Blazing Chrome

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 668 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

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 668 reviews
music97 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • Blazing Chrome is a polished and enjoyable modern run-and-gun experience, capturing the spirit of classic games like Contra with stunning pixel art and tight controls.
  • The game offers a variety of levels and gameplay mechanics, including unique boss fights and different character abilities, enhancing replayability.
  • The soundtrack is engaging and complements the action, adding to the overall nostalgic feel of the game.
  • The game is relatively short, with only six levels, which may leave players wanting more content for the price.
  • Some players have reported issues with controls, particularly with the dodge roll and melee attack not functioning as expected, leading to frustrating deaths.
  • The weapon variety is limited, and some weapons feel underwhelming compared to the classic spread shot from Contra games.
  • music169 mentions

    The music in the game has received a mixed response from players, with many praising its nostalgic 80s and 90s vibe, likening it to classic arcade and console soundtracks. While some reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances the gameplay experience, others feel it falls short compared to iconic titles like Contra, noting that it lacks memorable tracks. Overall, the music is generally regarded as good, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere, but it may not reach the heights of its inspirations.

    • “The soundtrack stands out and perfectly complements the action.”
    • “The music is fantastic and really gets you immersed into the game (and credits).”
    • “The soundtrack is impeccable and puts you undoubtedly in the vibe of the 90's.”
    • “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.”
    • “Games in the run & gun arcade style live or die by their soundtrack and sound design, and, to my taste, Blazing Chrome is lacking in both.”
  • gameplay151 mentions

    The gameplay of "Blazing Chrome" is a nostalgic homage to classic run-and-gun titles like Contra, featuring tight controls, varied mechanics, and challenging levels that keep players engaged. Each mission introduces unique gameplay elements, such as vehicle sections and dynamic boss battles, while maintaining a fair yet punishing difficulty that encourages mastery. Despite some criticisms regarding weapon variety and certain mechanics, the overall experience is praised for its fluidity, visual appeal, and satisfying combat.

    • “Blazing Chrome is a neat run 'n gun reminiscent of the Contra days of gaming while fully utilizing modern-day mechanics for a more fluid experience.”
    • “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.”
    • “The gameplay is tight, challenging, and fair.”
    • “The punishing gameplay based on losing everything every time you get hit, non-existing system of checkpoints making you repeat the same long sequences again and again, and not as responsive controls as you would need in such frenetic action make the game painful for me rather than enjoyable.”
    • “Most of the time the game has a specific way it wants you to clear out enemies or a boss, and if you don't use said mechanic then it will be a lot harder than it should be.”
    • “I don't like the choices the dev team made in designing the core gameplay, but I'm going to keep coming back to it I think because of the amazing pixel graphics, stylish character designs, and good controls.”
  • graphics138 mentions

    The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their beautiful 16-bit aesthetic, reminiscent of classic titles from the SNES and Genesis eras. Reviewers highlight the vibrant pixel art, detailed character designs, and smooth animations, which effectively capture the nostalgic feel of retro run-and-gun games like Contra. While some players noted minor distractions in the visuals, the overall consensus is that the graphics are top-notch, enhancing the gameplay experience and evoking a strong sense of nostalgia.

    • “The graphics are done very well, reminiscent of the post-apocalyptic vibe of Contra III: Alien Wars.”
    • “The art style is absolutely stunning!”
    • “Everything from the graphics, the sound, the difficulty, and the controls really bring that level of nostalgia as if you're back on the SNES.”
    • “The graphics look like something from the Sega Genesis, but with an even better frame rate.”
    • “They chose to use obsolete retro pixel 'art' as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
    • “Music, voice, and audio clips all sound compressed barring the credits sequence, and the graphics and animation are all evocative of the era, (sprites are rendered at proper 32x32, rarely surpass 6 frames of animation, etc.) topped off with good filtering options.”
  • story90 mentions

    The game's story is straightforward and reminiscent of classic arcade titles, featuring a simple narrative set in a dystopian future where humanity battles against machines. While the plot is not a focal point and lacks depth compared to other games, it effectively serves its purpose within the context of the gameplay, which is challenging and engaging across six unique missions. Players appreciate the nostalgic feel and variety in mission design, though many express a desire for more content.

