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Deathsmiles

Deathsmiles Game Cover
96%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
replayability, grinding
96% User Score Based on 299 reviews

Platforms

PCSteam DeckWindows
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Deathsmiles Game Cover

About

Deathsmiles is a single player and multiplayer action game. It was developed by CAVE Interactive CO.,LTD. and was released on March 10, 2016. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"DeathSmiles" is a action-packed bullet-hell shoot-'em-up game featuring local multi-player for up to 2 players, with 6 game modes and 5 playable angels. The game offers a spooky gothic horror-themed adventure with a variety of enemies to battle. It boasts an engaging story, outstanding game mechanics, splendid graphics, and an outstanding soundtrack. Additionally, official RPG Maker assets based on Deathsmiles are now available for purchase.

Genres & Tags
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Deathsmiles screenshot
Deathsmiles screenshot
Deathsmiles screenshot
Deathsmiles screenshot
Deathsmiles screenshot
Deathsmiles screenshot
Deathsmiles screenshot
Deathsmiles screenshot
Deathsmiles screenshot
Deathsmiles screenshot
Deathsmiles screenshot
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96%
Audience ScoreBased on 299 reviews
gameplay31 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • Stunning graphics and art direction that beautifully blend gothic aesthetics with engaging gameplay.
  • Accessible gameplay with adjustable difficulty levels, making it suitable for both newcomers and veterans of the genre.
  • Variety of characters and modes, including unique mechanics like shooting in both directions and a robust scoring system.
  • The game is relatively short, with some players feeling it can be completed too quickly.
  • Controversial character designs and themes that may be uncomfortable for some players.
  • The training mode lacks the ability to practice specific bosses directly, which can be frustrating for players looking to improve.
  • gameplay
    71 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is widely praised for its depth, addictiveness, and engaging mechanics, offering a satisfying blend of challenge and accessibility for both newcomers and veterans. Players appreciate the intricate scoring systems, diverse character abilities, and the ability to customize difficulty, which enhances replayability. While some criticize certain mechanics as overly complex or gimmicky, the overall experience is characterized by smooth controls, dynamic enemy layouts, and a captivating aesthetic that keeps players invested.

    • “The gameplay is deep and challenging, with hyper modes, strategic shot types, and uniquely crafted, engaging stages.”
    • “Not only that, but the gameplay is quite addicting and the score system is fun to engage with, especially when you get extra lives, which you are going to need for the final stage of the game.”
    • “Gameplay is remarkably smooth and engaging.”
    • “You need to learn mechanics that had literally no relevancy before it, and this is just for that one level.”
    • “This wouldn't be that terrible if the mechanics you have to learn were fun and interesting, but the fact is you have to learn how to cancel out suicide bullets with 8-way reversed directional movement when the bullets are completely analogue, and it is not fun to even practice.”
    • “Some gameplay modes have problems with authentic slowdown.”
  • music
    57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers highlighting the fantastic soundtracks composed by Manabu Namiki. Players appreciate the atmospheric and gothic themes that complement the gameplay, making it a standout feature of the game. While some opinions vary, the majority agree that the soundtrack is a significant draw, often described as "awesome" and "killer," contributing to the game's replayability and enjoyment.

    • “The music is a blast, the controls are tight, and the gameplay has tons of depth.”
    • “The soundtrack to the game is awesome too; it feels like a mix of Bayonetta and Castlevania, the latter is probably because the composer Manabu Namiki has worked on a Vania title being the WiiWare title, Castlevania: The Adventure Rebirth as well as a couple of other awesome games.”
    • “The scenario pairs with a brilliant soundtrack that fuses orchestral Hollywood monster composition with rock and electronic energy, filling the player with equal drive and dread.”
    • “The pixel art is exceptional, but the music is boring (turn it off) and the game itself is rewarding enough for both beginners and accomplished players.”
    • “Music really didn't feel like the soundtrack was that fantastic; decent, but not praiseworthy.”
    • “The atmosphere, the graphics, the music, and by far the weird Japanese feel to it.”
  • graphics
    53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of Deathsmiles are widely praised for their beautiful gothic aesthetic, intricate pixel art, and vibrant visuals that enhance the overall gameplay experience. While some players note that the graphics may not have aged well, particularly in the upgraded versions, the unique art style and atmospheric presentation remain highlights. Overall, the combination of stylish graphics, engaging character designs, and a fitting soundtrack contributes to the game's charm and appeal, making it a standout in the bullet-hell genre.

    • “The graphics are gorgeous, the gameplay is great, and it allows for any level of difficulty you want from credit-feeding just to see the story to 'how is a human being supposed to beat this?'.”
    • “The fantastic gothic art style and OST, cute characters, and very creative gigantic monsters.”
    • “This was my first Cave game and the pixel art and visuals still blow my mind; how great this looks and plays.”
    • “And the new upgraded graphics look bad to me - just superimposed and cheap.”
    • “I wish the graphics weren't so bad.”
    • “Graphics do the job, yet for some reason the characters are 3D models that have aged far worse than the 2D sprite work.”
  • story
    47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is a mix of gothic fantasy elements and whimsical character arcs, featuring multiple endings for each of the five playable characters, which adds depth and replayability. While some players find the narrative engaging and touching, others view it as simplistic or secondary to the gameplay, with a few expressing discomfort over its darker themes. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop to the action, appealing to those who appreciate character-driven narratives within arcade-style gameplay.

