Decidit

Decidit is a fast-paced roguelike first-person shooter set in a chaotic demonic maze inspired by Dante’s Inferno. Players battle grotesque enemies in Gehenne, stealing their mutations to customize weapons and abilities while utilizing agile movement systems. Developed as a student project, the game emphasizes strategic combat through synergistic ability combos across procedurally generated runs with escalating difficulty modes. Its free-to-play model offers intense FPS action blended with RPG-inspired progression and body-horror aesthetics.

Decidit: Review

In the pantheon of modern video games, few titles have managed to capture the zeitgeist of contemporary gaming culture as effectively as Decidit. Released in September 2024, this fast-paced roguelike first-person shooter (FPS) has left an indelible mark on the industry, blending innovative gameplay mechanics with a rich, atmospheric narrative. Developed by a team of nine passionate students as their graduation project, Decidit stands as a testament to the power of creativity and technical prowess in the hands of emerging talent. This review will delve into the multifaceted aspects of Decidit, examining its development history, narrative depth, gameplay mechanics, world-building, and enduring legacy.

Development History & Context

Decidit was conceived and developed by the DECIDIT Team, a group of nine students who poured their hearts and souls into creating a game that would leave a lasting impression. The project was completed in just one year, a remarkable feat given the game’s complexity and polish. The team’s vision was to create a fast-paced, strategic FPS that would challenge players while offering a unique and engaging experience.

The technological landscape of 2024 provided the DECIDIT Team with powerful tools to bring their vision to life. The game was built using the Unity engine, which offered robust support for 3D graphics and real-time rendering. The sound design was handled by FMOD, ensuring that the audio experience was as immersive as the visuals. The choice of these technologies allowed the team to focus on gameplay mechanics and narrative development, rather than being bogged down by technical limitations.

At the time of its release, the gaming landscape was dominated by a few major franchises and genres. Decidit stood out by offering a fresh take on the FPS genre, incorporating roguelike elements and a deep focus on character progression and customization. This unique blend of gameplay mechanics and narrative depth set Decidit apart from its contemporaries and helped it carve out a niche in the crowded gaming market.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Decidit‘s narrative is a dark and twisted journey through the depths of Dante’s Hell, specifically the Circle of Gluttony. Players take on the role of a sturdy mercenary sent to defeat Satan, navigating through a ruined underground temple covered in a fetid swamp made of Gluttony’s flesh. The game’s setting is a macabre sanctuary, filled with teratological hordes that the player must defeat to progress.

The story is told through a combination of environmental storytelling and cutscenes, with the player’s actions and choices shaping the narrative. The dialogue is succinct but impactful, with each character bringing a unique perspective to the game’s themes of greed, gluttony, and redemption. The narrative is not just a backdrop for the gameplay but an integral part of the experience, with the player’s actions having consequences that ripple through the story.

One of the standout aspects of Decidit‘s narrative is its exploration of the consequences of gluttony. The game’s setting is a physical manifestation of the sin, with the environment reflecting the excess and decay that comes from unchecked desire. The player’s journey is one of self-discovery and redemption, as they learn to control their own gluttonous tendencies and overcome the challenges that stand in their way.

Characters

The characters in Decidit are as diverse as they are memorable. The mercenary protagonist is a silent, stoic figure, allowing the player to project their own personality onto the character. The supporting cast includes a variety of demonic entities, each with their own unique designs and abilities. These characters are not just obstacles to be overcome but integral parts of the narrative, with their own motivations and backstories.

The dialogue between characters is sharp and witty, with a dark sense of humor that fits the game’s themes. The voice acting is top-notch, with each character bringing their own unique voice to the game. The sound design complements the dialogue, with the ambient sounds of the environment adding to the immersive experience.

Themes

Decidit explores a number of themes, with gluttony being the most prominent. The game’s setting is a physical manifestation of the sin, with the environment reflecting the excess and decay that comes from unchecked desire. The player’s journey is one of self-discovery and redemption, as they learn to control their own gluttonous tendencies and overcome the challenges that stand in their way.

Other themes explored in Decidit include the consequences of greed, the struggle between good and evil, and the power of redemption. These themes are woven into the narrative and gameplay, with the player’s actions having consequences that ripple through the story. The game’s dark and twisted setting provides a stark contrast to these themes, highlighting the struggle between light and darkness.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Decidit is a fast-paced roguelike FPS that challenges players to use all the arsenal and movement abilities at their disposal to progress through an unstable demonic maze. The gameplay is a blend of strategic planning and reflex-based action, with players needing to be fast, precise, and adaptable to succeed.

Core Gameplay Loop

The core gameplay loop in Decidit revolves around exploration, combat, and progression. Players explore the demonic maze, fighting off hordes of enemies and collecting mutations and abilities along the way. These mutations and abilities can be used to modify the player’s weapons and create powerful synergies, allowing for a high degree of customization and replayability.

