Awaria

About

Awaria is a single player puzzle game. It was developed by vanripper and was released on December 16, 2024. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

In "Awaria," you join a tunnel maintenance crew tasked with fixing failing generators by diagnosing issues, crafting parts, and delivering repairs under intense time pressure. Navigate a hazardous environment filled with deadly projectiles, electrical shocks, and eerie phenomena while managing panic and claustrophobic conditions. Survival depends on quick thinking and careful movement amidst chaos.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,255 reviews

gameplay544 positive mentions

grinding11 negative mentions

Engaging gameplay that combines bullet hell mechanics with resource management, providing a unique challenge.
Charming art style and character designs, with a fun and humorous narrative that includes cute ghost girls.
Excellent soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, making it enjoyable to play.

Difficulty spikes significantly in the later levels, particularly in hard mode, which can feel frustrating and overwhelming.
RNG elements can lead to unfair situations where players may die due to circumstances beyond their control.
Some players may find the visual clutter and color choices (predominantly green) make it hard to track projectiles and enemies.

gameplay
1,045 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
45%
3%
The gameplay of "Awaria" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its fast-paced, bullet-hell mechanics combined with resource management elements, creating an engaging and addictive experience. While some found the gameplay loop simple yet challenging, others criticized the difficulty spikes and chaotic design in later levels, which could lead to frustration. Overall, the game is noted for its smooth controls, charming art style, and a satisfying progression that keeps players invested, especially those who enjoy a challenge.
- “The gameplay balances between managing time and dealing with unsettling supernatural elements, all while being surprisingly fun.”
- “The gameplay loop is simple yet fun: winding through enemies, corridors, traps, hazards, and projectiles all while you lug mechanical parts back and forth rapidly to repair the shield generators.”
- “The gameplay is engaging - easy to learn, but hard to master.”
- “Yeah, no, this was a hard miss of a game; even lesbian ghosts couldn't fix the hole that's here due to the asinine design choices when it comes to its gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is too simplistic and RNG dependent... if you get a bad run, you die; there is no grand strategy.”
- “From bullet spam, bad enemy AI, bad level hazards, and the fact that it requires a sudden change to gameplay by including a dash mechanic, this game is just all of the polish and shine of helltaker, none of the fun.”
music
633 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
35%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the soundtrack as "banger" and "amazing," particularly highlighting the work of composer Mittsies. The energetic and catchy tunes complement the gameplay well, enhancing the overall experience and keeping players engaged, even during challenging moments. While some noted that the soundtrack may not be as memorable as that of the developer's previous title, Helltaker, it still stands out as a significant and enjoyable aspect of the game.
- “The music is a bop as always and it makes retrying the levels not so bad~ (thanks to mittsies!)”
- “The soundtrack seamlessly blends haunting melodies with ambient sounds, while the sound effects provide satisfying feedback for player actions.”
- “The art and music are amazing, just as they were in helltaker.”
- “It's also a shame that the entirety of the game is plagued by a rather blasé soundtrack that makes no real effort to be much more than background noise.”
- “The game's music consists of only a few simple tracks which aren't anything special, but it doesn't get annoying and it's nice.”
- “While visually decent even if it leans far too hard on the purple, music and aesthetics-wise it is simply not as good compared to its older sister, lacking both in an intro that establishes the protagonist, an aesthetic that is clean and easy on the eyes like before, or even the music lacking the drive and energy.”
graphics
364 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
41%
1%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their charming and distinctive art style, reminiscent of the developer's previous work, "Helltaker." Players appreciate the vibrant visuals, fluid animations, and engaging character designs, which enhance the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. While some critiques mention issues with depth perception in the 2.5D environment, the majority find the art style to be a standout feature that complements the game's fun and challenging mechanics.
- “The art style fits well with the atmosphere, and the puzzles keep you engaged.”
- “The graphics are splendid, the music is excellent, the character design is great, and the gameplay is simple and easy to grasp while also able to present quite a challenge in later missions.”
- “The visuals and art for this game are simplistic yet fun.”
- “From the very start, Awaria throws you into a chaotic mess of incomprehensible mechanics, subpar graphics, and a story so dull it could put a caffeine addict to sleep.”
- “However in Awaria, despite the aforementioned boring factor of RNG-ness, the art style really messes up the depth perception in that it's a 2D art style in a 2.5D environment, thus making the Z-axis (the inward depth of objects) very confusing to quickly determine and dodge.”
- “The game as a whole wasn't that bad, but at most I would say it's mid, heavily carried by the art style and the music.”
story
