I love this game. It has fun gameplay with good shooting and easy crafting. The stranger the weapons the more fun they are because everyone wants a revolver with 6 trigers that fires every bullet at once. another thing to note is the cool way that things distort when you shoot or teleport. another thing I must complement them on is the fact that it feels really tense exspecialy when you are low on ammo.

Pros
Challenging
Sound
Crafting
Rogue-like elements, procedurally generated
Steam achievements & trading cards
Cool environments, ambiance

Cons
Inventory management
Annoying flashing screen when teleporting at the end of a level

A very pixely looking yet sublimely complex roguelike. You will die. Countless times. And every single time will be another new adventure.

Graphics need a bit of time to get accustomed to, but the journey is more than rewarding for those who delve into it.

It is hard. There is nothing quite like it on the market at the moment.
Story is good, everything is in its place.
Its a cool game, a challenge.
I suggest you give it a try. I do not think you will regret it.

First off, I'm no stranger to difficult games. I like a fair challenge. But this game feels like it it built with the intention of not being beaten. The game is really fun, very challenging. But I have to give it a negative review because after 25 hrs playing the game. I haven't been able to play through a large portion of the game because of the permadeath mechanic. It works in many games, but not this one. This particular game takes way more time to beat to beat than any other rougelike and offers no reward for doing well. (Isaac gives the player access to special items if they accomplish certain task.) When you lose nothing is gained for the player and the game just mocks you. The majority of deaths you will suffer will be instant, making you lose all of your progress. Because the game spawns aimbot enemies in rooms you've cleared already, the game doesn't prepare or warn you for certain encounters. One example is the cyborgs you encounter after level 3. If you haven't seen them before, they will guaranteed kill immediatley. These are the first enemies you encounter with firearms and will fire at you with pinpoint accuracy. Unless you have materials to make armor. But rng may prevent you from aquiring the materials needed to build it. If this happens you are screwed. And it will.

I feel they only implememented the permadeath mechanic to make the game feel harder. But realistically many games like Dark Souls are considered to be very hard despite having a lenient checkpoint/ bonfire system. If they were to alter the game so that people could play through the whole game to have the full experience it can offer it would be more fun. If they do that, I just hope they do it in such a way that the difficulty isn't compromised. I keep going back to this game hoping some things would change. However, no matter how many times I've attempted it thus far, I can't reach level 6. I won't get to reach the final boss, build the best weapons, or explore the endgame maps. Thats why I can't rate the game positively.

Normally when you play this sort of game you find yourself saving your good weapons and ammo for some hypothetical time of need that never seems to arrive.

In Teleglitch you will find that time. You will run out of ammo. And then you will die.

Usually around level 3.

This game is amazing.

I like everything about this game except the difficulty. I'm only a very casual gamer so I'd probably get on better with the die-less edition, but everything else about it appeals to me, just a shame I'm no good at it.

This game defies description. By screenshots, you might think you're buying a pixelated puddle of mud. Wrong.

You're buying a hardcore roguelike that will demand the very best from your tactical, survivalist self. You will die horribly, of course, but you will learn what it takes to survive in this bleak sci-fi future that resembles a bunch of pixelated dirt. You will learn to kill your foes with your bare hands to conserve ammo that you'll need against the true threats, robots and assault-rifle wielding pixel mutants (or something like that. Actually I remember the story here being surprisingly good and intriguing enough that I read the various data texts scattered throughout. The graphics likewise contribute to a coherent sense of style!).

Gunplay here is lightning quick violence.

You forgot that games could be so unforgiving, but with Teleglitch you remember. You remember what it was like. Beating this game is an accomplishment that you will be proud of. Not proud in any public way, you'll never really be able to tell anyone. None of your friends have ever played Teleglitch, they couldn't posssibly understand. Your spouse won't understand. Your children, the ones that are off at college and only call once a month, they won't understand. But know that when you beat this game, know that I will understand.

