Chroma Squad
- April 30, 2015
- Behold Studios
- 8h median play time
Great subject, humour and gameplay meet charming music and graphics to make magic. It may be a little too easy for hardcore tactical buffs, but for me this game is perfect.
Chroma Squad is a tactical RPG where you manage a team of Power Rangers-inspired actors. Create your own show, craft weapons and costumes, and engage in turn-based battles with impressive special moves. Balance your resources, upgrade your studio, and ensure your cast's health to become the top-rated TV sensation.
Reviews
- Charming and humorous writing that pays homage to Power Rangers and Super Sentai.
- Engaging turn-based combat with unique mechanics like teamwork and acrobatics.
- Great customization options for characters, including names, colors, and catchphrases.
- Gameplay can become repetitive, especially in later stages with limited enemy variety.
- Mecha battles lack depth and can feel tedious compared to regular combat.
- Some bugs and glitches, particularly in the final mission, can disrupt the experience.
- story474 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a quirky homage to the sentai genre, featuring a group of stunt actors who create their own superhero show, filled with humor, nostalgia, and self-aware references. While some players find the narrative engaging and fun, others criticize it for being simplistic or repetitive, particularly in later missions. Overall, the game offers multiple branching paths and endings, enhancing replayability, but the execution can feel uneven, with some players experiencing bugs that hinder their enjoyment of the story.
“The story is quirky, the colors are fun, and the game is full of action.”
“The story is lighthearted, fun, and clever.”
“The story is a simple blend of comedy and silliness worthy of a Saturday morning cartoon.”
“The dialogue and story are unprofessional, juvenile, boring, cliche, and overly simple.”
“The story is totally nonsensical, and there isn't any real fun to be had.”
“The story never really gelled or made sense to me, and I don't feel like I got to know the main characters at all.”
- gameplay343 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Chroma Squad is characterized by its simple yet engaging turn-based tactical mechanics, which incorporate a unique teamwork feature that allows for creative strategies. While the game offers a nostalgic homage to the power ranger genre with charming visuals and humor, many players find the gameplay becomes repetitive and lacks depth as they progress, particularly after the initial seasons. Overall, it provides a fun experience for fans of tactical RPGs, though it may not satisfy those seeking complex mechanics or high difficulty.
“The gameplay is a fun albeit somewhat simplistic version of turn-based strategy with some extra features thrown in, such as the classic giant mech battle with a bad guy who turned into a kaiju.”
“Chroma Squad strikes the perfect balance between strategic gameplay and lighthearted humor.”
“The gameplay is simple yet rewarding and the entire game just has a bright, fun-loving atmosphere.”
“The gameplay gets pretty repetitive.”
“Gameplay-wise, by the beginning of season 4, there's no more upgrades to buy for the studio, no new equipment to buy at the shop, no new equipment to craft at the workshop, no significant powers to unlock with fan power, and all mecha parts are waiting for the same ultra-rare crafting component to be upgraded.”
“After a couple of hours of playing, you honestly feel like you've done everything... gameplay is pretty repetitive and the character customization just feels bland.”
- humor243 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky, self-aware writing and nostalgic references, particularly for fans of Power Rangers and similar shows. Many players found themselves laughing out loud at the clever dialogue, pop culture nods, and absurd situations, although some noted that the humor occasionally fell flat or relied too heavily on clichés. Overall, the game successfully combines lighthearted comedy with engaging gameplay, making it a fun experience for those who appreciate its unique blend of humor and strategy.
“The writing in this game is so charming; I was smiling and laughing so much at just the first bout of gameplay.”
“Packed with a ton of tongue-in-cheek, fourth-wall-breaking humor, Chroma Squad is all about nostalgia in its style and delivery.”
“The humor, the quirkiness, the pixel art, it all fits so well with each other!”
“Not funny at all after a while.”
“The game is unfunny.”
- music234 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy, nostalgic chiptune soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While some noted that the music can become repetitive over time, the majority found it to be a standout feature, often describing it as a "bop" and recommending it for standalone listening. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant highlight, contributing to the game's charm and appeal.
“The music is unbelievably good.”
“The soundtrack is a certified bop and worth downloading on Spotify/Apple Music.”
