David
- February 15, 2015
- Fermenter
- 3h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"David" is a challenging single-player platformer game featuring wonderful gameplay and pretty visuals. As the character David, players use a slingshot-esque gift to fight against giant physics-based enemies in a 9-level campaign, with additional levels, a survival mode, and a secret basketball minigame. The game includes a six-song EP soundtrack, described as FEZ-like and wonderful.
iPad
iPhone
Mac OS
PC
Phone
Windows
Android
Mobile Platform
Tablet
Reviews
- The game features a unique and engaging mechanic where players can slow down time while charging their attacks, adding a strategic layer to the gameplay.
- The minimalist art style and catchy soundtrack create a charming atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
- The game offers a variety of challenging boss fights, each requiring different strategies, which keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting.
- The controls can feel floaty and unresponsive, making precise movements and attacks frustrating at times.
- The camera often zooms in too closely, making it difficult to see incoming enemies and react accordingly.
- The game is relatively short, with some players feeling that it lacks content and replayability beyond the initial playthrough.
- gameplay113 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of unique mechanics and varied level designs, with some players appreciating the simplicity and fluidity, while others criticize the controls as slippery and frustrating. Many reviews highlight the interesting time manipulation and shooting mechanics, though they also note inconsistencies that can lead to unfair challenges. Overall, the game offers a short but engaging experience, appealing to those who enjoy minimalist aesthetics and innovative gameplay, despite some technical flaws.
“The gameplay is simple, yet each battle is unique, reminiscent of Shadow of the Colossus.”
“This is a simple action game with a small scope (not super long, every level is a boss fight) and really fun movement mechanics.”
“The gameplay is actually really unique and exciting, although it can be unfair.”
“I didn't enjoy any of the mechanics or levels, so I wouldn't recommend that someone endure the flashbang intro just to see if they might find some enjoyment in the game somewhere.”
“The controls are genuinely upsetting; movement is very squishy but fast, making it hard to control, and the shooting mechanic is just dumb and frustrating.”
“The combat mechanics feel deceptively deep at first, but it very quickly gives way to level design that's either spiteful or just idiotic, emphasizing the weaknesses in the controls and throwing countless unavoidable deaths at you.”
- music50 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its minimalist and ambient qualities that enhance the overall atmosphere. While some find the soundtrack enjoyable and fitting for the gameplay, others criticize it for being repetitive and forgettable. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's aesthetic, though it may not stand out as particularly memorable.
“I fell in love with the minimalism, from the graphics to the soundtrack to the overall simplicity of it.”
“The music is also pretty great and the sound design just finishes the game perfectly.”
“The game has charming graphics, an enjoyable soundtrack, and is a decently challenging game.”
“Repetitive music, floaty controls, and arbitrary rather than rewarding difficulty.”
“The music is nothing special.”
“The soundtrack was quite monotone, which reflected the gameplay itself very well.”
- graphics48 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are polarizing, with some players appreciating the minimalist and unique art style, while others criticize it as simplistic and poorly executed. Many reviews highlight the lack of graphical options and the basic 2D visuals, which can detract from the overall experience. However, a segment of players finds charm in the minimalism, noting that it complements the gameplay and adds to the game's aesthetic appeal.
“I fell in love with the minimalism, from the graphics to the soundtrack to the overall simplicity of it.”
“The stark palette was something I had never seen before in a game, and I'm all about the visuals.”
“The graphics are simple yet done well, with good animations as well.”
“The graphics here are some of the worst, laziest attempts at video game art I've ever seen.”
“It's clear the developer didn't even try to produce any real graphics for the game and just phoned it in.”
“There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
- story37 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The game's story is often described as minimalistic and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting that it feels more like a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a central focus. While some appreciate the abstract and cute elements, others find the narrative too barebones and unengaging, with a few hints of biblical themes. Overall, the consensus is that the story does not significantly enhance the gaming experience, which primarily relies on its mechanics and visuals.
“The story is real and that makes it beautiful.”
“Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
“It is evident that Mr. Armstrong has put considerable thought into the design of David, right from the conceptual level design to the minimalistic but engaging story.”
“Despite the broken time mechanic, the story is very dry.”
“I understand that the story is intended to be cute and abstract, but this barebones plot doesn't cut it.”
“There is no real story, limited tactics, and not much replayability in the bosses.”
- replayability7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while players can improve their times and enjoy two difficulty modes and an endless arena mode, the lack of a compelling story and limited tactical depth may deter some from returning. Recent updates have enhanced the experience, making it more refined and offering additional content, but it still may not provide enough variety for extensive replay. The game is considered a good value for its price, especially with the new content, but its replayability remains somewhat limited.
“For the price and gameplay you get, the game is good and has replayability as there are two difficulty modes to choose for each level and unlockables to collect.”
“Update: now that the new content has been released, the game is more refined and has much more replayability.”
“There is some replayability in those stages in that there are two difficulties to them and there's an infinite arena mode.”
“There is little replayability outside of the 'arena' mode, which is basically a room with endless enemy spawns and a leaderboard for total kills.”
“There is no real story, limited tactics, and not much replayability in the bosses.”
“It's not incredibly replayable but well worth the value, especially now that the price has dropped.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some enjoy replaying levels and find it engaging, others feel it can become tedious, particularly with certain achievements. Overall, the grinding is manageable but may not justify the full price for some players, as most content can be completed in a few hours.
“The solution to this is to ensure you remain in slow-mo, making the game feel slow and tedious.”
“I enjoyed about 80% of that time; there were times where it was very tedious, for example, the arena achievement.”
“However, I don't think it would be worthwhile at full price - I've managed to get everything but the kind of grindy achievement in just a couple of hours, and I could probably get that last one in another hour of playing.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally rewarding, as it offers a challenging experience that fosters a sense of accomplishment without inducing frustration. Completing levels on the hardest difficulty feels meaningful, enhancing the overall enjoyment and emotional connection to the game. The responsive controls and varied level design contribute to a satisfying and engaging experience.
“This game was a really wonderful experience for me because it was really challenging, but it never caused me to be frustrated or to quit playing it due to rage. Instead, this game makes it feel very rewarding to complete any level on the hardest difficulty, which is required to beat the game. This made me feel like beating the levels in such a hard difficulty actually meant something and was not just for an achievement or just to give a bigger score; the controls are responsive, and each level feels different from the others. Some of the latter levels are very nerve-racking but never felt stressful or impossible.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that monetization in games made with Gamemaker Studio often relies on ad-driven models, leading to perceptions of low-quality, retro-style games that prioritize profit over player experience.
“Gamemaker Studio is most commonly used to make retro pixel shovelware and cash grabs.”
“This is probably one of those tablet games that are run by ads or something.”
- humor2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is hit-or-miss; some players find the narrator's vague, religious-sounding commentary unfunny and uninspiring, while others appreciate the game's challenging nature and its ability to evoke laughter, making them want to replay it repeatedly.
“It's a simple game, but it's hard and funny, making people want to play again and again, even after they die!”
“The humor in this game is quirky and unexpected, keeping players entertained with its unique charm.”
“The witty dialogue and absurd situations had me laughing out loud, making the gameplay experience truly enjoyable.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a unique blend of retro aesthetics, including Atari-style graphics and polygonal design, complemented by impactful sound effects and music. Reviewers note that the minimalistic approach contributes to a strange yet powerful ambiance, enhancing the overall experience.
“The Atari/polygonal style, the atmosphere, the sound effects, the retro music, and the simple yet interpretable story create a unique experience!”
“The atmosphere of the game is very strange and also very powerful, despite being minimalistic.”
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players have praised the game's stability, noting a lack of glitches and a smooth experience, which enhances their enjoyment, particularly for fans of pixel art.
“I loved this game as a pixel lover, and it had no glitches.”
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes or bugs.”
“I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it never lags or freezes.”
