88 Heroes

50%
Game Brain Score Based on 25 reviews
  • humor
  • gameplay
  • graphics
88 Heroes Game Cover
When a villain going by the moniker of Dr. H8 attempts to hold the world at ransom, you know some bad shit is going down.
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"88 Heroes" is a fast-paced 2D platformer featuring 88 unique characters, each with their own abilities. The goal is to complete 88 levels within 88 minutes, as time ticks down relentlessly. It's a humorous and challenging experience that offers a fresh take on the classic arcade genre.

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Reviews

50%
Audience ScoreBased on 25 reviews
humor10 positive mentions
graphics3 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique concept with 88 quirky characters, each having their own abilities and humorous designs, making it a creative experience.
  • The retro aesthetic and pop culture references add a fun and nostalgic element to the gameplay.
  • It offers a challenging platforming experience that can be enjoyable for players who appreciate difficult games.
  • The level design is often frustrating, with many hazards being difficult to see and characters dying easily, leading to a repetitive gameplay loop.
  • Many characters are either useless or poorly designed, making it hard to enjoy the variety promised by the game's premise.
  • The time limit for each level feels arbitrary and can lead to a frustrating experience, especially when players are forced to restart after failing to complete the game within the allotted time.
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its creativity and abundance, featuring 88 unique characters with funny designs and mechanics. Players appreciate the clever references to 80s and 90s pop culture, including parodies of iconic franchises, complemented by humorous animations and sound effects. Overall, the game's lighthearted tone and comedic elements contribute significantly to its charm and enjoyment.

    • “The references are funny, their design looks great, and the different moves and gimmicks they have are really fun.”
    • “It's very retro-ish, and parodies Mario, Ninja Turtles, Portal, a ton of movies, and some other funny little things.”
    • “First the good, the humor and references in this game are fantastic.”
  • gameplay7 mentions

    The gameplay features a unique mechanic of controlling a diverse cast of 88 quirky characters, each with distinct abilities and humorous backstories, which adds creativity to the experience. However, many players find the overall gameplay lacking in enjoyment, with some elements feeling more frustrating than fun, leading to mixed reviews about its execution compared to similar titles like *broforce*.

    • “Having to play as a large group of quirky characters (based on pop culture icons) is a unique mechanic that sets this apart from most action platformers.”
    • “The fact that there are 88 different playable characters and that they each have unique mechanics and appearances is wonderfully creative (a lot are quite funny, too).”
    • “You can see the developers put much more work into them than the rest of the game, as each character has a set of moves specific to them, different in-game mechanics to use, a good brief backstory for each to give you an idea of where they come from, and unique voices that make you like them more or less.”
    • “Most have a gimmick which either helps or hinders your gameplay.”
    • “Not a bad option if that's what you're after, but if you want this style of gameplay done better, stick with 'Broforce'.”
  • graphics6 mentions

    The graphics of the game are a standout feature, showcasing a vibrant aesthetic that pays homage to 80's and 90's British computer games, particularly reminiscent of 90's Sega Genesis titles. While the art styles for playable characters and NPCs differ significantly, the overall visual experience enhances the enjoyment of the gameplay journey.

    • “The strong suit of this game is rarely the levels or the bosses or what most platformers often shine through, and instead in the overpoweringly awesome aesthetic.”
    • “88 Heroes isn't just some generic retro-styled game - it positively reeks of the aesthetic of 80's and 90's British computer games.”
    • “The art style for the NPCs and the levels is totally different from the art style of the playable characters.”
    • “The art style for the NPCs and the levels is totally different from the art style of the playable characters.”
    • “The art style for the playable characters is very reminiscent of 90's Sega Genesis games.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The optimization of the game is generally perceived as good, providing solid performance and entertainment value, though some users express frustration with the heroes' performance, suggesting that it may not always align with player expectations.

    • “Good performance and entertainment value.”
    • “In the end, it's fun to have around, and you can tell that his perspective and general opinion on the heroes' performance will pretty much align with your own.”
  • story2 mentions

    The game's story is criticized for being overly simplistic and lacking depth, revolving around a generic plot of an alien villain attempting to take over the world, with minimal character development or engaging cutscenes. While the variety of characters is appreciated, their backstories are brief and do not enhance the overall narrative experience, leaving players with a repetitive gameplay structure that lacks meaningful progression or strategy.

    • “The developers clearly invested significant effort into the characters, each with their own unique set of moves and mechanics, along with a well-crafted backstory that provides insight into their origins and distinct voices that enhance your connection to them.”
    • “The story is rich and engaging, drawing you into a world filled with depth and character development that keeps you invested throughout the gameplay.”
    • “Each character's backstory is thoughtfully designed, adding layers to the narrative and making the overall experience more immersive and enjoyable.”
    • “Unfortunately, I have to give a much more negative review than I want to for this game, as it is enjoyable only for the variety of characters, not for its story. The plot is bare-bones: a big bad alien tries to make quick cash by taking the world hostage, and a group of heroes tries to stop him. That's it—don't expect cutscenes, character dialogues with the villain, or an epic ending. It's more of a 'roll the credits' situation. Without a story, the game leaves you with a bunch of levels to beat, and there are 88 of them. They're not randomized, and you'll learn them quickly. The first 20 levels are fun, but gradually you notice that the enemies don't change much, especially in the last levels. It seems the developers put too much effort into making levels crazy and unbeatable rather than fun, leading to a lack of cool strategies and relying heavily on luck and repetition. This game is ideal for masochists or people who enjoy trying, trying, and trying levels until they finally beat them, much like those who play slot machines.”
    • “The story is incredibly shallow and feels like an afterthought. There’s no depth to the characters or their motivations, making it hard to care about what happens next. The lack of meaningful dialogue and character development really detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “I was really disappointed with the story. It felt rushed and poorly constructed, with no real stakes or emotional investment. The plot twists were predictable, and the ending left me feeling unsatisfied. I expected more from a game that seemed to promise an engaging narrative.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and disruptive, detracting from the overall action and enjoyment. Despite having promising ideas, the execution leads to a frustrating experience that discourages continued play.

    • “This just takes away from the action and makes progressing very tedious as you are constantly stopping to see what is coming next.”
    • “The best word to describe this game is tedious; it has so many good ideas, but they are all implemented so poorly that it just makes you not want to play.”
  • music2 mentions

    The music in the game features decent sound quality, with a soundtrack that is generally considered average—neither outstanding nor poor. However, it is noted that open worlds often come with excellent soundtracks, suggesting a missed opportunity for a more memorable musical experience.

    • “Open worlds and excellent soundtracks abounded in those days.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is marked by a strong emphasis on creativity and humor, showcasing unique and engaging character designs that enhance the overall experience.

    • “There's clearly a lot of creativity and humor on display here in the character design.”
    • “The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making their journeys feel personal and impactful.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

72% average critic score

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