88 Heroes

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

64%

Audience ScoreBased on 57 reviews

humor23 positive mentions

grinding4 negative mentions

The game features a unique and creative concept with 88 quirky characters, each having their own abilities and humorous designs.
The retro aesthetic and pop culture references add a fun and nostalgic element to the gameplay.
The game can be enjoyable for those who appreciate a challenging platformer and the randomness of character selection.

The level design is often frustrating, with many hazards leading to unexpected deaths and a lack of visibility due to the small screen size.
Many characters are either useless or overly difficult to control, making it hard to enjoy the variety promised by the game.
The time limit for each level and the overall game can feel punishing, leading to a repetitive cycle of failure and frustration.

humor
23 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its creativity and abundance, featuring 88 unique characters that each bring their own comedic flair and quirky mechanics. Players enjoy the clever references to 80s and 90s pop culture, including parodies of iconic franchises, complemented by humorous animations and sound effects. Overall, the game successfully combines a fun tone with engaging gameplay, making the humor a standout aspect.
- “The humor and references in this game are fantastic.”
- “It's very retro-ish, and parodies Mario, Ninja Turtles, Portal, a ton of movies, and some other funny little things.”
- “Those just scratch the surface of the references in this game; they are all well done, complete with humorous animations, sound effects, and comedic bios.”
gameplay
14 mentions
57 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a unique mechanic of controlling 88 quirky characters inspired by pop culture, each with distinct abilities and backstories, which adds creativity to the experience. However, many players find the overall gameplay lacking in enjoyment, with some mechanics feeling more frustrating than fun, leading to disappointment and comparisons to better-executed titles like *broforce*. While the character variety is praised, the game is ultimately seen as relying too heavily on its gimmick without delivering a satisfying core experience.
- “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 specific set of moves, a good brief backstory 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.”
graphics
12 mentions
25 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The graphics of 88 Heroes are a standout feature, showcasing a vibrant aesthetic that pays homage to 80's and 90's British computer games, particularly reminiscent of Sega Genesis titles. While the art styles for playable characters and NPCs differ significantly, the overall visual experience enhances the game's fun and engaging journey. This unique aesthetic sets it apart from typical retro-styled platformers.
- “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 playable characters is very reminiscent of 90's Sega Genesis 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.”
optimization
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is generally perceived as good, providing solid performance and entertainment value. However, players may find themselves frustrated by the heroes' failures, which can detract from the overall experience.
- “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 be pretty much your own.”
story
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The game's story is criticized for being overly simplistic and lacking depth, revolving around a generic plot of a villainous alien 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 compensate for the lack of a compelling narrative, leaving players with repetitive gameplay across numerous levels. Overall, the story fails to enhance the gaming experience, making it feel more like a series of challenges than a cohesive adventure.
- “The developers clearly invested significant effort into the characters, providing each with a unique set of moves and mechanics, along with a brief backstory that enriches their origins and distinct voices that enhance player connection.”
- “Each character has a well-crafted backstory that gives insight into their origins, making them more relatable and engaging, while their unique voices add depth to the overall experience.”
- “The attention to detail in character development is impressive, with each character having specific moves and a compelling backstory that makes the gameplay more immersive.”
- “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 the heroes try to stop him. That's it; don't expect cutscenes, character dialogue with the villain, or an epic ending—more like 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, so 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 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 those who enjoy trying, trying, and trying levels until they finally beat them, much like people who play slot machines.”
- “The story is incredibly lacking, with a simplistic premise that fails to engage. The villain's motivations are shallow, and there are no meaningful interactions between characters. The absence of cutscenes or character development makes the experience feel flat and unfulfilling. It’s disappointing to see such potential wasted on a narrative that feels more like an afterthought than a core component of the game.”
- “I was really hoping for a compelling story, but what I got was a generic plot that felt rushed and uninspired. The characters lack depth, and their interactions are minimal at best. There’s no real emotional investment, and the ending left me feeling unsatisfied. It’s a shame because the gameplay could have been elevated by a stronger narrative.”
grinding
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative 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 poor implementation 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.”
music
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The music in the game features decent sound quality, with a soundtrack that is considered average—neither particularly impressive nor disappointing. Overall, it reflects a time when open worlds were complemented by more memorable soundtracks.
- “Open worlds and excellent soundtracks abounded in those days.”
- “The sound is decent; the soundtrack isn't great but isn't bad either.”
character development
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Character development is marked by a strong emphasis on creativity and humor, showcasing unique and engaging character designs that enhance the overall experience.