Ampersand

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Ampersand is a furiously fast paced racing game, with futuristic vehicles and environments. Select from multiple crafts, with varying stats and abilities, collect power-ups and drive with skill and precision to come out on top!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

30%

Audience ScoreBased on 508 reviews

story3 positive mentions

graphics31 negative mentions

The game is very cheap, making it accessible for those looking for a low-cost option.
Some players found the graphics to be decent and reminiscent of classic racing games.
It can be entertaining for a short period, especially for those who enjoy card farming.

The controls are poorly designed and unintuitive, making the game frustrating to play.
There is no tutorial or options menu, leaving players to figure out the controls on their own.
The game is riddled with bugs and glitches, leading to a lack of enjoyment and a feeling of being unfinished.

graphics
71 mentions
17 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
44 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many reviewers describing them as outdated, glitchy, and reminiscent of low-quality titles from the late 1990s. While some users noted a mildly stylish art style, the overall consensus is that the visuals are subpar and lack customization options, detracting significantly from the gaming experience. Additionally, the poor graphics are often cited alongside complaints about clunky controls and a frustrating user interface.
- “Overall the controls are well explained and well mapped, the graphics made me think I was actually there, and finally the story was so well written it was the first game to ever make me cry.”
- “The controls are flawless, the graphics are stunning.”
- “The initial artwork makes you think this would be a decent title.”
- “Graphics are severely outdated -- I'd say, a bad version of a 1998 cheap racing game.”
- “The graphics were glitchy, the menu is crap, the cars are impossible to control.”
- “Graphics are subpar and not even tweakable at all, for there isn't an options menu.”
gameplay
22 mentions
27 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its engaging pacing and fun tutorial, while others criticize it for being clunky, boring, and plagued by glitches. Many find the learning curve steep and the overall experience lacking in enjoyment, leading to frustration rather than satisfaction. Overall, the gameplay seems to struggle with balancing fun mechanics and technical execution.
- “The gameplay is perfectly paced and it makes me constantly engaged.”
- “It starts off with a clear tutorial that is loads of fun, and then launches into arcade gameplay that sets the bar for every game like it.”
- “So the game starts off with Samuel D. Jenson, a long-time mechanic who has always wanted to race.”
- “This game is a chore to learn how to play, and even once you do, there is no fun waiting to be had in the mastery of the mechanics.”
- “No settings in the game to adjust keybindings or any other settings, clunky gameplay, and many glitches.”
- “To sum up the gameplay of this game in one word, it is boring.”
music
20 mentions
20 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it bland and unremarkable, while others appreciate its retro style. A common complaint is the lack of an options menu to adjust or mute the music, which many describe as "god awful" or overwhelming at times. Overall, while some players find the music relaxing, it fails to elevate the gameplay experience, which is marred by various technical issues.
- “I like the art style and music, but that's purely personal preference.”
- “I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- “With retro music, I was hoping to play something like one game on PS1, but this thing turns out to be harder than driving a car!”
- “There is absolutely no options menu so you cannot check controls, or change display settings or turn off the god awful music.”
- “While I can excuse the mediocre graphics and the bland music, the gameplay kills any enjoyment you can have with this game.”
- “The worst part though in this generic knockoff tragedy, worse than the lack of instructions, the poor controls, the bland music and the boring race tracks... is that even once you take the time to really master the game it isn't fun or satisfying.”
stability
19 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from severe stability issues, with numerous glitches and crashes reported by users. Many players criticize the lack of options for adjusting controls and settings, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience. Overall, the game's instability renders it unplayable and not worth the investment, even at a low price point.
- “No settings in the game to adjust keybindings or any other settings, clunky gameplay, and many glitches.”
- “Between the awful controls and annoying glitches, this game definitely isn't worth the money, even for how cheap it is.”
- “Kinda fun (i.e. somewhat decent, but meh. What you would expect from a $0.99 game), but it's very broken with visual glitches that make the game unplayable.”
grinding
10 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is primarily associated with card farming, which some players find profitable despite the game's poor controls. Many users express dissatisfaction with the gameplay itself, describing it as lacking quality, yet they acknowledge the ease of farming cards as a redeeming feature. Overall, the game is viewed more as a tool for card farming rather than a compelling gaming experience.
- “The controls are poor; I found myself mostly grinding up against the edges of the track whenever I came across a bend.”
- “No decent game to review whatsoever, but worth farming cards on sale.”
- “Trading card farming simulator 2016.”
story
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews; while some players praise it as exceptionally well-written and emotionally impactful, even evoking tears, others criticize it for lacking a coherent plot and instructions, leading to a frustrating experience. Overall, the narrative seems to resonate deeply with some, while leaving others feeling completely disconnected.
- “Overall, the controls are well explained and well mapped, the graphics made me think I was actually there, and finally, the story was so well written it was the first game to ever make me cry.”
- “Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
- “Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
- “It's honestly the worst game I've ever had to play, works like it's on an N64, and seems to have no plot or instructions.”
- “There is no story.”
monetization
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game is widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with users expressing strong dissatisfaction regarding its implementation.
- “Alright, it's a broken cash grab!”
- “Yes, that is what ampersand is - a broken cash grab.”
humor
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Ampersand" is described as both intentionally and unintentionally funny, with players finding it hilarious despite its flaws. Many reviewers recommend the game for its comedic value, especially considering its low price point.
- “Ampersand is my first game I bought during the 2016 sale. The game is hilarious and is worth all the money I spent, just 0.14€. I suggest everyone buy this game!”
- “I mean... it has to be at least so bad it's funny?”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a poignant moment during the spacetona 500, where the driver receives the devastating news of his grandmother's passing over the ship's comms, creating a powerful and heart-wrenching experience for players. This narrative choice adds depth to the character's journey and evokes a strong emotional response.
- “In the middle of the Spacetona 500, sponsored by Sprint and Can-Am, the driver experiences a heartbreaking tragedy as his grandmother passes away and is announced over the comms inside the ship.”