EDIT: A week or two after writing my review, I finally beat Teleglitch DME. In the process, I learned something that affects my review: it seems the charm of Teleglitch is the way that it becomes your gaming Arch-Nemesis. It mocks and sneers at you while committing heinous crimes, daring you to stop it. You become driven by your hate to defeat it... and hate keeps a man alive. Or at least refusing to stay dead.

NOTE: The following is not a simple "buy/don't buy" review, but more of an investment guide. There's a "buy/don't buy" verdict at the bottom, but it doesn't make much sense without the review.

================THE REVIEW================

You've probably heard two things about Teleglitch: it's a rogue-like, and it's hard.

This is an exaggeration and underestimation, respectively. Teleglitch is a rogue-like only insofar as the rooms are arranged differently each playthrough, and it's hard like a diamond ball bat to the groin. Let's examine these points in more depth, because there are some things you need to know.

Once the awe of random level layouts (sarcastic "ooooh! aaaaah!") wears off, you'll quickly start to notice that every game of Teleglitch is essentially the same. The items you receive on any given level are the same items you'll ALWAYS recieve on that level. The question is whether or not you'll find them BEFORE or AFTER that room where you always get mobbed by that one enemy type that's always in there. End result: each game of Teleglitch is unique in only the most superficial way. And because you will die SO MUCH, the whole thing quickly becomes tiresome and repetitive. This repetition wouldn't be a bad thing if, like many other rogue-likes, there was some incremental GAIN or REWARD at the end of each game. But there isn't. The recipe for success in Teleglitch is 5% experience, 10% luck, 25% resource conservation, and 70% ninja master reflexes. Yes, that adds up to 110%, because if you give less, you will FAIL. That brings us to the second topic.

I know what you're thinking: "Oh, but I'm the exception. I have superior gaming skills. I'm sure Teleglitch will be easy enough for me that I won't want to BRAIN A KITTEN in frustration."
NO. You are NOT special. Well, maybe to your mom. Lemme hit you with some cold, hard statistics. Literally NINETY NINE POINT ONE PERCENT of players never beat the game. But that's setting our sights too high. What are the odds that you'll give up before even beating level THREE? of TEN!?

91.3%

That's right. You have less than a ten percent chance of making it less than a third of the way through Teleglitch before refusing to ever play it again. Some games manage to find the recipe for making brutal difficulty enjoyable. Teleglitch's brand of hard is more like a basketball game between an NBA team going all-out and a team of middle school girls with Down Syndrome. Sure, it sounds amusing at first, but only the truly sick fail to quickly realize it's just in very poor taste.

Oh, and it also has bugs that can cause you to die, just in case you were legitimately doing well.

Honestly, I really want to like Teleglitch. Instead I just friggin' hate it. Yet for some reason I'll probably play it another 20 hours.

================END OF ORIGINAL REVIEW================

Do I still hate Teleglitch? Yes. But it is a hate tempered with respect. And... I... kinda like it.
Will I change my recommendation to "Yes"? No. You should still be afraid of Teleglitch.

"So you're saying I shouldn't buy Teleglitch?" you ask. No. I'm not saying that.

BOTTOM LINE: should you buy Teleglitch DME? Absolutely, but only if you don't have a kitten.

First off, the only way to describe what was running through my head when I first started playing Teleglitch was “WHAT THE ♥♥♥♥?!!?” Saying that, this indie roguelike from developer Test3 Projects rabidly eats your half alive corpse and then spits it out leaving you wanting more. Strangely addicting, you find yourself drawn to Planet Medusa 1C left in awe by the pixellated madness that is Teleglitch. So strap up and make every shot count, and I’ll tell you why this is one of my top 5 picks of the year.

