Boson X

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Boson X is a fast-paced, challenging rotational runner set in a particle collider. Players must navigate through subatomic worlds and build up speed to discover strange new particles, with precise timing and fast reflexes. The game features 18 challenging levels, 3 playable characters, and a focus on scientific research, with no extra powerups or XP systems. Warning: game contains flashing lights.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,570 reviews

music95 positive mentions

story6 negative mentions

Boson X is a fun and addictive endless runner with simple controls and a unique gameplay mechanic that keeps players engaged.
The game features a variety of challenging levels that progressively increase in difficulty, providing a satisfying sense of accomplishment when completed.
The minimalist graphics and energetic soundtrack create an immersive experience that enhances the fast-paced gameplay.

The controls can feel sluggish and unresponsive at times, leading to frustrating moments where players may feel cheated by the game's mechanics.
Some levels feature flashing lights and confusing visuals that can be overwhelming, particularly for players with sensitivity to such effects.
The game can become repetitive after extended play sessions, and the limited number of levels may lead to a lack of long-term replay value.

music
244 mentions
39 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The music in "Boson X" is generally well-received for its energetic and fitting soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience, with some tracks described as catchy and enjoyable. However, many players note that the music loops are short and repetitive, which can become frustrating during extended play sessions, leading some to prefer listening to their own music instead. Overall, while the soundtrack contributes positively to the atmosphere, its limited variety and repetitiveness are common criticisms.
- “The music, although simple, can sometimes be a bop, especially when you're supercharged in a level (i.e. over 100%).”
- “The music is excellent and really adds to the atmosphere.”
- “Challenging as hell, awesome game design, great soundtrack, long-lasting stylized aesthetics and, jesus christ, the most important part, it's really fun.”
- “It would have been nicer if it had been permitted to loop endlessly instead of restarting with every failure, so I'm kicking Boson X's soundtrack to the curb here: the tracks are already brief and repetitive and having them restart over and over only makes them more repetitive.”
- “The music is repetitive and gets annoying very quickly as a level is attempted many times.”
- “I normally would never judge a game by its soundtrack, but in a game like this that you'll be repeating over and over again, you'll be surprised at how fast the annoying music gets on your nerves.”
gameplay
207 mentions
41 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Boson X is characterized by its simple yet challenging mechanics, making it an addictive endless runner that tests players' reflexes and timing. While the controls are straightforward, some players find them sluggish for the fast-paced nature of the game, which can lead to frustration. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of engaging level design and a scientific theme, providing hours of enjoyable gameplay for those who appreciate timing-based platformers.
- “It has simple controls, left, right, and jump, and addicting gameplay that will have you testing and pushing yourself after each failure or success.”
- “With its simple, solid mechanics and very unique selection of levels to play from, you'll find yourself enjoying this game for hours on end.”
- “This game features all the things that make runner/arcade games fun: a unique concept, easy controls, hours of gameplay for all skill levels, and no delay upon restarting a level.”
- “While the gameplay itself is fine, the controls feel way too sluggish for how fast-paced the game is.”
- “The other complaint is the lack of content or length of gameplay which clocks in at an average of around 5-6 hours, which is great value for money, but because the mechanics are fairly flat, even unexciting at a push, it means there isn't anything to make you go wow or keep you engaged for very long.”
- “I wish I could at least find info on how those falling platforms work, but all you can find is over-hype and people bragging about how awesome they are, or how amazing the game is, etc. Honestly - overhyped, boring gameplay, and the design is too noisy and trendy/indie.”
graphics
162 mentions
46 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of Boson X are characterized by a minimalist and simplistic style that many players find appealing, allowing the game to run smoothly on low-end hardware. While some reviews note that the visuals can be trippy and occasionally disorienting, they effectively complement the fast-paced gameplay and contribute to the game's unique aesthetic. Overall, the graphics are described as charming and fitting for the game's design, despite not being technically advanced.
- “Graphics are lovely and minimalist, though that doesn't stop the game from being trippy if it wants to be.”
- “The graphics are quite nice, they're not complex but they're eye-catching and nicely stylized.”
- “Boson x is a fun little arcade/reaction-time runner with some great visuals and music to back it up.”
- “The graphics are very minimal and could easily pass for an online flash game.”
- “The graphics are subpar, by which I mean, I'm playing Final Fantasy VII right now (1997) and it has better graphics.”
- “I was looking forward to some straightforward arcade action, but something about this game just rubs me the wrong way; the perspective is odd enough that it makes landing jumps imprecise, and I didn't care for the music or art style.”
replayability
34 mentions
35 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
