Conquer Humanity – (Early Access) Game Review

I love roguelikes and superheroes, so when I stumbled across Conquer Humanity I got excited. It seemed to be the perfect blend of the two and I got anxious to try it out. Here are my thoughts on Conquer Humanity….

Details of Conquer Humanity

Developer: Adi Zhavo

Publisher: Adi Zhavo

Platform: PC (Steam) Windows,

Release Date: 14th July, 2023

Price: £2.49

Story of Conquer Humanity

Conquer Humanity on Steam
Image Source: Steam

The story of Conquer Humanity sees you play as a supervillain going on a rampage downtown. Starting off by destroying cars and attacking innocent citizens you eventually make your way up to more suitable opponents. As the army and police get called in after you. Can you survive long enough to conquer humanity?

Analysis of Conquer Humanity

Playing the Villain

Conquer Humanity | Early Access PC Review
Image Source: The Gaming Outsider

The game has a very intriguing concept. Subverting the usual hero found in most roguelikes for a downright villain. Execution however is where the game goes wrong. It just feels slapped together. Controls are abysmal. Controlling a trolly down mount Kilimanjaro would be easier. The whole control layout on Steam Deck/Controller is severally lacking. Having no button input for one of the abilities, limiting your capabilities.

Abilities

Conquer Humanity | Early Access PC Review
Image Source: The Gaming Outsider

Abilities on a whole are fun to use when you can control it. An update fixing the control issues is really needed. Apart from the subversion from playing as a hero the game follows the usual roguelike mechanics. Use your abilities to defeat enemies, collect XP to level up and unlock more abilities or upgrade your current ones. All whilst trying to survive waves of enemies.

Price

Conquer Humanity on Steam
Image Source: Steam

Costing a mere few quid a lot can be forgiven when a game is playable, but not perfect. This does help justify not refunding over the abysmal controls. However, I gave it one more try then refunded it. It just wasn’t fun enough to get over the frustrating controls. I got sick of watching my character glide around the place like he was ice-skating.

Performance on Steam Deck

The game ran perfectly on the Steam Deck. But it isn’t playable by any means. The controls don’t map correctly, and the joystick input seems to make the player glide around the place.

Summary of Conquer Humanity

Conquer Humanity on Steam
Image Source: Steam

Conquer Humanity flips the script on the roguelike genre. Breathing fresh air into it by allowing the player to play as the villain for once. Everybody wants to play the bad guy occasionally. After all, saving the world is hard work, why not help take it over for once? That was the concept of Conquer Humanity however, the game falls flat on it’s face. Enemies are forgettable, controls a disgrace, and abilities (although creative) were completely useless on fending off the waves of enemies. Unlike most roguelikes the game does not entice you back to try and get further. Instead, it entices you to throw your controller out of the window, as you give up trying to control your player character. Or get a migraine trying to keep an eye on them as they zip around the screen like Sonic on a sugar rush.

There are so many more aspiring roguelikes that continue to get released to spend any time with Conquer Humanity. Your best saving your money and buying one of the others that litter the Steam store.

Overall Rating: 2 –Very Bad!

Recommended: NO!

Platform played on: Steam Deck

You can buy the game on Steam here!

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