SULFUR

🔥 First Impressions & Setting

SULFUR markets itself as a modern old-school action-adventure — a phrase that hints at the mix of classic FPS sensibilities with a few contemporary design flourishes. Jumping in, you’re dropped into a gritty, mysterious world stalked by dark creatures. The art style immediately sets a brooding, oppressive atmosphere, which the soundtrack skillfully supports. This combination stands out, inviting players who appreciate strong, unified aesthetics.

🔫 Gunplay & Customization

Where SULFUR really shines is its gunplay. Weapons feel weighty, responsive, and punchy. There’s an impressive variety of guns available — and thanks to a robust modding system, you can tailor your loadout with attachments and enchantments. Whether you prefer run-and-gun chaos or methodical, tactical play, the weapon and gear systems reward experimentation. Plus, crafting oils, bombs, and other gear adds an engaging layer to your arsenal. Joe Vargas (Angry Joe) gives credit here for keeping mechanics interesting without slipping into pay-to-win territory — microtransactions are thankfully nonexistent.

🧭 Level Design: Linear Paths, Limited Choice

Despite the game’s strong gun mechanics, some frustrations emerge in level structure. Levels feel highly linear, with preset paths and few opportunities for organic exploration or decision-making. George the player points out that while the art and loot placement give a good first impression, replay value is diminished for those hoping for open-ended routes or hidden areas.

👺 Enemy Encounters & Challenge

Combat isn’t just about shooting — it’s about surviving waves of unpredictable foes. While this creates tense firefights, the pacing feels off. Several reviewers note that enemy spawns are inconsistent, at times overwhelming, and not always reactive to player progression. This can lead to a feeling of randomness rather than challenge, which might grate on players used to tighter AI design.

💀 Progression & Risk-Reward Balance

SULFUR employs a die-and-lose-everything mechanic. It’s designed to up the stakes but sometimes backfires, resulting in grind fatigue rather than meaningful tension. Starting from scratch repeatedly, especially after random deaths from buggy hit detection or corpse-induced bullet blockers, can erode enjoyment. Jeff Gerstmann points out that, while risk-reward loops are a staple of extraction shooters, the lack of deeper progression systems means setbacks feel harsher than in genre peers.

💾 Performance & Polish

This is still an Early Access game, and it shows. Performance is generally solid early on but can drop sharply in busy levels or during prolonged sessions. Issues like stuttering, and moments where detection simply feels off, are common and need urgent attention from the developers. The team agrees that while technical roughness is somewhat expected, smooth gunplay shouldn't be undermined by preventable bugs.

📊 Audience & Value

If you enjoy high-stakes shooters and get a thrill from tweaking guns, SULFUR offers solid value — especially considering its currently modest price. The absence of aggressive monetization is a relief, and Joanna Wiebe highlights the clarity in in-game communication, which helps despite ongoing rough edges. Still, for players seeking deep story, robust exploration, or late-game complexity, patience is needed while the developers flesh out content and systems.

⚖️ Verdict: Worth a Shot, with Caveats

SULFUR carves out a niche for itself with visceral combat, sharp visuals, and creative weapon upgrades, but stumbles in level variety, enemy pacing, and technical polish. For fans of challenging shooters and those willing to invest in a work-in-progress, it’s a promising (though bumpy) ride. For everyone else, the best move might be to keep it on your radar and wait for future updates.