PANICORE

Developer: ZTEK Studio
Release: May 31st 2024
Platforms:
Action
Adventure
Indie
Addictive
Cooperative
Challenging
Buggy
A I_issues
PANICORE Poster

" Immersive survival horror with cooperative voice chat and challenging AI but connectivity issues "

PANICORE Review

PANICORE is a horror co-op game that offers an engaging experience primarily when played with friends. Players appreciate the game's intense atmosphere and challenging monsters, especially praising the design and mechanics of the creatures. The proximity voice chat feature enhances the cooperative gameplay, creating tense and memorable moments. However, the game has notable flaws such as occasional bugs, AI issues where monsters detect players unfairly, and some technical problems including voice chat calibration and multiplayer connectivity. The gameplay is generally considered easy with puzzles that require minimal thinking, but the difficulty spikes in later levels provide a satisfying challenge for some. While the graphics receive mixed but mostly positive feedback, the horror elements and jump scares are viewed as somewhat underdeveloped or rushed. Despite these shortcomings, many players find the game fun and worth its price, especially during sales, recommending it for those seeking a social horror experience.

Highlights

Players praise the game's cooperative multiplayer mechanics, especially the proximity voice chat that adds immersion. The monster designs are well-received, with unique behaviors that require strategic handling. Graphics are generally considered good and contribute positively to the horror atmosphere. The game is noted for being fun and addictive, particularly when played with friends. Some players highlight the variety of maps and the potential for new content. The game offers a decent challenge with boss fights that some find intense and rewarding. Overall, the social aspect and gameplay loop are the strongest points.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the AI being unfair or overpowered, with monsters sometimes detecting players through walls or without sound. The voice chat system has calibration issues, causing frustration during multiplayer sessions. Players report bugs and technical glitches that affect gameplay stability. The horror and jump scare elements feel rushed or weak to some, reducing tension. Lack of originality and repetitive gameplay loops with locked doors and unused materials were also mentioned. Multiplayer connectivity problems and poor controller support detract from the experience. Lastly, some players feel the game needs more updates, content, and polish to reach its full potential.

Pros

  • Great cooperative gameplay enhanced by proximity voice chat for immersive experience.
  • Well-designed monsters with unique mechanics and challenging boss fights.
  • Graphics are appealing and contribute to the horror atmosphere effectively.
  • Addictive and fun game especially when played with friends online.
  • Variety of maps and gameplay modes offer replayability and engagement.
  • Affordable price point, especially during sales, offers good value.
  • Multiplayer experience is enjoyable despite some connectivity issues.

Cons

  • AI is sometimes unfair, detecting players through walls or without noise.
  • Voice chat calibration issues cause frustration in multiplayer sessions.
  • Technical bugs and glitches disrupt gameplay and require fixes.
  • Horror tension and jump scares feel rushed and underdeveloped.
  • Gameplay can be repetitive with locked doors and unused materials.
  • Multiplayer connectivity problems hinder joining friends’ games easily.
  • Controller support is poor with high sensitivity and limited functions.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

PANICORE is a survival horror game that mixes permadeath, AI monsters and a co-op experience up to 5 players (4 players in demo). Try to escape and don't get caught, but beware: they don't only hear your steps, but also your voice.

Release Date May 31st 2024
Publisher ZTEK Studio
Developer ZTEK Studio
Platforms

User Reviews

Mostly Positive (3,787)
76% Positive 24% Negative