Replayability in this game varies significantly among players; some find it highly engaging due to its competitive leaderboards and numerous levels, while others feel it diminishes after mastering the patterns. The addition of extra levels and characters enhances replay value for those who enjoy score attacks, but some users report minimal replayability overall. Ultimately, enjoyment hinges on individual preferences for the runner genre and competitive play.
- “It has a simple interface, interesting level design, and surprisingly high replayability (as evidenced by my 300+ hours on record).”
- “I got incredibly lucky and got it on sale for just 75 cents.... 75 cents for a game you spend hours on, with great replayability, especially because of its competitive leaderboards.”
- “Infinite replayability with leaderboard, endless levels, and randomized patterns.”
- “This game has absolutely 0 replay value.”
- “As for the replayability itself, it depends on if you like runners or not in general.”
- “For those who don't, it's a challenging enough runner, but once you learn the patterns it becomes pretty simple, so you may not have so much replay value.”
story
26 mentions
12 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The game features minimal story elements, primarily revolving around a scientist working in the large hadron collider, with a basic premise that lacks depth. Players noted that while there are interesting characters, the overall narrative is virtually non-existent, making it more suitable for casual play rather than immersive storytelling.
- “It follows the story of a scientist inside the large hadron collider performing very fast feats of science.”
- “For what little plot most of the games have, it's got a decent premise.”
- “There is no real plot to the game, though the characters are quite cool.”
- “There is little to no story, so best played between bits of your favorite TV show.”
- “No story and no variation.”
- “Boson X doesn't really have a story.”
optimization
14 mentions
14 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game is praised for its smooth performance and lack of significant issues like framerate drops or stuttering. However, some players noted minor performance hiccups and visibility challenges with certain obstacles that could affect gameplay. Despite these small drawbacks, the game's slick art style and well-optimized engine contribute positively to the overall experience.
- “Boson X is a really cheap, bite-sized idea with a slick art style and a beautifully optimized engine.”
- “There's something terrifying about running into this endlessly rotating, minimalist geometric cylinder... but if you like seeing high scores and a constant graph of your performance, then do it!”
- “Had some small performance issues and some of the levels were only hard because the obstacles were hard to see, but I would recommend it if you are interested.”
- “There's something terrifying about running into this endlessly rotating, minimalist geometric cylinder... but if you like seeing high scores, and a constant graph of your performance, then do it!”
- “I also like to listen to my own music while playing it, which seems to improve my performance a bit; the soundtrack in the game isn't that great.”
humor
14 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with many players finding it genuinely funny and recommending it to fans of similar titles. However, some users note that the humor tends to wear off after about an hour, leading to a more monotonous experience. Overall, while the game offers a humorous experience, its comedic appeal may diminish over time.
- “Great game, really funny! I highly recommend it to any fans of games such as Castle Crashers, Battle Block Theater, or turn-based combat games.”
- “It's a pretty intense but exciting little game that I somewhat find kind of funny too if you manage to envelop yourself deep into the game, not pressing to strive straight for instant wins or even trying to beat the game.”
- “Aperture Science, without sarcastic humor, questionable experiments, portals, Greek hell in their basement, and a monetary goal.”
atmosphere
8 mentions
75 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by its simple yet beautiful graphics, excellent sound design, and an atmospheric soundtrack that exceeds expectations. Reviewers highlight the music as a significant contributor to the immersive experience, creating a captivating ambiance throughout the game.
- “But it also has simple, but beautiful graphics, good sound, and an atmospheric soundtrack.”
- “There is a lot more atmosphere than one would expect from a game like this.”
- “The music is excellent and really adds to the atmosphere.”
grinding
6 mentions
0 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often requiring significant time investment, which can be frustrating for casual gamers. However, some view it as a decent way to pass the time despite its monotonous nature.
- “It gets tedious and repetitive at times if you're a casual player like me, but it's a nice time waster.”
- “This can be tedious because, well, most people don't have the ability to see into the future?...”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
stability
6 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, particularly with its controls, which users describe as excessively buggy. Despite the low price point, players feel that the control problems detract from the overall experience.
- “The controls in this game are buggy as hell.”
- “These controls are just too buggy.”
- “Sure, I only spent $3, but that doesn't mean the game should have such buggy controls.”
emotional
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly powerful, with multiple users expressing that it evokes strong feelings, often leading to tears.
- “Makes you want to cry.”
- “This makes me want to cry.”
- “Makes you want to cry.”
monetization
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game features a straightforward monetization model with no DLC, map packs, or in-game purchases, offering all content for a fair one-time price of £1.99.
- “This game does not have DLC, map packs, or even in-game purchases - all of this is built into the game for a fair one-time price of £1.99.”