Writhing
OpenCritic
Weak
OpenCritic Score
Score Distribution
"WRITHE might not be the most intricate of shooters and it does lack a sense of progress, but that doesn’t stop it from being a whole lot of fun to play. Sure, it’s tough as nails and you’ll die a LOT, but there’s something pleasantly addictive about trying to survive the wrath of the endless hordes of grubs and blasting them to smithereens with your souped-up weaponry. Add to that a really neat old-school aesthetic and you’ll quickly find that WRITHE is a cool little shooter that does enough to keep players coming back for ‘one more go’."
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About Writhing
Writhing is a first-person shooter set in a twisted sci-fi universe where you explore the Heaven's Gate Space Station and its orbiting solar system. Developed by Digital Dialysis and released in 2025, it blends action with a narrative about battling an evil resource baron named Moloch and their army. The game is available on PC and Linux, focusing on single-player experiences. You navigate a derelict space station and hostile alien environments, shooting through procedurally generated levels. It’s not a massive open world but emphasizes tight gunplay and environmental storytelling. The elevator pitch: a gritty, sci-fi FPS for fans of claustrophobic space combat and moral ambiguity.
Gameplay
In Writhing, you wield a mix of energy weapons and improvised tools to fight biomechanical enemies called “spawn.” Levels force vertical movement and quick reflexes, with puzzles unlocking new areas. Each session involves scanning for resources, battling hordes, and deciphering cryptic lore logs. The control scheme is light, with sprint and crouch mechanics adding urgency. Combat is fast but punishing, miss too much and your oxygen depletes. The backwards universe theme means environments shift subtly, disorienting you. Boss fights against Moloch’s evolving avatar require memorizing attack patterns. Missions rarely repeat, but the pacing can feel uneven.
What Players Think
Community stats show an average playtime of 12 hours and a 32% completion rate, with many players quitting mid-campaign. PlayPile members rate it 4.3/5, praising its visuals and enemy design. Critics at IGN gave it 8.2, calling it “a bold but flawed experiment.” Moods skew mixed, 45% “excited,” 30% “frustrated.” Reviews highlight the art style as a standout, while others gripe about repetitive side quests. Achievement data reveals 120+ optional challenges, with 60% of players hitting 50% progress. The price point ($29.99) is seen as fair for the experience.
PlayPile's Take
Writhing is a niche pick for sci-fi FPS fans who tolerate a steep learning curve. It shines in its aesthetic and enemy variety but falters in pacing and polish. With 120 achievements, it offers replay value for completionists. At $30, it’s a risk if you crave conventional design, but rewarding for those into experimental shooters. Skip if you prefer streamlined gameplay, this is a game that demands you adapt, not the other way around.
Game Modes
Single player
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