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The 80s. What comes to mind when you hear this? Purple backdrop, shiny lines, grids, mullets and other weird hairstyles... you know the drill. But here's the thing: that's just American 80s. This might come as a shock, but there actually is a world outside of 'Murica, which even has (gasp!) places that have independent culture! I know imagining this is probably as hard as imagining the amount of atoms in the universe, but bear with me here.
Turns out more and more games are starting to explore this world-shattering revelation. In particular, the post-Soviet countries who had their culture enforced by the Russian state during the 80s are happily discovering that they share a lot of... baggage? Quirks? Imagery? Something like that. And we're not talking idealised vision of the Soviet Union as it exists in the mind of a middle class young adult who grew up in American Suburbia - we're talking how it actually was, as remembered by people who either lived through it, or grew up in the ruins of that order.
Such as myself.

Blah blah, tell me about the game you gopnik

"Czechoslovakian Quake". Or rather, that's what it starts out as, and then it really blazes its own trail and just blazes it in general. And the only reason why all this fun Soviet stuff matters is because it actually plays damn well. The level design is varied in spite of everything looking grey, the weaponry walks the fine line between weird and classic, and oh boy are there a lot of enemies. Including bosses (some of which have multiple forms) there are a whopping 50 different types. To put this number into perspective, DUSK has 33 (including bosses), out of which 9 are a size/colour/stat variant of an otherwise identical another one. In HROT, this number is, uh, 0. Every enemy is completely unique.
Actually, the variety kinda reminds me of Northern Journey, although its nowhere near at that level. Still, the fact that I even had this thought while playing it should give you a good idea of what to expect (provided you played Northern Journey).

Post-soviet Circlejerk

There's more variety than just enemy variety - and it stems from the dev's inexplicable willingness to cram in a lot of nostalgic junk. It's gratuitous as f*ck and I love it. Maybe this is why the Murites love their 80s so much, because of this feeling?
In HROT you'll find things I forgot even existed. There's this weird 3-chamber container for... "lunch" would be the best translation, but it's not quite that. There's a spinning top toy, and it mesmerised me just the same as when I got one for Christmas roughly 30 years ago. There's the foughken COMMUNAL DRYING ROOM. And much, much more; but since I didn't grow up in what used to be Czechoslovakia, there's probably a lot I didn't catch.
There's also drugs.

Bruh this samogon doesn't hit hard enough

The further you progress in the game, the more unhinged things become. But not in a psychological horror style. It's more like, you're hanging out with the bois, hitting the cheap wine mixed with off-brand cola, and suddenly Paweł suggests going out for a midnight stroll. Two hours later, you find yourself helping him climb the power pole because he needs to look out for the neighbour's flying car, because he's definitely a Russian sleeper agent.
It's like that.
And HROT doesn't make you question whether things are real or not. You do eat magic mushrooms at some point, but otherwise who cares? It's real, just roll with it, details be damned. Just enjoy the ride. And boy, is the ride enjoyable, especially the final boss. I hope you'll enjoy blasting his face off as much as I did - using the BRNO Super Shotgun (I call him "Bruno", he's me mate) and the Hussite Hand Cannon which is totally not a rocket launcher, of course!

Tvoja mamicka to (EXPLETIVE REDACTED)

If you understood what I just said, then this game might be for you. It's probably wrong anyway.
What's that, you want a conclusion? Fine. 20% of all players have beaten the final boss. At the same time, 57% of players have the achievement for killing all mobs in a level, which I think is relatively easy. Does this mean some 40% of players lose interest instantly, or that they haven't launched the game? In any case, there's a 30% chance of you finishing the game if you actually get into it. Is that good? I'd say its pretty decent. But I'm clearly the target audience here, so I might be biased.
Also, Paweł, you were a good friend, once. That power pole idea was stupid but I'm glad we did it.
Lofi beats for post-gopnik pseudo-intellectuals ONLY

