Hrot
{{Short description|2023 first person shooter video game}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Hrot
| image = Hrot Cover.jpg
| developer = Spytihněv
| publisher = Spytihněv
| designer =
| composer = Sjellos
| released = 16 May 2023
| genre = First-person shooter
| modes = Single player
| platforms = Microsoft Windows
}}
Hrot (stylized as HROT) is a 2023 first-person shooter video game developed by Spytihněv. The game is a homage to the 3D shooters of the 1990s and is primarily inspired by Chasm: The Rift and Quake.{{Cite web |last=Beahm |first=Elijah |date=2020-06-20 |title=HROT Is a Vicious, Wild Retro FPS About Surviving a Dieselpunk Czechoslovakia |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/v2/hrot-retro-fps-dieselpunk-czechoslovakia/ |access-date=14 June 2021 |website=The Escapist}} The early access version was released on 29 January 2021, and included the first of three episodes.{{Cite magazine |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=2021-01-29 |title=HROT is a new retro-FPS that looks like Dusk in the mid-80s Soviet Union |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/hrot-is-a-new-retro-fps-that-looks-like-dusk-in-the-mid-80s-soviet-union/ |magazine=PC Gamer |access-date=14 June 2021}} The full version was released on 16 May 2023.{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Mike |date=14 May 2023 |title=Quake-Inspired Throwback FPS HROT Leaves Early Access May 16 [Trailer] |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3762045/quake-inspired-throwback-fps-hrot-leaves-early-access-may-16-trailer/ |access-date=17 May 2023 |website=Bloody Disgusting!}}
Plot
The story is set in Czechoslovakia following an unspecified disaster of 1986. The protagonist leaves a civil defense shelter under Kosmonautů station to fight strange intruders who attacked Czechoslovakia. He fights these enemies throughout Prague and other places of Czechoslovakia. He eventually finds out that Orloj isn't working as it lost a gear. According to a local legend, the country will suffer if the clock is neglected and its good operation is placed in jeopardy. The protagonist reaches Strahov Stadium. He fights the supreme commander-in-chief of intruders who damaged Orloj and defeats him. The protagonist then destroys his heart and takes the gear from Orloj that was placed in the commander's heart. It allows the protagonist to repair Orloj and save the country in process.
Gameplay
Hrot is a retro-styled first-person shooter. Players explore and navigate to the exit of each level, facing monsters and finding secret areas along the way. Usually, there are switches to activate or keys to collect in order to open doors before the exit can be reached. Reaching the exit takes the player to the next level.
The campaign is divided into three episodes. It is set in 1986 in an alternate reality Czechoslovakia which was struck by an unknown disaster. The first episode has 8 levels with a boss fight in every second level. Each level is set in a real location in Prague. This includes Vyšehrad or Vítkov Hill.{{Cite web |last=Blaine |first=Lucas |date=2021-02-11 |title=HROT Is Retro Shooting Soviet Style |url=https://www.cbr.com/hrot-retro-shooter-soviet-style/ |access-date=14 June 2021 |website=Comic Book Resources}} The second episode, which was inspired by the Hussite era and Bohemian castles, released on 22 June 2022.{{Cite web |last=Hajda |first=Patrik |date=2021-01-29 |title=Vyzkoušejte českou retro střílečku HROT z postapokalyptického Československa |trans-title=Try the Czech retro shooter HROT from post-apocalyptic Czechoslovakia |url=https://games.tiscali.cz/novinky/vyzkousejte-ceskou-retro-strilecku-hrot-z-postapokalyptickeho-ceskoslovenska-503963 |access-date=14 June 2021 |website=Tiscali.cz |language=cs}}{{Cite web |last=Bigas |first=Jiří |date=2021-01-02 |title=Druhá epizoda retro FPS HROT nás vezme mezi husity |trans-title=The second episode of the retro FPS HROT takes us among the Hussites |url=https://www.vortex.cz/druha-epizoda-retro-fps-hrot-nas-vezme-mezi-husity/ |access-date=14 June 2021 |website=Vortex |language=cs}}{{Cite web |date=2022-06-22 |title=HROT: Episode 2 |url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/824600/view/4868968718717182887 |access-date=2022-07-12 |website=Steam News}} The third episode, titled The Gastroscopy, features another 8 levels and an additional secret level.
Development
Hrot was in development since 2017. The developer used his own proprietary engine, programmed in Pascal and utilizing the GLScene graphics library. The idea for the game first came in 1997 when Spytihněv considered developing a game similar to Quake or Chasm: The Rift.{{Cite web |last=Holman |first=Daniel |date=2019-10-28 |title=Ve vývoji je český Quake odehrávající se v Praze! |trans-title=A Czech Quake set in Prague is in development! |url=https://visiongame.cz/ve-vyvoji-je-cesky-quake-odehravajici-se-v-praze/ |access-date=23 May 2023 |website=VisionGame.cz |language=cs}} The game was announced in September 2019.{{Cite web |last=Bigas |first=Jiří |date=2019-09-30 |title=Česká retro FPS nás vezme do Prahy v roce 1986 |trans-title=Czech retro FPS takes us to Prague in 1986 |url=https://www.vortex.cz/ceska-retro-fps-nas-vezme-do-prahy-v-roce-1986/ |access-date=23 May 2023 |website=Vortex |language=cs}} The early access version was released on 29 January 2021, and included the first of three episodes called Kiss me Gustav. The second episode called Degustation was released on 22 June 2022.{{Cite web |last=Bigas |first=Jiří |date=2022-06-22 |title=Česká retro FPS Hrot má novou epizodu |trans-title=Czech retro FPS Hrot has a new episode |url=https://www.vortex.cz/ceska-retro-fps-hrot-ma-novou-epizodu/ |access-date=23 May 2023 |website=Vortex |language=cs}} The full version with the final episode called Gastroscopy was released on 16 May 2023.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = PC: 81/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/hrot/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=HROT for PC Reviews |work=Metacritic |access-date=22 May 2023}}
| PCGUS = 87/100{{Cite web |last=Litchfield |first=Ted |date=22 May 2023 |title=Hrot review |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/hrot-review/ |access-date=24 May 2023 |website=PC Gamer |language=en}}
| rev1 = Games.cz
| rev2 = SEKTOR.sk
}}
On Metacritic, Hrot received Generally favorable reviews.
Rock Paper Shotgun praises its design but criticizes its weapon selection.{{Cite news |last=Lane |first=Rick |date=2023-05-19 |title=HROT review: serviceable Soviet shooter saved by scintillating level design |language=en |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/hrot-review |access-date=2023-06-24}}
{{Clear}}
References
{{Reflist}}
Category:Alternate history video games
Category:Dark fantasy video games
Category:Early access video games
Category:First-person shooters
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Retro-style video games
Category:Science fantasy video games
Category:Video games developed in the Czech Republic
Category:Video games set in 1986
Category:Video games set in Prague