Battle Crust
- February 25, 2016
- Picorinne Soft
Get on Steam"Battle Crust" is a retro-style 2D shooting game with bullet hell elements. Players control a mech as they battle through levels filled with enemies and intense bullet patterns. The game features multiple characters, stages, and a boss rush mode, providing a challenging and engaging experience for fans of the shoot 'em up genre.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Battle Crust is a nostalgic love letter to late 80's and early 90's vertically scrolling shmups, featuring tight controls, vibrant pixel art, and a fantastic soundtrack.
- The game offers a fair level of challenge without overwhelming players, making it accessible for newcomers while still engaging for veterans of the genre.
- The weapon variety and charge shot mechanics add depth to the gameplay, allowing for strategic choices that enhance the overall experience.
- The gameplay can feel basic and somewhat slow-paced compared to other modern shmups, which may not satisfy players looking for a more intense experience.
- Some players have noted that the ship controls feel slightly sluggish, leading to frustrating moments during gameplay.
- The game lacks features like online leaderboards and achievements, which could enhance replayability and player engagement.
- music30 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its nostalgic chiptune style and engaging compositions, particularly highlighting the work of renowned composer Hyakutaro Tsukumo. Reviewers appreciate the catchy soundtracks that complement the vibrant pixel art and overall aesthetics, with many expressing a desire for a dedicated soundtrack release. The combination of retro FM synthesis and rock influences creates a memorable auditory experience that enhances gameplay.
“The soundtrack in Battle Crust is also one of my new favorites.”
“Overall, I think the sound and music for the game are spot on and go great with the aesthetics.”
“Instead of employing his usual over-the-top modular synth rocking that defines lots of his works, he opted to compose the soundtrack with old school FM synthesis to match the classic theme of the game.”
“Despite the retro, chiptune sound, the music still has a lot of the rock and roll grooves and melodic, bombastic highs common in Tsukumo's style.”
“On the whole, it is very well done, and a soundtrack release is the only thing I'd like to see from this down the road, because I think it deserves one.”
- gameplay18 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by tight and responsive controls, vibrant visuals, and a nostalgic design reminiscent of 80s and 90s shooters, making it accessible for newcomers to the genre. While it offers enjoyable and unique mechanics, it is considered basic and somewhat slower compared to modern bullet hell games, with a slight lack of depth beyond its core features. Overall, it provides a balanced challenge that is both fair and engaging, appealing to players seeking a traditional shoot 'em up experience.
“The controls are tight and responsive, and the basic mechanics are enjoyable.”
“It's not a danmaku/bullet hell, but it is a very enjoyable ode to an earlier time with some well-balanced difficulty, simple to grasp mechanics, and some extra depth for those who look for it.”
“The gameplay feels like a good starting point for players who are just getting into the genre and don't want to have a wall of bullets thrown at their face.”
“The gameplay is basic overall and definitely on the slower side of things when it comes to shoot 'em up games.”
“The game beyond the basic gameplay is slightly bare bones though.”
“"Battle Crust", like it says in the description, adheres to the 80's/90's style 'traditional' shooter design in aesthetic and gameplay, which are less commonly seen nowadays compared to the more modern 'bullet hell' design of shooters.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Battle Crust" are reminiscent of 80s and 90s pixel art, appealing to players who appreciate retro aesthetics. While some may find the visuals dated compared to modern shooters, they complement the game's traditional design and are well-received by those nostalgic for that era. Overall, the graphics, along with the music, create a cohesive and enjoyable experience for entry-level players.
“That era represented my gaming prime, so I have a special appreciation for the graphical presentation.”
“"Battle Crust", as it says in the description, adheres to the 80's/90's style 'traditional' shooter design in aesthetic and gameplay, which are less commonly seen nowadays compared to the more modern 'bullet hell' design of shooters.”
“This would also be a good shooter for an entry-level player who does not want to feel instantly overwhelmed by the bullet barrage design of many modern examples of the genre, as long as you don't mind the visuals from a bygone era.”
“I don't know what's better, the pixel graphics or the music.”
“"Battle Crust", like it says on the description, adheres to the 80's/90's style 'traditional' shooter design in aesthetic and gameplay, which are less commonly seen nowadays compared to the more modern 'bullet hell' design of shooters.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly when having to replay earlier levels to reach more challenging sections they are trying to master. A level select or practice mode, similar to that in Infinos Gaiden, is suggested as a desirable feature to alleviate this repetitiveness.
“It would have been nice to have a level select type of practice or score mode, which is present in Infinos Gaiden, because as you master early parts of the game and come up against more difficult later levels, it can begin to feel tedious playing through the initial levels to get to the part you are learning.”
