Embarking on Lethal Company's journey thrusts players into a mesmerizing post-apocalyptic realm, where contracted employees toil under the ominous banner of "The Company." This game unfolds in a retro-futuristic landscape, urging players to scour desolate, industrialized moons strewn with perilous traps, environmental hazards, and nightmarish monsters. The adrenaline-pumping action immerses players in an unyielding struggle for survival, crafting an empowering experience before their inevitable succumbing to The Company's insidious grip.

Controls: 9/10

Exclusively maneuvering through the game using mouse & keyboard proved to be seamless, and I advocate for the same; at the point of this review, the game offers only partial controller support. The controls' simplicity, focusing on movement, interaction, and consistency, ensures players adeptly meet The Company's demands and swiftly make use newly acquired equipment. The current key bindings seemingly address all interaction-based necessities without burdening players with unnecessary complexity. This simplicity facilitates players of any experience level to engage in the dystopian employment delights, accentuating intricate game mechanics like creature behavior and computer terminal interactions.

Application/Consistency: 8/10

Throughout my gameplay, I encountered minimal technical hiccups or bugs. Occasionally, a player may seemingly clip through the ship upon landing on a moon or face difficulty moving furniture. These instances, while not game-breaking, are typically rectified upon reloading. Joining a multiplayer game from the server list might prompt an 'An error occurred' message. Whether this is attributable to an incompatibility with specific modded lobbies remains uncertain; however, switching hosts usually circumvents the issue.

User Interface/User Experience: 7/10

The user interface maintains simplicity while adhering to a well-themed aesthetic. The chosen font's angularity complements the game's minimalistic-arcade style. The HUD's minimalism proves crucial in fostering an immersive visual experience with little distractions, thereby spotlighting other facets of the game's depth and design; nevertheless, room for improvement exists in terms of accessibility, including adjustable HUD size, color-blind modes, or subtitles, to make the game more inclusive without compromising mechanics or difficulty. Positive strides have been made with the latest patch introducing the 'Arachnophobia' setting.

Music/Sound: 10/10

The sound design impeccably constructs an immersive atmosphere, imbuing each creature with distinctive character. Attuned players will discern subtle sound cues that, without a doubt, hold significance; a keen ear can often be the difference between life and death. Directional proximity chat and situational audio effects, such as minor reverb in buildings, elevate gameplay and can lead to some terrifyingly cinematic moments. The music seamlessly aligns with the game's retro-futuristic ambiance, with minor additions like the record player all contributing to an unforgettable experience—one that has me belting out what a gr-great asset I am.

Graphics & Art: 9/10

Lethal Company's art style, reminiscent of early PS aesthetics, amplifies the game's unique personality, offering a visually captivating experience. The intentionally restrained graphical style accentuates the horror elements, endowing creatures with an almost deformed appearance as they emerge. Visual cues, akin to sound cues, play a pivotal role, and failure to recognize them may spell one's demise. Remember, not to stare at the two floating white pixels at the end of the hall. :)

Content & Gameplay: 10/10

While the gameplay loop remains straightforward, the infusion of an extensive array of purchasable equipment adds an intriguing layer. Each playthrough possesses a distinct and compelling quality, heavily influenced by the individual players encountered in each game. The sense of uniqueness is further heightened by the use of procedural generation[www.mit.edu] for the the moon facilities, eliminating any semblance of predictability when inside. The need to decipher each facility's structure eradicates any potential monotony in gameplay and its outcomes.

Overall Rating: 8.83

At a $10 price point with hours upon hours of replayability, you can hardly ask for more from a co-op horror. You should definitely become a great asset... with friends!

Keep in mind the game is still in early access. Parts of this review, especially ratings are subject to change with future updates. Congratulations to Zeekers for a extensively successful launch.

Thanks for reading, hope it helps,
LICHPUNK