SATAN – DOOM-Inspired Boomer Shooter

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• Developer: Gamefruit
• Publisher: DOSMan Games
• Platforms: PC
• Genre: Boomer Shooter
• Release Date: January 16, 2024
• Initial Price: 2.99€
• Reviewed Version: PC

SATAN is a love letter to the golden age of the boomer shooter, delivering a fast-paced, action-packed experience reminiscent of classics like Doom and Quake. It captures the essence of 90s FPS games with its nostalgic visuals, secret-filled levels, and intense combat. While staying true to its roots, the game introduces modern elements such as weapon upgrades and multiple boss fights, making it a strong choice for genre enthusiasts.

Despite its retro design, SATAN is a surprisingly fun game. Although the pixelated graphics add charm, they sometimes make it difficult to spot smaller enemies like rats, and even larger opponents occasionally feel a bit clunky. The influence of Doom is obvious, but SATAN brings its own unique approach with an interesting story that remains compelling until the very end. There is a surprising amount of content here, and the narrative effectively ties all the game’s elements together

The Influence of Doom is Obvious

The gameplay is fluid and fast-paced, encouraging lateral movement, dodging, and precise aiming to destroy waves of enemies. There is recoil when shooting, but it doesn’t significantly affect the experience, especially since it can be disabled. The game offers a diverse arsenal, including shotguns, pistols, grenades, and even a staff for melee attacks. It’s great that the game forces players to experiment with different weapons, as ammunition for one type often runs out, but there’s no need to worry, as supplies can usually be found as you progress.

Relics scattered throughout the game provide boosts like extra shields or health when you hand them over to a priest, which adds a minor strategic component. However, outside of this, the game does not stray too far from the classic boomer shooter formula. Still, it delivers exactly what fans of the genre want: a fun, nostalgic, and action-packed experience without too much experimentation. The shooting is quite straightforward, given that you have a large crosshair in front of you.

You start with a basic arsenal that expands as you progress through the levels. Completing optional tasks within each level unlocks weapon upgrades. These upgrades provide minor but significant advantages, such as increased damage or faster reloading, which encourages thorough exploration. SATAN also has a simple concept: you must collect keys to open doors for further progression and ultimately defeat the main enemies.

Level Design is Solid, but Quickly Becomes Repetitive

As is often the case with games of this type, SATAN is not difficult to complete. The only real challenge comes from long-range enemies, as their bullets and magical projectiles are faster, requiring careful planning for approaching each zone. On the other hand, melee enemies pose a minimal threat, although the variety of opponents does increase as you progress. The early stages of the game can feel repetitive, but a wider spectrum of enemies ensures the experience remains engaging.

The level design is solid, though it suffers from a certain repetitive nature. The spooky environments full of bodies, blood, and horror suit the dark theme, but they don’t change significantly as you progress. While this visual style works within the game’s context, the pixelated graphics make it difficult for players to truly immerse themselves in the game world. The rooms you enter look noticeably different, but you shouldn’t expect too much variety in their content.

Nevertheless, the levels are designed to gradually increase the difficulty, leading to intense boss fights that demand tactical thinking and adaptability. Although some bosses are weaker, they compensate with much higher health, which sometimes makes the fights feel too long, but they are rewarding. The final confrontation with the Devil is an epic conclusion to the game, providing a unique challenge that will delight fans of retro shooters.

Final Thoughts

SATAN has many strengths and offers a fun experience once you master it. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of content, and it’s clear the developers put effort into creating a game that feels linear yet open to exploration. Personally, I’ve missed games like this, and SATAN perfectly satisfies that nostalgic craving. While it isn’t without its flaws, it’s an engaging throwback for fans of the genre.

As a publisher, DOSMan Games has built a reputation for delivering retro-inspired titles to modern platforms, and SATAN is no exception. In an era where most games are hyper-detailed and cinematic, sometimes it’s refreshing to relax and enjoy what a classic boomer shooter has to offer. I have to commend the developers at Gamefruit for creating such a unique title, even though, unfortunately, it may not get the recognition it deserves.

Review copy provided by the publisher