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Awesomenauts - the 2D moba

83%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
grinding, monetization
83% User Score Based on 30,174 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindowsLinuxLinuxMac OSMac OS

About

"Awesomenauts" is a 2D MOBA where players control a variety of unique characters, called "Awesomenauts," with different abilities and playstyles. The game features both online and local multiplayer, as well as a single-player campaign. The objective is to destroy the enemy team's base, using a combination of strategy, teamwork, and last-hitting to gain advantages and come out victorious. Character Limit: 399

Awesomenauts - the 2D moba screenshot
Awesomenauts - the 2D moba screenshot
Awesomenauts - the 2D moba screenshot
Awesomenauts - the 2D moba screenshot
Awesomenauts - the 2D moba screenshot
Awesomenauts - the 2D moba screenshot
Awesomenauts - the 2D moba screenshot
Awesomenauts - the 2D moba screenshot
Awesomenauts - the 2D moba screenshot
Awesomenauts - the 2D moba screenshot
Awesomenauts - the 2D moba screenshot
+10

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 30,174 reviews
gameplay1.2k positive mentions
grinding122 negative mentions

  • The music in Awesomenauts is widely praised for its catchy and diverse soundtracks, enhancing the gameplay experience and character personalities.
  • The gameplay offers a unique blend of 2D platforming and MOBA mechanics, providing fast-paced, engaging matches that are accessible to newcomers while still offering depth for experienced players.
  • The vibrant, cartoonish graphics and diverse character designs create a charming atmosphere that enhances the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • The game suffers from significant balance issues, matchmaking problems, and a lack of player base, which can detract from the overall experience.
  • Many players report technical issues, including bugs, glitches, and performance problems, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience.
  • The monetization model has drawn mixed reactions, with some players perceiving it as a cash grab filled with excessive microtransactions despite the game not being pay-to-win.
  • gameplay
    2,740 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Awesomenauts is characterized by its unique blend of 2D platforming and MOBA mechanics, offering fast-paced, engaging matches that are accessible to newcomers while still providing depth for experienced players. Players appreciate the colorful characters and strategic gameplay, though some criticize the balance issues and matchmaking problems that can detract from the experience. Overall, the game is seen as fun and addictive, particularly when played with friends, but it suffers from a lack of player base and some repetitive elements.

    • “The blend of platforming and MOBA mechanics works well, and the matches are fast-paced and exciting.”
    • “The fast-paced gameplay, coupled with strategic depth, ensures that no two matches are the same.”
    • “With its colorful cast of characters, accessible gameplay, and enjoyable team-based action, Awesomenauts stands out as a fun and engaging experience for both MOBA veterans and newcomers alike.”
    • “Ronimo deserves their failure for being lazy and refusing to fix core gameplay problems.”
    • “This game is so mechanically bare yet there's far too much to learn and understand for new players to reach a point where they can comfortably join a match without the risk of getting lambasted thoroughly by what must be childish men or literal children.”
    • “The gameplay itself is quite simple, and the characters are not difficult to master.”
  • music
    1,740 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in Awesomenauts is widely praised for its catchy and diverse soundtracks, with each character featuring their own unique theme song that enhances their personality and gameplay experience. Players appreciate the nostalgic, 80s cartoon vibe of the music, which complements the game's colorful art style and lighthearted atmosphere. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.

    • “You may be gone you magnificent piece of game-development history, but your delectable soundtrack with your fine character themes will live on in my head for eternity.”
    • “The music, my god, each individual nauts got their own theme and all of them are amazing.”
    • “The soundtrack is on another level.”
    • “Music is also pretty terrible with annoying theme songs.”
    • “Music: 0/10”
    • “Quick comment: when you get on a kill streak you have your music play, they've actually made most of the original characters music worse sadly.”
  • graphics
    1,628 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of Awesomenauts are widely praised for their vibrant, cartoonish art style reminiscent of 1980s Saturday morning cartoons, which adds a charming and whimsical atmosphere to the game. Players appreciate the colorful visuals, smooth animations, and unique character designs, making the game visually appealing and engaging. While some critiques mention simplicity and occasional performance issues, the overall aesthetic is considered a strong point that enhances the gameplay experience.

    • “Its vibrant, cartoonish graphics and a diverse roster of characters each with unique abilities and playstyles make every match an engaging and dynamic experience.”
    • “The visuals are bright and colorful, and the animations are smooth, making the game a pleasure to look at and play.”
    • “The graphics resemble 80s cartoons, making the game a visual treat for players of all ages.”
    • “But hey, maybe you're willing to overlook bad graphics if the gameplay is top-notch, right?”
    • “The game has a lot of flashing visuals and animation stuttering/rubber-banding from certain types of character attacks, especially blinding attacks and pushing/grabbing attacks (of which there are many of both), and it's a serious accessibility issue.”
    • “Visuals: 0/10”
  • humor
    740 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in Awesomenauts is widely praised for its charm and creativity, with players enjoying the quirky characters, funny voice lines, and comedic backstories that enhance the gameplay experience. Many reviews highlight the game's lighthearted, cartoonish aesthetic and its ability to evoke laughter through both gameplay and character interactions, making it a fun choice for casual play, especially with friends. However, some players note that the humor can occasionally veer into cringeworthy territory, reflecting a mix of slapstick and pop culture references that may not resonate with everyone.

