99Vidas
- December 22, 2016
- QUByte Interactive
99 Vidas is a perfectly charming, if uneven take on the side-scrolling brawler that spends far too much time with one eye on the past rather than looking to the future of the genre.
"99Vidas" is a Comedy Hack and Slash game with fantastic visuals and a fabulous soundtrack, offering both local multi-player and single-player experiences. The game pays homage to classic beat 'em ups, with 6 stages set in different parts of the world filled with enemies and bosses. It includes co-op, PvP, and split-screen modes for up to 2 players, modernizing the genre while celebrating its 80s and 90s roots.
Reviews
- 99 Vidas offers a nostalgic throwback to classic beat 'em ups, with vibrant pixel art and a fun soundtrack that pays homage to the genre.
- The game is more enjoyable when played with friends, providing a fun co-op experience that enhances the gameplay.
- Despite its flaws, some players find the game to be a decent and entertaining option for fans of the beat 'em up genre, especially when on sale.
- The gameplay is often criticized for being repetitive and clunky, with sluggish controls and frustrating enemy mechanics that can lead to cheap deaths.
- Many players report issues with enemy AI and hit detection, making combat feel unfair and unbalanced, especially during boss fights.
- The game suffers from a lack of originality and depth, with many mechanics feeling outdated and uninspired compared to other modern beat 'em ups.
- music24 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising it as a nostalgic homage to Sega Genesis-era soundtracks, while others criticize it for being derivative and lacking originality. Some players find the soundtrack outstanding and fitting for the game's aesthetic, while others feel it drags and detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the music is often highlighted as one of the game's stronger aspects, despite some concerns about its inspiration and execution.
“The visuals are nice, the music is outstanding, and on a basic level, it's a fun and slick beat-em-up that borrows heavily from the classic Streets of Rage titles.”
“A lot of love was put into this game and the music is great.”
“The music in the game is a love letter to Sega Genesis/Mega Drive-era music and fits the game flawlessly.”
“The most unsettling part for me is the music.”
“The fighting isn't fun, the music feels uninspired, and the gameplay is a little lacking in nuance.”
“Music is also on the low-quality side, it just kind of drags on and isn't fun to listen to.”
- gameplay21 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it repetitive and lacking depth due to poor mechanics and slow response times. While the game pays homage to classic beat-em-ups with its pixelated graphics and nostalgic elements, it suffers from oversimplified combat and frustrating design choices that detract from the overall experience. Despite some appealing visuals and RPG mechanics, the gameplay often feels like a chore, lacking the challenge and nuance expected from modern titles.
“99vidas is a well-presented and mechanically sound beat-em-up that is hampered only by some very strange and downright bad design choices.”
“The boss mechanics may sometimes seem hard, but just as vintage beat'em up, it is a matter of understanding their patterns and working around them.”
“Developed by Qubyte Interactive, this brawler pays homage to classics like Final Fight, Double Dragon, and Streets of Rage while infusing it with modern gameplay mechanics.”
“Gameplay is repetitive, poor mechanics (like weapons without damage modification) and slow response for moves.”
“The mechanics are so poorly designed that it manages to give a frustrating experience without providing a challenge.”
“Basically, the game feels like a chore to play, due to antiquated mechanics/controls, easy first order optimal strategies that destroy any feeling of challenge or mastery.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game feature a vibrant 16-bit pixel art style that evokes nostalgia for classic arcade titles, with lively sprites and detailed environments. While some players find the pixel mixing initially distracting, many appreciate the deliberate design and modern polish that enhance the retro aesthetic. Overall, the visuals are generally well-received, though opinions vary on their effectiveness in supporting the gameplay experience.
“The game's pixelated graphics and vibrant color palette evoke nostalgia for arcade classics, but it also incorporates modern gameplay mechanics.”
“The 16-bit pixel art style transports players back to the era of classic arcade cabinets, with lively sprites and detailed environments.”
“From neon-lit city streets to lush jungle landscapes, the graphics capture the essence of retro gaming while adding a modern polish.”
