Destropolis
- August 19, 2020
- Igrek Games
"Destropolis" is a top-down shooter game with spectacular game mechanics, inspired by classics like "Crimsonland" and "Nuclear Throne". Play alone or with a friend in local co-op mode, fighting endless waves of enemies in a destructible futuristic city. Blow up buildings and use an array of weapons to tear enemies to pieces before they overwhelm you.
Reviews
- Addictive gameplay with a satisfying balance of challenge and fun, encouraging players to keep coming back for 'one more run'.
- Minimalist art style combined with great sound effects and explosive action creates a visually appealing and immersive experience.
- Offers a variety of weapons and power-ups, allowing for different strategies and playstyles, especially in co-op mode.
- Lack of variety in enemies and weapons can lead to repetitive gameplay after extended play sessions.
- Progression system feels slow and cumbersome, with unlocks taking too long to achieve and limited cosmetic options.
- Some design choices, such as intrusive menus and randomization of upgrades, can detract from the overall experience.
- gameplay16 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 19 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its smoothness, balance, and addictive nature, with players enjoying the simplicity and satisfying mechanics, including weapon customization and skill-based challenges. While some note a lack of scoring mechanics and random factors affecting leaderboard performance, the overall experience is enhanced by a minimalist art style and an engaging soundtrack. Many reviewers highlight the game's polished feel and dynamic pace, making it easy to pick up and hard to put down.
“The gameplay is very smooth, the sound effects are great, the weapons and power-ups are satisfying, and more.”
“Balanced gameplay, challenging leaderboard, fun to build your gun in different ways.”
“Fast, dynamic gameplay makes you want to try to play again even after a defeat.”
“There are no scoring mechanics to add interest, and if leaderboards are of interest to you, be aware there are significant random factors to how quickly you can kill enemies and your points rewarded, and at least one perk that very directly (but still randomly) increases scoring.”
“I think it's just using basic Unity cube shapes... but holy crap, it shows how mechanics are everything when it comes to fun gameplay.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a minimalist art style that features a simple color palette and isometric view, creating a unique and satisfying aesthetic. Players appreciate the beautiful yet straightforward visuals, which enhance the gameplay experience and allow for smooth performance. While some critiques mention outdated menu designs, the overall consensus is that the graphics effectively complement the game's action and mechanics.
“The minimalist approach to the graphics just works, and actually looks beautiful.”
“Manic shoot'em up action with simple, but beautiful, graphics.”
“The graphics are simple (red block enemies, you as a blue diamond, and of course white buildings) but it's really fun to look at, and so fun to mix and match different upgrades.”
“Destropolis' minimalist art style is bolstered by intelligent gameplay with precision weapon and skill mechanics, and persistent level progression across play sessions.”
“I came in expecting Crimsonland and while it's pretty much that (leveling, perks, weapons, powers), the updated visuals in Destropolis make for an absolute joy to play.”
- music9 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its fun, fast-paced nature, with a standout synth-wave soundtrack by Lukhash that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers note that the soundtrack effectively sets the pace and atmosphere, particularly during intense moments like slow-motion sequences, making the gameplay addictive and immersive. Overall, the integration of music and gameplay mechanics is celebrated as a key element that elevates the game's aesthetic.
“Fun, fast-paced; what I really loved was the soundtrack that sets the pace.”
“The aesthetics and gameplay are elevated by Lukhash's beautiful synthwave soundtrack, and the integration of tempo manipulation with bullet time works to create a beautiful example of digital love.”
“The music goes off.”
“Throw in some synth-wave music by Lukhash, and you have a true diamond in the rough when it comes to top-down shooters.”
“Picture setting off a nuke in slow motion, with hundreds of enemies and buildings on screen, all fully destructible while a thumping soundtrack narrates the whole experience, and you've got one heck of a game.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game features leaderboards that enhance its replayability, but many players feel that the overall replay value is limited due to quickly depleting resources and a reliance on luck for weapon drops and upgrades, which can make scaling difficulty frustrating.
“The inclusion of leaderboards adds an exciting layer of competition, enhancing the game's replayability.”
“With multiple endings and varied character choices, this game offers incredible replayability.”
“The dynamic events and random encounters ensure that no two playthroughs are the same, making it highly replayable.”
“No replay value; you run out of ammo almost immediately, enemies scale in difficulty, and to match the difficulty, you need to get extremely lucky with weapon drops and upgrades.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, with many power-ups feeling uninspired or counterproductive, such as the bullet time feature that slows down gameplay rather than enhancing it.
“The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I found myself doing the same tasks over and over again, which quickly became tedious and unfulfilling.”
“The power-ups you collect often feel more like a chore than a reward, adding to the overall grind.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by a well-fitting musical score that complements the overall experience, creating an immersive environment for players.
“The music fits perfectly into the atmosphere of the whole game.”
“The game's environment is so immersive that I felt like I was truly part of its world.”
“Every detail, from the lighting to the sound design, contributes to an incredibly haunting atmosphere.”