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 story that pays homage to Power Rangers and Super Sentai.
- Engaging turn-based combat with unique mechanics like teamwork and acrobatics.
- High replay value with multiple endings and character customization options.
- Can become repetitive, especially in later stages with limited enemy variety.
- Mecha battles lack depth and can feel tedious.
- Some bugs and glitches, particularly in the final missions, can disrupt gameplay.
- story950 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story of "Chroma Squad" is a quirky homage to the power rangers and sentai genre, featuring a group of stunt actors who start their own studio to create a martial arts TV show. While the narrative is filled with humor, nostalgia, and self-aware references, it can also feel repetitive and simplistic, with some players finding the pacing uneven and the plot lacking depth. Despite these criticisms, many appreciate the engaging and lighthearted storytelling, along with the branching paths and multiple endings that enhance replayability.
“The story is quirky, the colors are fun, and the game is full of action.”
“The story of essentially the Power Rangers, but meta, was really fun and kept my 90s kid brain satisfied throughout the game.”
“The story is rich and with 3 different endings, you have some amount of replayability.”
“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.”
- gameplay690 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Chroma Squad is characterized by its simple, turn-based tactical RPG mechanics that are easy to learn but can become repetitive over time, particularly after the initial seasons. While the game features engaging elements like teamwork mechanics and customization options, many players noted a lack of depth and variety in combat, leading to a grind as the game progresses. Despite these criticisms, the nostalgic theme, humorous writing, and charming visuals contribute to an overall enjoyable experience for fans of the genre.
“A beautiful homage to the Power Ranger/Sentai series of the past, with simple but engaging mechanics.”
“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 gets pretty repetitive.”
“I'm only about three hours into the game and starting to produce the third season of the Chroma Squad TV show, so my only complaint so far is that the gameplay feels a bit too repetitive, since I already feel it's just the same thing over and over.”
“Google says the game is about 13 hours long, so unless some major surprises are in store I don't see how this gameplay loop could sustain so many hours of story without losing its steam.”
- humor486 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 scenarios, although some noted that the humor can occasionally fall flat or feel forced. Overall, the game successfully combines lighthearted comedy with engaging gameplay, making it a fun experience for those who appreciate its unique blend of strategy and humor.
“The writing in this game is so charming, like holy moly, 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 and its obvious impersonation of power rangers, Chroma Squad is all about nostalgia in its style and delivery.”
“The characters and the humor of the game are simply awesome, the story (even though cliché) is very addictive and will get you playing for hours and the soundtrack is a masterpiece.”
“Not funny at all after a while.”
“The game is unfunny.”
- music469 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. Players frequently describe the soundtrack as a standout feature, often recommending it for standalone listening, while noting that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the music is characterized as vibrant, fitting, and integral to the game's charm and enjoyment.
“The music is unbelievably good.”
“The soundtrack is a certified bop and worth downloading on Spotify/Apple Music.”
“The music is so spot on, it makes me feel like a little kid at a ball pit.”
“While the graphics and music are simple but charming and the gameplay itself is really solid, 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 (even through the 'tutorial'), very poorly written script and dialog, a surprising lack of sound and music (which I was looking forward to most), and an overall confusing game in general.”
“This game has a lot of heart, and is a good mix between difficult and innovative; if I had to try to think of one negative thing about the game, I'd say that it could use one or two more tracks, the music occasionally gets repetitive.”
- graphics285 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 53 % 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 a feeling that the pixel art can be overdone. 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.”
“Humor fell flat for me, and the pixelated graphics honestly suck, and I love 2D games.”
“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.”
- replayability95 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 4 % 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 the replay value compelling due to different routes and difficulty settings, others note limitations in replayability, citing repetitive gameplay and a linear story. Overall, the presence of multiple endings and the ability to experiment with different strategies enhance the replay potential for many players.
“The story takes roughly 15 hours to complete; however, with multiple endings and difficulty settings, the replay value is high.”
“The game has multiple paths and endings and excellent replay value, with very strong core mechanics.”
“Fun gameplay, lots of replay value with varying degrees of difficulty plus multiple endings, many customization options, and has a great sense of humor.”
“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.”
