Blazing Chrome

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 879 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Blazing Chrome Game Cover
Blazing Chrome an excellent throwback to the games of yesteryear, and a loving tribute to Contra and Metal Slug that establishes its own identity through beautiful art, fantastic design, and an excellent soundtrack.
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In "Blazing Chrome," players battle through a dystopian world overrun by machines, choosing between a human resistance fighter or a reprogrammed robot. The game offers tight side-scrolling shooter action with a variety of weapons and abilities, as well as local co-op play. With hand-drawn graphics and challenging gameplay, Blazing Chrome is a love letter to classic run-and-gun games.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 879 reviews
music130 positive mentions
  • Blazing Chrome is a fantastic homage to classic run-and-gun games like Contra and Metal Slug, featuring tight controls and responsive gameplay.
  • The pixel art and soundtrack are top-notch, capturing the retro aesthetic and feel of 16-bit era games.
  • The game offers a good challenge with multiple difficulty levels, unlockable characters, and modes, providing replayability.
  • The game is relatively short, with only six levels, which may leave some players wanting more content.
  • Some players have reported issues with controls, particularly with the melee attack and dodge roll mechanics feeling inconsistent.
  • The difficulty can feel unfair at times, with some enemy placements and attacks leading to cheap deaths.
  • music230 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its nostalgic 80s and 90s vibe that complements the retro visuals and gameplay. While some tracks are described as fantastic and adrenaline-pumping, others feel they fall short compared to classic titles like Contra, with a few critics noting that the overall soundtrack lacks catchiness and variety. Despite these criticisms, the music is generally seen as a strong aspect of the game, enhancing the immersive experience.

    • “The music is fantastic and really gets you immersed into the game (and credits).”
    • “Fantastic music that recalls the adrenaline-fueled FM-powered rock and synthwave of the arcade and the Genesis with memorable melodies and badass vibe.”
    • “Blazing Chrome is an excellent throwback to the games of yesteryear, and a loving tribute to Contra and Metal Slug that establishes its own identity through beautiful art, fantastic design, and an excellent soundtrack.”
    • “The music is arguably one of the weaker points of this game.”
    • “For those that yearn for action-pumped music, this game doesn't deliver to its fullest.”
    • “While the visuals are great, the game is weirdly zoomed in which makes your character take up a lot of the screen, and the music and sound effects are oddly low and sound kind of weak.”
  • gameplay186 mentions

    The gameplay of "Blazing Chrome" is widely praised for its tight controls, nostalgic run-and-gun mechanics reminiscent of classic titles like Contra, and a variety of engaging gameplay elements, including on-foot action, mech suits, and motorcycle segments. While many players appreciate the challenging and satisfying nature of the gameplay, some have noted issues with specific mechanics, such as the roll and melee systems, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game successfully captures the essence of old-school arcade action with impressive visuals and sound, making it a recommended choice for fans of the genre.

    • “The gameplay is tight, challenging, and fair.”
    • “Fantastic gameplay and level design, really cool boss fights, and a variety of different gameplay elements that are switching things up so each level or mission feels unique.”
    • “The gameplay has high immersion, fun and replayability, the soundtracks are brilliant and the dev team has done a very good job at bringing back the old school run 'n gun genre of gaming.”
    • “Where this game falls apart is in the controls; the melee is tied to the same button as fire, and sometimes it just won’t work. The same thing goes for the roll mechanic.”
    • “It suffers from the classic 'mechanics that work when they want to' syndrome.”
    • “Currently, I cannot recommend this game due to gameplay issues (pending fix), and price point (lack of content).”
  • graphics173 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning 16-bit pixel art style, reminiscent of classic titles from the SNES and Sega Genesis eras. Reviewers highlight the vibrant colors, detailed sprite work, and nostalgic aesthetic that effectively capture the essence of retro run-and-gun games, while also noting the smooth animations and responsive controls. Overall, the visuals are praised as a perfect homage to the genre, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and immersive experience.

