1 Screen Platformer: Prologue
- July 16, 2020
- Return To Adventure Mountain, LLC
- 2h median play time
This game will prepare you for the other main line 1 Screen Platformer series. You will practice, learn, and improve so that you can take on the real challenge of these precision platformers.Navigate the ship After stealing the skull of an elder god in 1 Screen Platformer, Nadia Stormhammer returns to her orbiting space craft. The craft is empty. Self defense systems are on high alert. Something i…
Reviews
- The game features tight controls and a well-designed level that offers a satisfying challenge, making it enjoyable for fans of precision platformers.
- It's free to play, providing good value for a short but engaging experience, with achievements for each checkpoint to motivate players.
- The level design is varied and creative, with different environments and mechanics that keep the gameplay fresh and interesting.
- The achievements do not show up on players' Steam profiles, which can be frustrating for achievement hunters.
- Some players found the controls to be imprecise or floaty, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences, especially during challenging sections.
- The demo is limited to one character and one difficulty level, which may leave players wanting more content and variety.
- gameplay21 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a unique blend of mechanics, featuring multiple characters with distinct abilities, diverse environments, and various challenges such as timed traps and puzzles. While the controls may take some time to master, they offer a rewarding experience once learned, although some players noted issues with jump precision. Overall, the game emphasizes mechanics over narrative, providing an engaging yet potentially polarizing platforming experience.
“I love how there are different environments in the levels with various game mechanics, from timed traps to guns to small puzzles.”
“The soundtrack, consisting of rhythmic and ambient tunes, complements the gameplay by providing a sense of focus and rhythm, further enhancing the immersive experience.”
“The mechanics are still dead simple, so it's easy to learn, but even if the game is just '1 screen', it's a significantly bigger screen with a lot more going on than its predecessor.”
“The challenge comes from dealing with bad gameplay more than actually difficult platforming.”
“While jumping felt perfect, it seemed like I was missing small jumps more often than I should be - even after I got further into the level and more used to the mechanics.”
“This game has slower and more floaty gameplay than the previous 1 screen platform game, but it is still an enjoyable little miniature game.”
- story14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a significant lack of a compelling story in the game, with many users noting that it feels more like a demo than a complete narrative experience. While some mention a minimal story presence, it is often overshadowed by gameplay frustrations, and the overall consensus is that the game lacks a meaningful narrative or progression.
“It's a separate, earlier story.”
“The game has a nice sci-fi space setting with a pretty decent atmosphere; the graphics are retro and it looks like a lot of time went into its making.”
“Okay, so jumping in, I'll tell you there is a story, but I can't remember it because all I remember is how frustrating this game is... yeah, it's a rage game... much like all the platformers I have played recently.”
“The absence of any real story or progression can also be a drawback for those seeking a narrative-driven experience.”
“I can discern no content or story here that's not in the full game, hence it's a demo not a prologue.”
“There isn't any story in the game, your goal is simply to collect all checkpoints.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a minimalistic and retro aesthetic, which complements its unique concepts and sci-fi setting. Players appreciate the clear visuals and the artistic style, noting that the graphics contribute to an engaging atmosphere despite the absence of a narrative. Overall, the visuals are described as cute and eye-catching, enhancing the gameplay experience.
“I did not encounter any story, the game has a nice sci-fi space setting with a pretty decent atmosphere, the graphics are retro and it looks like a lot of time went into its making.”
“Snappy controls, eye-catching visuals, and it's free!”
“Indie platformers with a retro aesthetic are a dime a dozen.”
“The visuals and audio are deliberately minimalistic, aligning with the game's concept.”
“The graphics are retro and it looks like a lot of time went into its making.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game offers limited replayability, with some players finding it almost infinitely replayable, particularly for speedrunning enthusiasts, while others feel it lacks depth for multiple playthroughs. Overall, opinions vary significantly on its replay value.
“Infinitely replayable (or almost).”
“While fairly short, there is replayability if you enjoy speedrunning.”
“Sadly, it does not really offer any replayability for me, but the developers clearly deserve all the support they can get.”
- music3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The music in the game features a blend of rhythmic and ambient tunes that enhance immersion and focus during gameplay. However, some users feel that the soundtrack is lacking, describing it as merely filling noises with little musical value.
“The soundtrack, consisting of rhythmic and ambient tunes, complements the gameplay by providing a sense of focus and rhythm, further enhancing the immersive experience.”
“Just filling noises, no music.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that while there aren't significant skips in gameplay, there are numerous opportunities for optimization in movement and cycle management, suggesting that players can enhance their efficiency through careful planning and execution.
“I didn't find too many large skips, but there are lots of places that can be optimized for movements and cycle management.”
“I didn't find too many large skips, but there are lots of places that can be optimized for movement and cycle management.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players note that grinding in the game can be excessively time-consuming, likening it to needing a second life to manage it. However, some appreciate that the level design is more refined compared to other titles known for their grind-heavy mechanics, such as Castlevania: Harmony of Despair.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“It actually reminds me more this time around of the better-designed levels in Castlevania: Harmony of Despair, but, you know, without the grindy jank that game is full of.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is praised for its engaging sci-fi space setting and retro graphics, which contribute to a well-crafted experience. Players appreciate the pacing and overall ambiance, indicating that significant effort was put into creating the game's aesthetic.
“The game has a nice sci-fi space setting with a pretty decent atmosphere; the graphics are retro, and it looks like a lot of time went into its making.”
“I like the pacing and atmosphere.”
“The game has a nice sci-fi space setting with a pretty decent atmosphere, but I did not encounter any story.”
“The graphics are retro, and it looks like a lot of time went into its making, yet the atmosphere feels lacking.”
“While the visuals are appealing, the overall atmosphere fails to engage or immerse the player.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game prioritizes mechanics over character development, resulting in minimal exploration of character arcs or narrative depth.
“The game's focus is squarely on the mechanics, leaving little room for character development or plot.”
“Character arcs feel rushed and underdeveloped, making it hard to connect with anyone in the story.”
“There are minimal choices that impact character growth, resulting in a lack of meaningful development.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the humor in the game to be a standout feature, often highlighting the comedic nature of the character's deaths, which adds an entertaining layer to the gameplay experience.
“It took me around 25 minutes on my first run, thanks to a number of hilarious deaths.”
“The game's humor had me laughing out loud with its clever puns and unexpected twists.”
“I love how the characters have such quirky personalities that make every interaction entertaining.”