BroodStar

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 67 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • graphics
BroodStar Game Cover
Starting at €4.49Buy now
Get on Steam

"BroodStar is a single-player Science Fiction Shooter game with a delightful soundtrack and heavy roguelike elements. Fight through 12 procedurally generated levels filled with random enemies, events, and bosses, while upgrading your ship with 200 unique upgrades. With challenging bosses, stage modifiers, and leaderboards, BroodStar offers a challenging and immersive space shooter experience."

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Xbox One
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 67 reviews
music17 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • BroodStar offers a unique and addictive gameplay experience with a variety of ship modules and upgrades, ensuring that no two runs are the same.
  • The game features a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, with many players praising its nostalgic vibes and engaging music.
  • It is well-optimized and runs smoothly on various systems, making it accessible for a wide range of players, while also providing a satisfying challenge.
  • Some players find the game lacks depth in its roguelite elements, with limited meta progression and a feeling of repetitiveness after a few hours of play.
  • The upgrade system can feel unbalanced, with some upgrades being insignificant while others are overly powerful, leading to a lack of meaningful choices.
  • Certain aspects of the game, such as the graphics and enemy variety, may feel basic or underwhelming compared to other titles in the genre.
  • music29 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its exceptional quality and ability to enhance the overall gaming experience. The soundtrack features standout tracks that elevate key moments, such as boss battles, and is described as both engaging and immersive, often drawing comparisons to heavy technical jazz influences. Overall, the music is considered a major highlight, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.

    • “Can't talk about this game without mentioning the banger of a soundtrack.”
    • “The music rips (especially the boss fights), sprite work really nails that cold and gritty lived-in future look, and the gameplay keeps you gripped and fully engaged.”
    • “The music rips (especially the boss fights), sprite work really nails that cold and gritty lived-in future look, and the gameplay keeps you gripped and fully engaged with cunning enemy formations, challenging bullet patterns, and what seems like endless upgrades to keep each run fresh.”
    • “The first thing that came to my mind when playing it is its outstanding quality: the pixel-art graphics are pretty neat and the music is groovy.”
    • “It is absolutely incredible, executing exactly the point of soundtrack in games: to elevate the experience and immerse you.”
  • gameplay12 mentions

    The gameplay is smooth and satisfying, offering a blend of nostalgic elements and modern mechanics, such as a rogue-like upgrade system and a dash ability for dodging bullets. While the variety of items and enemy designs keeps the experience fresh, some players find the weapon effectiveness lacking and the grinding for upgrades can make runs feel repetitive. Overall, the game successfully balances simplicity with depth, appealing to both classic and contemporary gaming sensibilities.

    • “Thankfully it does, as controlling your ship is smooth, the game runs great on pretty much anything, and it just feels satisfying to blast your way through hordes of bugs, flies, eyeballs, worms, etc. Even without all the upgrades and stat mechanics, this game would work on its own.”
    • “Hits the nostalgia bone just right, while still having the responsiveness and mechanics that sate the needs of a modern gamer.”
    • “Countless items and pickups for a seemingly endless amount of builds to always keep the gameplay fresh and exciting.”
    • “The weapons feel weak, and while gameplay has some potential, the runs are quite boring as you need to grind to actually unlock anything.”
    • “The gameplay in its core is pretty simple: you click start, move, dodge, shoot.”
    • “The game mechanics are pretty much pushing the limits of the shmup genre.”
  • graphics11 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a retro pixel art style that many players appreciate, with some considering it a standout feature. While some reviews note that the graphics are basic and may feel cramped due to the interface design, they still fit well within the game's aesthetic and appeal to fans of old-school shoot 'em ups. Overall, the pixel graphics receive positive feedback for their quality and integration with the game's soundtrack.

    • “First of all, I am a fan of pixel art, so the graphics are a 10 out of 10 for me.”
    • “+ nice pixel graphics that fit the game perfectly.”
    • “Fun retro shmup with great pixel graphics and a superb retro soundtrack.”
    • “Graphics are a bit basic but very workable still, while the soundtrack is great throughout the game with a couple of standout moments.”
    • “Graphics are what they clearly are.”
    • “I almost miss it because of the graphics.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    Broodstar offers significant replayability, enhanced by its roguelite elements and addictive gameplay, making it appealing for score chasing and multiple playthroughs. While some players note it may not reach the level of true roguelikes, it still provides around 15 hours of enjoyable content, justifying its value. Overall, it is considered a solid choice for those seeking a game with lasting replay potential.

    • “Broodstar is a great shoot 'em up with quite a bit of replay value thanks to the inclusion of roguelite elements.”
    • “I'm always searching for those rare gems that have near-infinite replayability, and this game has it.”
    • “Great replay value and score chasing makes for a game that you can return to for a run or two for a long time.”
    • “It is probably worth around 15 hours of enjoyment, which is a lot, given the price, but it is not a true 'rogue-like' because of how low its replayability is.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is enhanced by a dynamic combination of modules and events that require diverse strategies, alongside frequent updates that keep the experience fresh. A competitive global leaderboard fosters a sense of rivalry, while the quality of the music contributes positively to the overall ambiance.

    • “The combinations of modules and events lead to varied runs demanding different strategies, creating a competitive atmosphere that encourages us all to do our best in the quest for glory.”
    • “Good music, good atmosphere.”
  • story2 mentions

    The game currently lacks a traditional story or lore, which some players feel is not a drawback given its focus on varied gameplay and strategic challenges. The continuous updates and competitive elements, such as a global leaderboard, create an engaging environment that prioritizes gameplay over narrative.

    • “Currently, there is no story or lore, as far as I know. However, I personally don't feel like it's missing; this isn't that type of game.”
    • “The narrative feels disjointed and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “I found the plot to be predictable and uninspired, which really detracted from my overall experience.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game is highly optimized, with users reporting smooth performance and no stutters during gameplay, which is further supported by its modest system requirements.

    • “The game itself is well-optimized, and I didn't experience any stutters at all.”
    • “It's extremely well-optimized; just check those system requirements.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game demonstrates excellent stability, with smooth controls and reliable performance across a wide range of devices, allowing players to enjoy the action without technical issues. Even in its basic form, the gameplay remains satisfying and engaging.

    • “Controlling your ship is smooth, the game runs great on pretty much anything, and it just feels satisfying to blast your way through hordes of bugs, flies, eyeballs, worms, etc. Even without all the upgrades and stat mechanics, this game would work on its own.”
    • “The game maintains a stable performance throughout, allowing for an immersive experience without any frustrating lags or crashes.”
    • “I appreciate how the game consistently runs without issues, making it easy to focus on the gameplay rather than technical problems.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players appreciate the nostalgic grinding experience in Broodstar, likening it to classic SNES titles like Gradius III, which evokes a sense of familiarity and enjoyment in the grind.

    • “I literally had to look up a definition for shmup since it's been that long since I played one, and I can say without a doubt Broodstar takes me back to the good ol' SNES days of grinding out Gradius III.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy BroodStar

Videos

Similar Games

Game News