Screencheat
***Special thanks go to a very special person for proofing this review. Thank you for everything you do for me, always.
Developed by Samurai Punk, Screencheat (SC) is what I like to refer to as a omni-first person party shooter centered around the titular concept of studying opponents’ displays for their location in the game so as to receive and advantage against them. Seeing as though this title focuses itself as a ‘gimmick game’ of sorts-not equating a dreadful circumstance in this scenario-I will be analyzing its gameplay components and accompanying aesthetics to explain why this title in particular remains one of my favorite casual gaming experiences. To state these qualifications, I have played single player against the title’s artificial intelligence, multiplayer with friends and random individuals, and a combination of human and artificial teammates and rivals along all game modes.
Here are just a few reasons I have found-pun intended-to recommend Screencheat:
Gameplay – The rationale behind this title’s genre labeling is due to how the first person shooting measures are handled for the sake of the quirk and subsequently SC’s namesake. All player screens-whether artificial intelligence or physical beings-are displayed in a splitscreen layout while their avatars remain invisible to all players. The objective is to discern where opponents are on the map by viewing their location according to their designated screen. This should be easy for those that indulge in the delinquency of screencheating in standard first person shooters. Maps are designed with elementary color schemes and unique items so as to more proficiently distinguish said adversaries and teammates. I personally love the accessibility this title offers as I have known associates that suffer from color blindness, yet can still participate in Screencheat due to its thoughtful level design. A large array of zany weapons such as a melee-driven candelabra and the ‘hobby horse’ can be selected upon spawn to dispatch challengers, and one hit from any tool is all that is required to incapacitate foes. An option to enable eight players on a single screen is available, however I want to recommend first playing on teams, then transitioning to that turmoil. There is extensive variety pertaining to modes of play beyond the standard deathmatch and team deathmatch that you may be familiar with.
/// Murder Mystery referrences the classic tabletop game Clue in that each player is given a secret to complete. Players must eliminate the designated target with a specific weapon pickup found on the map for an allotted number of points. Players can reveal their objective by holding their Right Mouse Button down but may release said command to hide it again, keeping the information written a secret. The first individual or team to a given score is declared the winner of the skirmish.
/// Hillcampers is your standard affair named after the King of the Hill game mode. A time limit is set, requiring teams to maintain presence of a nominated area for said duration in order to emerge victorious. The added stressor of the hill’s lighting your team’s color enhances the experience by introducing this tension.
/// Bombs Away plays similar to Capture of the Flag in that one team must carry an explosive device to the opponents’ operation base, then activate it once placed. The bomb can be diffused prior to detonation by the defending team, allowing that team to go on the offensive in similar fashion. A round persists until one base is successfully collapsed a specified number of times.
/// Elimination involves being the last player alive. This game mode is not exclusive this title, but Screencheat’s finesse makes it extraordinarily enjoyable.
/// One Shot leaves the player defenseless after a single shot is fire from their weapon, requiring a cooldown in order to receive more ammunition. You do not select your weapon before starting these rounds, this mode requires players to be versatile in most of the ranged combat tactics.
///Juggernaut is similar to deathmatch barring the titular Juggernaut is the only player that scores points by eliminating others. In order to become the juggernaut, you must defeat the current one. The game ends when the point limit has been reached by a player.
/// Gold Rush is a collection-based game mode where players must acquire coins and hold them until the timer has expired. Players may be defeated in order for their coins to be dropped on the ground for points to be re-allotted. This game mode tests adrenaline in its closing moments.
/// Party Mode encompasses all other modes being randomly selected in a string of games. This is especially satisfying if you wish to challenge yourself with an array of contests without committing to only one set of rules, and is my personal favorite when I cannot decide which applications I would like to play.
TL:DR -Screencheat is a notable gimmick game with a plethora of game formats to amuse yourself with. This title compliments accessibility with its environmental design choices, as well as weapon selector to oblige playstyle options. I highly recommend SC to those that enjoy first person shooter titles as well as quirky party games. Thanks for reading.