345 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
55%
2%
The game's story is generally described as simple and lighthearted, featuring charming character designs and humorous interactions, though it lacks depth compared to its predecessor, *Helltaker*. Players appreciate the cute and engaging narrative, which revolves around a mechanic repairing ship shields while encountering ghostly characters, but some feel the story is underdeveloped and not fully explored. Overall, while the story may not be the main draw, it provides a fun backdrop to the gameplay, with many players expressing a desire for more content and character development in future updates.
- “The story is simple to follow and serves as a pleasant backdrop to the core gameplay, with the desire to see how it unfolds providing strong motivation to complete each level.”
- “The game is a masterpiece of chaotic fun, with an unexpectedly charming story and an art style that’s simply awesome.”
- “The story is cute, the gameplay is super fun and hard mode is a fun challenge to beat.”
- “From the very start, Awaria throws you into a chaotic mess of incomprehensible mechanics, subpar graphics, and a story so dull it could put a caffeine addict to sleep.”
- “But at the end of the day, it's a dull plot and boring characters, not interesting enough to endure the suffering of this just to be rewarded with the same joke like 8 times in a row.”
- “The story is simple and short, and characters get barely any development (they're not as good as the ones from Helltaker, either).”
humor
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky, off-kilter charm, blending horror elements with lighthearted, often silly dialogue and scenarios. Players appreciate the amusing character interactions, particularly involving ghostly themes and lesbian relationships, which add a unique twist to the gameplay. While some find certain jokes repetitive, the overall consensus is that the humor enhances the experience, making it entertaining and engaging.
- “Where Helltaker charmed with puzzle dialogue and demon girls, Awaria leans into its chaos: the art is eerie and expressive, the music pulses just at the right tension, and the writing maintains that sly, off-kilter humor.”
- “The story parts helped immensely, I couldn't stop laughing.”
- “I love the character designs, and the conversations/interactions with the ghosts at the end of each level had us squealing and laughing; they were so good.”
- “This game is not funny.”
- “Not funny pudding pies.”
- “This game is too hard >:(, which is not funny.”
character development
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
29%
4%
Character development in the game is highly praised, with reviewers highlighting the exceptional character designs, engaging storylines, and charming interactions that enhance the overall experience. The art style is consistently described as beautiful and distinctive, contributing to the game's appeal, while the characters themselves are noted for their variety and depth, making them memorable and enjoyable. Overall, the character design is a standout feature, often regarded as a primary draw for players, alongside the fun gameplay and captivating music.
- “The character designs are really solid (but you probably already knew that if you know the developer) with my favorites probably being Yaga, Nikita, and Ula.”
- “The game's most striking feature is its distinctive art direction, which combines cute 2D character designs with ominously atmospheric backgrounds.”
- “I really enjoyed every second I spent playing this; the music by Mittsies is a banger just as it was in Helltaker, the gameplay was fun and refreshing, the character designs were all cute as heck, the story had a nice mix of serious and silly... oh, and you can kiss the ghost girls!!”
- “The game is short and prone to a few really severe difficulty spikes to try and stretch out the content, but it is really charming and cute in its character designs and narrative.”
- “This game, and also the previous game 'Helltaker', gained reputation not because of the gameplay, but the character design is the main selling point.”
- “Character design and story are not as captivating as in 'Helltaker', but gameplay is a step-up.”
emotional
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a wide range of emotions while engaging with the game, from feelings of nostalgia and satisfaction after overcoming challenges to moments of frustration and emotional pain due to its punishing difficulty. The story and character design are often described as wholesome and endearing, with some players appreciating the accurate portrayal of complex relationships. Overall, the game elicits strong emotional responses, balancing moments of joy and connection with the stress of challenging gameplay.
- “The reveal that they have history together was touching as well.”
- “This game made me feel loved.”
- “I cried when I defeated the first phase of the boss.”
atmosphere
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
43%
14%
The game's atmosphere is a standout feature, characterized by a unique blend of cute art styles and ominous backgrounds that create a haunting and immersive experience. Players are drawn into a thick sense of unease, enhanced by effective audio design and engaging puzzles, making it a compelling choice for those who appreciate atmospheric adventures. However, some critiques mention that clunky movement and vague storytelling can detract from the overall experience, leaving it feeling somewhat incomplete.
- “Pulsing, atmospheric visuals and sound that enhance the tension.”
- “Set in the depths of haunted maintenance tunnels, players step into the role of a maintenance worker navigating through an increasingly challenging and atmospheric environment.”
- “The visuals in awaria are mesmerizing, with a distinct style that exudes atmosphere and emotion.”
