With its 100% old school gameplay (rocket jumps, strafe running, medkits, three lives, killer speed) Wrack is a worthy heir to id Software’s tradition. [Dec 2014, p.79]
(Editing review to match the one on Steam)
This game is well on its way to becoming huge.
The map design so far (on 8 completed official levels) is by no means simplistic - high attention to detail and layout is clearly shown in increasingly large labyrinth-like levels, with expertly placed enemies and items.
The graphics are of a cartoony-like nature, and work really well with the rest of the game. Personally, I much prefer the Wrack-style textures to that of Borderlands (and we all know how successful that was!)
The AI, pretty average in intelligence, are well animated and immersive to play against. There are a few bugs here and there, but remember, this game is not finished! Don't be fooled how some enemies are easily killed near the beginning, or even how the hyperblade can one-hit most non-boss enemies, the game is NOT a walk in the park on the harder difficulties and will satisfy your gameplay desires!
Bobby Prince, who has made the soundtrack to Wrack (as far as I know, correct me if I'm wrong), has done a particularly marvellous job on the music for the game, that really compliments the overall enjoyment of Wrack. It's really easy to get into the swing of the game when high quality instrumentals accompany your race to The Hyperion Generator!
Wrack comes with a level editor as well. If you're like me, you may attempt making a map for five minutes and get confused. We could do with some more video tutorials, Brad! :)
The fact that Wrack has a level editor creates potential for a very close-knit community, which could produce many fantastic map packs, mods and god knows what else! There have already been a few releases, and I'm excited to say the least!
I highly recommend this game to anyone with the current price tag, as the game is being worked on by reliable developers and can only get better. Carnevil made the right decision leaving SkullTag to produce this masterpiece!
(Apologies for the excessive use of exclamation marks)
9.5/10 - Rounding up!
A deliberate throwback to the 90s style of FPS, with fast player movement, no reloading, rocket jumping, loads of secret areas, numerical health and armor and fast-paced music, courtesy of Doom's own Bobby Prince, as well as a plot that's juuuust thin enough to hold everything together without getting in the way of the action. Wrack has only four weapons: a Pistol, Shotgun, Pulse Rifle and Rocket Launcher, but they are enough for the task at hand. The game makes use of a unique combo system that allows each to to fire a powerful "finisher" if you get 3 or more kills in quick succession. Wrack rewards the twitchy shooter in much the same way as its predecessors, and has an eye-catching color palette and cel-shading, setting it apart from say, Quake and Hard Reset. It is regrettably short, comprising only the first "episode" of what seems to be a planned series, ending on a glaring cliffhanger, but the game does feature a level editor and Steam Workshop support, which has resulted in such gems as the entire first episode of Doom recreated. There is no multiplayer mode however, an odd omission for a game of this subgenre.
If you want to re-experience the feeling of playing shooters in the ninetees, but with the added benefit of HD-graphics, look no further. Wrack has that fast feeling that was present in classics such as Doom and Quake. The lack of multiplayer is a big disappointment.
Wrack is fairly similar to the games many of us have played at some point or another, albeit with a cel-shaded art style and a tweaked combat system thrown in for good measure.
DOOM Like levels
frenetic gameplay
Quake like pickups and gunplay
Combos and kill streaks
Boss battles
Finisher moves
Level Editor
Yes, it's an effort to bring back good old DOOM like FPS with a modern and different touch.
It works, the game is easy to pick and fun.
Gamepad support is good.
Replayability it's there for the campaign (trying to do better) and with a Level Editor.
The game engine works fine, and the art style decision makes even better the engine, so you can play this on a toaster.
Not a perfect game, but much better than "game critics" are stating on this page
My Video Review is available here:
****/-tl0xbj0o4Y
Wrack is definitely a nice tribute to the good old first person shooters from the 90’s era. One can find many pros there like the frenetic non-stop action, sense of humor, the weapons effect, kill chains, challenging yet not frustrating difficulty, responsive controls and beautiful cell shaded graphics. The game could be much better though if there were not some downsides like uninspiring story, generic level design, low variety of enemies and weapons and the absence of dubbing. First person shooters are usually not the best genre for family playing but thanks to the cell shaded graphics without the explicit graphical violence I think that the game can be played by let’s say 10+ years old kids.
Pros:
- frenetic action
- sense of humor
- weapons effect
- kill chains
- difficulty
- controls
- graphics
Cons:
- story
- level design
- variety of enemies and weapons
- no dubbing
Wrack is a nice nostalgic trip to the era when first person shooters were mainly about shooting tons of enemies constantly going after you and finding the path leading to the next level where you were doing the same again. It could have been done better for sure but I can say that despite its flaws I have enjoyed the time spent with Wrack and thus I am giving it Thumbs Up and VideoGaming Father’s Index 7- out of 10 - recommended with some discount.