Data Wing
- August 16, 2017
- Dan Vogt
- 4h median play time
Data Wing is a single-player arcade game with an intriguing story, stunning game mechanics, compelling visuals, and an ingenious soundtrack. As a data wing driver, you blast through a neon landscape, delivering critical data and uncovering a plot involving system attacks and a possibly irrational "Mother." With lots of grinding and high replayability, Data Wing is a entertaining and immersive experience, complete with humor and a wholesome story.
Reviews
- Engaging storyline that keeps players invested throughout the game.
- Challenging yet satisfying gameplay mechanics that require skill to master.
- Beautiful graphics and a captivating soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
- Controls can be difficult to master, leading to frustration for some players.
- The game is relatively short, leaving players wanting more content after completion.
- Some levels may feel unbalanced in difficulty, with a few being significantly harder than others.
- story6,392 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The story in "Data Wing" is widely praised for its engaging and emotional narrative, which unfolds through collectible data files and character interactions. Players appreciate the depth and creativity of the storyline, often comparing it favorably to more traditional gaming experiences, despite its relatively short length. Many reviewers express a desire for additional content or a sequel to further explore the intriguing plot and characters introduced in the game.
“The story is great, especially when you read through all the extras.”
“Great storyline too, it's obvious that the developer put a lot of love into this game.”
“The story was unexpectedly sad, but with a happy enough ending; I absolutely adored the characters and their personalities!”
“The one caveat, however, is the awful story that could have been really interesting and leads you on as such but ultimately is a major let down.”
“The story was slightly hard to follow but by the end I was left in this speechless moment of disbelief that it was over.”
“I feel as if the story was cut short at the end in a haphazard sort of way, making you think it would progress when it just ends instead.”
- gameplay2,442 mentions
- 77 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Data Wing" is widely praised for its simplicity and depth, featuring easy-to-learn mechanics that become challenging to master, particularly with the unique wall-thrusting mechanic. Players appreciate the engaging storyline that complements the gameplay, creating a rewarding experience that keeps them coming back. The game is noted for its smooth controls, vibrant graphics, and a captivating soundtrack, all contributing to a highly enjoyable mobile gaming experience without intrusive ads or paywalls.
“Controls and gameplay are challenging in a good way (easy to learn but hard to master), thus achieving the hard goals can be a bit frustrating, but it feels so rewarding when you finally do so.”
“The gameplay always felt fresh and exciting with the balance of skill needed in its simplicity.”
“The gameplay is simple but engaging, the storyline is involving and honestly pretty deep for how short it is, and the graphics and music suit it so well.”
“The gameplay could be better.”
“The gameplay was basic, but the story set a benchmark for future games.”
“The turning mechanics are terrible.”
- graphics1,323 mentions
- 76 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning, minimalist design and vibrant colors, effectively complementing the gameplay and story. Many users appreciate the retro and vaporwave aesthetic, noting that the visuals are both engaging and polished, enhancing the overall experience without overwhelming the player. Overall, the combination of beautiful graphics, smooth animations, and a fitting soundtrack contributes to a captivating and immersive gaming atmosphere.
“One could feel the love and care put into the game, with small details and pretty visuals that really made this game worth the hour or so it took to clear.”
“The graphics are absolutely amazing!”
“The graphics are clean, yet extremely detailed at the same time.”
“The graphics are nothing to write home about, but the overall package is just great.”
“Graphics are minimal but elegant.”
“There's weird sensitivity of plane/arrow and very weird glitchy kind of graphics.”
- monetization1,274 mentions
- 68 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is highly praised, with users expressing appreciation for the complete absence of ads and in-app purchases, which enhances the overall gameplay experience. Reviewers frequently highlight that the game is entirely free, emphasizing that it stands out in a market often filled with intrusive monetization strategies. Many players express surprise and gratitude for the lack of ads, noting that it allows for uninterrupted enjoyment of the game.
“No ads, no microtransactions, just fun.”
“The fact that this masterpiece is free with no ads... it's a very good game.”
“No ads, no in-app purchases, just a fun game with a nice funny story.”
“This game could easily be another mobile game filled with ads, microtransactions, cool down timers to refill your lives, all of the terrible things that free mobile games offer, but it has none of these things.”
“In an app store that is flooded with games that bombard you with microtransactions and free-to-wait mechanics, this game stands tall and proud apart from the crowd.”
“It's so refreshing to find a straightforward game without pay walls and cash grabs.”
- music1,154 mentions
- 74 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its captivating vaporwave soundtrack that perfectly complements the game's retro aesthetic and engaging storyline. Players describe the music as immersive, relaxing, and integral to the overall experience, often highlighting its ability to enhance gameplay and evoke nostalgia. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the standout features, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
“The soundtrack is ear candy, the gameplay and mechanics are satisfying, and the little details are always fun to see.”
“The music fits in perfectly and makes the game feel outlandish.”
“The music is fantastic and fits the game perfectly.”
“I really didn't like this game; I thought it was very janky. The music got very boring very quickly, the story was dull and time-consuming, and all I liked was the graphics.”
“The only problem is that it was quite short and the music not that good.”
“I love this game and the music and everything about it, but I hate the controls (I'll get the hang of it someday).”
- emotional215 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players expressing surprise at the depth and heartwarming nature of the storyline, which often evokes strong feelings and even tears. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create an emotional connection through its simple yet impactful narrative, engaging characters, and immersive gameplay, making it a standout experience in the mobile gaming landscape. Overall, the combination of a touching story, memorable music, and challenging mechanics contributes to a profound emotional journey that resonates with players.
“At last, the story is simple but touching.”
“The ending is amazing and truly heart touching.”
