Armed with Wings: Rearmed
- May 31, 2017
- Sun-Studios
- 4h median play time
"Armed with Wings: Rearmed" is a side-scrolling action game featuring a blend of combat, platforming, and puzzle-solving. Play as the warrior Vireo, battling enemies using swordplay and ranged attacks while navigating through treacherous environments. With stunning hand-drawn visuals and a gripping narrative, this game offers a challenging and immersive experience.
Reviews
- The art style is stunning and reminiscent of classic flash games, providing a unique and captivating visual experience.
- The combat system is engaging and requires skill, with a variety of weapons and abilities to unlock, enhancing replayability.
- The game successfully combines platforming and puzzle elements, making for a fun and challenging gameplay experience.
- The lack of a jump button can feel restrictive and may frustrate players accustomed to more traditional platforming mechanics.
- Some players have reported bugs and glitches, particularly with enemy AI and hit detection, which can detract from the overall experience.
- The game is relatively short, with some players feeling that it lacks content and depth compared to previous entries in the series.
- story85 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is primarily a short, straightforward revenge plot set in a fantasy world, often described as lacking depth and detail, with minimal cutscenes and character development. While some players appreciate the simplicity and find it engaging, many criticize it for being too brief and underdeveloped, especially compared to earlier installments in the series. Overall, the narrative serves as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a focal point, with players often finding more enjoyment in the various game modes and mechanics than in the story itself.
“The plot is a generic revenge tale in a fantasy setting, but that's not a negative note as, similarly to the flash games, Armed with Wings feels equipped with a lore that cannot be more well-crafted while staying simple and straightforward.”
“The story is neat but there are problems.”
“The story will keep you interested, and the fact that you can't just sit back and spam the 'attack' button because that will only get you killed makes it all the more challenging.”
“The story is weak, the music is overbearing, the animations fall flat, and the level design is dull.”
“There is almost no story - a scene at the beginning, a 5-second cutscene near the end, and two scenes at the end - not even two minutes of story.”
“The story is muted (much like the color palette), so don't go in thinking you're getting a deep narrative.”
- gameplay81 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its excitement and improvements over previous titles, featuring engaging hack-and-slash mechanics, varied attacks, and a visually appealing art style. However, some players criticize inconsistencies in enemy mechanics, bland level design, and a lack of depth in combat options, which can detract from the overall experience. While the game offers enjoyable combat and unlockable content, it also faces issues with mechanical polish and platforming challenges.
“It's exactly what I hoped it would be; an improved version of the browser game, with quite a few additions, new enemies, more levels, better boss fights, mechanics, etc. I beat the main story in a little under 2 hours, so it's pretty short, but there are a few other game modes and weapons to unlock to make the game last longer.”
“The gameplay is smooth and exciting with epic swordplay and boss battles.”
“Gameplay is fun and interesting, and somewhat reminiscent of the old flash game era.”
“On that same note, the side spikes do not harm enemies and have a larger hitbox than the walls around them, resulting in both inconsistent enemy mechanics and unfair deaths.”
“The gameplay was dull and unexciting, and the plot is really dumb.”
“Great atmosphere, okay soundtrack, subpar gameplay mixed with horrible, repetitive level design (do not create a platformer with slippery air and ground control and no jumping but from the edge of the platform).”
- graphics66 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their captivating and unique art style, characterized by a minimalist monochromatic aesthetic that evokes comparisons to shadow puppetry and classic flash games. While the visuals are described as beautiful and stylish, some reviewers note that the overall quality of the graphics could be improved, particularly in terms of level design and atmospheric appeal. Overall, the game's art direction is a standout feature that enhances the gameplay experience, despite some critiques regarding its simplicity.
“The art style is just clean and sharp.”
“This game is absolutely beautiful, the art style of these games has always stunned me with its simplistic beauty.”
“Gorgeous minimalist art style, excellent music & atmosphere, simple & interesting gameplay.”
“I really wanted to keep giving this game a chance because of how captivating the art style is, but it's not enough to carry the game.”
“As a standalone, it's pretty solid in terms of puzzle platforming and one of the boss fights is enjoyable to some extent; however, I can't say that I enjoyed it as much as the flash sequels and prequel in terms of visuals, atmosphere, and story.”
“While yes, other games are way more advanced with the graphics and such, the way this game looks just fits well with it and I overall just enjoy it!”
- music53 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its atmospheric quality and how it complements the art direction. However, there is a notable lack of variety, with only a handful of tracks available, leading to mixed feelings about its repetitiveness. While some find the soundtrack nostalgic and fitting, others suggest it could benefit from a more diverse or orchestral approach.
“The soundtrack is simply amazing.”
“Not only was the gameplay itself incredibly enjoyable, the graphics, unique art style, and especially the music all fit together for an amazing combination.”