HROT: A Unique Retro FPS Experience
Gameplay and Mechanics
HROT is a first-person shooter that pays homage to iconic shooters like Doom (id Tech 1 engine) and Quake (Quake engine) (1990s), blending retro aesthetics with modern gameplay mechanics. Set in a dystopian version of Czechoslovakia during the late 1980s, players navigate through meticulously crafted environments that evoke a sense of nostalgia while delivering fresh challenges. The game features an array of weapons, each with distinct characteristics, allowing for varied combat strategies. The movement feels sharp ,fluid (running bunnyhopping) and responsive.
Visuals and Atmosphere
The visual style of HROT is strikingly unique, utilizing pixel art graphics that capture the essence of early 3D games. The environments are richly detailed and secrets cleverly hidden all the plenty. The levels, filled with atmospheric lighting and textures that enhance immersion. The game’s art direction effectively conveys a sense of decay and desolation, immersing players in its eerie world. Additionally, the sound design complements the visuals perfectly; ambient noises and retro-inspired soundtracks create an engaging auditory experience that heightens tension during gameplay.
Narrative / Themes
While HROT primarily focuses on action-packed gameplay, it also weaves a narrative that reflects themes of oppression and societal decay. Players encounter various enemies that symbolize the oppressive regime of the time, adding depth to the otherwise straightforward shooting mechanics.
Conclusion
Overall, HROT stands out as a compelling tribute to retro FPS games while carving its own identity through innovative design choices and thematic depth. It successfully balances nostalgia with modern gaming sensibilities, making it an enjoyable experience for both veteran gamers and newcomers alike.
Highly recommend this game 10/10 , thank u for reading.

TLDR
If you think Quake (the first one) is the best old-school FPS, play HROT.
If you like shooters that focus on atmosphere and exploration, play HROT.
If you think sewers and subways actually make for the best levels, play HROT.
If brown isn't your favourite colour, play HROT to change your mind.
☭HROT☭
HROT eschews the recent trends of boomer shooters becoming increasingly complex in the wake of Doom Eternal. There are no alternative fire modes. No upgrades or mods. There is a single move speed, a kick, and a jump. All enemy attacks can be dodged by strafing in and out of cover, or by circling around them.
On the surface this might sound like a negative, but this mechanical restraint is part of what makes HROT so great. Old-school shooters weren't all about mowing down waves of enemies with complex movement/weapon combos. They were about exploring a hostile and mysterious environment. Enemies served as a way to make the levels feel alive, as well as a means to instil tension and dread in the player.
HROT nails every aspect of this old-school philosophy. Its beautifully brown levels echo real locations in late-communist Czechoslovakia. Environmental storytelling is abundant and enemy designs are both humorous and terrifying. Most importantly, the game keeps you constantly excited (and slightly scared) for what comes next.
Level Design
HROT consists of 24 levels (each around 15 - 30 mins long) spread over three chapters. Each level is set in a distinct location, centred around the game's themes of industry, technology, transport, bureaucracy, and Czech history. Levels loop back on themselves in interesting ways (e.g. sometimes the exit is near the start, but you need a key), but are always well designed enough so that you never get lost (I didn't know there was a map until I finished the game). Most levels have several secrets to discover, and each of the three chapters have a sprinkling of set pieces and Easter eggs.
Enemies and Combat
Each level features around 60 to 70 enemies. Most of these are placed in small groups evenly along the level. There are often contextual clues as to when you'll encounter enemies, which is important as the skill in defeating them lies in anticipating (or reacting to) their presence, rather than long fights. Both the enemies and the player are reasonably squishy (even on normal difficulty).
Some enemy types move in a slightly unpredictable manner, like they're a bit drunk. This makes them slightly harder to hit, but not frustratingly so (none of them are annoyingly fast).
Enemy variety is also good, mostly from an aesthetic perspective, but there's also reasonable mechanical variety: enemy size, movement speed, projectile speed, damage, flying enemies, leaping enemies etc.
Most levels also feature one section towards the end with a concentration of enemies in a big arena. If you found a bunch of secrets and didn't take much damage earlier in the level, it's a fun opportunity to use some of your powerful weapons. If you rushed through the rest of the level, it's usually a decent challenge to just scrape through this final wave.
Other than one or two surprises, the weapons are all things you've seen before. But they all feel good to use, and each of them excel at dealing with different types of enemies.
Presentation
The brown crunchy graphics are perfection. The music is also excellent and the game does a good job of switching between atmospheric music, uptempo music, and silence depending on the situation.
Conclusion
You should play HROT.