Aseprite

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Aseprite is a pixel art tool designed for creating 2D animations in games, featuring layers and frames, RGBA or indexed color modes, and various animation tools like real-time preview, onion skinning, and tag frames. It also offers pixel art tools like shading, filled contour, and tiled mode, with options for exporting sprite sheets and automation through a command line interface. This software provides updates for the 1.x series up to version 1.9.

Genres & Tags

Indie

Play Modes

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

Reviews

99%

Audience ScoreBased on 12,453 reviews

graphics103 positive mentions

grinding21 negative mentions

graphics
377 mentions
27 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of Aseprite are designed specifically for pixel art, featuring a retro aesthetic that appeals to fans of the genre. Users appreciate its intuitive interface and powerful tools that streamline the pixel art creation process, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced artists. While some critiques mention that the graphics may appear outdated or simplistic, the overall consensus is that Aseprite excels as a dedicated tool for creating pixel-based artwork and animations.
- “Aseprite is an exceptional pixel art application that has become an indispensable tool for any artist passionate about creating stunning pixel-based graphics.”
- “The aesthetic of the software itself is pixelated and makes drawing feel almost like a game.”
- “If you're an avid pixel artist, or an aspiring game developer with an eye for retro style graphics, I can't recommend Aseprite enough.”
- “Be warned, the graphics are not the best, it looks like 90s.”
- “The graphics are really bad idk why it looks like an old video game how do i fix it.”
- “Graphics suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
humor
50 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor aspect of the game is widely appreciated, with users enjoying the ability to create amusing pixel art and funny characters. Many reviews highlight the joy of making silly animations and memes, emphasizing the lighthearted and entertaining nature of the program. Overall, it fosters a playful environment where users can express their creativity through humor.
- “I make funny little guys do silly things on my computer and I clap.”
- “I use it all the time, even just to quickly draw up memes for friends or make funny little gifs involving our running jokes.”
- “I love using pickcels to draw funny goofy guys in a funny goofy style and make animations people will grow to hate after it gets spammed.”
gameplay
40 mentions
48 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its depth, innovative mechanics, and replayability, offering a satisfying challenge that requires skill and patience to master. While some users find it fun and easy to grasp, others note a steep learning curve and a lack of hand-holding for newcomers. Overall, the gameplay is considered a strong point, often overshadowing the game's weaker story elements.
- “The gameplay is really deep and engaging.”
- “Innovative gameplay, very unique.”
- “The gameplay is so satisfying yet challenging.”
- “Not good, would not recommend. The gameplay (I played for an hour) is not fun; you have to make your levels yourself.”
- “Garbage game, the gameplay is atrocious and the complete lack of any form of sound effects or music sickens me.”
- “Bad story, terrible characters, and horrible gameplay.”
story
39 mentions
28 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
The reviews for the game's story are mixed, with some players praising it as intense, well-written, and emotionally impactful, particularly highlighting plot twists and character development. However, others criticize it for being lackluster, short, or even non-existent, suggesting that while the gameplay is enjoyable, the narrative could use significant improvement. Overall, the story seems to be a divisive aspect, with opinions ranging from excellent to poor.
- “The story in this is intense.”
- “Better story than any other game I have played.”
- “The plot was written very well, it was a breeze!”
- “Gameplay is really good but the story is kinda bad, to be honest.”
- “The storyline felt a bit lackluster, but I don't know if that matters much in this game's case.”
- “The story line is very poor.”
optimization
27 mentions
37 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The optimization of this pixel art tool is highly praised, with users noting its smooth performance even on low-end hardware and its tailored features for pixel art creation. While it excels in handling typical pixel art tasks, some users report minor issues with larger images and specific UI elements. Overall, it is considered a reliable and efficient choice for indie developers focused on pixel art projects.
- “Highly optimized for pixel art game development workflow. I recommend this if you're a pixel art indie developer looking for a powerful tool that can be used in commercial projects.”
- “But it also does not have the crippling performance problems, has never once crashed, and works on very low-end hardware without any fuss at all.”
- “Aside from the obvious that it's nice to have a program designed for the specific kind of art you're planning to do (and it's well optimized for pixel art), the animation setup is one of the most intuitive I've seen in an art program, period.”
- “Its also a better experience if you do it that way because the horrid unoptimized Steam launcher won't have to boot up every time you want to open the app, and yes I paid full price just to say 'forget you.'”
- “The only downside to Aseprite I've seen so far is that it's not optimized for large images, but this isn't the right tool for that, so I can't blame it.”
- “[Important tip for people who use Linux:] I have had issues on some but not all Linux systems with stuttering graphics.”
grinding
22 mentions
14 % positive mentions
-9 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
Users generally find the grinding aspect of pixel art creation to be tedious and time-consuming, often expressing frustration with traditional tools that require meticulous adjustments and manual processes. However, many praise Aseprite for its intuitive features and automation capabilities, which significantly reduce the grind associated with sprite and animation creation, making the overall experience more enjoyable and efficient. While some still encounter minor frustrations with palette handling and interface quirks, the consensus is that Aseprite alleviates much of the tedium typically associated with pixel art.
