Deflector: Specimen Zero

About

Deflector: Specimen Zero is a single player action adventure game. It was developed by Arrowfist Games and was released on December 8, 2021. It received positive reviews from players.

Deflector: Specimen Zero is a high-octane bullet hell roguelite set in a deadly world. Upgrade your character with the DNA you find, evolve him further during your runs and explore the farthest reaches of this microcosm… or die trying.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 106 reviews

gameplay16 positive mentions

stability2 negative mentions

The game features unique deflecting mechanics that create engaging and satisfying gameplay.
It has vibrant graphics and a catchy soundtrack, enhancing the overall experience.
The demo showcases a solid foundation with potential for depth and replayability, making it highly enjoyable.

The tutorial is broken for many players, making it impossible to progress past certain points.
Some players find the game repetitive and lacking in content, leading to a loss of interest.
There are reports of bugs and issues with enemy spawning and level design that detract from the experience.

gameplay
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
24%
12%
The gameplay is characterized by its unique deflection mechanics, which set it apart from other bullet hell games, providing a fast-paced and intense experience. Players appreciate the crisp controls, engaging core loop, and the strategic depth added by power-ups, making it both challenging and satisfying. Overall, the game is described as addictive and fun, with a high skill cap that rewards mastery of its mechanics.
- “It's a bullet hell with some interesting new mechanics.”
- “Highly enjoyable, its biggest appeal for me has to be the 'deflect' focused gameplay that feels both unique and engaging, leading to a high skill cap way of playing that rewards not only mastering your placement in relation to your enemies, but in relation to your own attacks.”
- “The mechanics are crisp, they work well, it doesn't feel cheesy and the graphics are spot on!”
- “The skills you unlock make the game fun to play repetitively as the variety of small gameplay mechanics really impacts the way you play.”
- “This is further exacerbated by its power-ups system that adds depth not only by adding even more mechanical challenges but also via its strategic node placement, and helps give variety to the gameplay.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The graphics are praised for their retro style, vibrant aesthetics, and clean art design, contributing to an engaging visual experience. Players appreciate the bright, glowing visuals that complement the game's mechanics and overall atmosphere, enhancing enjoyment and replayability.
- “Nice pumping beats, tight controls, bright glowing graphics and a unique mechanic make this a rare and beautiful specimen worth your time.”
- “The mechanics are crisp, they work well, it doesn't feel cheesy and the graphics are spot on!”
- “Art style is nice and clean, soundtrack is top notch.”
- “Retro graphics.”
- “Love the graphics.”
- “Supported by vibrant aesthetics, a banger soundtrack, and high replayability value, I can definitely say I had a lot of fun playing it.”
music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The music in the game is generally praised for being energetic and engaging, contributing significantly to the overall experience. While some users noted issues with sound design and certain high-pitched effects detracting from the soundtrack, the majority found the music to be a standout feature that enhances gameplay. Overall, the vibrant soundtrack and art style are highlighted as key elements that elevate the game's appeal.
- “It's only a prologue so very short but the music's bangin', and the gameplay's fast-paced and intense.”
- “Artstyle is nice and clean, soundtrack is top notch.”
- “Supported by vibrant aesthetics, a banger soundtrack and high replayability value, I can definitely say I had a lot of fun playing it.”
- “My only issues would be that the sound design seems really off, the way the mobs get hit feels really dull and there's a lot of really high-pitched dings that just eradicate the OST going on.”
- “Only downside for me is the music, which isn't a huge deal.”
- “The main thing I love is the music and levels, although not many, they do all give their own feel no matter how much you play.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The story revolves around a central mission to defeat a final boss, with players also encouraged to engage in optional side quests that enhance the overall narrative experience. The completion of these side quests is often viewed as a key objective, adding depth to the storyline.
- “The story is incredibly engaging, with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.”
- “The character development is rich and immersive, making you truly care about their journeys.”
- “The world-building is exceptional, creating a vibrant backdrop that enhances the overall narrative.”
- “What is your mission?”
- “Eventually, I was able to defeat the final boss, and even managed to complete the optional side quest, which of course is the real objective!”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is currently a concern, with users reporting issues such as FPS drops, mini freezes, and significant bugs like falling through the map, which can abruptly end gameplay. While some acknowledge that these problems are typical for early access titles, the overall experience is hindered by these stability issues.
- “Needs some optimization as there are some FPS drops and mini freezes, but that's early access/alpha/beta for you!”
- “It's decent, but I literally fell through a hole and kept falling for five minutes. The game is buggy, and falling off the map means you have to end your run right there.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players highlight the game's vibrant aesthetics and engaging soundtrack as key factors contributing to its high replayability, making it an enjoyable experience worth revisiting.
- “Supported by vibrant aesthetics, a fantastic soundtrack, and high replayability value, I can definitely say I had a lot of fun playing it.”