Chop Goblins
- December 12, 2022
- David Szymanski
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"Chop Goblins" is a fast-paced, hack-and-slash dungeon crawler where players must fight their way through hordes of goblins to reclaim stolen treasure. With a variety of weapons and abilities to unlock, each run offers a unique and challenging experience. The game features procedurally generated levels, ensuring that no two runs are the same.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- Chop Goblins is a fun, short game that delivers a charming and humorous experience with engaging gameplay.
- The game features a variety of weapons and enemies, with well-designed levels that encourage exploration and secret hunting.
- For its low price, Chop Goblins offers a satisfying retro FPS experience that is enjoyable for both casual and dedicated players.
- The game is very short, typically taking less than an hour to complete, which may leave some players wanting more content.
- There is no save feature, requiring players to complete the game in one sitting, which can be frustrating for those who prefer to play in shorter bursts.
- The lack of advanced movement mechanics, such as jumping, may feel limiting to some players accustomed to more modern FPS gameplay.
- music167 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in "Chop Goblins" has received widespread acclaim for its catchy, upbeat, and thematically fitting soundtrack that enhances the game's fun and quirky atmosphere. Many players noted that the energetic tunes, reminiscent of 80s synthwave, perfectly complement the fast-paced gameplay and unique level designs, making it a standout feature of the experience. However, some users expressed a desire for separate audio controls, as the music can become repetitive during extended play sessions.
“The music for this one is amazing.”
“The soundtrack is both energetic and thematically fitting to each of the game’s diverse levels, while also smuggling in 80s synthwave to complement the overall aesthetic.”
“The music is incredible -- some really fun Danny Elfman-esque stuff.”
“The only gripe I had was that the music got old by the time I finished my first run of the game, but for a small indie dev team, I can't grumble too much when you have triple-A titles and games costing ten times what this game cost that are nowhere near the fun I had in this game.”
“The music does get a bit repetitive though, especially if you're trying to run the whole game through on the hardest difficulty and want to hear enemies, since there are no separate options for music and sound volume.”
“Literally can't even reduce the volume in settings, master or music.”
- gameplay101 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Chop Goblins" is characterized by its simple yet engaging mechanics, reminiscent of classic boomer shooters, with a focus on satisfying gunplay and charming level design. While the game is relatively short, lasting around 30 minutes to an hour, it offers a fun experience filled with humor, varied enemies, and a nostalgic aesthetic. Players appreciate the straightforward gameplay loop and the potential for exploration, despite some wishing for more complex movement mechanics and additional content.
“Take the fast and punchy gameplay of Dusk, swap out the inspiration of Blood and Quake for Daikatana and Chasm: The Rift, and fit it all in a pocket-sized campaign you can beat in half an hour, or dive into secret hunting and take your time to appreciate Szymanski's always exquisite level design and retro 3D style!”
“The gameplay is absolutely flawless, the weapons are perfect, the enemies are fair and dastardly, and the level design is fun and unique.”
“Chop Goblins is a sweet and short FPS that's really fun (and funny), mechanically simple yet technically top shelf with a brilliant soundtrack, cool enemy designs, punchy weapons, and clear yet interesting level design.”
“The game may be finished in a single sitting and relies on relatively brief gameplay, so as a result, the developer claims that the campaign can only last between thirty and sixty minutes.”
“But from a gameplay standpoint, this one is kind of underwhelming.”
“Very barebones when it comes to the gameplay and settings; you have to leave the game to change settings and also there's no audio options.”
- humor88 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Chop Goblins" is widely praised, with players highlighting its charming and self-aware comedic elements, particularly the funny goblin characters and their amusing voice lines. The game combines fast-paced gameplay with a lighthearted tone, making it a delightful experience that elicits laughter through its quirky design and humorous interactions. Overall, the humor is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and replayability.
“Chop Goblins is a generational masterpiece that stands out for its unique blend of humor, horror, and adventure, creating an unforgettable experience.”
“The humor is a standout of course.”
“It's a love-letter to shooters, and it's as fun to play as it is legitimately funny.”
- graphics75 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the charming low-poly aesthetic reminiscent of 90s shooters, vibrant colors, and unique level designs that enhance the overall experience. While some players appreciate the nostalgic visuals and find them fitting for the game's style, others criticize the basic graphics and occasional glitches. Overall, the game's art direction is celebrated for its creativity and ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia, making it a visually engaging experience despite its retro simplicity.
“The graphics in this game are simply beautiful.”
“The graphics are perfection, everything is readable and intuitive, the colors are bright and fun.”
“Each of the stages introduces new weapons, new enemies, unique bosses, and of course vastly different visuals.”
“With basic graphics and animations, no abilities such as jump, crouch or reload and only 5 levels, enemies and weapon types (although all of these can be remixed, adding some replay value), it’s more of an experiment than a full game.”
“It's a very short, very fun boomer-shooter with bad graphics and a kickin' soundtrack.”
“I hate the graphics and enemy models.”
