Biota

68%
Game Brain Score Based on 88 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Biota Game Cover
Metroid-Vania-style games are two-a-penny these days, so does B.I.O.T.A stand-out amongst the pack?
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"Biota" is a single-player Science Fiction Shooter game with perfect visuals and masterful music. In 21XX, command the Gemini 2 team to investigate strange events on Frontier Horizon, a mining station in an asteroid between Mars and Jupiter. Fight mutant monsters and deadly traps, and use various crafts including a mech, a sub, and a starship to survive and uncover the truth behind the mysterious "agent" biological organism.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

68%
Audience ScoreBased on 88 reviews
gameplay7 positive mentions
atmosphere3 negative mentions
  • The game features solid core gameplay with tight and responsive controls, making the platforming experience enjoyable.
  • Excellent level design keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging, with diverse enemy designs and well-telegraphed attacks.
  • The save system and currency management are elegantly designed, adding depth to exploration and decision-making.
  • The alternate gameplay sections are often tedious and detract from the overall experience.
  • Completionists may find the game frustrating due to unmarked hidden rooms and the inability to continue after a bad ending.
  • Controls can feel inconsistent, particularly with wall jumping and shooting mechanics, leading to moments of frustration.
  • gameplay29 mentions

    The gameplay is generally praised for its solid core mechanics, offering a satisfying and varied experience with engaging action platforming and diverse level designs. However, the alternate gameplay loops are often criticized for being less enjoyable and repetitive, detracting from the overall experience. While some controls and mechanics have inconsistencies, the nostalgic 8-bit design and replayability through multiple endings contribute positively to the gameplay experience.

    • “The enemies are placed to encourage interesting action platforming, there's a new level mechanic in every region that keeps things feeling fresh for the entire playthrough, and each region's visual diversity is appealing.”
    • “Super cool mechanics, challenging but a steady curve, and a ton of fun.”
    • “Gameplay is quick, fluid, and varied.”
    • “Many of Biota's alternate gameplay loops overstay their welcome and are easily the worst part of the game, but there are enough of them that the novelty of each makes this a minor point.”
    • “While the overall graphical, sound, and gameplay design meet and in many cases exceed expectations, there are too many problems with the controls and mechanics of the game which make it a chore to play.”
    • “There are frustrating inconsistencies in the game's mechanics: sometimes you don't shoot, sometimes you can't wall jump, and after a wall jump, releasing left/right doesn't slow you down.”
  • graphics22 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming retro pixel art style, vibrant color palettes, and a cohesive 80s retro-future aesthetic that enhances the overall experience. Many reviewers appreciate the artistic design and the ability to choose different color palettes, although some note that the pixel graphics may not appeal to everyone, especially those accustomed to modern 3D visuals. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's nostalgic charm.

    • “A nice and short action platformer with a cool graphical pixel retro style.”
    • “The aesthetic of the game is brilliant and since I love retro games, I enjoy a lot the game and the fact that the palettes will constantly rotate to always feel fresh.”
    • “Graphics are simply a work of art.”
    • “Graphics are 4 colors and the game allows you to choose your favorite palette, which is nice.”
    • “Sound, graphics and story are serviceable.”
    • “[Bad stuff: not built for long plays since some color palettes can be an eyesore; pixel graphics might be a turn-off for some since 3D games are more mainstream.]”
  • music22 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its engaging and fitting soundtrack, which enhances the overall experience and complements the retro pixel art style. While many players praise the variety and energy of the tracks, some note that certain pieces can become repetitive. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.

    • “Kick-ass music and limited but effective (and grammatical!) dialogue carry the alien ii-on-a-modded-gameboy mood!”
    • “Soundtrack really fits the vibe of the game and changes accordingly to the level you're playing.”
    • “Don't let this slip, it is a solid and fun game with tight controls, a blast of a soundtrack, good replayability and a ton of palettes to pick from and make it the best option for you.”
    • “The music is maddening.”
    • “The main positive of the game is really just the music.”
    • “The music was ok.”
  • story8 mentions

    The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its engaging plot and multiple endings that enhance replayability, while others feel the narrative is minimal or serviceable. The setting, often described as a fun sci-fi backdrop reminiscent of the 80s and 90s, adds to the overall experience, particularly in the context of exploration and gameplay mechanics. Overall, while the story may not be the game's strongest element, it contributes positively to the atmosphere and player engagement.

    • “I liked the gameplay and there are different endings, so there's a lot of replayability with this game, and it also has a fantastic story. The plot kept me going the whole time.”
    • “+ fun sci-fi story/setting (80's/90's)”
    • “A very good platformer with a nice difficulty curve, cool storyline on a derelict colony/asteroid with a developing problem.”
    • “The story barely exists.”
    • “Sound, graphics, and story are serviceable.”
    • “Story-”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly due to the uncertainty of key purchases and the need to consistently gather currency. While the respawning enemies and chests provide opportunities for farming, the latter parts of the game are criticized for being overly gimmicky, which can diminish enjoyment and motivation for post-game content.

    • “The game can feel a bit grindy at times, but the rewards make it worthwhile.”
    • “Grinding is a necessary part of the experience, and it adds depth to character progression.”
    • “While there are moments of grinding, they are balanced by engaging gameplay and rewarding loot.”
    • “Because you don't know the order to buy the keys when you find the vendors, it could be tedious to have to ensure you always have enough currency to buy whatever key you run into.”
    • “Plus the back half of the game is overloaded with tedious gimmick segments which tried my patience and put me in a bad mood and with no desire to try and post-game.”
    • “This has the added benefit that if you ever find yourself short a small amount of currency before a purchase, any room transition can serve as an impromptu farming area (because chests/enemies respawn on screen transition and the currency drop rates are so high).”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game offers strong replayability through its challenging level design, diverse character choices, and arcade mode stages, encouraging players to explore and complete various areas. With tight controls and a vibrant soundtrack, it provides an immersive retro experience that invites repeated play.

    • “Don't let this slip, it is a solid and fun game with tight controls, a blast of a soundtrack, good replayability, and a ton of palettes to pick from, making it the best option for you.”
    • “Hits all the right notes for anyone looking for an immersive retro world with lots of character and replayability.”
    • “Good stuff, challenging level design; you'll be tempted to complete explorations for each area, providing a variety of character choices and arcade mode stages for replayability.”
    • “The game offers a variety of character choices and challenging level design, but ultimately lacks the depth needed for true replayability.”
    • “While the immersive retro world is appealing, the limited content makes it hard to justify multiple playthroughs.”
    • “Despite the initial charm, the game quickly loses its replay value due to repetitive gameplay and predictable outcomes.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is a captivating blend of sci-fi elements reminiscent of classic alien films, infused with a touch of adventure akin to "The A-Team," creating an engaging and immersive experience for players.

    • “The sci-fi atmosphere reminds me of alien movies mixed with A-Team.”
    • “The game is very interesting and atmospheric.”
    • “The sci-fi atmosphere feels like a mix of alien movies and A-Team, which is an odd combination that doesn't quite work.”
    • “The game lacks a cohesive atmosphere, making it difficult to immerse myself in the world.”
    • “Despite the potential for a rich atmosphere, the execution falls flat, leaving the environment feeling lifeless and uninspired.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The game's humor is characterized by the juxtaposition of tough, weapon-wielding heroes and their unexpectedly funny dialogues, creating a unique blend of action and comedy.

    • “The heroes of the game are real tough guys with huge weapons and hilarious dialogues.”
    • “The humor in this game is spot-on, making even the most intense moments light-hearted.”
    • “I love how the game balances action with witty one-liners that always make me laugh.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

67% average critic score

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