- stability56 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, particularly in the later stages, with players reporting frequent glitches, bugs, and occasional crashes that can disrupt gameplay. While some minor issues are manageable and do not significantly hinder the overall experience, many users find the game increasingly buggy, especially during critical moments like boss fights. Overall, the stability issues detract from the enjoyment, leading to mixed feelings about the game's reliability.
“Runs great on Mac and PC.”
“Its release was timely and very bug-free.”
“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.”
“How awfully buggy the game is, and in the worst ways imaginable.”
- grinding46 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 87 % negative mentions
The game features a significant amount of grinding, particularly in its tactical battles and resource management aspects, which can become tedious and repetitive, especially during boss fights and when replaying episodes for different endings. While some players appreciate the lack of traditional leveling mechanics, they note that the absence of grinding can lead to frustrating sequences on harder difficulties. Overall, the combat and resource management can feel drawn-out, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
“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.”
“Once you realize that, all combat quickly becomes tedious.”
“It's good until the final boss, at which point it just takes a dump on everything it had built up to that point, and delivers one of the most drawn-out and tedious fights I have ever experienced within a game.”
“As a result, the game became a tedious slog of repeatedly sending 2-3 people after each enemy (for multiple turns, if it was the defensive type), keeping everyone's health up, and the occasional weird 'because the director told me so' goal to get more audience.”
- emotional18 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a strong emotional connection with their squad in the game, highlighting its heartwarming music, atmosphere, and gameplay that evoke nostalgia for shows like Power Rangers. Many express joy and even tears during pivotal moments, such as team transformations, while appreciating the blend of humor and heartfelt storytelling. However, some players note that the emotional impact may diminish during subsequent playthroughs, particularly with new characters.
“While playing Chroma Squad, I cried tears of joy when my team transformed for real and summoned their mecha for real.”
“A heartfelt tribute to the days of Saban Entertainment, you truly feel as if this was a Super Sentai show!”
“This is how a simple and elaborated gameplay with awesome pixel graphics and a touching soundtrack brings your childhood back to life.”
- optimization16 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for running flawlessly, with noticeable performance improvements following a patch. However, it lacks sufficient graphic options, which some players find limiting. While certain mechanics may seem unimportant, the game offers depth through character customization and performance measurement based on audience engagement rather than traditional metrics like money or 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.”
“After replaying the game post-patch, performance has indeed increased.”
“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.”
- atmosphere14 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as bright, fun, and heartwarming, particularly appealing to fans of the Power Rangers and Super Sentai franchises. The combination of engaging music, charming dialogue, and a relaxed vibe creates a smile-inducing experience that compensates for any lack of difficulty. Overall, players find the atmosphere to be a standout feature that enhances the enjoyment of the gameplay.
“Of course, that certain Super Sentai / Power Rangers atmosphere is what makes Chroma Squad special.”
“The gameplay is simple yet rewarding, and the entire game just has a bright, fun-loving atmosphere.”
“It really is a great mix of games like the Final Fantasy Tactics games and the newer Pathway game on Steam, but 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.”
- monetization14 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism for its reliance on microtransactions and loot boxes, which many players find detrimental to the gaming experience. Players engage in resource farming to craft gear and enhance their studio through various upgrades, while also managing advertising to boost revenue and fan engagement. Overall, the management mechanics are praised, but the pervasive advertising and monetization strategies contribute to a toxic perception of the game's financial model.
“We have already enough cancer making the video game industry toxic with microtransactions and loot boxes and 'live services'.”
“Yeah, there's advertising.”
“You try to farm enough resources to craft new gear while deploying advertising bonuses to get new fans and increase revenue from viewership, while pumping your stats with a few small global bonuses, so that you can quickly and efficiently win the next mission with lots of style and max out your money gain.”
- character development6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted as a significant feature, with customization options enhancing player engagement. However, some reviewers feel that the characters lack depth, attributing this to a focus on action over narrative elements typically associated with the source material. Overall, while there are positive aspects to character development, opinions on its execution vary.
“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 deal with being involved with your squad.”
“The character development and customization options really enhance the overall experience, allowing players to connect more deeply with their characters.”
“You only get to see the action elements of the show too, not the character development or world building 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 deal with being involved with your squad.”
“The character development/customization is a major plus to the game, but it feels lacking in depth.”
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%