Teleglitch is one of those games where watching “Lets Play” with some youtube ♥♥♥♥♥♥ bag in his mothers basement isn’t going to suffice. Best played with a keyboard and mouse, this top down shooter is reminiscent of GTA but put together with the savage intellect of a guerrilla militia planning its next terrorist move. To be honest, I was standoffish when it came to this game at first, it didn’t catch my eye, and I wasn’t really sure what it was all about. During a sale on Steam I was able to purchase Teleglitch for a good price and give it a chance, and I’m glad I did. After getting the hang of this game I felt like Rick Grimes or Daryl Dixon on a rampage blowing off zombie’s heads and throwing pipe bombs at anything in that got in my path.

In a cold, dark future dominated by mega-corporations, a place 30 light years away from Earth, Planet Medusa 1C is on the edge of habitable space and the site of a shadowy research facility specializing in necrotic tissue reactivation. You are a scientist who has suddenly awoken to the realization that you are the lone survivor. The rest of the facilities personnel have all been killed, micro-chipped and reactivated as combatants by the facilities central processing AI. An in-depth storyline keeps you constantly informed of your surroundings and almost adds a sense of excitement through your adventure. The story of Teleglitch continues throughout each level and grows deeper and more involved as you progress on your quest.

This game is hard and involves a lot of tactical thinking on the fly. An advanced crafting system helps you build explosives among other various weaponry based on the materials you collect throughout each level. You are also able to craft other tactical items like the Detector which helps you locate enemies on the map in close quarters where you would otherwise be ambushed. Combining health kits or different materials can result in health upgrades or even steroids. These crafted items are a key element of Teleglitch making later gameplay almost impossible without them. The map is another vital piece of gameplay and by using it as a constant reference I found that it not only allowed me to keep my bearings but also helped keep track of any missed rooms I may have passed on the way. You will also encounter databases that hold crucial information regarding your mission, or maybe some tactical advice regarding secret locations which also make up a large part of the game.

The “Die More Edition” of this game alters gameplay slightly making each of the enemy creatures slightly more powerful to increase difficulty, as well as offering more weapons and items to craft with. Weaponry is a large part of the game, but in a small way. On Medusa 1C there is a lack of ammunition so every bullet counts and depending on what you are wielding you may not put down what is attacking you in one shot. Without the “Guns & Tunes” DLC you start off with the standard 9mm pistol, then with continued play you are able to find more ammo and other weapons or explosives. Something that sets Teleglitch aside from other roguelikes of its kind is the unique crafting system I had mentioned earlier, and with this you are also able to build upgrades to your guns, which gives them more power or a special ability.

Some might think the pixel graphics in Teleglitch belong in 1981 but I look at them and see a visual masterpiece. Nostalgic, with flawless gameplay that keeps you on the edge of your seat Teleglitch is an amazing example of a simple pixel game that took it to the next level. Seemingly so basic, Teleglitch is a breath of fresh air to the retro movement and another essential in the library of any indie game. Like many roguelikes the map and environment change with every new game. Thousands of zombies and mutants deliver hours of gameplay making this game another instant classic and comes highly suggested to any gamer.

tl;dr -> If you thought you were a master of rogue-like/difficult games, gtfo and play this. Your ♥♥♥ will be spanked so hard your great grandchildren will feel it. 11/10 made me rethink about my life as a gamer.

I got this game when it was being offered for free, and was excited to try what I knew to be a super difficult rogue-like. I had gotten my feet wet playing Binding of Isaac, and was hungry for more brutally difficult games.

Wow, was I in for a surprise.

If you like unforgiving, brutal gameplay, dying a lot, top-down action, being mobbed over and over, and dying a lot, then you will probably rage at this game (and possibly enjoy it). Oh, did I mention you will die a lot? The game is labelled: Die More Edition because you will die more times in one hour than in most other games you have played before.