    • “Great game, good gameplay and great backstory.”
    • “Cute game, cute character designs, lots of continues, touching storyline... this has everything!”
    • “Speaking for story, it has a very solid storyline where plot threads entwine with all 5 of its total characters across 11 total endings (two for each character including one character with a secret ending that must be unlocked in a very novel way).”
    • “I have no idea what's going on story-wise, but I don't care.”
    • “Of course, the story mode is more or less an excuse for the characters and setting.”
    • “Where Deathsmiles really messes up is on the story.”
  • replayability
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players highlight the game's strong replayability due to its variety of characters, map choices, and multiple endings, allowing for diverse gameplay experiences. With different modes and character abilities, many users report being able to enjoy the game for hundreds of hours, making it a compelling choice for those who appreciate replay value in shooter games. Overall, the combination of engaging mechanics and aesthetic appeal contributes to its lasting replayability.

    • “My wife and I played through it on co-op, and it has a nice variety of characters, map choices, and ending choices to enhance replayability.”
    • “With four (or five, depending on which version you play) different characters with unique powers and familiars, it has a lot of replay value.”
    • “The replayability is there – choose different characters (all have different attacks), choose different ranks, choose a different mode, and even choose a different ending (quite literally, you just choose the ending you want at the end of the game, A or B).”
    • “The game itself is pretty short and can be finished in about 30 minutes, but that's per mode and per character, so the replayability is normal for these kinds of shooter games.”
    • “There is easily 200 hours worth of replayability here.”
    • “The replayability is there – choose different characters (all have different attacks), choose different ranks, choose a different mode, heck, choose a different ending (quite literally, you just choose the ending you want at the end of the game, A or B).”
  • emotional
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its cute character designs and touching storyline, which resonates emotionally with players. While the overall experience is heartwarming, some storylines, like Casper's "go back home ending," introduce unexpected darker themes that add depth. The combination of challenging gameplay and wholesome endings encourages replayability, making it appealing to both newcomers and seasoned players.

    • “Cute game, cute character designs, lots of continues, touching storyline... this has everything!”
    • “The characters are really cute, and I loved pretty much all of them. My favorite, both in gameplay and personality, is Casper with her random German words. Her 'go back home' ending is really scary, though; I was not expecting it since I played her story after all the others, which were all heartwarming.”
    • “The endings are really wholesome and are definitely worth replaying to unlock.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its cute designs and a touching storyline, though some players feel that the character ages contribute to an unsettling atmosphere. Overall, while the game excels in aesthetics and narrative, the character portrayals may evoke mixed feelings among players.

    • “Cute game, cute character designs, lots of continues, touching storyline... this has everything!”
    • “Pretty good shmup, but the character designs and ages they decided to go with for these characters give it a unique vibe, even though nothing really bad is depicted in it.”
    • “The music and character design are standout features.”
  • stability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability with excellent controller support and minimal glitches during gameplay. However, some users have reported issues with achievements not unlocking consistently, particularly when playing offline. Despite these minor concerns, players generally find the experience to be smooth and enjoyable.

    • “The controller support was great, and I ran into virtually no glitches while playing the game.”
    • “The game maintained a smooth performance throughout, with no crashes or significant bugs.”
    • “I was impressed by the stability; it felt polished and reliable from start to finish.”
    • “Also, for some reason, the achievements seem to be buggy and not always unlocking while playing offline.”
    • “This game is just freaking awesome; I haven't encountered any glitches on my first full playthrough, but I'm sure if they find any, they will soon fix it.”
  • atmosphere
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its unique Japanese aesthetic, complemented by impressive graphics and a captivating soundtrack. Players find it to be one of the most challenging bullet hell experiences, enhancing the overall immersive quality of the game.

    • “The atmosphere, the graphics, the music, and the unique Japanese feel to it are all outstanding.”
    • “One of the most challenging bullet hell games I have played, with a great atmosphere and soundtrack. I truly wish the series had continued past the second game, which I can't wait to play in the collections coming for consoles and hopefully to Steam too.”
    • “The atmosphere, the graphics, the music, and the overall weird Japanese feel to it.”
  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a notable highlight, with a mix of terrifying and absurd elements, such as a frightening boss that contrasts sharply with the hilarity of encounters like a cow. Players find the missions amusing, contributing to an engaging and entertaining experience that keeps boredom at bay.

    • “Some bosses go from terrifying, like the freaking buried man, to downright hilarious, like the cow... a cow!?”
    • “The missions are funny; you will never feel bored when you complete this game.”
  • grinding
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be initially challenging but ultimately tedious, as once they learn the mechanics of a section, the experience becomes repetitive without any variation.

    • “It's only difficult until you know how that section works; then it's just tedious because it will never change.”
    • “I beat it once with continues and then kept grinding until I beat it with no continues.”
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Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Deathsmiles is a action game.

Deathsmiles is available on PC, Steam Deck and Windows.

Deathsmiles was released on March 10, 2016.

Deathsmiles was developed by CAVE Interactive CO.,LTD..

Deathsmiles has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its replayability.

Deathsmiles is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Deathsmiles, DoDonPachi Resurrection, Crimzon Clover WORLD IGNITION, Jamestown, Bullet Heaven 2 and others.