Bartlow's Dread Machine

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"Bartlow's Dread Machine" is a dual stick arcade shooter set in the early 1900s, where you must pursue Teddy Roosevelt's kidnappers across various locations using different modes of transportation. The game features six diverse game worlds, a cast of historical characters, and a range of futuristic Edwardian weapons to defeat otherworldly creatures. Your mission: save the Commander in Chief!

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84%

Audience ScoreBased on 44 reviews

gameplay13 positive mentions

monetization3 negative mentions

Unique art style and charming aesthetics that evoke a vintage arcade feel.
Engaging gameplay mechanics with a fun twist on the twin-stick shooter genre, especially enjoyable in co-op mode.
Variety of maps, weapons, and customization options that keep the gameplay fresh and interesting.

Clunky controls and poor camera angles that hinder gameplay experience.
Unbalanced difficulty spikes and grindy mechanics that can frustrate players.
Limited movement options and accessibility features that detract from overall enjoyment.

gameplay
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
36%
12%
The gameplay of Bartlow's Dread Machine is a mixed bag; while it features a unique twin-stick shooter mechanic with charming retro aesthetics and polished core mechanics, many players find the movement restrictive and the shooting challenging, especially when dodging enemy fire. The game offers a variety of mini-games and bosses that add some excitement, but issues with repetitiveness and the need for external tools to enhance controls detract from the overall experience. Fans of the genre may appreciate its charm and customization options, but it requires further refinement to fully realize its potential.
- “For me, the shooting mechanic felt really challenging given the limited movement, and once enemies were able to shoot back at me, the pressure to dodge, parry, shoot in 360 degrees, while moving on a grid fried my little tiny brain.”
- “The mechanical theatre setting and implementation is very cool, granting a very unique approach on the genre, and is very entertaining and fun to play.”
- “All the core mechanics feel polished, resulting in gameplay that boasts a sufficient amount of variety and offers a constant drip-feed of surprises that motivate the player to keep completing level after level.”
- “Movement and gameplay is awful; the game is not fun.”
- “Said issues can be fixed by editing the control scheme in Big Picture and using a controller with a turbo function, but if you have to use external tools to fix the gameplay, there's a problem.”
- “Regarding game mechanics, it is a twin-stick shooter with the twist that you move on rails, which limits you quite a bit when you try to evade the hundreds of bullets and enemies.”
graphics
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
The graphics of Bartlow's Dread Machine are widely praised for their unique and detailed art style, reminiscent of vintage arcade aesthetics and early 20th-century design. Reviewers highlight the game's fantastic visuals, combining clanky sound effects and old-timey music, which enhance the overall experience. While the art style is celebrated, some players note that the gameplay can become repetitive.
- “The art style is unique and to the last detail - super!”
- “The vintage arcade aesthetics, the metallic puppets moving along the grid, the clanky sound effects, the old-timey music.”
- “A unique addition to any twin-stick shooter fan's library, the art style is gorgeous and there's a surprising amount of variety involved.”
- “The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
- “The character models are poorly designed and lack detail, making them look lifeless.”
- “The environments are bland and repetitive, failing to create an immersive experience.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
The music in the game is widely praised for its vintage arcade charm and captivating compositions, with many reviewers highlighting it as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience. While some note that the gameplay can be repetitive, the soundtrack is often described as fantastic and a significant reason for recommending the game. Overall, the music is considered a refreshing and appealing aspect, contributing to the game's unique atmosphere.
- “Great concept, style, art, and music.”
- “Definitely a hidden gem, the music is amazing, some of the best in years composed by the same guy who made the song in Beep's previous game, Voodoo Vince.”
- “The art style is nice, but the gameplay and the music are repetitive and tiresome.”
- “The vintage arcade aesthetics, the metallic puppets moving along the grid, the clanky sound effects, the old-timey music.”
- “Soundtrack is the reason for recommendation; gameplay isn't as great.”
story
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The game's story is generally considered minimal but features well-written dialogue that adds charm, fitting well with its unique art style and gameplay. While some players find the narrative only moderately engaging, others appreciate its elements of mystery and intrigue, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience.
- “The game is quite original with different guns, perks, and a story.”
- “Also, the story and dialogues are nice and well written for the purpose.”
- “While not perfect, Bartlow’s Dread Machine does hold our attention long enough, taking us through a story filled with mystery, intrigue, and suspense.”
- “The story is pretty minimal, but the dialogue can be fun and the old-time Americana fits well.”
- “While not perfect, Bartlow's Dread Machine does hold our attention long enough, taking us through a story filled with mystery, intrigue, and suspense.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game is noted for its humor and appealing art style, contributing to an enjoyable overall experience.
- “It's a funny game with a charming art style.”
- “The humor is spot-on and keeps the gameplay light-hearted.”
- “I love the witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization model of the game is praised for its affordability, with users highlighting the exceptional value of purchasing it at a low price compared to typical $60 AAA titles that often include ads and microtransactions.
- “The game feels like a cash grab, with constant prompts to spend more money on in-game purchases.”
- “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind a paywall, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra.”
- “The monetization strategy is overly aggressive, detracting from the overall experience and enjoyment of the game.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The atmosphere of the game is praised for being rich and unique, appealing particularly to fans who appreciate immersive environments alongside solid gameplay.
- “Fans of serviceable gameplay who truly appreciate games with rich, unique atmospheres will find plenty to enjoy.”
- “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the world and making every moment feel significant.”
- “The game's sound design and visual aesthetics combine to create a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that lingers long after you put it down.”

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76%Critics’ scoreBased on 4 critic reviews

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