Off the Shelf Media

Doom clones have existed since, well, Doom existed. Now this isn’t the normal type of game I play so I am a bit out of my element, but this one deserves a mention. They are the type of game you can pick up in almost any scenario and play, maybe not master but certainly enjoy. It seems fitting, and entirely accidental, that this review should be made so close to the anniversary of Hrot’s official release and the recent announcement of Doom: The Dark Ages. 

Gameplay: 2

This is a good place to start by saying in my entire playthrough I did not experience any sort of crash or glitch which takes a bit of honor to admit coming from a type of game you are expected to constantly fail at before winning. Albeit the simple design of such a game probably makes a flawless creation easier when compared to more contemporary titles and my total playtime is probably less compared to the more avid fan of this game style. It reminded me of a simpler time playing Chex Quest, thanking my older brothers for that one, which is hands down one of the greatest games of all time, and free. While the intended playing age for Hrot is closer to Doom’s it’s hard not to mention Chex Quest whenever a Doom Clone is brought up with the ridiculous circumstances surrounding that game’s creation.

Story: 2

The story is simple and direct like the playstyle. In short, you are surviving in the beige landscape that feels post-apocalyptic. Is it the most engaging and dramatic storytelling I have ever experienced? No, not even close. But the story does not get in the way of the great gameplay. The loose objectives and interesting characters make the game fun without bogging you down in dialogue. Let’s be honest you came here to shoot some stuff not hear about the plight of communism.  It’s funny, spooky, and intriguing. For this type of game, it couldn’t be better.

Atmosphere: 2

Hrot does a good job of incorporating everything you would expect while making its own unique flare enjoyable, so let’s talk about the wallpaper. Rather than being set in Mars/Hell this game takes place in Czechoslovakia in 1986 after some type of apocalyptic event. So pretty much hell but swap out the red walls and lava with a thick coat of rust and brown, I think I saw some gray in there too. The studio, Spytihněv, deserves its own shout-out as it is a “Solo video game developer from Prague” according to the Steam page. There are a few other games, including Shrot which is an RTS released this year that I am sure I will take a look at later in the year because of the overall quality of Hrot. I am not trying to set the expectations too high, this game is not going to change your life or give meaning to the mundane but it delivers one hundred percent in every attempt. The secrets are fun to find and plenty can be deduced without looking up a guide but just paying attention and the reward is satisfying. It is intense in combat without being unforgiven; battles feel like an accomplishment even if you fail a few times winning is a reward and not some tedious task you must do to advance. Surprisingly it is also funny when it tries to be which I did not expect but was delighted to experience. It would not be fair if I did not mention it also frightens when it tries to but hopefully, the setting is enough of a warning.

Value: 1

This game does exactly what it sets out to accomplish. The only negative I would give is that the nonsale price seems a bit steep for how much content there is to complete the game, combined with the fact that you certainly need to play through more than once to unlock everything that might feel less enjoyable but does offer more content for those looking for it. 

Duration: 1

The game as a whole is refreshing. It is built with quality, by a single person, and is enjoyable throughout. A welcomed break from the well-known titles today that remove any single-player or co-op element altogether. It was nice to part from the unneeded glint and shine of AAA shooters to appreciate a well-thought-out game that delivered in every single area it wanted to. Rare to say the least among its contemporaries. The ridiculousness of the game feels like it slowly intensifies as you play almost unnoticeably until you get to the end and you ask yourself is that Putin? I can certainly see an enjoyable second playthrough but am more than satisfied with having just beat it for the first time. I even learned a few recipes.  

Total Score: 9/10

I do have a bias towards Indie developers, but for good reason. They are the free market answer to the often congested titles. Often times they are poor rip-offs but some genuinely try to make a great game that is worth its digital weight. Hrot is one of those titles that makes every moment enjoyable mainly because it is unapologetically itself. It does not try to cater to anyone other than itself and it shines, even as rusty as the atmosphere is in game, above a heap of more recent titles.