“The music is so freaking sweet it's fun to listen to.”
“While the graphics and music are simple but charming, the writing is absolutely terrible.”
“It's unfortunate as I really wanted to enjoy this game more, but the developer makes it very difficult to do so with little to no instruction on mechanics, a very poorly written script and dialog, a surprising lack of sound and music, and an overall confusing game in general.”
“The music occasionally gets repetitive, and if I had to think of one negative thing about the game, I'd say it could use one or two more tracks.”
- graphics141 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are predominantly praised for their charming pixel art style, which evokes nostalgia for retro gaming, particularly reminiscent of the 8-bit and 16-bit eras. While many players appreciate the colorful and well-crafted visuals, some note occasional graphical glitches and inconsistencies in character design. Overall, the graphics effectively complement the game's lighthearted tone and engaging gameplay, making it a visually appealing experience for fans of the genre.
“The pixel art style is incredibly charming, reminiscent of the old-school Colecovision and NES era of games.”
“The pixelated art style and an 8-bit inspired composition have been done before, but not as fantastically as done here, in my opinion.”
“The graphics are fun and clear, with a pleasantly pixelated presentation, and while the results aren't exactly spectacular, they are very firmly in line with the source material.”
“Graphics: the graphics were terrible looking, you can barely make out the slightest details of the characters.”
“The graphics are pixel art, but they are far from being well worked.”
“Sometimes the graphics seem to clash with each other; I'm not sure if the game just had one or multiple sprite artists, but some objects and characters look misplaced compared to others.”
- replayability47 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is generally viewed as moderate to high, with multiple endings, branching paths, and customization options contributing to varied experiences. While some players find replay value in the level editor and different difficulty settings, others note limitations due to repetitive gameplay or linear story elements. Overall, it offers enough diversity to encourage multiple playthroughs, especially for those interested in exploring all possible outcomes and character interactions.
“The story takes roughly 15 hours to complete; however, with multiple endings and difficulty settings, the replay value is high.”
“Make your own sentai, and the branching paths give it a lot of replay value!”
“The game has multiple paths and endings and excellent replay value, with very strong core mechanics.”
“However, the replay value is meh.”
“Gameplay is repetitive and there's not much replay value.”
“I'm not saying that it's not fun, especially when the great music is playing in the background, but it severely limited replayability.”
- stability28 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been a significant concern among players, with many reporting a range of glitches and bugs, particularly in the later seasons. While some players experienced only minor annoyances, such as visual glitches and occasional input freezes, others found the issues to be more disruptive, especially during critical gameplay moments. Overall, the game is described as fun but marred by stability problems that detract from the experience, leading to mixed reviews regarding its reliability.
“Runs great on Mac and PC.”
“Its release was timely and very bug-free.”
“The game is fun till season 6, with its fair share of glitches and bugs.”
“Sucks to say this, and I really did like this game; it's a buggy mess after the first playthrough...”
“I don't recommend this game at the moment; it is way too buggy and bugs are game-breaking.”
- grinding23 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 87 % negative mentions
The game's grinding aspect is a mixed bag; while it lacks traditional leveling mechanics, players find the combat and resource management tedious, especially during boss fights and when replaying episodes for different endings. The absence of grinding can lead to repetitive tactical battles, and the need to optimize decisions without the ability to level up can make harder difficulties feel punishing. Overall, while some appreciate the challenge and depth, many find the experience can become a slog, particularly in later stages.
“Although there are no levels at all to gain (a good thing in my books, as it helps tailor the difficulty of every stat of every enemy perfectly for every chapter, without overleveling or underleveling impacting it, plus no grinding), there are plenty of wildly different builds to take depending on which perks, skills, and equipment you have on each of your five different classes: assault, techie, support, scout, and leader.”
“There's no grinding in the game, so to do well on hard mode you need to be making the correct decisions at your studio (the management portion of the game) at all times.”
“The game has 3 endings and is very grindy.”
“Once you realize that, all combat quickly becomes tedious.”
“The mech battles are the most tedious, repetitive, and awful experience you'll ever have with a game.”
