Beyond Galaxyland
- September 24, 2024
- Sam Enright
Featuring relatable characters, including a rocket launcher-wielding guinea pig, an in-depth story, exciting quests, and an immersive world, Beyond Galaxyland is an adventure that you won’t want to miss.
"Beyond Galaxyland" is a 2.5D adventure-RPG inspired by classic sci-fi movies, where you play as high-schooler Doug, who's transported to a zoo-like solar system to save Earth. Accompanied by a pistol-wielding guinea pig and a sentient robot, you must defend against the all-powerful 'The End' and explore vibrant planets filled with unique characters and challenges. Character count: 210.
Reviews
- Beyond Galaxyland features beautiful pixel art and a charming story that captivates players.
- The game offers a unique blend of turn-based combat and creature capturing mechanics, providing engaging gameplay.
- Players appreciate the humor, well-developed characters, and the nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic RPGs.
- The game is criticized for being too short, with some players feeling it ends just as it gets good.
- Combat mechanics can feel slow and cumbersome, with issues related to ability points and resource management.
- There are complaints about the lack of cloud save support, which limits the ability to play across different devices.
- story92 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its charm, engaging characters, and clever humor, while others find it simple or underwhelming at times. The narrative blends elements of JRPGs and sci-fi, offering intriguing world-building and emotional moments, though some side quests may feel straightforward. Overall, it captivates players with its vibrant universe and solid storytelling, despite some criticisms regarding pacing and complexity.
“The game’s storytelling is witty and engaging, with a universe full of oddball characters and unpredictable events that keep you hooked.”
“The world building is top notch for an indie title and the story grabbed me from the get-go.”
“Beyond galaxyland is a real treat to play, with its gorgeous world, clever storytelling, and rewarding combat making for a really fun RPG experience.”
“The story is also not really telling you much about what you're going to experience.”
“The ending of the story was a tad underwhelming though, but I'm not letting that define the entire game.”
“I have mixed feelings on the story.”
- gameplay66 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a blend of turn-based combat, creature capturing mechanics, and simple platforming, all set in a visually appealing 2D world. While many players appreciate the engaging mechanics and nostalgic feel, some criticize the slow pace of combat and clunky jumping controls. Overall, the game offers a mix of enjoyable challenges and creative elements, though its execution can feel inconsistent at times.
“The game also has a pretty solid turn-based combat system with some real-time elements, monster capturing mechanics, and the ability to take photos of enemies and creatures you encounter in your travels.”
“The gameplay so far involves some simple platforming, puzzles, small party RPG, and turn-based combat - all of which are enjoyable.”
“The gameplay is equally delightful, offering a perfect mix of challenge and fun with its smooth controls and creative mechanics.”
“I wanted an RPG with neat mechanics, but there are tons of other ones that don't have clunky jumping.”
“This is also normally a fine mechanic; however, the way it's implemented in this game just ends up making the combat feel slow. The party shares AP, and if you fail to get a timed button press right, you lose AP.”
“I'm a sucker for turn-based RPGs, but Beyond Galaxyland didn't do it for me. The gameplay felt slow, and the music during combat felt even slower.”
- music63 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its catchy and engaging soundtrack, often described as a mix of trap beats and electronic compositions that enhance the overall experience. However, some players noted that the tracks can become repetitive over time, particularly during extended gameplay or combat sequences. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.
“The visuals are fantastic and the music is a vibe.”
“I loved the music, you will not regret buying this game!”
“Fantastic game, polished all around with JRPG combat, an engaging story, and a kick-ass soundtrack!”
“The music tracks, while they are fine at first, get a bit repetitive if the player wants to spend time in an area for a longer time.”
“I'm a sucker for turn-based RPGs, but Beyond Galaxyland didn't do it for me. The gameplay felt slow and the music during combat even slower.”
“Please make more music for combat.”
