99 Levels To Hell
- February 19, 2014
- Zaxis Games
Get on Steam"99 Levels to Hell" is a rogue-like platform shooter where survivors are rewarded with new levels and challenges in every playthrough. With 10 dungeons, 10 boss fights, and 100 levels filled with various monsters, powers, and weapons, players can also discover hidden shops, casinos, and elevators. As you progress, unlock the story of two brothers and ultimately confront the devil to a killer metal soundtrack.
Mac OS
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Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Fun and addictive gameplay with a decent challenge.
- Great soundtrack that enhances the gaming experience.
- Randomly generated levels provide some replayability.
- Repetitive gameplay with similar level designs and enemy types.
- Poor graphics and animations that feel unpolished.
- Controls can be awkward and floaty, leading to frustrating gameplay.
- gameplay84 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitiveness and lack of innovation, often comparing it unfavorably to titles like "Spelunky" and "Binding of Isaac." While some appreciate the smooth mechanics and addictive nature, others criticize the poor graphics, awkward controls, and a lack of engaging content that leads to a grindy experience. Overall, the gameplay is seen as basic and uninspired, with potential for improvement in variety and design.
“It's a little poorly designed in some ways, but the gameplay is very smooth, and it has some neat mechanics.”
“Very addictive, pretty good gameplay and really enjoyable.”
“All in all, 99 Levels to Hell is a fun experience, with interesting story and fun gameplay; it is well worth the $5.”
“The gameplay is too repetitive.”
“Poor visuals, unimaginative gameplay, nearly no cohesive design philosophy.”
“Game mechanics clash with each other and seem to have been thrown in on a whim, and the game seems to discourage you from experimenting with its many weapons.”
- music82 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising the heavy metal tracks during boss battles and the overall sound design, while others criticize the repetitive and generic dungeon ambiance that dominates the gameplay. Many appreciate the option to toggle music and the presence of a music slider, but some feel that the soundtrack lacks variety and memorability, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, while the heavy metal elements are well-received, the inconsistency and repetitiveness of the music leave some players wanting more.
“Music and sound is amazing (I love heavy metal, which helps).”
“Nice graphics and sound, cool metal soundtrack during boss battles!”
“The game's most notable feature is its soundtrack, which is incredibly good for an indie game.”
“The music or lack thereof.”
“Endlessly annoying soundtrack.”
“Along with that, the soundtrack is the same ambient dungeon music over, and over, and over.”
- graphics46 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received largely negative feedback, with many users describing them as amateurish, poorly animated, and reminiscent of low-quality flash games. While some players appreciate the unique style, particularly in relation to its ultraviolent themes, the overall consensus is that the visuals lack polish and coherence, detracting from the gameplay experience. A few reviews noted good graphics and smooth performance, but these were exceptions rather than the rule.
“Nice graphics and sound, cool metal soundtrack during boss battles!”
“Graphics are good, game is really smooth, great soundtrack (le metalhead me is happy) and cool atmosphere.”
“Graphics are ms paint level, but gore-tacular if you grew up on comical ultraviolence it feels like home.”
“Graphics are bad, and there's nothing special about the gameplay.”
“The animations are stilted, the gameplay is one note, and the graphics look like they are from a flash game.”
“The way the graphics are horribly scaled and blurry to the extent of being a meaningless blob at full resolution?”
- story24 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story in "99 Levels to Hell" is described as minimalist and somewhat fragmented, requiring players to discover RNG-generated books in dungeons to fully grasp the plot. While some players appreciate the interesting voice-acted bits and hidden pathways that contribute to the narrative, others criticize it as lacking depth and coherence, often feeling like an afterthought. Overall, the story adds a layer of intrigue to the gameplay, but many feel it ultimately leaves much to be desired.
“The plot of 99 Levels to Hell is slowly unraveled as you play via hidden rooms that occasionally show up.”
“There is a fairly interesting (if not somewhat reminiscent of Isaac) story to listen to.”
“All in all, 99 Levels to Hell is a fun experience, with an interesting story and fun gameplay; it is well worth the $5.”
“There really isn't a story.”
“The only thing this has going for it is the story, and that still leaves you wanting.”
“What passes for a 'story' is a poorly conceived joke with no bearing on the game itself, relayed in doggerel verse that's almost painful to listen to.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the unlockable characters and originality, many feel it lacks significant replay value and is overshadowed by similar titles like Spelunky. Several reviews indicate that the game does not offer enough fun or variety to encourage repeated playthroughs.
“This game is quite fun and has a sense of originality and replayability to it. There are multiple characters that are unlockable, which contributes to high replayability.”
“The game has no replay value and is not fun in the slightest.”
“The game is okay, but it just doesn't have that replayability.”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite tedious, as initial challenges give way to repetitive gameplay after a few hours. While there are side rooms to explore, significant time investment is required to unlock store items, leading to a grind-heavy experience that detracts from overall enjoyment.
“There are side rooms available in each mission; however, the store is just a showcase for things you won’t buy unless you are willing to dump time getting into and grinding this game.”
“The first hour or two are interesting and challenging, but once you get the goofy mechanics of controlling your character and upgrade your weapon a little, it becomes really grindy.”
“Is it tedious?”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game to be highly entertaining, particularly enjoying its humor throughout the 99 levels and the final boss fight against the devil. The comedic elements contribute significantly to the overall experience, making it a fun choice for solo play.
“I passed all 99 levels and the final boss fight with the devil; it's very funny.”
“Funny game for playing alone.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game receives mixed feedback; while some players appreciate the cool atmosphere and great soundtrack, others criticize the lack of immersive elements and poor sound effects. Overall, the graphics and smooth gameplay are noted positively, but the atmospheric experience is inconsistent.
“The graphics are impressive, the game runs smoothly, and the great soundtrack really enhances the cool atmosphere.”
“No atmosphere at all, bad sound effects.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, particularly with buggy hitboxes that negatively impact gameplay.
“The game suffers from buggy hitboxes.”
“There are persistent issues with buggy hitboxes.”
“Hitboxes are extremely buggy, leading to frustrating gameplay.”
- character development2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is perceived as lacking, with players finding the character designs uninspired and the progression mechanics unengaging, leading to a diminished overall interest in the game.
“The character development feels shallow and uninspired, lacking any meaningful progression or depth.”
“I found the character designs to be lackluster, which made it hard to connect with them throughout the game.”
“The lack of variety in character abilities and upgrades made the gameplay feel repetitive and unengaging.”