The combat in Decidit is fast and fluid, with a focus on precision and strategy. Players can use a variety of weapons and abilities, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. The game’s roguelike elements mean that each run is unique, with the player’s choices and actions shaping the outcome.

Character Progression

Character progression in Decidit is tied to the collection and use of mutations and abilities. As players progress through the game, they can collect a variety of mutations from defeated enemies, each granting a unique ability or bonus. These mutations can be used to modify the player’s weapons and create powerful synergies, allowing for a high degree of customization and replayability.

The player’s progression is also tied to the game’s difficulty modes, with each mode offering a unique challenge. The higher the difficulty, the more powerful the enemies and the greater the rewards. This progression system encourages players to experiment with different strategies and abilities, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.

User Interface

The user interface in Decidit is clean and intuitive, with all the necessary information presented clearly and concisely. The HUD displays the player’s health, abilities, and weapons, as well as any relevant environmental hazards or objectives. The UI is designed to be unobtrusive, allowing players to focus on the gameplay without being distracted by unnecessary information.

The UI also includes a number of customization options, allowing players to tailor the interface to their preferences. This includes the ability to rebind keys, adjust the HUD layout, and customize the color scheme. These options ensure that the UI is accessible and comfortable for all players, regardless of their playstyle or preferences.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Decidit‘s world-building is a testament to the team’s creativity and attention to detail. The game’s setting is a dark and twisted interpretation of Dante’s Hell, specifically the Circle of Gluttony. The environment is a ruined underground temple covered in a fetid swamp made of Gluttony’s flesh, providing a stark and unsettling backdrop for the gameplay.

The art direction in Decidit is a blend of realistic and stylized elements, with the game’s visuals being both detailed and expressive. The character designs are unique and memorable, with each enemy and boss having their own distinct look and feel. The environment is equally impressive, with the team’s 3D sculpting and retopology work bringing the game’s world to life.

The sound design in Decidit is equally impressive, with the game’s audio complementing the visuals perfectly. The ambient sounds of the environment add to the immersive experience, with the sound effects and voice acting bringing the game’s characters and world to life. The music is a blend of orchestral and electronic elements, providing a dynamic and engaging soundtrack that complements the gameplay perfectly.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere in Decidit is dark and foreboding, with the game’s setting and visuals creating a sense of unease and tension. The sound design complements this atmosphere, with the ambient sounds and music adding to the immersive experience. The game’s pacing is also a key factor in its atmosphere, with the fast-paced combat and exploration providing a stark contrast to the slower, more reflective moments.

The atmosphere in Decidit is not just a backdrop for the gameplay but an integral part of the experience. The game’s setting and visuals create a sense of place and immersion, with the player feeling as though they are truly exploring the depths of Dante’s Hell. The sound design and music add to this immersion, with the audio complementing the visuals perfectly.

Reception & Legacy

Decidit was met with critical acclaim upon its release, with reviewers praising its innovative gameplay mechanics, rich narrative, and impressive world-building. The game’s fast-paced roguelike FPS gameplay was particularly well-received, with critics noting the high degree of customization and replayability offered by the game’s mutation and ability systems.

The game’s narrative was also praised, with reviewers noting the depth and complexity of the story and themes. The game’s setting and visuals were equally impressive, with the team’s attention to detail and creativity shining through in every aspect of the game.

Decidit‘s legacy is already being felt in the gaming industry, with the game’s innovative gameplay mechanics and rich narrative inspiring a new generation of developers. The game’s success has also highlighted the potential of student projects, with the DECIDIT Team proving that emerging talent can create games that stand alongside the best in the industry.

The game’s influence can be seen in a number of recent titles, with developers drawing inspiration from Decidit‘s unique blend of gameplay mechanics and narrative depth. The game’s legacy is sure to endure, with Decidit becoming a classic in the annals of video game history.

Conclusion

Decidit is a game that stands out in the crowded landscape of modern video games. Its innovative gameplay mechanics, rich narrative, and impressive world-building make it a standout title that is sure to leave a lasting impression. The game’s fast-paced roguelike FPS gameplay is a breath of fresh air in a genre that has become stale and formulaic, with the game’s mutation and ability systems offering a high degree of customization and replayability.

The narrative in Decidit is equally impressive, with the game’s exploration of themes such as gluttony, greed, and redemption providing a deep and thought-provoking experience. The game’s setting and visuals are a testament to the team’s creativity and attention to detail, with the game’s world feeling alive and immersive.

Decidit‘s legacy is already being felt in the gaming industry, with the game’s innovative gameplay mechanics and rich narrative inspiring a new generation of developers. The game’s success has also highlighted the potential of student projects, with the DECIDIT Team proving that emerging talent can create games that stand alongside the best in the industry.

In conclusion, Decidit is a game that deserves to be experienced by all fans of the FPS genre. Its innovative gameplay mechanics, rich narrative, and impressive world-building make it a standout title that is sure to leave a lasting impression. The game’s legacy is sure to endure, with Decidit becoming a classic in the annals of video game history.