Axe Cop
- November 25, 2020
- Red Triangle Games
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Get on itch.io StoreFight all of the bad guys! Axe Cop and his team of colorful characters must go on an epic adventure, that covers his ten-year comic book history, to rid the world of all bad guys once and for all!
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Reviews
- Axe Cop is a unique RPG that captures the whimsical spirit of the original webcomic, featuring colorful characters and engaging humor.
- The game offers a well-balanced turn-based combat system with creative mechanics, allowing for customizable party configurations and strategic gameplay.
- The retro-inspired visuals and chiptune soundtrack evoke nostalgia, making it a delightful experience for fans of classic RPGs.
- The game suffers from unclear directions and obscure mechanics, leading to frustrating moments where players may feel stuck without guidance.
- Some levels are excessively large and repetitive, causing gameplay to drag on and diminishing the enjoyment of exploration and combat.
- There are several quality of life issues, such as limited save points and clunky controls, which can detract from the overall experience.
- story12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's story is a whimsical and engaging narrative that combines elements reminiscent of classic RPGs like Dragon Quest with a unique, childlike logic and humor. While it features a dense and comprehensive plot that spans 20-30 hours, some players feel it leans too heavily on dialogue at the expense of gameplay. Overall, the story is praised for its wacky characters, unexpected plot twists, and a humorous tone that resonates well with the original inspirations.
“And what a story it is.”
“Wacky characters and plot points are introduced with no warning, but it does it in a way that feels consistent with the rules of this whimsical universe, and by the end it goes to great lengths to connect all the dots.”
“The game feels massive and dense, telling a comprehensive and complete story in some 20-30 hours.”
“Add in all the ridiculous plot devices and logic you would use if you were a 5-year-old boy playing with toys, and you get some semblance of the tone of the story.”
“I understand these games are meant to be story-driven, but there is such a thing as too much dialogue, not enough gameplay.”
“What at first seems like a beat-for-beat retelling of the Axe Cop webcomics and printed books unravels into a game-original story which always stays true to the tone of the original works by the Nicolle brothers.”
- music10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised, particularly for its chiptune soundtrack, which many find terrific and reminiscent of classic NES and Game Boy Color RPGs. However, some players express frustration with the repetitive 10-second loops and the lack of variety in battle music, as random encounters often feature the same dungeon theme. While there are some unique musical elements tied to gameplay mechanics, the overall experience can feel monotonous due to the limited musical diversity in certain contexts.
“It takes a lot of inspiration from NES and Game Boy Color-era RPGs for its visuals and music - the soundtrack is terrific, by the way, a must-hear if you're into chiptune music.”
“From the beginning, Axe Cop is joined by Flute Cop, and he can play a song at bear statues scattered across all worlds.”
“Playing the song will trigger a change in the map, unique to each location.”
“In case you do decide to get this RPG, I recommend you grow a tolerance for 10-second loops of music driving you mad.”
“You just keep hearing the dungeon music loop forever and on and on.”
“Also, the random encounters do not have their own fight music.”
- humor8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized as juvenile and absurd, often drawing from its source material, which can lead to cringe-worthy moments. However, it is generally well-received for its comedic elements, appealing to a wide audience, especially fans of retro JRPGs. While some players find the humor entertaining and reflective of the imaginative storytelling between siblings, others feel that the gameplay can detract from the overall experience.
“This game continues that legacy quite well, and if you don't mind a bit of juvenile humor here and there, it can be a laugh riot at times.”
“Thanks to the engine of ohrrpgce, this game looks like it would fit right into the library of the Nintendo Entertainment System and it has such a great sense of humor, for all ages.”
“When the story is taken with the understanding that an older brother is drawing and interpreting his younger brother's imagination, this game becomes utterly hilarious!”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by balanced turn-based combat that allows for customizable party configurations and level-up growths, providing depth and strategic options. However, some players feel the game suffers from poor tutorialization of mechanics and an overemphasis on dialogue, which can detract from the overall gameplay experience.
“Great, balanced gameplay.”
“The gameplay takes the form of turn-based JRPG combat, with free selection of party configuration and level-up growths making playthroughs of the game very customizable.”
“The turn-based gameplay brings a lot of depth and strategy, and the dialogue/story is hilarious and engaging.”
“In other words, the game does a terrible job at teaching you a mechanic, doesn't make use of it for 15 hours, and then expects you to remember it.”
“I understand these games are meant to be story-driven, but there is such a thing as too much dialogue, not enough gameplay.”
“Of course, there's more to an RPG's gameplay than just the combat.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The graphics of *Axe Cop* are inspired by NES and Game Boy Color-era RPGs, featuring charming faux-retro visuals that complement its goofy premise. Despite their simplicity, the graphics are well-executed and contribute to the game's overall appeal, making it a delightful experience for fans of the genre. The combination of engaging visuals and a terrific chiptune soundtrack enhances the game's heart and creativity.
“I may not be an RPG guy, but if you are a fan of Axe Cop, fun visuals, and good comedy, then I recommend this game.”
“The faux-retro graphics are another reason I even looked at this game.”
“Don't be fooled by the low price and 8-bit graphics into thinking this is a short, low-effort hack job; this game is an absolute gem that has heart and soul poured into every facet of it, and it's patently obvious once you play it.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players express frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, noting that poor design choices regarding party composition and leveling can lead to a frustrating cycle of grinding for experience points without effective ways to enhance their situation.
“I have a feeling that the developers didn't really account for player choice in many aspects, which can screw over some players, particularly regarding party composition and leveling up choices. This can lead to a perpetual grinding machine for XP and levels without any meaningful way to improve your situation.”
“The grinding in this game feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged. It often feels like I'm just going through the motions without any real progress.”
“I find the grinding mechanics to be overly punishing. It seems like the game is designed to force players into repetitive tasks rather than allowing for a more enjoyable experience.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game to be deeply wholesome, evoking a sense of nostalgia and joy that reminds them of their childhood.
“This game is extremely wholesome and makes me feel like a kid again.”