- emotional9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a strong emotional connection with the game, highlighting its heartwarming atmosphere, nostalgic references, and engaging music that evoke fond memories of childhood shows like Power Rangers. The gameplay is described as both humorous and touching, with moments that elicit genuine joy, though some players find it challenging to maintain that emotional investment during subsequent playthroughs with new characters. Overall, the game successfully blends humor and sentimentality, creating a wholesome experience for fans.
“I developed a deep emotional bond with my squad.”
“The music, atmosphere, and gameplay are really heartwarming for fans of Power Rangers!”
“While playing Chroma Squad, I cried tears of joy when my team transformed for real and summoned their mecha for real.”
- optimization8 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for running flawlessly, with noticeable performance improvements following a recent patch. However, players noted a lack of graphic options and highlighted that while certain mechanics may seem unimportant, the depth of character customization and performance measurement through audience engagement adds to the gameplay experience.
“Characters get an additional ability slot unlocked per season, so by the third or fourth set of missions, it's possible to really customize your squad's abilities and maximize your performance.”
“There are mechanics that are absolutely unimportant and worthless to spend any time focusing on (audience, fans), because even on the highest difficulties and at the worst personal play performances, I never had to pay attention to them.”
“No problem with optimization, the game runs flawlessly, but it lacks graphic options.”
“What I'm saying is there's a depth to the game despite the apparent simplicity of the setting, with clear character roles and a certain leeway in how you want them optimized.”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a relaxed and heartwarming vibe, reminiscent of the Super Sentai and Power Rangers franchises, which is enhanced by cheerful music and charming dialogue. Players find the overall experience to be fun and engaging, with a unique blend of gameplay elements that contribute to its delightful ambiance.
“Of course, that certain super sentai / power rangers atmosphere (there are even two theme songs, fully performed in Japanese, one of which heavily reminds me of Dai Sentai Goggle-V's ending called Stop the Battle) is what makes Chroma Squad special.”
“The gameplay is simple yet rewarding and the entire game just has a bright, fun-loving atmosphere.”
“The dialogue and atmosphere are much more charming than either of those games.”
“The music, atmosphere, and gameplay are really heartwarming for fans of Power Rangers!”
“It makes up for a lack of difficulty with a relaxed, smile-inducing atmosphere.”
- monetization7 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn mixed reactions, with some players criticizing the prevalence of microtransactions and loot boxes that contribute to a toxic gaming environment. However, others appreciate the strategic depth offered by managing resources for studio upgrades, crafting gear, and utilizing advertising to enhance revenue and fan engagement, which adds a layer of complexity to gameplay. Overall, while monetization elements can feel exploitative, they also provide opportunities for player-driven management and progression.
“We have already enough cancer making the video game industry toxic with microtransactions and loot boxes and 'live services'.”
“Yeah, there's advertising.”
“The overall management of the studio is great, everything from shopping and crafting new equipment for your team to hiring advertisement agencies and upgrading your studio with better lighting, green screens, etc.”
- character development3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the customization options and the focus on squad dynamics, others feel that the characters lack depth and that the narrative does not fully explore their growth, particularly in comparison to the source material.
“The turn-based combat is simple but well done, the mecha fights are almost as rad as the sick ollies I do on my non-existent skateboard, and the character development/customization is a major plus to the game.”
“+ Character development(?), some people have stated that they didn't think the characters were developed enough, but I think part of that has to do with being involved with your squad.”
“You only get to see the action elements of the show too, not the character development or world-building that Power Rangers is known for.”
“Some people have stated that they didn't think the characters were developed enough, but I think part of that has to do with being involved with your squad.”
Critic Reviews
Chroma Squad Review - Spandex Warriors
A whimsical love letter to Super Sentai and a must have for a fan, though far from perfect in design.
65%Chroma Squad Review
Fairly superficial gameplay and recycled ideas hamper Chroma Squad. The game is saved, however, by tongue-in-cheek writing and an excellent premise. Chroma Squad definitely won’t set the pond on fire but is still enjoyable.
70%Mighty morphin' management rangers -- Chroma Squad review
Chroma Squad isn’t particularly deep or epic, but makes up for it in heart and charm, nailing the Saturday morning antics of its inspiration and creating a cheery game that anyone can enjoy.
75%