- “Its atmosphere is thick with unease, yet its clunky movement and vague storytelling make it feel more like a half-formed hallucination than a meaningful experience.”
- “The maintenance tunnels serve as both a practical gameplay space and an effectively unsettling backdrop that enhances the overall atmosphere.”
- “The audio design effectively amplifies both the spooky atmosphere and the intensity of the bullet-hell sequences.”
grinding
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
73%
Players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game; while some appreciate the challenge and find it enjoyable, others describe it as tedious and time-consuming, often requiring excessive effort to unlock achievements and content. The implementation of a controller has improved the experience for some, but many still feel that grinding can lead to frustration, particularly when it comes to progressing through levels and unlocking rewards. Overall, grinding is seen as a significant part of the gameplay, with varying levels of enjoyment depending on the player's perspective.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It turns the game into a very tedious muscle memory exercise with no margin for error.”
- “I spent way too much time grinding levels to unlock all images in the gallery.”
replayability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
28%
27%
The game offers solid replayability, with players noting that its short duration (around 2 hours) is complemented by engaging gameplay and multiple difficulty levels that encourage repeated play. While some comparisons to other titles highlight a lack of memorable characters, the overall charm and fun factor contribute to a satisfying replay experience. Players appreciate the ability to revisit levels without fully mastering them, enhancing the game's longevity.
- “Time flies by when playing and the replay value is pretty solid for a ~2hr game.”
- “Nice game, and surprisingly replayable, since you'll never 'master' all the levels.”
- “The game is short but the characters are really cute, the 3 levels of difficulty make the game replayable (I'm trying to get through hard mode to unlock the gallery) and if you like cute ghost girls, it's a really good game (especially since it's free).”
- “The game is short, but the characters are really cute. The three levels of difficulty make the game replayable (I'm trying to get through hard mode to unlock the gallery), and if you like cute ghost girls, it's a really good game (especially since it's free).”
- “A big step forward in terms of gameplay and replayability compared to Helltaker.”
- “While completing the later stages of the game, some moments early on can be trivial but still interesting to play, allowing for replayability.”
optimization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
Overall, the optimization in "Awaria" is praised for its smooth performance on devices like the Steam Deck, with no significant issues reported. However, players note that while there are opportunities for strategic resource management and optimization, the fast-paced gameplay can lead to challenges, particularly in later levels where waiting for parts can be detrimental. Some users experienced minor stuttering, but the game's frantic nature keeps the focus on quick decision-making rather than intricate optimization.
- “Awaria works amazing on the deck, no performance issues and battery will last long enough to replay the game several times.”
- “Lots of fast-paced optimization in the middle of bullet hell madness.”
- “The gameplay has shades of Overcooked's multitasking time/resource management, but where Overcooked used it to build intricate multiplayer process-optimization problems, Awaria streamlines a bit and goes for a frantic bullet-hell experience instead.”
- “There are a lot of simple optimizations you can perform to the part creators and generators, such as ensuring you are always carrying spare parts. This might feel intuitive if you've played any game with crafting or automation before. Unfortunately, in the later levels where this would really matter, stopping to wait for parts will almost always immediately get you killed.”
- “Noticing some random stuttering here and there.”
- “The gameplay has shades of Overcooked's multitasking time/resource management, but where Overcooked used it to build a set of intricate multiplayer process-optimization problems, Awaria streamlines a bit and goes for a frantic bullet-hell freakout instead.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while it runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck, players report encountering several glitches, particularly with item management and frustrating level design in level 9, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “It runs great on the Steam Deck.”
- “The game maintains a smooth performance without any noticeable crashes.”
- “I've experienced consistent frame rates throughout my gameplay.”
- “The game seems to be littered with weird glitches, such as your carried item changing for no reason while moving.”
- “Very good game, but they ruin it with level 9, which has unfair and poor level design. The rest of the game is easy, but that level feels buggy.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its monetization model, being completely free with no ads or intrusive elements, allowing players to enjoy the experience without distractions. Users are encouraged to support the creators through sharing or purchasing DLC, making it a positive and unobtrusive approach to monetization.
- “I loved this game! The visual style, the characters, and the action are fantastic. It's free and doesn't have any of the cumbersome elements that other games (even paid ones) have—no ads, no commercials, no connections to servers. You can just sit back and enjoy. Support the creators by sharing this with your friends or even buying the DLC. Totally recommended.”