Do you feel this review helped in any way? Feel free to visit my Curator Page at Spearpoint Reviews.
Developed by Samurai Punk, Screencheat (SC) is what I like to refer to as a omni-first person party shooter centered around the titular concept of studying opponents’ displays for their location in the game so as to receive and advantage against them. Seeing as though this title focuses itself as a ‘gimmick game’ of sorts-not equating a dreadful circumstance in this scenario-I will be analyzing its gameplay components and accompanying aesthetics to explain why this title in particular remains one of my favorite casual gaming experiences. To state these qualifications, I have played single player against the title’s artificial intelligence, multiplayer with friends and random individuals, and a combination of human and artificial teammates and rivals along all game modes.
Here are just a few reasons I have found-pun intended-to recommend Screencheat:
Gameplay – The rationale behind this title’s genre labeling is due to how the first person shooting measures are handled for the sake of the quirk and subsequently SC’s namesake. All player screens-whether artificial intelligence or physical beings-are displayed in a splitscreen layout while their avatars remain invisible to all players. The objective is to discern where opponents are on the map by viewing their location according to their designated screen. This should be easy for those that indulge in the delinquency of screencheating in standard first person shooters. Maps are designed with elementary color schemes and unique items so as to more proficiently distinguish said adversaries and teammates. I personally love the accessibility this title offers as I have known associates that suffer from color blindness, yet can still participate in Screencheat due to its thoughtful level design. A large array of zany weapons such as a melee-driven candelabra and the ‘hobby horse’ can be selected upon spawn to dispatch challengers, and one hit from any tool is all that is required to incapacitate foes. An option to enable eight players on a single screen is available, however I want to recommend first playing on teams, then transitioning to that turmoil. There is extensive variety pertaining to modes of play beyond the standard deathmatch and team deathmatch that you may be familiar with.
/// Murder Mystery referrences the classic tabletop game Clue in that each player is given a secret to complete. Players must eliminate the designated target with a specific weapon pickup found on the map for an allotted number of points. Players can reveal their objective by holding their Right Mouse Button down but may release said command to hide it again, keeping the information written a secret. The first individual or team to a given score is declared the winner of the skirmish.
/// Hillcampers is your standard affair named after the King of the Hill game mode. A time limit is set, requiring teams to maintain presence of a nominated area for said duration in order to emerge victorious. The added stressor of the hill’s lighting your team’s color enhances the experience by introducing this tension.
/// Bombs Away plays similar to Capture of the Flag in that one team must carry an explosive device to the opponents’ operation base, then activate it once placed. The bomb can be diffused prior to detonation by the defending team, allowing that team to go on the offensive in similar fashion. A round persists until one base is successfully collapsed a specified number of times.
/// Elimination involves being the last player alive. This game mode is not exclusive this title, but Screencheat’s finesse makes it extraordinarily enjoyable.
/// One Shot leaves the player defenseless after a single shot is fire from their weapon, requiring a cooldown in order to receive more ammunition. You do not select your weapon before starting these rounds, this mode requires players to be versatile in most of the ranged combat tactics.
///Juggernaut is similar to deathmatch barring the titular Juggernaut is the only player that scores points by eliminating others. In order to become the juggernaut, you must defeat the current one. The game ends when the point limit has been reached by a player.
/// Gold Rush is a collection-based game mode where players must acquire coins and hold them until the timer has expired. Players may be defeated in order for their coins to be dropped on the ground for points to be re-allotted. This game mode tests adrenaline in its closing moments.
/// Party Mode encompasses all other modes being randomly selected in a string of games. This is especially satisfying if you wish to challenge yourself with an array of contests without committing to only one set of rules, and is my personal favorite when I cannot decide which applications I would like to play.
TL:DR -Screencheat is a notable gimmick game with a plethora of game formats to amuse yourself with. This title compliments accessibility with its environmental design choices, as well as weapon selector to oblige playstyle options. I highly recommend SC to those that enjoy first person shooter titles as well as quirky party games. Thanks for reading.
Do you feel this review helped in any way? Feel free to visit my Curator Page at Spearpoint Reviews.
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