    • “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 bulk of the story is told through the intro scene and the gameplay itself is free of interruption.”
    • “The story itself is of little importance and everything the player needs to know is explained in a cutscene manner at the beginning of the game.”
    • “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.”
    • “The storyline is filler, but that's fine for a game like this.”
  • replayability26 mentions

    The game offers a mix of replayability features, including unlockable characters, various difficulty modes, and additional gameplay modes like boss rush and mirror mode, which enhance its longevity despite a relatively short campaign. While some players noted that the character differences are minimal, the overall experience remains engaging for those who enjoy replaying to achieve better times or complete challenges. Overall, the replayability is considered decent to high, appealing to fans of the genre.

    • “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.”
    • “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).”
    • “However, the game has a good amount of replayability since you unlock new characters, a higher difficulty, a boss rush mode, and a mirror mode at the completion of the story.”
    • “The campaign is relatively brief relative to the purchase price, but Blazing Chrome provides significant replayability with its boss rush mode, mirror mode, and the ability to play as melee characters (à la the original Ninja Gaiden games or, more recently, The Messenger).”
    • “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 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.”
    • “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!”
  • emotional7 mentions

    Players report a strong emotional engagement with the game, feeling empowered and nostalgic, particularly through its retro elements. However, the challenging gameplay and certain visual effects can lead to frustration and discomfort, impacting the overall emotional experience.

    • “Man, this game made me feel like a badass right from the start.”
    • “Some of the effects made me feel at home as a retro gamer with scaling enemies and changing environments.”
    • “One last word of caution... something about the simulated 3D sections made me feel sick to my stomach.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its impressive aesthetics, stylish character designs, and engaging visuals, which contribute to a fresh experience even for seasoned players. While some players may have reservations about core gameplay choices, the overall presentation and design elements keep them invested in the game.

    • “The character development is incredibly engaging, with each character feeling unique and well-crafted.”
    • “The stylish character designs really enhance the overall experience, making each character memorable.”
    • “The depth of character development adds layers to the gameplay, keeping me invested in their stories.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is praised for its engaging retro post-apocalyptic setting, complemented by frenetic action and a variety of robotic enemies. While the music may not be memorable, it effectively enhances the overall ambiance, contributing to a cohesive and immersive experience.

    • “In the beginning, I was really enjoying the game thanks to the retro post-apocalyptic atmosphere, two characters that you can choose from (even though the gameplay is the same for both of them), frenetic action with variable robotic enemies, a system of support bots, use of vehicles, and nice audiovisual elements.”
    • “The music probably won't stick in your head as either amazing or awful, but they nail the atmosphere of the game very well.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability, with smooth performance and reliable controls. Users report no bugs, glitches, or frame rate issues, contributing to a seamless gaming experience.

    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes, providing a stable experience throughout.”
    • “Controls are responsive and reliable, contributing to the overall stability of gameplay.”
    • “I appreciate the consistent performance; it allows me to focus on enjoying the game.”
  • humor2 mentions

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

    • “The humor in the game is cleverly woven into the dialogue and character interactions, making every encounter entertaining.”
    • “I love how the game uses absurd situations to create hilarious moments that keep me laughing.”
    • “The witty one-liners and playful banter between characters add a delightful layer of humor to the gameplay.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players note that while the game can be completed in about an hour once mastered, the initial experience involves significant grinding to improve skills and memorize hazards. This grinding is generally considered manageable and not overly tedious.

    • “It takes about an hour to complete the game when you get good, but until then, you'll be grinding levels, trying to master the combat and memorize every hazard.”
    • “Long enough without getting tedious.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

82% average critic score

Buy Blazing Chrome

Play time

7hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
7-7hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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