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
- Beautiful pixel art and engaging story that draws players in.
- Fun turn-based combat system with unique mechanics like creature capturing.
- Great soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- Lack of cloud save support hampers the ability to switch between devices.
- Some players experience bugs that can halt progress in the game.
- The pacing can feel slow at times, with lengthy dialogue and minimal action.
- story46 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally well-received, featuring an engaging plot that blends humor and emotional moments within a vibrant universe. While some players find the dialogue cheesy and the pacing uneven, many appreciate the intriguing world-building and surprising plot twists. Overall, the narrative is described as charming and entertaining, though some players noted that the ending felt underwhelming.
“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 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.”
“The game relies on some odd plot points and the turn-based combat is fine, but a lot of the game has been really long-winded, silly, or unbelievable.”
“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.”
- music31 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchiness and memorable quality, with many reviewers highlighting its blend of genres, particularly trap and electronic elements. While the soundtrack enhances the whimsical atmosphere and complements the game's art style, some players noted that it can become repetitive over extended play sessions, especially during combat. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
“Fun game, lovely art style and great soundtrack.”
“Fantastic game, polished all around with JRPG combat, an engaging story and kick-ass soundtrack!”
“An amazing 2D sci-fi epic with memorable, well-developed characters, great dialogue, good variety of locales, and a punchy soundtrack.”
“The music tracks, while they are fine at first, they get a bit repetitive if the player wants to spend time in an area for longer.”
“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.”
“Please make more music for combat.”
- gameplay31 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a mixed bag, featuring enjoyable turn-based combat, creature capturing mechanics, and a variety of activities like puzzles and platforming, though some players find the combat slow and clunky. While the game offers a rich world with engaging mechanics and stunning visuals, the implementation of certain features, such as timed button presses and non-advancable dialogue, can detract from the overall experience. Overall, it presents a blend of challenge and fun, appealing to fans of old-school RPGs, but may require refinement in specific areas to enhance pacing and player engagement.
“The gameplay is equally delightful, offering a perfect mix of challenge and fun with its smooth controls and creative mechanics.”
“Gameplay experience in the time I played was consistently top tier!”
“The game also has a pretty solid turn-based combat system with some real-time elements, monster capturing mechanic and the ability to take photos of enemies and creatures you encounter in your travels.”
“I wanted an RPG with neat mechanics, but there are tons of other ones that don't have clunky jumping.”
“However, the way the capture mechanic is 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.”
- graphics19 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming pixel art style, vibrant visuals, and immersive world-building, contributing significantly to the overall experience. Many players highlight the beautiful art as a key factor in their enjoyment, although some critique the character portraits for being inconsistent with the game's aesthetic. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, enhancing both the gameplay and storytelling.
“Haven’t finished it yet but it seems like a fun little JRPG style game with pretty awesome pixel art graphics.”
“This was my very first RPG, chosen because of the beautiful art style, and it kept me entertained and engaged as well as taught me lots of what RPGs are all about!”
“Its vibrant visuals and immersive world-building make every journey through the cosmos feel like a thrilling ride.”
- humor8 mentions
- 88 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as engaging and often funny, with a blend of heartfelt moments and quirky character interactions reminiscent of classic JRPGs. While some players feel the humor can be a bit overemphasized, others appreciate its unique charm, comparing it to the whimsical style of "The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy." Overall, the game appeals to a specific audience that enjoys lighthearted storytelling within a vibrant sci-fi setting.
“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.”
“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.”
“Beyond Galaxyland feels like stepping into the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, blending humor, adventure, and a quirky sense of wonder.”
“It's not bad music; I just wish it wasn't constantly reminding me that 'this game is supposed to be funny.'”
“The jokes feel forced and often fall flat, making the humor more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
“I expected a lot of laughs, but the humor is so hit-or-miss that it often misses entirely.”
- grinding5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often requiring multiple turns to progress in battles and additional effort to level up underpowered party members. However, some users report that they did not feel the grind was overly burdensome, suggesting a mixed experience with this gameplay element. Overall, the necessity for grinding is a common theme, with some players feeling it detracts from the enjoyment of the game.
“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.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features an engaging emotional story that captivates players from the beginning, skillfully combining humor with heartfelt moments set in a vibrant and imaginative universe.
“The game's engaging story pulls you in from the start, blending humor and heartfelt moments in a vibrant, imaginative universe.”
“The emotional story captivates players, making them feel deeply connected to the characters and their journeys.”
“This game masterfully balances lightheartedness with profound emotional depth, leaving a lasting impact on the player.”
- replayability1 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.
“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.”
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users report that the game runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, indicating a high level of stability.
“Runs great on Steam Deck!”
“The game maintains a steady frame rate, even during intense action sequences.”
“I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs; the stability is impressive.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is consistently praised for enhancing the overall experience of the game, contributing significantly to immersion and engagement.
“The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its world.”
“Every detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that keeps you on edge.”
“The sound design and visuals work together to create an unforgettable atmosphere.”
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%