    • “The humor infused into every corner of your games was like a secret code, decipherable only to those who shared in the joy of playing them.”
    • “Thank you for the laughter, the camaraderie, and the countless hilarious moments.”
    • “The humor was so on point, it should have its own stand-up show 🎤😄”
  • story
    318 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story aspect of the game is generally perceived as weak, with many players noting the lack of a substantial narrative or campaign mode. While individual characters have amusing backstories and personalities, the overarching plot is often described as bland or simplistic, primarily revolving around a galactic conflict without much depth. Players express a desire for a more engaging storyline or campaign to enhance the overall experience, as the current focus on multiplayer gameplay leaves many feeling disconnected from the game's narrative potential.

    • “Slightly long story, Awesomenauts meant a lot to me, played it since release on Xbox/Xbone and I followed every patch of the game eagerly awaiting who they'd add next. I loved the game's characters and gameplay loop, made many friends, many memories, many cherished moments of my childhood are attached to this game.”
    • “Each character is amazing with a funny backstory.”
    • “The storyline is both gripping and enthralling.”
    • “The story's kind of bland.”
    • “Weak almost non-existent storyline.”
    • “There actually isn't much bad about this game other than there is no story mode to play and I think that would have given you a lot more content and would have told you a lot more about the characters!”
  • replayability
    158 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts high replayability due to its diverse roster of characters, unique maps, and various gameplay modes, making it enjoyable for both casual and competitive play. While some players note matchmaking issues and a decline in solo play enjoyment, the overall consensus highlights the game's fun dynamics and the value of playing with friends. Regular updates and character progression further enhance its replay value, with many reviewers praising it as a standout title in the genre.

    • “Its colorful cast of characters and retro-inspired art style makes it stand out from other games in the genre, and its various maps and gameplay modes offer plenty of replayability.”
    • “This is truly a one-of-a-kind game with limitless replay value. I met lots of cool people during the ~3 years I've been involved in this community; it's small enough that any person can enter the scene and stand out very quickly, but not so small that you only see the same people every time you play.”
    • “The game is fun with plenty of replay value.”
    • “The gameplay itself requires some work as the combat becomes stale and the replay value is rather low.”
    • “But after playing several matches, it kinda lacks that feeling of replayability in the game.”
    • “This game has many problems ranging from lack of maps that are playable on online multiplayer, lack of options to kick people from your game, long waits for the matches to start, late joins with the game basically over, and patches that throw the game completely out of balance.”
  • character development
    138 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its diverse and memorable character designs, each with unique personalities, backstories, and theme songs that enhance the overall experience. While many players appreciate the charming and distinct art style, some critiques mention inconsistencies in newer designs and a lack of depth in gameplay mechanics for new players. Overall, the character design is celebrated for its creativity and appeal, contributing significantly to the game's fun and engaging atmosphere.

    • “The character designs have so much personality and charm, the music is spectacular, and I've never had a dull moment playing it.”
    • “The artwork is fantastic, consistent and truly unique, along with the respective individual character design and theme song.”
    • “Firstly, the character design is awesome, and all have clearly had a lot of thought and care put into backstories, lore and skills.”
    • “A decade ago this was all I ever played as a kid, but they added some really terrible character designs in some of the DLC, and yes, the community is mostly just a bunch of 12-year-olds yelling at each other.”
    • “The character designs and gameplay are too bad; I can't see how you can connect to this game.”
    • “The voice acting clashes with the character designs, and everything feels like it's moving through molasses.”
  • grinding
    136 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly when unlocking characters and upgrades. While some appreciate the focus on combat over farming, others criticize the grind as monotonous, especially in comparison to other MOBAs. Overall, the game may appeal to those willing to invest significant time, but it risks alienating players who prefer a more streamlined progression system.

    • “Easy to level up, not too grindy.”
    • “The focus in this game is fighting, not farming.”
    • “It's very easy to get into, all the characters are unlocked within an hour or two of playing and games are won based on skill, not grinding.”
    • “A truly ruined game with terrible design decisions (poison is genuinely mind baffling, as are AoE abilities that stay in one place with nothing you can do to get through them) and awful, incredibly long, grindy unlocks.”
    • “It takes insane amounts of grinding to unlock anything; they advertise it as a MOBA but you have better alternatives for free, like Dota 2, League of Legends, Heroes of the Storm, etc.”
    • “It gets quite tedious and the lack of more content and the wall through buyable champions sealed the deal for me.”
  • monetization
    94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model of the game has drawn mixed reactions, with many players appreciating the optional cosmetic microtransactions that do not impact gameplay, allowing for character and skin unlocks through regular play. However, some users criticize the shift to a free-to-play model, perceiving it as a cash grab filled with excessive microtransactions and unbalanced content. Overall, while the game is not pay-to-win, concerns about its monetization practices and community engagement persist.

