Cloudbuilt

The story in the game is often described as minimalistic and secondary to the gameplay, with many players finding it either dull or unimportant. While some appreciate the attempt at narrative, noting its emotional depth and relatability, others criticize it for being vague, confusing, or poorly integrated into the gameplay experience. Overall, the consensus is that while the story exists and has potential, it primarily serves as a backdrop to the engaging mechanics and fast-paced action of the game.

The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique cel-shaded art style, reminiscent of titles like Borderlands, which enhances the overall aesthetic and atmosphere. Many reviewers note that the visuals have aged well since the game's release in 2014, maintaining a beautiful and vibrant look that complements the fast-paced gameplay. However, some players find the art style distracting or not to their taste, leading to mixed feelings about its impact on the overall experience.

The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its catchy, energetic, and atmospheric qualities, blending orchestral, electronic, and chiptune elements that enhance the gameplay experience. Many players find the soundtrack to be one of the standout features, with some tracks being particularly memorable and fitting for the game's fast-paced action. While a few reviews mention some repetitiveness in the music, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack significantly contributes to the game's appeal and immersion.

The game boasts exceptional replayability, primarily due to its engaging mechanics, diverse level designs, and the inclusion of a level editor that encourages community interaction. Players can explore multiple routes and aim for better ranks, enhancing the experience beyond the relatively short main campaign. While some aspects, like gunplay and controls, received criticism, the overall consensus highlights the game's ability to provide hours of entertainment through its replayable modes and community-created content.

The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it offers smooth performance and instant respawns that enhance the speed-focused gameplay, many users report frame rate issues, particularly on older hardware. The open level design and momentum-based mechanics encourage players to find optimized paths, but some experience performance hiccups even on high-end systems, suggesting that further optimization is needed. Overall, the game excels in providing opportunities for skillful traversal, but technical issues can detract from the experience.

The game is praised for its emotional depth, offering an immersive journey that resonates with players through its narrative and gameplay mechanics. While some find the story lacking compared to other titles, the emotional investment in the character's journey and the powerful soundtrack contribute significantly to the overall experience. Players report feeling a range of emotions, from triumph to frustration, highlighting the game's ability to engage them on a deeper level.

The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique aesthetic, characterized by a charming cell-shaded art style reminiscent of graphic novels, which enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the beautiful, surreal environments and atmospheric music that complement the gameplay, creating a compelling and immersive atmosphere. While the story is minimalistic, it effectively balances the tension of the levels, allowing players to enjoy the exploration and skill-based action at their own pace.

Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on decent hardware and offers a visually appealing experience, players report minor bugs and glitches that can disrupt immersion and control. Some users attribute control issues to user error rather than inherent instability, but graphical glitches and occasional slowdowns, particularly in later levels, detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, many find that the game remains enjoyable once players adapt to its quirks.

The humor in the game is largely derived from its repetitive cutscenes and awkward graphics, which some players find amusing. However, the lack of options to address gameplay issues, despite having multiple settings for wallruns, adds a layer of irony that detracts from the overall comedic effect.

Reviewers express a desire for deeper character development, particularly for the protagonist Demi, as they feel the current narrative leaves gaps that require players to fill in the blanks themselves. While the game's visuals and music are praised, the lack of substantial character and story development detracts from the overall experience. A sequel is hoped to address these shortcomings and enhance the richness of the character's journey and the world.

Players appreciate the sense of accomplishment from easily beating old records without excessive grinding, but many express frustration with the grind for higher ranks, particularly S-ranks, which can lead to burnout. While revisiting levels can be enjoyable, the repetitive nature of grinding for better scores can become tedious and detract from the overall experience.

Reviews indicate that the game's monetization strategy is misleading, with ads suggesting a level-based structure that may not resonate with older players. Users advise against purchasing the game based on its marketing tactics.