- story67 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Chop Goblins" is characterized as simple yet engaging, blending absurdity with light-hearted themes, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience. While some players appreciate its humorous and nonsensical narrative, others find it lacking depth, viewing it primarily as a backdrop for the action-oriented gameplay. Overall, the game is praised for its charming delivery and entertaining premise, despite its brevity and straightforward plot.
“The story's depth lies in its ability to balance dark themes with light-hearted moments, making it accessible yet profound for a wide audience.”
“Ultimately, 'Chop Goblins' transcends traditional storytelling by delivering a tale that lingers in the mind, earning its place as one of the greatest stories ever told.”
“The story is simple yet enjoyable.”
“The story is told through text at the beginning of each level and kept very low-key.”
“The plot isn't really meant to be taken seriously, and truth be told, I feel kind of stupid even recapping what plot there is.”
“Takes only about 45 minutes to play and the story makes no sense whatsoever.”
- replayability45 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game offers a decent level of replayability, primarily through remixed levels, multiple difficulty settings, and various achievements to pursue, despite its short playtime of around 30 minutes to an hour. Players appreciate the fun, fast-paced gameplay and the inclusion of secrets and extra modes that enhance replay value, making it a worthwhile experience for those looking for a quick yet engaging challenge. Overall, while it may not be deeply complex, its charm and variety keep players coming back for more.
“The game offers good replayability too with remixed levels, mirrored levels, multiple difficulties, and new weapons with updates; it's great.”
“Short, sweet, and totally ridiculous, Chop Goblins is a great time while it lasts, with plenty of replay value from the extra modes and content that have been added in post-launch updates.”
“There's plenty of replayability thanks to the different achievement-specific challenges, secrets, potential speed runs, and various difficulty modes (not to mention the new game + mode).”
“With basic graphics and animations, no abilities such as jump, crouch or reload, and only 5 levels, enemies, and weapon types (although all of these can be remixed, adding some replay value), it’s more of an experiment than a full game.”
“Took me about 45 minutes on a first playthrough, and while it has new game+ and such, playing it some more I didn't feel it had any real replay value.”
“The small size really emphasizes the urge to complete it in a single run, but just a tiny bit of replay value for those completists out there.”
- emotional13 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its gripping narrative and unexpected twists that evoke deep feelings, ranging from heartbreak to heartfelt connections. Players report experiencing intense emotional reactions, including tears and trauma, particularly in response to the game's themes and character interactions. Overall, the game is praised for its artistry and the profound emotional impact it leaves on players, making it a memorable experience.
“The narrative pacing is impeccable, keeping readers engaged with unexpected twists and emotional highs.”
“Never in my life have I had such a heartfelt connection to a game.”
“The pure artistry is heart-wrenching, and it is obvious how much passion and effort was poured into the creation of the game.”
- atmosphere11 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 9 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its engaging soundtrack, whimsical aesthetics, and creative environments, which enhance the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the eclectic mix of elements, from charming voice lines to impressive level designs, contributing to a captivating and immersive setting. While some suggest improvements for a more atmospheric experience, the general consensus is that the game successfully creates a unique and enjoyable ambiance.
“Great atmosphere, with the main highlight being the lighting and the music.”
“Amazing atmosphere, good enemy designs, great gameplay flow, fantastic levels, and a banger soundtrack combine to make this one of my new favorite games.”
“The atmosphere, even though it's eclectic, is great!”
“Chop Goblins is fast and quite stripped back in story and atmosphere, which leaves a pure action FPS that may just possibly be the current best of the genre.”
“As subtle derivatives become transformed through the varied geometries and atmospheres of the game environment, the viewer is left with an insight into the inaccuracies of our world, leading one to ponder upon the opacity of urban spaces, and our place (as players) within them.”
“Dusk 2 really changed up the atmosphere.”
- stability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with many players reporting smooth performance, especially on the Steam Deck. While some users have encountered minor bugs and glitches, they often find these issues add to the game's charm rather than detract from the experience.
“Runs great on Steam Deck!”
“In my 45 minutes of playtime, I've found no glitches yet.”
“The game offers some nice graphics and a nice aesthetic, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development in this game is deeply infused with soul and passion, evident in both the character design and the accompanying music, creating a rich and immersive experience that feels like a true labor of love.
“This game has so much soul and passion, from the character design to the music; it truly feels like a passion project.”
“The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to form genuine connections with each character.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making their journeys feel authentic and relatable.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its excellent optimization, with users reporting no significant bugs and only minor issues, such as a fixed field of view error. Additionally, it is noted that the game performs well on a wide range of hardware.
“There were simply no bugs, not one that I found. Maybe a small FOV error I had once, but it's already fixed from what I can see. As for performance, it's going to run on pretty much anything.”
“The game is poorly optimized, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering, even on high-end systems.”
“I experienced constant crashes and long loading times, which made the game nearly unplayable.”
“The optimization is lacking; I had to lower the graphics settings significantly just to maintain a stable frame rate.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy is praised for its transparency, ensuring that players feel satisfied with their purchases and that the game delivers on its promises.