- “Grinding in this game feels rewarding and keeps me engaged for hours.”
- “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
- “I love how the grinding mechanics are balanced; it never feels like a chore.”
- “There is nothing more sanity grinding than making a slight adjustment to the color I'm using, pressing fill on the pixels, then I check with the dropper and it's the same.”
- “Being good at pixel art requires many hours of raw practice and grinding to make any sort of gains with the art form.”
- “The palette handling is pure garbage, you always end up grinding your teeth to figure out why the selected tool isn't doing anything, and the interface is pure cancer.”
music
20 mentions
40 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the software is highly praised, particularly for its calming and inspiring soundtrack composed by Joe Hisaishi, which enhances the creative process for artists. Users appreciate how the music complements the minimalist design of the software, creating a cohesive environment for artistic expression. However, some reviews express disappointment over the lack of sound effects or additional music options, indicating a desire for a more dynamic auditory experience.
- “Aseprite is a fantastic pixel art and animation software that is made even better with its amazing soundtrack.”
- “The soundtrack, composed by Joe Hisaishi, is the perfect accompaniment to the creative process, providing a peaceful and inspiring atmosphere for artists.”
- “The music perfectly matches the software's minimalist design, creating a cohesive and seamless environment for users.”
- “Garbage game, the gameplay is atrocious and the complete lack of any form of sound effects or music sickens me.”
- “Lacks Mario Paint's music composer though =(”
- “It's limited to the hundredths decimal place, making it so more intricate animations (such as art syncing with music) need to be completed outside of Aseprite.”
stability
17 mentions
18 % positive mentions
6 % neutral mentions
76 % negative mentions
The stability of the software is a mixed bag; while it runs well on basic computers and is praised for its user-friendly interface, users report occasional bugs and glitches, particularly with specific tools like the lasso and symmetry mode. Many recommend saving frequently due to unexpected freezes and visual glitches, though these issues do not significantly impact the final output. Overall, it is considered a solid choice for pixel art, but users should be prepared for some instability.
- “Runs great on even the most basic of computers, so I can use it on my cheap laptop while I'm away from home.”
- “No glitches or hiccups. If you have $20 and want to learn pixel art, you should use Aseprite.”
- “Looks great, runs great, easy to use interface, perfect for all ranges of artists.”
- “Personally, I do not use this software as it is buggy and unreliable.”
- “I have had occasional run-ins with glitches that happen out of nowhere with no explanation whatsoever; basically, out of nowhere, your ability to place down pixels can just... stop.”
- “However, I will warn you all - save often and make backups of your work, because I have experienced a few glitches.”
emotional
9 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Users express a deep emotional connection to the art program, highlighting its ability to evoke strong feelings, including joy and sadness. Many found themselves moved to tears by the plot twist and the overall experience, describing the program as heartwarming and supportive of their artistic journey. The emotional resonance is further emphasized by the frustration with other programs that hinder creativity, contrasting with the freedom this one provides.
- “A universal, heartfelt scream.”
- “No spoilers but the plot twist near the end made me cry.”
- “I cried daily.”
character development
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
Users appreciate the character development aspect for its ease of use and efficiency, particularly highlighting how tools like Aseprite facilitate the creation of appealing character designs and animations. However, some express frustration with their own design skills, feeling that their initial concepts do not meet their expectations. Overall, the program is seen as a valuable resource for both character design and animation in game development.
- “I am nowhere near being a pro at pixel art, and I feel like I have been making some really cool character designs with little effort.”
- “From character design to animations, Aseprite handles it all with precision and efficiency.”
- “This program is all that I'll need for my character design pixel art.”
- “I sit around thinking and humming and hawing, trying to figure out what to do and why my character design is so trash.”
replayability
4 mentions
25 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game offers exceptional replayability, particularly appealing to Souls-like fans, thanks to its engaging gameplay loop and extensive content that ensures a long lifespan and significant replay value.
- “Very replayable gameplay loop.”
- “Souls-like gamers are strongly encouraged to play this game because of its tremendous replayability.”
- “Very long lifespan and a lot of replay value.”
atmosphere
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the software is significantly enhanced by Joe Hisaishi's excellent soundtrack, which creates a peaceful and inspiring environment for artists. While some may find the low-resolution aesthetic off-putting, others appreciate it as a unique element that fosters creativity, filling a gap in today's market.
- “The soundtrack, composed by Joe Hisaishi, is the perfect accompaniment to the creative process, providing a peaceful and inspiring atmosphere for artists.”
- “The excellent soundtrack composed by Joe Hisaishi elevates the software to another level, providing a peaceful and inspiring atmosphere for artists.”
- “I don't know how big of a deal the aesthetic will be for some people, maybe the low-res nature of it will drive some of you batty, but to me it helps encourage a creative atmosphere, which is something sorely lacking in today's market.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The monetization model has been criticized for relying heavily on microtransactions, leading to a negative reception from users.
- “The game heavily relies on microtransactions, which ruins the overall experience.”
- “I feel like I'm being forced to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
- “The monetization strategy is aggressive and feels exploitative.”