    • “The graphics are done very well, reminiscent of the post-apocalyptic vibe of Contra III: Alien Wars.”
    • “The art style is absolutely stunning!”
    • “This is an awesome shoot'em up with gorgeous graphics and an outstanding soundtrack.”
    • “There is a lot of love put into visuals, and I hate to place a negative review, but it's frustrating as hell, even for a die-hard Contra fan as I am.”
    • “The graphics look like something from the Sega Genesis, but with an even better frame rate.”
    • “My only gripe is that there isn't much weapon variety, and beyond aesthetics, selecting different characters does not impact any changes to the gameplay.”
  • story114 mentions

    The story of "Blazing Chrome" is described as simple and reminiscent of classic arcade games, featuring a straightforward plot set in a cyberpunk future where resistance fighters battle against robot overlords. While some players appreciate the nostalgic feel and unique mission designs, others find the narrative lacking depth and complexity compared to similar titles. Overall, the game is seen as a fun, action-packed experience, though it may not satisfy those seeking a rich, story-driven adventure.

    • “The story was nice and simple, nothing too complicated, had a great old school anime cyberpunk feel to it.”
    • “In a wasted future where humanity is on the verge of being wiped out by the robot overlords, a ragtag group of resistance fighters launch a desperation mission to locate their control core and take it out.”
    • “The plot is okay, classic I may say; we don't need something complex for this kind of game.”
    • “🔲 This game has no story.”
    • “The story is only brushed upon in the intro and ending, about a terminator-like setting.”
    • “Blazing Chrome's story is very bland, simplistic, and gameplay-wise it just feels like it's lacking depth both in comparison to the old Contra games and other indie titles.”
  • replayability35 mentions

    The game offers decent replayability through various unlockable modes such as boss rush, mirror mode, and different difficulty settings, alongside the option to play as distinct characters. However, the relatively short campaign—typically completed in under an hour—limits its overall replay value, with some players expressing disappointment over the lack of significant differences between characters. While multiplayer options and self-imposed challenges can enhance replayability, the game may not justify its price for everyone.

    • “The campaign is relatively brief relative to the purchase price, but Blazing Chrome provides significant replayability with its boss rush mode, mirror mode, and ability to play as melee characters (à la the original Ninja Gaiden games or, more recently, The Messenger).”
    • “High octane action, great soundtrack and pixel art, high replay value, various in-game unlockables.”
    • “Old school fun but not as mind numbingly hard, still hard don't get me wrong, but the normal mode's difficulty is very fair with unlimited continues. My only gripe is I would have liked the different characters to have different weapon pickups; otherwise, you really only have two characters to play. It's just how do you want them to look? Even the unlockable characters are the same as each other, which is again, kind of a bummer to find out. It really hurts the replayability for me. If you can get it on sale then I'd say it's totally worth it. If you're the kind of person that doesn't mind replaying something over and over to try and get better times or beat it without getting hit or some other self-imposed challenge, then you'd get a lot more time out of this. I clocked in at just under a couple of hours for my first playthrough, but that's counting time while paused. I probably beat it in under an hour, but I would still buy it and believe it to be worth the money, just not at full price. If the developer would add some differences between characters in a sequel, like in Contra: Hard Corps, which this game clearly takes its inspiration from, I would definitely be getting it.”
    • “I mean, you have a short game that will take you easily only 30 - 40 minutes to beat, and the extras may give you some replay value!”
    • “There's also a surprising amount of content which can be unlocked such as hardcore difficulty, mirror mode, boss rush, and two characters who play very differently, adding to the replayability.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional response to the game, feeling empowered and like a "badass" from the outset due to its challenging gameplay. However, the intense action and simulated 3D sections can also lead to discomfort, with some players experiencing nausea.

  • stability4 mentions

    The game demonstrates excellent stability, with users reporting smooth performance and no issues such as bugs, glitches, or frame drops. Controls are also noted to be responsive, contributing to an overall positive experience.

    • “Runs great, controls are good, and there are 4 characters to choose from, but just 2 types.”
  • humor4 mentions

    Users feel that the humor in the game falls short compared to titles like Metal Slug, which features more engaging and visually coherent storytelling. Additionally, there is a humorous observation about brawler types dealing more damage with basic attacks, adding a lighthearted element to the gameplay.

    • “What's funny is that brawler types do more damage with their basic attacks.”
  • character development2 mentions

    While some players express dissatisfaction with the core gameplay choices, they are drawn back to the game due to its impressive pixel graphics, stylish character designs, and solid controls, indicating that the visual and design elements significantly enhance the overall character development experience.

  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is effectively conveyed, with music that complements the experience, even if it isn't particularly memorable. Overall, the ambiance enhances the gameplay without overshadowing it.

    • “The music probably won't stick in your head as either amazing or awful, but they nail the atmosphere of the game very well.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
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Critic Reviews

82% average critic score

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