, put it down and never think of again.
  11. prawdaeh
    Jun 10, 2018
    9
    This game is the spritial successor to the Descent series and is worth every fricking penny. Needs a server browser type of setup imo, and a server.exe or I'd bump my 9/10 to a 10/10.

    Go have fun in Overload. It's a great game, it's priced more than fairly. Things will only get better when they give us the Mission Editor, and hopefully continuing improvements. The single player is    This game is the spritial successor to the Descent series and is worth every fricking penny. Needs a server browser type of setup imo, and a server.exe or I'd bump my 9/10 to a 10/10.

    Go have fun in Overload. It's a great game, it's priced more than fairly. Things will only get better when they give us the Mission Editor, and hopefully continuing improvements. The single player is fun, and like any other game you'll get used to 6DoF once you develop some muscle memory.    … Expand
  12. eromneva
    Jun 5, 2018
    6
    While the developers have nailed the sense of movement I've hankered for since Descent/II, the levels feel bland, enemies are hard to see and identify in the color scheme and weapons are hard to aim and feel generic. In combat I found myself just holding down the mouse buttons until the mess cleared before rushing to the end of the level to get it over with. Overload is on the right track,While the developers have nailed the sense of movement I've hankered for since Descent/II, the levels feel bland, enemies are hard to see and identify in the color scheme and weapons are hard to aim and feel generic. In combat I found myself just holding down the mouse buttons until the mess cleared before rushing to the end of the level to get it over with. Overload is on the right track, looking forward to Overload II.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. PC Gamer
    Aug 6, 2018
    75
    Beautiful combat livens up Overload's tedious levels.
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  2. Everyeye.it
    Jul 6, 2018
    70
    Overload comes out of that school of thought that, in the 90s, made the FPS great: a fast-paced, fast, punitive and very particular shooter in its movement system. A title that carries that philosophy to the present day, but carries with it a loyalty to the past that structurally feels the weight of time.
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  3. PC Games
    Jun 8, 2018
    75
    It's Descent with all its ups and downs: Fantastic playability, cool weapons and challenging levels, which are diminished by bleak environments and monotonous missions. So yeah, the game can feel a little outdated at times. But if you are a fan of the original two Descent games, that might be exactly what you are looking for. I had a blast.
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