Armed with Wings: Rearmed
- May 31, 2017
- Sun-Studios
Get on Steam"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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game is a well-crafted remake of the original, with captivating art style and smooth animations.
- Combat is engaging and fun, with a unique combo system that allows for creative playstyles.
- Unlocking new characters and weapons adds replay value and nostalgia for fans of the series.
- The controls can feel clunky and unresponsive at times, making combat frustrating.
- The lack of a jump button limits movement options and can hinder platforming sections.
- Some achievements are broken, which can detract from the overall experience and completionist goals.
- gameplay52 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its fast-paced hack-and-slash mechanics and improved combat features compared to its predecessor. However, some players criticize the platforming elements, inconsistent enemy mechanics, and lack of depth in weapon variety, leading to a somewhat simplistic experience. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable combat and a nostalgic feel, it also suffers from design flaws that detract from its potential.
“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.”
“If we talk about gameplay, however, that's where it's really interesting. You have all different kinds of attacks, as well as specials that can be added onto weapons, aerial juggles, timed parries, and triple dodge - it's like a DMC lite in that regard, definitely a lot of fun, especially if you have the anti-stunlock perk.”
“The animation is fluid, the gameplay is smooth, and the developer is active in updating the game.”
“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).”
- story51 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 82 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is primarily a short, generic revenge plot that lacks depth and character development, often described as muted and simplistic. While it serves as a continuation of the previous installments, many players feel it falls short in narrative engagement, with minimal cutscenes and a focus on gameplay over storytelling. Despite its brevity, the game offers various modes and unlockable content that can extend playtime beyond the main story.
“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.”
“Even though I am not a hack-and-slash person, I enjoyed this one, especially the graphics, soundtrack, and story.”
“The story is a continuation of the previous Armed with Wings (if you're a fan).”
“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 gameplay was dull and unexciting, and the plot is really dumb.”
- graphics37 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and captivating art style, characterized by a monochromatic and minimalist aesthetic that enhances the overall atmosphere. While many reviewers appreciate the sharpness and detail of the visuals, some note that the game's environments could benefit from more appealing designs. Overall, the combination of stylish graphics, fluid animations, and a cohesive art direction contributes significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.
“The art style has changed; everything looks sharper in quality and generally has more detail while remaining generally monochromatic. I personally enjoy Vandheer Lorde's redesign.”
“The visuals are very nice, animations are well done, even if they don't have a lot of frames. It definitely has its own style of two-tone aesthetic.”
“The game looks beautiful with a return to the black and white (and gray and blue) aesthetic and better art.”
“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.”
“However, the last sidescrolling hack 'em up I really got into was Abyss Odyssey - again for the graphics - so I'm not the best reviewer for the mechanics in a sidescrolling action game.”
- music37 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its atmospheric quality and nostalgic ties to older flash games. However, some reviewers note a lack of variety, citing only a handful of tracks that can feel repetitive. Overall, while the soundtrack enhances the game's charm, it could benefit from more diversity and depth.
“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.”
“The music and all is great too.”
“There's not much in the way of music in the game (only about, what, 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 soundtrack is mixed; it's electronic, reminding me of Newgrounds songs. I can't pinpoint the genre; some of them are catchy enough, while others are not all that fun to listen to.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its unique and immersive qualities, enhanced by a strong soundtrack and effective art design that brings the world to life. However, some players feel that certain levels lack visual appeal and that the overall experience does not match the atmospheric depth of earlier installments in the series. While the game has its atmospheric strengths, it is also critiqued for repetitive gameplay and subpar level design.
“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.”
“I noticed with the red filter it seemed very evil, atmospherically.”
“There is something in this game that I love; I think the atmosphere of this game is unique.”
“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.”
- stability4 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 exhibit some bugs and glitches, particularly with control configurations and specific gameplay mechanics. Despite these issues, many still appreciate the game's artistic elements and mechanics, especially considering its early access status.
“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, it's still very well deserved. Decent mechanics on the attack, but the game glitches out if you hold shift going down to the second boss battle.”
“The other games are a bit buggy, but amazing; I loved all of them.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability due to its engaging combat, multiple player characters, and collectible elements, making it a solid choice for players seeking enjoyable platforming action. Its clean graphics and nostalgic feel further enhance the experience, encouraging repeated playthroughs.
“Solid platformer action game with good replay value, and the combat is enjoyable.”
“Turns out, this is a very enjoyable experience, with high replayability value, and a trip down memory lane all at the same time.”
“Very replayable, and has wonderful animations.”
“The game lacks depth, making it hard to find reasons to replay it after the first run.”
“Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to dive back in.”
“The limited variety in gameplay mechanics means that replaying feels more like a chore than a fun experience.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, often feeling compelled to take breaks from the main story to engage in repetitive survival mode challenges. The environmental puzzles, while infrequent, also contribute to a sense of monotony, making the overall experience feel laborious.
“Additionally, there is a lot of grinding involved; I often found myself taking breaks from the story levels to beat waves in survival mode.”
“I played the last two levels again and again with Vandheer, and it became tedious quickly.”
“Infrequent environmental puzzles require you to use the hawk to solve them, and they are generally simple and tedious.”
- character development2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % 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 in this game is incredibly engaging, making each character feel unique and relatable.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, with their backstories and motivations adding depth to the overall experience.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with anyone in the game.”
“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 backstories are underdeveloped, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is primarily delivered through the quirky antics of a controllable bird, which adds a lighthearted touch to the experience. However, the puzzles associated with the bird are minimal and serve more as a supplementary element rather than a central feature of the campaign.
“The humor in this game is absolutely delightful, with witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions that keep you laughing throughout.”
“I love how the game incorporates humor into its puzzles, making even the challenging moments feel light-hearted and fun.”
“The quirky characters and their funny antics add a unique charm to the gameplay, making every moment enjoyable.”
- 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 a 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 would handle several other platformers without issue.”
“The performance is disappointing; it stutters and lags even on mid-range hardware.”
“I expected better optimization given the game's requirements, but it struggles to maintain a stable frame rate.”