“Gorgeous minimalist art style, excellent music & atmosphere, simple & interesting gameplay.”
“There's not much in the way of music in the game (only about 6-7 songs in the whole game?), but what is there is alright.”
“You do have the nostalgic 'Armed with Wings' music, but there seems to be a distinct lack of music variety, with there only being a few songs in total.”
“The game's ties to Flash may stay too faithful, with the music and HUD/menu designs feeling like you're smack dab back in 2010.”
- atmosphere14 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its thick, immersive quality, enhanced by a fantastic soundtrack and minimalist art style that brings the world to life. While some players find certain levels visually unappealing and criticize repetitive gameplay, many appreciate the unique ambiance and thematic elements that resonate with fans of action anime. Overall, the game's atmosphere stands out as a significant strength, contributing to an engaging experience despite some gameplay shortcomings.
“Atmosphere is thick, and the soundtrack greatly contributes to it.”
“My first experience with Armed with Wings came with the third installment of the flash game (R.I.P. Flash), which hooked me with the amazing atmosphere and the fantastic soundtrack.”
“Gorgeous minimalist art style, excellent music & atmosphere, simple & interesting gameplay.”
“As a standalone, it's pretty solid in terms of puzzle platforming and one of the boss fights is enjoyable to some extent; however, I can't say that I enjoyed it as much as the flash sequels and prequel in terms of visuals, atmosphere, and story.”
“Though they may not seem like much on the outside, the backgrounds definitely bring the game's world to life and set the atmosphere in whichever area the player is in.”
- replayability10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, featuring engaging combat, collectibles, and multiple player characters. Players appreciate the blend of simple yet enjoyable gameplay, various modes like survival and local versus, and the nostalgic experience it offers. The combination of tight controls and fun challenges contributes to its lasting appeal.
“Turns out, this is a very enjoyable experience, with high replayability value, and a trip down memory lane all at the same time.”
“Armed with Wings: Rearmed is a 2D hack and slash with interesting artistic choices, tight controls, and a lot of replayability.”
“This serves to add a lot of replay value, as there is also survival mode to test your combat prowess, as well as a local vs mode to test your friendships.”
“There will be replayability, without being a rogue-lite.”
“It has a lot of replayability from what I have played of it so far.”
- grinding7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- -29 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unenjoyable, often feeling forced to replay levels or engage in survival mode to progress. The limited combat options and lack of guidance for environmental puzzles contribute to a frustrating experience, overshadowing the game's visual appeal. Overall, the grinding detracts significantly from the enjoyment of the story and gameplay.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
“The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
“The dazzling visual art design is not enough to make up for the limited and tedious combat and overall gaming experience.”
“Additionally, there is a lot of grinding involved; I often found myself taking breaks from the 'story' levels to beat waves in survival mode.”
“Perhaps some of the new weapons would attack quicker or come with an evasion move of some sort, but I'm not interested in grinding to get them.”
- stability5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, players have noted that while the game is enjoyable and worth the price, it does experience some bugs and glitches, particularly with control configurations and performance issues during gameplay. Many users express hope that these stability concerns, including RAM problems and freezing, will be resolved as the game progresses through early access.
“If there were bugs or glitches, I would understand, but the remote or the controls not being able to be reconfigured is a huge letdown.”
“Even though it's still going through its early access, the game glitches out if you hold shift going down to the second boss battle.”
“I am hopeful that the RAM problems and freezes will be addressed, and I look forward to the final product.”
- character development2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the character development for its engaging and visually striking designs, highlighting the effective animation and unique character personalities. The art style is noted as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience of the game.
“Just a note for the dev if he sees this; I think your current art style, character designs, and character personalities are all fantastic.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
“I was disappointed by how predictable the character arcs were; they didn't evolve in any meaningful way.”
“The characters seem one-dimensional, and their motivations are often unclear, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a lighthearted story and the amusing antics of a controllable bird, though the puzzles associated with it are minimal and serve more as a supplementary element to the main campaign.
“The story is kind of funny.”
“You also get to control your funny bird for puzzles, but there's not much to them; they're more of a side note for the main campaign.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is not explicitly addressed in the review, as the focus is primarily on the various gameplay modes available, including the main story campaign and survival options. The reviewer does not express any emotional engagement or connection to the game's narrative or characters.
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game is reported to be poorly optimized, struggling to run smoothly on laptops that can handle other platformers effectively.
“For the kind of game and assets, it doesn't feel optimized to run well on a laptop that would handle several other platformers with ease.”
“For the kind of game and assets, it doesn't feel optimized to run well on a laptop that handles several other platformers without issue.”
“The performance is disappointing; it struggles to maintain a stable frame rate even on mid-range hardware.”
“I expected better optimization given the game's relatively simple graphics, but it often feels sluggish and unresponsive.”