- graphics38 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their vibrant art style and immersive world-building, with many reviewers highlighting the charming pixel art and fantastic visuals that enhance the overall experience. The cinematography and attention to detail in the graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a visually engaging journey. However, some critiques mention inconsistencies in character design that detract from the otherwise cohesive aesthetic.
“The visuals are fantastic and the music is a vibe.”
“Its vibrant visuals and immersive world-building make every journey through the cosmos feel like a thrilling ride.”
“The visuals remained great throughout, the cinematography is really fun and adds a lot to the experience.”
“The graphics are charming, the story, as far as I got, was somewhat interesting... but stop trying to put aspects of platforming into non-platforming games.”
“Graphic, gameplay and music!”
“[eye-catching graphic design, solid combat mechanics, nostalgic soundtrack.]”
- humor16 mentions
- 88 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The humor in "Beyond Galaxyland" is widely praised for its quirky and engaging writing, reminiscent of classic JRPGs and the whimsical tone of "The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy." While many find the blend of humor and adventure appealing, some feel the game occasionally overemphasizes its comedic intent, suggesting it may cater to a specific audience. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with heartfelt moments in a vibrant sci-fi universe.
“Beyond Galaxyland feels like stepping into the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, blending humor, adventure, and a quirky sense of wonder.”
“If you’ve ever wanted to explore a humorous, sci-fi universe up close, Beyond Galaxyland is the perfect adventure!”
“Not only does it remind you of those JRPGs you played in the 90s and 2000s, it has a great cast of characters and a fun brand of humor.”
“It's not bad music; I just wish it wasn't constantly reminding me that 'this game is supposed to be funny'.”
- grinding10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Players express mixed feelings about grinding in the game; while some find it excessively time-consuming and tedious, requiring significant effort to level up characters and manage battles, others feel that the grinding is manageable and doesn't detract from the overall experience. The necessity to level up under-scaled party members adds to the grind for those who choose to include them in their team.
“You'll spend two turns grinding enough AP to remove an enemy's shield, only to have to do it again for the next two enemies - so it's just a slow grind through the battle.”
“The party member is not scaled to your level and starts at level 1. By the time you can get him, you'll be at least 10 levels ahead, so if you decide to use him, you need to spend some extra time grinding levels with him.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features an engaging and emotional story that captivates players from the beginning, skillfully blending humor with heartfelt moments. With well-rounded characters and meaningful narrative payoffs, it transcends mere homage, creating a vibrant and imaginative universe that resonates deeply with players.
“I haven't finished it yet, but so far the game's engaging story pulls you in from the start, blending humor and heartfelt moments in a vibrant, imaginative universe.”
“The story is filled with well-rounded characters and emotional narrative payoffs, and as much as Enright's galactic adventure is a collection of stylistic and mechanical homages, it doesn't feel like a patchwork of fan service.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its short length, with players completing it in around 27 hours, which contributes to a lack of replayability. Many users express that once the game is finished, there is little incentive to revisit it.
“For me, the only downside is that the game is fairly short (it took me 27 hours to 100%) and has little to no replay value.”
- stability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users report that the game runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, indicating a high level of stability on that platform.
“Runs great on Steam Deck!”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised, with multiple users noting that it significantly enhances the overall experience.
Critic Reviews
Beyond Galaxyland review
Beyond Galaxyland shouldn't be missed, with exciting turn-based combat, a world ripe for exploration, and beautifully written characters.
90%Beyond Galaxyland Review - An Ambitious Indie Project With Plenty Of Joy To Offer
Beyond Galaxyland tells a fantastic tale full of colorful characters in a vast world full of surprise and wonder. It's a shame that its combat system is locked to an ability system that seems to hinder you more than help. Though its world is grand, the game's lighting gets in the way, making dark areas impossible to see and the light regions blinding the eye.
80%Beyond Galaxyland
It may spread itself a little thin in pulling from so many influences, but Beyond Galaxyland offers a decent story, intriguing graphic design, and compelling combat dynamics.
80%