Playtest report preview

Species: Unknown

Co-op survival horror for 1 to 4 players on an abandoned ship hunted by a creature.

We listened to 7 Twitch streams of Species: Unknown (3h 30m in total). The problem that came up most: flashlight battery drains too quickly, leaving areas dark, in 4 of 7 streams.

7 Twitch streams · 3h 30m analysed · English, Russian · analysed in the week of 21 Sept 2026 · Steam page

Problems: 47
Ideas: 5
Highlights: 8

Where the moments happened

Grey bars show when the streamer was talking. Each mark is one reported moment; select a type below to hide or show it.

Problems (47)

Bugs, confusion, frustration and the moments players gave up.

#1Bugblocking
petting the companion pet locks the camera and causes deaths
1 of 7 streams · 3 moments
3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#2Bug
game crashes after an update and strains vram
1 of 7 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#3Confusion
the in-game map is confusing to read and use
2 of 7 streams · 3 moments
3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#4Confusion
inviting a friend to a private session needs a code
2 of 7 streams · 3 moments
3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#5Confusion
tutorial prompts trigger unexpectedly mid-mission
2 of 7 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#6Confusion
returning players forget core mechanics like map flashlight recharge and vents
1 of 7 streams · 3 moments
3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#7Confusion
canister items are confusing to hold throw and place
1 of 7 streams · 3 moments
3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#8Confusion
one-sided pipe activation and its reset timer are not explained
1 of 7 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#9Confusion
tracking which numbered terminal task is still missing is confusing
1 of 7 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#10Confusion
sentry turrets are unexplained and hard to avoid or disable
1 of 7 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#11Confusion
suit hud icons for power, tickets and revives are unclear
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#12Confusion
weapon switching control is not discoverable without asking
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#13Confusion
crouch keybind on c confuses returning players
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#14Confusion
an unlabeled ui icon is hard to identify
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#15Confusion
escape key does not close menus, only a separate back button works
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#16Confusion
airlock and door controls unclear when first boarding a ship
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#17Confusion
duplicate colored items make the capture objective hard to identify
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#18Confusion
unclear which items drop on death
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#19Confusion
headless enemy design is confusing to identify at first sight
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#20Confusion
weapon aim/look controls are not clear when engaging enemies
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#21Confusion
objective beep audio cue is not reliably heard by all players
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#22Confusion
underwater dead bodies are easy to mistake for fish
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#23Confusion
steam store page install size does not match actual download size
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#24Confusion
unclear whether the new map is a separate mode and it lacks new specimens
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#25Confusion
communications wheel purpose unclear to new players
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#26Confusion
tracker item mistaken for a motion detector
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#27Confusion
currency pickups are hard to identify by sight
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#28Confusion
starting loadout differs unexpectedly between co-op players on the same mission
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#29Confusion
whether looted credits are shared between co-op players is unclear
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#30Confusion
unclear whether the ethereal creature counts as organic
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#31Confusion
unclear controls for throwing or dropping items
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#32Frustration
flashlight battery drains too quickly, leaving areas dark
4 of 7 streams · 5 moments
5 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#33Frustration
an upcoming major content update will wipe player progress
2 of 7 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#34Frustration
weapons dropped on death are hard to recover afterward
1 of 7 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#35Frustration
the pursuing creature keeps killing players during the chase
1 of 7 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#36Frustration
shooting the robot enemy seems to do nothing
1 of 7 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#37Frustration
research capsule pickups are too scarce for co-op teams
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#38Frustration
sentry turrets need many more shots on higher difficulties, hurting weapon value
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#39Frustration
only the safe room lets you lock doors
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#40Frustration
players prefer a worn weapon skin over the shiny default
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#41Frustration
poor ranged aiming pushes players toward melee weapons
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#42Frustration
interact prompt feels unresponsive during power switch and combat
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#43Frustration
players start missions with mismatched weapons and gear
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#44Frustration
locked doors block access to weapon pickups
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#45Frustration
cannot sit on the squashy ball decoration
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#46Frustration
bacon flavored soda option in the reward wheel is disliked
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#47Frustration
dreadlock creature is easy to escape but tedious to kill
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report

Suggestions and comparisons (5)

What players asked for, and which games they compared yours to.

#48Suggestion
request for more crouch and sprint animation variety
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#49Suggestion
halloween-themed update announced too close to the date to feel timely
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#50Comparison
music and suit design favorably compared to mass effect
2 of 7 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#51Comparison
on-foot ship boarding favorably compared to elite dangerous
2 of 7 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#52Comparison
character creator depth compared favorably to mass effect
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report

What landed (8)

Moments players clearly enjoyed.

