Beard Blade
- July 20, 2021
- Glovebox Games LLC
- 12h median play time
Get on Steam"Beard Blade" is a rogue-like, hack and slash game where you play as a bearded hero. Wielding a variety of gloveboxes, each with unique abilities, you'll face off against hordes of enemies in procedurally generated levels. The game features a unique beard-growing mechanic, which adds an extra layer of strategy to the combat. Your beard can protect you, but it also attracts more enemies.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The pixel art and animations are top-notch, creating a charming and visually appealing experience.
- The day/night cycle adds a unique twist to level design, effectively doubling the gameplay variety.
- The game offers a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic platformers, with fun mechanics and solid controls.
- The controls can feel unresponsive and slippery, leading to frustrating gameplay moments.
- The game lacks achievements and other quality-of-life features, making it feel incomplete.
- Some levels have poorly designed sections that can lead to unfair deaths and tedious gameplay.
- music82 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its catchy and nostalgic chiptune style that fits well with the gameplay, while others found it to be merely decent or forgettable. Some players highlighted the soundtrack as a standout feature, describing it as top-tier and worth the price of admission, though there were complaints about bugs affecting music playback and a lack of variety in certain areas. Overall, the music is generally seen as a strong aspect of the game, contributing positively to the overall experience.
“Dear lord, this soundtrack is fantastic and I hope we can get it at some point to listen to on its own.”
“The soundtrack is top-tier & worth the price of admission alone.”
“It helps that it's all presented with lovingly animated pixel art and a wonderful soundtrack, both of which stir a warm sense of nostalgia and whimsy.”
“Music was okay but nothing to write home about; I found myself turning it down quite soon.”
“There was no way to play the music I did unlock.”
“[*] As of writing, there is a bug (which has been reported) that stops you from listening to the music track collectables.”
- gameplay72 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its solid mechanics, responsive controls, and engaging level design, featuring a unique day/night cycle that alters gameplay dynamics. While the game offers a variety of fun mechanics and nostalgic elements reminiscent of classic platformers, some players noted a lack of explanation for certain mechanics and occasional technical issues. Overall, it provides a charming and enjoyable experience, particularly for those seeking an easy entry into the platforming genre.
“A fun platformer with solid mechanics - and beautiful pixel art, too!”
“The gameplay and level design has so much variety to it, despite being a short game overall; each level, including day and night versions, has something new to offer that uses either one of Branson's skills or a unique gimmick to change things up.”
“While there are a few technical issues, the gameplay itself is rock solid, with buttery smooth controls complimenting some of the most snappily paced and exciting levels I've played outside of a Nintendo game.”
“Apart from the basics and one ability, the game explains no mechanics, some of which are only used once or twice.”
“There are a lot of mechanics that you use only once with no explanation on how to use them.”
“Given the disappointing gameplay, however, I'm glad it was not longer.”
- graphics59 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning pixel art style, vibrant colors, and nostalgic 16-bit aesthetics, which enhance the overall charm and appeal. Reviewers highlight the polished visuals and attention to detail, noting that the art and sound design create a breathtaking experience. The unique level designs and clever day/night system further contribute to the game's visual richness, making it a standout in the platformer genre.
“First and foremost, no shocker, the aesthetic, from the graphics to the sound design is absolutely breathtaking.”
“Graphics are comprised of stylized, really easy on the eyes 16-bit sprites full of life and color, complementing the great, appealing character and environment design.”
“Innovative gameplay, beautiful graphics, clever puzzles, fun boss battles, and interesting characters abound.”
“And of course, I can't forget about the graphics and aesthetic; it's so polished and beautiful to look at, it's a crying shame this game didn't get the attention it deserved back when it was on Kickstarter!”
“You can tell a lot of legwork went into polishing this aesthetically.”
“Let's get it out of the way: the strongest parts of this game by far are the visuals and the music.”
- story10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's story is characterized by its simplicity and charm, revolving around a quest to reclaim stolen sheep from pirates. While some players find the ending twist predictable and cliché, others appreciate its unexpected nature, contributing to an overall enjoyable narrative experience. The storytelling is effectively integrated with the platform levels, enhancing the game's fun and engaging atmosphere.
“The entire setting and storyline is perfectly simple, perfectly adorable, and perfectly likeable.”
“The story had an interesting twist at the end which I was not expecting.”
“Although a simple story works well, the twist at the end is quite predictable; in fact, it already feels like a cliché until the end.”
“The story is pretty simple as well: a bunch of pirates stole your flock of sheep, and you're traveling the island to get them back and kick pirate ass along the way.”
“The simple but fun theme of the platform levels and the way the story is told.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Players generally find the game highly replayable due to its collectibles, short levels, and the unique day/night cycle that alters gameplay. However, some users have noted issues with input latency that can affect the experience. Overall, the combination of engaging music and gameplay encourages multiple playthroughs.
“Lots of replayability!”
“I like some aspects of the game such as collectibles adding replayability and the pixel art looks very nice.”
“The game has a lot of potential for replayability, but once you've completed it, there's little incentive to go back.”
“While the levels are fun, they don't offer enough variety to make me want to replay them after finishing the game.”
“I found the game enjoyable, but after completing it once, I didn't feel motivated to play through it again.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong sense of nostalgia and emotional connection to the game, likening its vibe to classic titles like Wario Land 3. The platformer is praised for its wholesome atmosphere and craftsmanship, evoking fond memories of 16-bit gaming.
“The general vibe reminds me of Wario Land 3 (although the gameplay isn't that similar), which made me feel pretty nostalgic.”
“So, if you're looking for a platformer—wholesome, well-crafted, and steeped in palpable love for its 16-bit predecessors—ya found it.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a whimsical and charming quality, creating an engaging and delightful experience for players. This enchanting ambiance enhances the overall enjoyment and immersion within the game world.
“charming atmosphere”
“charming atmosphere”
“The atmosphere feels whimsical, but it lacks depth and engagement.”
“While the atmosphere is charming, it doesn't fully immerse you in the experience.”
“The whimsical atmosphere is present, yet it fails to create a lasting impression.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game exhibits some optimization issues, including stuttering in certain areas and a need for better support on larger screens. However, players believe these problems could be resolved with future patches, and the core gameplay remains strong.
“It's a bit rough at times (nothing a patch or two and some optimization couldn't fix, such as some stuttering during Michi's Mansion, etc), but the underlying mechanics and gameplay are solid.”
“My only gripe is the need for optimization for bigger screens; luckily, I can just change my monitor resolution and play it without issues.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in this platformer is described as charming and effective, complementing its cute graphics. Reviewers suggest that the addition of voice acting could enhance the comedic elements further, indicating that the game's humor has potential for even greater impact.
“I was very surprised by this little platformer; it's got cute graphics and nice little humor.”
“If this game had voice acting, it would be even funnier.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been noted as a concern, with multiple users reporting that it remains somewhat buggy.
“The game is still a bit buggy.”
“The game is still a bit buggy.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is highlighted by its visually stunning designs, which contribute to a cute and fun atmosphere that aligns perfectly with the platformer genre. However, there is no specific mention of depth or growth in character arcs.
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players find that certain levels in the game are poorly designed, leading to a grinding experience that feels tedious and slow. This has contributed to frustration among users, as the repetitive nature of these levels detracts from overall enjoyment.
“Some levels are horrendously designed, making the grinding process tedious and slow.”
“The grinding mechanics feel overly repetitive and drain the enjoyment out of the game.”
“Progression requires an excessive amount of grinding, which can become frustrating and monotonous.”