    • “I would not play if I had to pay, so I'm glad they went with optional microtransactions for skins instead.”
    • “All microtransactions are purely cosmetic; you can unlock every single character by just playing the game.”
    • “What I also enjoy is that this game is perfectly not pay-to-win since all of the in-game purchases are skins for the Awesomenauts and buying the Awesomenauts, announcers, and drop pods.”
    • “It used to be good but the devs have now left it to work on other games, the only time it was ever good was when it had a paywall. I was happy buying skins, but now it feels like a massive cash grab buying both the naut and the skins for the average price of a full game.”
    • “Sadly, Awesomenauts is just another so-called 'free to play' (or 'free to pay') cash grab rife with in-game transactions.”
    • “The way the microtransactions are handled, you're underpowered by miles unless you've played for hours upon hours, or paid extra.”
  • optimization
    88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs well on low-end hardware and maintains stable frame rates, players report significant issues with server performance, connection stability, and unbalanced gameplay. Many users experience animation stuttering, lag, and a poorly designed targeting system, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these shortcomings, some players still find enjoyment in the game, especially if they manage their expectations regarding competitive balance and performance.

    • “Overall, it is very well optimized and it runs well even on my definitely-not-gaming-laptop.”
    • “Optimization is great; it can run on very low-end rigs.”
    • “Also, Awesomenauts is an incredibly optimized game.”
    • “Overall game performance with animations and individual skill hit-boxes is almost comically inaccurate, and it's baffling that the programmers kept on putting out broken content despite future nauts being increasingly unbalanced.”
    • “The game has a lot of flashing visuals and animation stuttering/rubber-banding from certain types of character attacks, especially blinding attacks and pushing/grabbing attacks (of which there are many of both), and it's a serious accessibility issue.”
    • “Its okay nowadays, it's still a frustrating, buggy, poorly optimized, questionably balanced MOBA; it just doesn't get updated anymore and pubstomps in this game will make you want to kill yourself.”
  • stability
    72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is heavily criticized, with many users reporting numerous game-breaking bugs, glitches, and performance issues, leading to a frustrating experience. While a few players claim to have encountered minimal problems, the overall sentiment suggests that the game suffers from poor optimization and a lack of updates, rendering it nearly unplayable for many. The inconsistent performance, particularly in multiplayer, is a significant concern, with frequent freezes and connection issues reported.

    • “On the bright side, it is just about bug-free, really.”
    • “The graphics are great, the gameplay is fast and fun, and the game runs great.”
    • “Runs great on my old laptop!”
    • “Devs have abandoned the game with tons of game-breaking bugs and glitches.”
    • “The engine is so horribly buggy it makes Rocket League look well-polished.”
    • “The game itself also freezes during this time, loses connection, and has to be killed in task manager, upon which I have to wait a minute or so before my computer recovers and I can relaunch Discord and anything else I may have been running.”
  • atmosphere
    64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of Awesomenauts is widely praised for its charming, cartoonish art style and upbeat soundtrack, creating a lighthearted and welcoming environment reminiscent of 80s cartoons. Players appreciate the game's unique humor and vibrant graphics, which contribute to a fun and engaging multiplayer experience, although some express concerns about the toxic community atmosphere detracting from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game successfully combines a playful aesthetic with a relaxed vibe, making it a refreshing alternative to more competitive MOBAs.

    • “Awesomenauts features a charming, cartoonish art style and a catchy, upbeat soundtrack that complements the game's lighthearted atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is just... awesome!”
    • “The humor and overall atmosphere of the game are loads of fun, and the gameplay is a blast.”
    • “I love this game to death, but I could really do without the toxic atmosphere in the community.”
    • “We've all had our share of crap in this game, but if we got rid of the toxic atmosphere that surrounds it, it could be so much better.”
    • “There is a deeply engaging multiplayer game somewhere here, but the lack of dedicated servers, and a non-competitive friendly atmosphere bogs down the experience.”
  • emotional
    36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, experiencing a mix of nostalgia, joy, and frustration. While many appreciate the fun and addictive gameplay, they also report moments of heartbreak and anger, particularly due to technical issues and unsatisfactory multiplayer experiences. Overall, the game elicits strong feelings, ranging from happiness to rage, making it a memorable yet polarizing experience.

    • “Never has a game made me feel such pain before, and I have played BBQ simulator.”
    • “It's the only game that has made me want to cry from happiness and throw my monitor out of the window at the same time.”
    • “Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”

Buy Awesomenauts - the 2D moba

90h Median play time
283h Average play time
20-500h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 142 analyzed playthroughs

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