#53Highlight
forced gaze enemy mechanic praised as effective horror design
2 of 7 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#54Highlight
echo effect on in-game voice chat well received
2 of 7 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#55Highlight
horror atmosphere strong enough that a player quit the first attempt
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#56Highlight
positive reaction to a cute, plushie-like creature design
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#57Highlight
specimen bite animation earns players' affection
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#58Highlight
hidden arcade minigame with a high score board delights players
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#59Highlight
character customization options praised for depth
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
#60Highlight
founders edition octopus pet item well received
1 of 7 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report

More games we analysed

RV There Yet?
76 problems · 11 highlights · 12 streams
push-to-talk voice chat repeatedly breaks and disrupts communication
BOMBANANA!
64 problems · 12 highlights · 12 streams
converting piano module letters to numbers confuses players
Shift at Midnight
104 problems · 30 highlights · 12 streams
unclear rule that trash bags can't be discarded anywhere
Woman Simulator
109 problems · 25 highlights · 11 streams
the daily chore list feels overwhelming to get through
No More Room in Hell 2
50 problems · 8 highlights · 8 streams
zombies grab players from outside their visible or melee range
Gamble With Your Friends
45 problems · 17 highlights · 8 streams
inviting or joining friends for co-op is confusing

All 62 games we analysed

Where the moments happened

Problems (47)

petting the companion pet locks the camera and causes deaths

game crashes after an update and strains vram

the in-game map is confusing to read and use

inviting a friend to a private session needs a code

tutorial prompts trigger unexpectedly mid-mission

returning players forget core mechanics like map flashlight recharge and vents

canister items are confusing to hold throw and place

one-sided pipe activation and its reset timer are not explained

tracking which numbered terminal task is still missing is confusing

sentry turrets are unexplained and hard to avoid or disable

suit hud icons for power, tickets and revives are unclear

weapon switching control is not discoverable without asking

crouch keybind on c confuses returning players

an unlabeled ui icon is hard to identify

escape key does not close menus, only a separate back button works

airlock and door controls unclear when first boarding a ship

duplicate colored items make the capture objective hard to identify

unclear which items drop on death

headless enemy design is confusing to identify at first sight

weapon aim/look controls are not clear when engaging enemies

objective beep audio cue is not reliably heard by all players

underwater dead bodies are easy to mistake for fish

steam store page install size does not match actual download size

unclear whether the new map is a separate mode and it lacks new specimens

communications wheel purpose unclear to new players

tracker item mistaken for a motion detector

currency pickups are hard to identify by sight

starting loadout differs unexpectedly between co-op players on the same mission

whether looted credits are shared between co-op players is unclear

unclear whether the ethereal creature counts as organic

unclear controls for throwing or dropping items

flashlight battery drains too quickly, leaving areas dark

an upcoming major content update will wipe player progress

weapons dropped on death are hard to recover afterward

the pursuing creature keeps killing players during the chase

shooting the robot enemy seems to do nothing

research capsule pickups are too scarce for co-op teams

sentry turrets need many more shots on higher difficulties, hurting weapon value

only the safe room lets you lock doors

players prefer a worn weapon skin over the shiny default

poor ranged aiming pushes players toward melee weapons

interact prompt feels unresponsive during power switch and combat

players start missions with mismatched weapons and gear

locked doors block access to weapon pickups

cannot sit on the squashy ball decoration

bacon flavored soda option in the reward wheel is disliked

dreadlock creature is easy to escape but tedious to kill

Suggestions and comparisons (5)

request for more crouch and sprint animation variety

halloween-themed update announced too close to the date to feel timely

music and suit design favorably compared to mass effect

on-foot ship boarding favorably compared to elite dangerous

character creator depth compared favorably to mass effect

What landed (8)

forced gaze enemy mechanic praised as effective horror design

echo effect on in-game voice chat well received

horror atmosphere strong enough that a player quit the first attempt

positive reaction to a cute, plushie-like creature design

specimen bite animation earns players' affection

hidden arcade minigame with a high score board delights players

character customization options praised for depth

founders edition octopus pet item well received

More games we analysed

RV There Yet?

BOMBANANA!

Shift at Midnight

Woman Simulator

No More Room in Hell 2

Gamble With Your Friends