“Every time I purchase one of these style graphical games, I encounter issues with the game looking overly pixelated.”
“But graphics aren't everything, and the gameplay is... okay, I guess.”
“I also realize that the isometric weirdness couldn't have been a surprise (it's in the trailer after all), and that my gripes about the aesthetics are subjective, but this just doesn't have interesting systems or satisfying gameplay to back it up.”
- humor8 mentions
- 88 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The humor in 99vidas is described as quirky and amusing, appealing primarily to its dedicated fan base, which may limit its broader appeal. While some find the dialogue entertaining, it often feels tailored for a niche audience rather than mainstream gamers. Overall, the game features a decent sense of humor reminiscent of titles like Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, though it may not resonate with everyone.
“Quirky and funny.”
“Also has a good soundtrack and is humorous.”
“The game also has a decent sense of humor, similar to Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.”
“Mainstream gamers are the largest community in the gaming industry, so with all the unfunny, lame, goofy stuff they included, they missed the biggest money-making opportunity in gaming.”
“The humor in this game feels forced and often falls flat, making it more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
“I expected clever jokes and witty dialogue, but instead, I was met with tired clichés and predictable punchlines.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability due to its diverse characters and their unique traits, which encourage players to revisit the experience despite its shorter length.
“Great game with a lot of replay value.”
“If I had to critique something, it would be the length; however, the many characters and their peculiarities make up for that in terms of replayability.”
“If I had to critique something, it would be the length; however, the many characters and their peculiarities make up for that in replayability.”
“Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
“The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying the game feel pointless.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is noted for its grotesque enemy designs, which stand out, while the player characters are described as fairly bland and lacking depth.
“The character designs can also be grotesque to some, but more so the enemies rather than the fairly bland player characters.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression throughout the game.”
“I found the player characters to be forgettable and lacking depth, making it hard to connect with them.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players note that grinding for lives is effective in the four new bonus stages, but it does not apply to the regular stages, limiting the options for farming lives.
“Farming for lives using the bonus stage works, but only in the four new bonus stages, not the ones that can be accessed in the regular stages.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is noted as interesting and aesthetically appealing, but it is overshadowed by concerns about gameplay mechanics and overall value. Reviewers suggest that while the atmosphere has potential, it may not be enough to compensate for other shortcomings.
“The atmosphere is rich and immersive, drawing you into a world that feels alive and vibrant.”
“Every corner of the game is filled with detail, creating an atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
“The haunting soundtrack and stunning visuals combine to create an unforgettable atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
- story1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story is perceived as lacking depth and value, with users suggesting that it fails to engage players beyond basic gameplay mechanics. Overall, it seems to be overshadowed by other gameplay elements, leading to a disappointing narrative experience.
“The story is rich and immersive, drawing you into a world filled with intriguing characters and unexpected twists.”
“I was captivated by the narrative; it kept me engaged from start to finish with its well-developed plot and emotional depth.”
“The storytelling is exceptional, blending action and character development seamlessly to create a memorable experience.”
Critic Reviews
99Vidas Review
99 Vidas is a perfectly charming, if uneven take on the side-scrolling brawler that spends far too much time with one eye on the past rather than looking to the future of the genre.
65%99Vidas Review
99Vidas is an affectionate homage to scrolling beat em ups of the 80s and 90s. It’s also a fun game to spend an afternoon with, regardless of age and skill. There’s not a lot of content and you can run through the story mode in a few hours, but local and online co-op, unlockable characters, and the promise of more levels should give it some lasting appeal.
70%99Vidas Review
What it all comes down to is that 99Vidas simply isn't as fun as it could be. A good beat 'em up is more than just hitting bad guys until they fall over. There has to be enough nuance and depth for skilful players to develop their own style, while using very little, if any, resources, such as health restoring food or lives. There also have to be enough leniencies to make the game appealing to someone who just wants a "mindless" yet still entertaining button masher. This game deserves top marks for its aesthetics and charm, but its mechanics and overall design leave something to be desired. If the difficulty was better balanced and the heroes had more viable attack options, this would be a title deserving of a spot in any brawler fan's library.
50%