Astrodogs

72%
Game Brain Score Based on 41 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Astrodogs Game Cover
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Astrodogs is a fast-paced action game where players join the crew of freelance bounty hunters on a mission to defeat the rogue corporation WOOFER, who is attacking planets throughout the System. The game features 10 replayable levels with a variety of weapons, including remote controlled bombs, homing missiles, and a "Slow-Mo" mechanic for perfect aiming. As Kombo, the Shiba Ace Pilot, players must uncover the mysterious reasons behind WOOFER's treason and save all of puppydom.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 41 reviews
gameplay5 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • Astro Dogs offers a charming and nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic on-rails shooters like Star Fox, with unique mechanics such as bullet-time and engaging boss battles.
  • The game features fantastic visual design, a vibrant aesthetic, and a catchy soundtrack that enhances the overall gameplay experience.
  • There is a high level of replayability with numerous unlockables, including new ships and skins, which encourages players to improve their scores and explore different playstyles.
  • The controls can feel unresponsive and clunky, particularly with gamepad support, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences, especially in busy levels.
  • Some levels are overly chaotic, making it difficult to discern what can be shot or avoided, which can lead to unfair damage and confusion.
  • The lack of a comprehensive options menu and difficulty settings limits accessibility, making it challenging for some players to enjoy the game fully.
  • gameplay16 mentions

    The gameplay of Astro Dogs is characterized by its fast-paced, on-rails shooting mechanics and innovative features like time-slowing and free aim, which add depth and challenge. While the game offers a unique visual style and engaging mechanics, some players feel it lacks polish, particularly in its options menu and overall difficulty balance. Despite these issues, many find the gameplay enjoyable and recommend it for fans of the genre, especially after mastering its mechanics.

    • “Astro Dogs brings some really interesting mechanics like being able to slow down time and target enemies in a peripheral view.”
    • “Very fun fast-paced on-rails shooter inspired by games like Starfox and Galaxy Force, it pulls through with its really nice environments and charming character art style, it does a lot of its own in the gameplay and visuals to give it its own identity, definitely recommended if you're a fan of the genre!”
    • “But once you get a handle on the mechanics and your equipment, you'll be having a blast!”
    • “The game has fantastic visual design, music, and writing, but there's no options menu and gameplay-wise it feels like it needs more time in the oven.”
    • “Challenge is great but, not when it seems to come at the expense of gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay takes a bit to get used to, doubly so if you're not familiar with on-rails shooters in general.”
  • graphics12 mentions

    The graphics of the game are praised for their vibrant, retro-inspired aesthetic reminiscent of classic Nintendo 64 and Sega Dreamcast titles, featuring unique environments and charming character designs that enhance the overall experience. However, some players noted a lack of accessibility options and a crude options menu, which detracts from the visual enjoyment for those with specific needs. Overall, the art direction is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's identity and replayability.

    • “Most levels have a cool aesthetic that is very vaporwave at times and also reminiscent of older Nintendo 64 or Sega Dreamcast games, which is something I love.”
    • “The art direction enhances the experience because of the uniqueness of the graphics.”
    • “Really incredible art style and fun game mechanics.”
    • “The options menu is very crude, with no remapping controls or fine-tuning graphics settings. Audio options are completely non-existent, and it's impossible to open up options during gameplay.”
    • “- No accessibility options; it's hard for my eyes to pick things out as the visuals are nice but a mess for my bad eyes.”
    • “The art direction does boost the experience, but the uniqueness of the graphics is overshadowed by the overall lack of polish.”
  • music12 mentions

    The game's music is widely praised for its fitting and addictive quality, enhancing the overall experience with a charming and fun atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature that complements the unique aesthetics and characters, contributing to the game's appeal despite some gameplay shortcomings. Overall, the music is described as a key element that captures the essence of the game, making it memorable and enjoyable.

    • “The game has very cool music that fits every level.”
    • “Cute and fun game with great style and soundtrack, lots of soul and a little jank.”
    • “Astrodogs is a short, charismatic game about dogs in space, with a colorful art style, arcade-like gameplay, and great music.”
    • “I wish the music could be found on YouTube or something; please, I would love to hear it outside the game!”
  • story4 mentions

    The story of Astro Dogs features a charming cast of characters with a lighthearted tone, though some players felt that the narrative could be better understood with more downtime for reading or the inclusion of voice acting. While the missions can be replayed for higher scores, it may take time for players to fully appreciate the storyline.

    • “I might have understood the story a bit more if I was able to either have some downtime to read or have voice acting coming through.”
    • “It might have taken a few missions to come to that realization, but it is still where I ended up.”
    • “Regarding its story, Astro Dogs has a charismatic set of characters that don't take themselves too seriously.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability due to its engaging mechanics, enjoyable characters, and high-quality aesthetics. While it is relatively short, players appreciate the depth that encourages multiple playthroughs; however, the addition of a map selection and online leaderboard could further enhance this aspect.

    • “This game has a lot of replayability.”
    • “Short and sweet but plenty replayable; the aesthetic and music are top-notch, and at its heart, it really captures what's most important about space rail shooters: fun characters.”
    • “A map selection and an online leaderboard would help immensely with replayability.”
    • “Short to beat with plenty of mechanical depth for replayability.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its charming and lovable characters, which contribute to a lighthearted and entertaining experience. Additionally, the addictive soundtrack enhances the overall comedic atmosphere.

    • “What is this funny little dog shooting game?”
    • “The characters are funny and lovable from the get-go, and, as always, the soundtrack is just addictive.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome and cute elements, combined with challenging gameplay that evokes a sense of fulfillment and connection.

    • “The game evokes a deep sense of nostalgia and connection, making every moment feel meaningful.”
    • “I was genuinely moved by the characters' stories; their struggles and triumphs resonated with me on a personal level.”
    • “The emotional depth of the narrative left me in tears, showcasing the power of storytelling in games.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the game's optimization is lacking, with comparisons drawn to the peak performance of classic Nintendo titles like Star Fox 64, suggesting that even the original developers struggle to replicate that level of quality.

  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere is characterized as relaxed and enjoyable, enhanced by an excellent soundtrack that contributes to the overall experience.

    • “The atmosphere is incredibly chill, enhanced by the great music.”
    • “The game creates a relaxing atmosphere that perfectly complements the soundtrack.”
    • “I love the laid-back vibe and the fantastic music that sets the mood.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Users report issues with stability, particularly highlighting buggy menus when using the controller, which can hinder the overall gameplay experience.

    • “The menus are incredibly buggy when using the controller.”
    • “Navigating through the menus with a controller is a frustrating experience due to constant bugs.”
    • “I encountered numerous issues with the menus while trying to use the controller.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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