Bat Boy

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 72 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • story
Bat Boy Game Cover
Bat Boy is a great action platforming game that has everything we loved about these games in the past, from catchy music to great visuals and controls. It’s fun to see a game influenced by sports that aren’t actually a sports game!
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Bat Boy is a 2D side-scrolling action platformer where you play as Bat Boy, on a mission to rescue his brainwashed teammates from the clutches of the evil Lord Vicious. Traverse through different regions, battling enemies and learning new skills from your freed teammates in this nostalgic 8-bit game. The Trials of Darkness await as you fight to reach the final confrontation with Lord Vicious.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 72 reviews
gameplay6 positive mentions
stability2 negative mentions
  • Bat Boy features tight and responsive controls, making the gameplay enjoyable and engaging.
  • The game boasts charming pixel art and a nostalgic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • The level design is solid, with unique bosses and abilities that add variety to the gameplay.
  • The game is relatively short, with many players completing it in under six hours, which may leave some wanting more content.
  • Some abilities feel underutilized, leading to a lack of depth in gameplay mechanics as players often rely on a few core skills.
  • There are occasional bugs and design inconsistencies that can disrupt the flow of the game and affect the overall experience.
  • gameplay20 mentions

    The gameplay is generally enjoyable and features a variety of mechanics and abilities, but many players feel that it lacks depth and fails to fully utilize its potential. While the bouncing mechanic and level design provide fun and engaging experiences, some aspects, like hit detection and the underutilization of skills, detract from the overall experience. Despite these shortcomings, the game is praised for its fast-paced flow, charming visuals, and a soundtrack that enhances the gameplay.

    • “The soundtrack hits, the movement is good, and the mechanics encourage experimentation to break the level design in tiny but meaningful ways.”
    • “A short stroll through a good amount of fun levels with likable characters and easy to pick up gameplay.”
    • “Great gameplay, tons of cool moves, fun bosses, and a unique story that fit perfectly!”
    • “You'll be bouncing off your enemies to traverse the obstacles most of the time for the whole game designed around this mechanic.”
    • “Sometimes the bouncing mechanic and hitboxes felt off, which resulted in me taking damage instead of bouncing.”
    • “The only real issues with the game is it feels like it only scratches the surface of what is possible with the many mechanics and attacks they give you.”
  • music19 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic and engaging quality, complementing the gorgeous pixel art and responsive controls. While many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances the gameplay experience, some note that it can be repetitive or underwhelming at times. Overall, the combination of fun music and appealing visuals contributes significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.

    • “The pixel art is gorgeous, and the music makes me nostalgic.”
    • “The OST is loaded with very pulse-pounding tracks that are pretty memorable and really push you forward, befitting the speedrun focus.”
    • “The only critiques I have are that a lot of learned abilities are a bit lackluster compared to others, and the soundtrack, while serviceable, feels a bit underwhelming.”
    • “The soundtrack is also a bit repetitive.”
    • “The music and aesthetic nail what they are going for, and the controls are tight and responsive.”
  • story12 mentions

    The story is generally considered decent, featuring some engaging plot twists and a blend of retro gaming influences, but it primarily serves to support the gameplay rather than stand out on its own. While some reviewers appreciated its anime-inspired style and over-the-top premise, others noted that it felt basic and short, with a playtime of around six hours. Overall, the narrative is enjoyable but not groundbreaking, with gameplay being the main highlight.

    • “Pixel art is on point, chiptune is on point, level design is on point, story was good enough, and difficulty was just right.”
    • “Feels like a nice blend of Mega Man and Ninja Gaiden with an old school anime feel to the story and characters.”
    • “The story had 'chef's kiss' perfect anime styling with an over the top premise that mixed Mega Man gameplay with early episode Kill la Kill story.”
    • “The story doesn't do much, but the gameplay is where this game shines.”
    • “The shorter play time to complete the story, it took me just 6 hours, only adds to that feel.”
    • “Well, that’s for you to find out since there are some decent plot twists here and there, but nothing mind-blowing since the storyline is mostly there to fill the void.”
  • graphics5 mentions

    The graphics are praised for their vibrant and inspired art style, reminiscent of "Shovel Knight," with tight controls that enhance the overall presentation. Unique stage gimmicks and a variety of enemies contribute to a visually engaging experience, even within the constraints of 8-bit graphics.

    • “The art and theme of the game is really vibrant and inspired, and there are a ton of unique stage gimmicks and enemy varieties throughout the game that culminate well in the final act. There are a couple of platforming set pieces that actually wowed me, which is hard for a game with 8-bit graphics.”
    • “Loving the art style.”
    • “Controls fantastically, graphics are very Shovel Knight-like, and a lot of the mechanics like slow motion after a boss are just like it.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, while there are some community concerns about bugs, the game is generally reported to run smoothly and control well, indicating that it is stable and not a "buggy mess."

    • “I saw a lot of gripes about the game being buggy in the community discussions.”
    • “The game is far from 'unplayable' or 'a buggy mess.' It ran smoothly, controlled well, and was free from the jank that poorly designed or messy games often suffer from.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is highlighted positively, with unique designs and dialogues enhancing the experience. Each boss character is creatively tied to a specific sport, featuring attacks that reflect their respective themes, adding depth to their personalities.

    • “The character design and dialogues are a big plus for me; every boss represents a sport and has attacks based around those sports.”
    • “The depth of character development really immerses you in the story, making each character feel unique and relatable.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, with their backstories and motivations becoming clearer as you progress.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The game is praised for its charming and heartfelt qualities, evoking nostalgia reminiscent of the Game Boy era while also presenting a challenging experience that resonates emotionally with players.

    • “This is a charming, heartfelt, and challenging game that harkens back to the Game Boy's heyday.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization in the game primarily focuses on enhancing gameplay through additional moves, which are mainly utilized in optional levels and the 11th stage, with the wall jump being a key mechanic for effective stamina management and run optimization.

    • “The additional moves you get are primarily needed in the optional levels and the 11th stage, aside from the wall jump, which becomes essential as soon as you acquire it. These moves are almost entirely focused on run optimization and stamina management.”
    • “The additional moves you get are pretty much only required in the optional levels and the 11th stage, barring the wall jump that gets regular use as soon as you acquire it. They are almost entirely there for run optimization alongside stamina management.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Reviews on grinding highlight a stark divide: some players find it mindlessly easy and enjoyable, while others view it as an excessively tedious chore.

    • “Either literal facerollers or tedious as all hell.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and often pointless, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “I find myself doing the same repetitive tasks over and over, which really drains the fun out of the game.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is noted to be unintentional, as players find it amusing that the time played includes the demo, which many consider the highlight of the experience. This irony adds a layer of comedic relief amidst their disappointment.

    • “I requested a refund for this, and now seriously the game added the time I played the demo to the time played... which is funny, given that the demo is the best part so far.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

74% average critic score

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