The aesthetics are rather simple and reminiscent of old-school, top-down pixel games. The different effects (weapon, item, etc) are very well done - the "stimulant" effect is really nice, making the screen look a bit erratic until the drug wears off. There is no music, but the sound assets are pretty good - especially the explosions. Much of the story is given through text, and more is available for people who choose to explore. The story is interesting enough, however, I have not advanced far enough in the game to account for more than 20% (or less) of it. The furthest I've progressed is to level 4, where I died almost immediately to an endless swarm of varying enemies. Fun times.

The controls take a bit of getting used to, especially considering that you need to be able to do things very quickly, while simultaneously dodging, running, and attacking. It is playable with a controller, but I prefer the keyboard and mouse in this case. Gameplay is very fast-paced once enemies spot you, and the learning curve is minimal to extreme - highly dependent on your experience with rogue-likes and how far you progress in the game. There is a tutorial mission that shows you everything you need to know - I highly recommend you play through this first. Teleglitch is not a pure rogue-like - the items found in each level are not randomized (only the layout of the map is) - so you will eventually be able to plan out which item combinations to use/save as you become more familiar with the game.

During gameplay, you must move through different rooms until you find a teleporter to transport you to the next stage. Sometimes, there will be a branching point (two teleporters, left and right), allowing you to select which stage to move on to. There is an insane amount of repetition here because the only thing that really changes is how each level is presented - the items stay the same. Also, the checkpoint system is very unforgiving, as you must reach stage 5 in order to start a new game at stage 3 (and so on).

Much of the game involves combining items that you find (ex: combining C4 and a can to make a one-shot RPG) to help you survive each level. Because of this, it is highly recommended that you explore as much of each stage as you can. Herein lies the double-edged sword - the more you explore, the more enemies you will encounter. Healing items and ammo are not common enough to allow you to recklessly run through the level, so finding a balance between exploring and saving items is key to success in Teleglitch.

As a top-down action game, you will have to also deal with field of view - if you are standing in front of a pillar, for example, you will not be able to see anything directly behind it. This encourages you not to run into a room guns blazing, as you may be ambushed from all sides (the enemy AI is very good at swarming tactics). A personal technique I prefer using is to quickly double-back into a narrow hallway, allowing you to funnel the enemy into your line of fire (very cost effective, considering the rarity of resources like ammo and health). Aiming is a bit tricky in the beginning, but with time, you will become more proficient. Also, you will (hopefully) learn the melee range of different opponents - it is very dangerous to try to melee more than one enemy at a time, trading HP until one of you dies.

There is an Arena mode that adds more playability (especially if you intend to achieve 100% completion). Each Arena mission requires you to perform different tasks like survive for x seconds, kill x enemies, etc. There are different equipment loadouts for you to select, and I highly recommend trying this out to help you learn which weapons/items are more suited for your playstyle. For example, the automatic pistol is a great anti-mob weapon, however, I personally prefer the slower, more accurate revolver (also has less ammo before needing to reload). As a result, I tend to keep the pistol, over upgrading it to an automatic pistol. You can drop items and equipment - dropping a weapon allows you to transfer any ammo inside it to another same-calibre weapon (ex: drop auto pistol to transfer ammo to your regular pistol). One of the first upgrades you will find in the campaign mode is the automatic pistol combo, so trying both variants will help you determine which one is a better fit. As a rule, I tend to stay away from any planted explosives, as I tend to get caught in the blast radius (and HP is your most important resource). To heal, you can use medkits and canned meat, however, canned meat and explosives (weird, I know) can be combined to give you stimulants - recommend you try it out at least one to experience the cool visual effects.

There is one environmental hazard to be aware of - parts of each level may have time distortions (you'll know what it is when you first see and hear it), and touching one will cause you to instantly die. Don't bother trying to bait enemies into it - they're not that stupid, and it's quite impossible.

Overall, Teleglitch is a great top-down (not-so-quite)rogue-like game that will challenge any and all gamers. If you are interested in the genre, you must give it a try.

Recommend!

Cheers,
DJSF @DJSF's Rogue Reviews