Selaco: In-Depth Review – The Good, The Bad, & What's Next!
0Selaco is an ambitious first-person shooter (FPS) that feels like a love letter to classics such as Half-Life and FEAR, blending retro aesthetics with modern gameplay mechanics. This indie gem has left a strong impression on me, both for its exceptional strengths and its notable areas for improvement.
The Good
Selaco stands out as one of the best FPS experiences I’ve encountered in recent years. The game’s foundation is built on a retro-inspired engine, yet it achieves an incredibly modern and smooth gameplay feel. The developers have truly pushed the limits of what the engine can achieve, delivering beautiful visuals, fluid mechanics, and a seamless blend of retro charm with contemporary design.
The gunplay is a highlight—tight, impactful, and endlessly satisfying. The array of weapons feels dynamic, with clever in-game hints and descriptions helping players understand their arsenal’s strategic potential. For instance, a simple note about the nail gun’s utility against “walking mines” proved invaluable in a tough encounter.
Combat is intense, fast-paced, and deeply engaging. The AI wears its FEAR influence proudly, with enemy squads reacting intelligently to the player’s actions. The Invasion Tier mechanic ensures that enemies evolve as you progress, keeping battles fresh and challenging. Even standard foes demand respect due to the game’s lethal combat mechanics.
Atmosphere, music, and environmental storytelling are equally commendable. The level design brims with rich detail, from the artwork to the layout of corridors and rooms. The world feels alive, drawing players deeper into its narrative with every step.
Exploration also deserves praise. While I often found myself lost, moments of discovery, such as stumbling upon hidden weapon upgrades or solving puzzles, made the wandering worthwhile. The built-in randomizer and secrets galore add replay value, ensuring even completionists have plenty to chew on.
Lastly, the storytelling and pacing are excellent. The game doesn’t just throw action at you; it balances tense firefights with moments of quiet intrigue, supported by subtle environmental cues that flesh out the narrative.
The Bad
Despite Selaco’s many strengths, it’s held back by frustrating level design. The sprawling, maze-like environments often lack clear signposting, leaving players wandering aimlessly in search of their next objective. While green lighting and objective lists help somewhat, they’re not always sufficient.
This issue extends to puzzle design, which can feel obtuse at times. One example involved arming an explosive device to proceed. The process was unintuitive, requiring players to aim at a specific part of the device to activate it. Shooting the explosive or interacting more naturally wasn’t an option, which led to unnecessary frustration.
For non-puzzle gamers or those unfamiliar with complex level layouts, these design choices can detract significantly from the overall experience. Backtracking is common, but the game often fails to communicate when it’s necessary, further compounding the confusion.
The Potential
Despite its current flaws, Selaco is still in early access, and the developers have an incredible foundation to build upon. With two more episodes and a Horde mode in development, there’s immense potential for this game to evolve into an undisputed classic. Addressing the following areas would elevate the game further:
Improved Level Signposting: Adding clear markers or more intuitive environmental cues would make navigating the sprawling levels less frustrating.
Refined Puzzle Design: Simplifying interactions and ensuring puzzles align with player expectations would enhance accessibility without sacrificing challenge.
Quality-of-Life Updates: Features like a mini-map or a more detailed objective tracker could go a long way in minimizing player confusion.
Conclusion
Selaco is already a standout FPS, combining heart-pounding action, rich storytelling, and a deeply immersive atmosphere. While its confusing level design and occasionally frustrating puzzles hold it back, these are fixable issues that don’t overshadow the game’s incredible strengths.
If you’re a fan of retro-inspired shooters with modern twists, Selaco is a must-play, even in its early-access state. I look forward to seeing how the game evolves, and I’ll be revisiting it once the remaining chapters are released. With some polish, Selaco could be the next great FPS to grace the gaming world.
Read the latest full patch notes here:
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1592280/view/761771660008226818
Selaco - Early Access Launched on May 31, 2024!
Platform: PC (Steam) Price: $24.99 USD
Link:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1592280/Selaco/
Selaco is a brand new original shooter inspired by classics, featuring thrilling action set pieces, destructibility, smart enemies and a fleshed out story taking place within an immersive game world.