“This game was a trip and a half, the story of the data wing was really sad but at the same time, it was really emotional, this game took me about two hours to beat but I loved every single second of it.”
- humor213 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and charm, often described as witty, quirky, and relatable. Players appreciate the integration of funny dialogue and characters that enhance the overall experience, making the gameplay both entertaining and engaging. The humor adds a delightful layer to the straightforward plot, contributing to a memorable and enjoyable gaming experience.
“The writing is also great, and there were several times the game had me chuckling as I played it.”
“The characters are incredibly charming and can be pretty funny; the game's humor is witty, it's all great.”
“I love the humor cleverly included and love this game overall!”
- replayability83 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the challenge of beating personal bests and the engaging gameplay, many note that the short length and limited content after completion reduce its long-term replay value. Several reviewers express a desire for additional levels, modes, or features to enhance replayability, indicating that while the game is enjoyable, it may not sustain interest for extended periods.
“Fantastic physics, no hand holding, extremely good level design, and lots of record-shaving replayability.”
“Highly rewarding gameplay, so much replay value.”
“Interesting story, fun gameplay that is easy to pick up and hard to master but infinitely replayable at the same time.”
“The length of the game is the only issue, as it only took me around an hour to complete and there is not much replay value.”
“I will say there is little to no replay value once you're done and it doesn't take long to beat, only took me a few hours.”
“After the story, there isn't much to do in terms of replayability once you complete the story.”
- atmosphere47 mentions
- 72 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and visually appealing graphics. Reviewers highlight a blend of retro and futuristic vibes, with elements like vaporwave and cyber aesthetics contributing to a unique and engaging experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as both enchanting and addictive, making it a standout feature that complements its gameplay.
“Data Wing is a game with a fantastic atmosphere crafted by its cool tunes and simple, yet beautiful, graphics.”
“The atmosphere of the game is really wonderful.”
“Each level is unique and the whole atmosphere for the game is very immersive.”
“What starts off as a simple game with the feel/atmosphere of Portal turns into an urgent and fast-paced, get-to-the-end racing-esque game.”
“It's fairly short, but the gameplay, graphics, and sound are all amazing, infused with a melancholy, artistic atmosphere.”
“The gameplay was alright, but the atmosphere really sells it; the soundtrack is beautiful as well.”
- stability31 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 65 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed feedback from users. While many players report a smooth experience with no significant glitches or bugs, several have encountered critical issues, particularly freezing when unlocking achievements, which necessitates restarting the game. Overall, while the gameplay is generally enjoyable, the recurring freezing problem detracts from the experience for some users.
“Ads weren't a problem at all, no glitches, and thoroughly enjoyable gameplay.”
“I have seen nothing bad in this game, no glitches or bugs, just pure fun!”
“Best game I played, no bugs, no glitches, wasn't laggy.”
“Unfortunately, I am having a lot of critical failure freezes that cause me to have to completely shut the game down and restart.”
“Nice game so far, but there is one bug I found: when I get an achievement in the map selection/at the end of the map, the game freezes and I need to close the game and open it again, which means I didn't get the first gems and I needed to do some levels again.”
“Would be 5 stars, but it freezes every time I get an achievement.”
- grinding26 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
Overall, the grinding mechanics in the game are generally well-received, with many players enjoying the wall-grinding feature for its speed-boosting capabilities and intuitive controls. However, some users find the grinding aspect can become tedious and repetitive, especially for those seeking a more casual experience without extensive grinding. While the game offers a satisfying gameplay loop, it may not be ideal for players looking for a title that requires minimal grinding or offers a more varied experience post-story completion.
“No ads, which I enjoyed. Fun gameplay that wasn't tedious or a hassle to learn. Genuinely a good game for when you're bored or stuck in class. Wish more people would play this game.”
“Fun, no grinding, a lot of shinies, great story.”
“There isn't much to do after that rather than grinding runs for the achievements.”
“But if you're looking for a game that will take days upon weeks of grinding, this isn't a very great choice.”
“Very grindy which I don't really look for from a mobile game.”
- optimization18 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with smooth performance, responsive controls, and impressive graphics that hold up throughout gameplay. Players appreciate the lack of ads and the ability to adjust settings for better performance, particularly for drifting mechanics and challenging routes. The music and sound effects enhance the experience, further contributing to the game's polished feel.
“Super perfect optimization of thrusts against challenging routes and obstacles as well as against environmental physics!”
“I also really appreciate the optimization options.”
“The turning is optimized for drifting, which is actually a key part of the game!”
“Nice visuals, controls could be a little more optimized though.”
“Takes some time perfecting tracks so need to have a little time to improve performance.”
- character development16 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
Overall, the character development in the game has received high praise, with many users highlighting its depth and the engaging personalities of the characters. Reviewers noted that the character arcs and storytelling were captivating, often surpassing those found in larger AAA titles, although some expressed a desire for more choices and additional character backstories. While a few comments mentioned a lack of character development, the consensus leans towards it being a strong aspect of the game, contributing significantly to the overall experience.
“The added bonus of a story is nice as well; I always liked getting a file and then trying to quickly finish the level to see what it says. I liked the character development and their personalities; there was always something new happening, and I found it hard to stop playing. It completely deserves the 5-star rating.”
“Great storyline and character development, which is very rare in today's games.”
“I finished it in an hour, and there was more character development and world-building than in some AAA games/series.”
“It took only a day to complete the game, so I'd like to see more levels (different kinds of levels, maybe in different settings and user experiences), more storytelling (more characters, NPCs maybe), and overall more plot twists and stories that dive deep into a character's background, plus character development.”
“This game was amazing, but the only thing that's wrong with it is a lack of choice and no character development.”
“The gameplay, the storyline, and the character development are absurd.”