DEEEER Simulator: Your Average Everyday Deer Game Review
Played on Xbox One (base)
Developed by Gibier Games
Released 21st January 2020
This game was up there for my Game of the Year of 2021 since it was re-released that November, despite its launch in 2020. This game offered so much fun and wildness that I'm disappointed that it was never talked about enough and that it only scored a 60 on Metacritic. At least I awarded it Mini-experience of the Year.
Story
There is a story hidden in this comedic madness but it's not the focal point of the game. I can't give it a synopsis as its story moments are essentially spoilers and I want you to enjoy this game in all its insanity. I will say this though: as bizarre as this narrative is, it's as inventive as all hell, and one that you simply won't find anywhere else.
Gameplay
The gameplay is chaotic and fun with a splash of weirdness. In fact, it feels as if GTA had a child with Garry's Mod and then it was later adopted by Goat Simulator. One moment you could be destroying the city, bringing along the wrath of the anthropomorphic police, the next you're playing Cowthello against a titan cow. This simply is a joyride that's wild and funny, as you trade your antlers for pistols and deerify-ing civilians. There is an ensemble of things to do, and they are very much in the same spirit as the games I mentioned beforehand. Deer Simulator also functions as a run-based system, meaning you have a set amount of health (3 hearts), and if that depletes, you'll have to restart the whole area. This sounds bad until you realise there are 2 areas in this game and the game is about 1 hour long (unless you want to 100% as I did: that'll take 2 hours). Finally, as a small nit-pick, the camera angle and occasional bugs do add to the chaos in both favourable and unfavourable ways.
Bossfights
Yes, this game has bossfights, and yes, they're good. DEEEER Sim has some awesome fights that are unique in every way, and offer more to this unexplainable game. From fighting a gigantic dog, covered in the entire game's police force, to basically fighting God (I'm not joking), it makes for some epic fights that utilise its simplistic gameplay to the best. The only fight I heavily disliked was the lightsaber duel you had with your clone (Again, I'm not joking) as it felt tedious and didn't offer the same magnificence as the other fights. Hell, these boss fights even have surprisingly intense and cool symphonies for the battles.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere is the only department this game lacks. Audibly, it has some fantastically hilarious sound effects accompanying the gameplay which caught me off guard the first time I heard them but they overstayed their welcome soon after. Musically, there are some soundtracks that fit the game's mood and tone perfectly, while others feel out of place and as if they don't contribute to or amplify the pre-existing qualities of the game. Visually, I thought initially it was awesome and innovative to see these large-scale, low-poly environments. However, I then realised that it's what feels like mostly recycled assets that contain nothing to make this game stand out visually (other than its crazy imagery like a humongous koala hugging a skyscraper).
Story - 7/10
Gameplay - 8/10
Bossfights - 7/10
Atmosphere - 6.5/10
Good
Gibier Games had produced one of the most enjoyable, intense, chaotic, barbaric and wildest 2 hours of my life.
