Devolver Bootleg

About

"Devolver Bootleg is a collection of parody games, including Enter the Gun Dungeon, a dungeon crawler filled with gun-themed items; Hotline Milwaukee, a violent stealth game set in a basement; Ape Out Jr., an arcade-style platformer featuring a weapon-wielding gorilla; and Shootyboots, an action game about a young protagonist on a never-ending journey. These games offer satirical twists on popular Devolver Digital titles."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 833 reviews

humor48 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

A fun collection of mini-games that parody popular Devolver titles, providing a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic NES games.
Hotline Milwaukee stands out as a surprisingly enjoyable demake, capturing the essence of the original while adding its own unique twist.
Great value for the price, especially during sales, making it an entertaining option for fans of Devolver's games.

Controls are often frustrating and clunky, making gameplay feel less enjoyable and sometimes leading to confusion.
Many games feel like shallow experiences, lacking the depth and polish of their original counterparts, which may disappoint fans.
The game can crash unexpectedly, leading to lost progress and a frustrating experience for players.

humor
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in this game is largely appreciated by fans of the included titles, with many finding it genuinely funny and filled with clever satirical takes on gaming tropes. While some players enjoy the comedic elements and nostalgic references, others feel that the humor wears thin over time or is overshadowed by gameplay issues. Overall, it offers a mix of amusing moments and entertaining gags, particularly for those familiar with Devolver Digital's style.
- “It is unironically fun but also just extremely funny from a coding and gaming perspective.”
- “If you have some game design background, Hotline Milwaukee has some completely hilarious moments, like badly done hitboxes, dogs spawning with shotguns, or the original soundtrack 'resampled' in a quite questionable way.”
- “This game has some funny satirical takes on some Devolver classics with silly gags and deconstructions.”
gameplay
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
61%
11%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it surprisingly enjoyable and a fun retro experience, while others criticize it for poor mechanics and lack of depth. Many noted that the games offer a simplified, arcade-style take on popular titles, which can be entertaining but often lacks the engaging gameplay of the originals. Overall, while there are moments of fun and creativity, the gameplay is generally seen as shallow and inconsistent, appealing mainly to those who appreciate the nostalgic, low-effort charm.
- “Gameplay-wise, it is surprisingly good.”
- “It's packed with amazing gameplay; for example, Hotline Milwaukee has riveting gameplay, offering about 5 or 6 games with twice the gameplay and fun.”
- “One of the best things about this collection is that the games retain the personality and overall feel of the originals, but they offer gameplay that's different enough to feel like a completely different experience.”
- “Being officially a joke game, it does not excuse itself to have terrible mechanics.”
- “In regards to its gameplay, it’s perhaps the shallowest of all.”
- “In regards to catsylvania, the gameplay is intentionally clunky, and unlike hotline milwaukee and ape out jr. you have to start over from the very beginning if you run out of lives... just like in classic nes titles!”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
38%
19%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their retro 8-bit aesthetic, effectively capturing the feel of classic NES titles while showcasing impressive attention to detail. While some users appreciate the nostalgic visuals and modern touches, others note that the graphics can be rough around the edges and that the overall experience is hampered by poor controls. Overall, the game successfully evokes an 80s vibe, though opinions on the quality of the graphics vary.
- “The graphics are actually really good for some reason.”
- “The game offers some really nice graphics and a nice yet simplistic aesthetic which is pleasant all the same and has some amazing attention to detail even though it is a little rough around the edges.”
- “The graphics are sub-par, and the controls for each game make them only semi-playable.”
- “It doesn’t play much into the bootleg aspect apart from the main menu, name games, and goofy colors and graphics.”
- “Each one is designed like a classic Nintendo Entertainment System game with 8-bit-styled graphics.”
music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
38%
19%
The music in the game is widely praised for its clear, professional sound and catchy compositions, particularly highlighting tracks like "Hip to Be Square" and the original soundtrack of "Hotline Milwaukee." Reviewers appreciate the engaging and humorous sound design, with some noting the nostalgic 8-bit variations of familiar tracks. Overall, the soundtrack significantly enhances the gameplay experience, making it a standout feature.
- “The whole album has a clear, crisp sound, and a new sheen of consummate professionalism that really gives the songs a big boost.”
- “It's very funny and actually has a pretty bumping soundtrack too.”
- “Ah yes, I love Hotline Milwaukee's OST made by Carpenter Bruh.”
- “If you have some game design background, Hotline Milwaukee has some completely hilarious moments, like badly done hitboxes, dogs spawning with shotguns, or the original soundtrack 'resampled' in a quite questionable way.”
- “They're completely diluted, there's nowhere to look up controls, the controls are very clunky, there's no music (again, very simple beeps/boops you'd probably get from Atari).”
- “And even more, I didn't expect to hear Hotline Miami OST in 8-bit variation.”
story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
60%
30%
The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising it as amazing, while others criticize it as pointless and poorly executed. Many feel that the narrative lacks depth and coherence, resembling a superficial interpretation of the original game's themes. Overall, the story seems to be a divisive element, with some finding it engaging and others deeming it uninspired.
- “The story was amazing!”
- “Hotline Milwaukee feels like Hotline Miami made by someone who only ever looked at the game's screenshots, got told there was a twist in the story, and was then paid money to make it.”
- “The level design is uninspired and doesn't allow for experimentation; the game only gets harder because it throws more and more enemies with guns at you. The only way to win a lot of levels is to cheese the bad enemy AI, and the story is ultimately pointless and says nothing.”
- “It even has a little tangentially related story.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the short, fun experiences that encourage multiple playthroughs, others find the lack of depth and content limits its long-term appeal. The games are designed for quick sessions, making them enjoyable for casual play, but they may not sustain interest for extended periods.
- “Like everything feels flash game-like, so you know they're like 20-minute adventures with some good replay value.”
- “Short in length, but highly replayable.”
- “Overall they are fun little gems to play around for a bit, but didn't find much replay value.”
- “Overall, they are fun little gems to play around for a bit, but I didn't find much replay value.”
- “It's a slapdash waste of time with no depth or replayability.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
The stability of the game is characterized by a lack of significant glitches, though users note issues such as reused assets and mismatched elements that contribute to a low-effort feel. While the coding is described as subpar, it does not lead to major bugs, resulting in a quirky, albeit inconsistent, experience reminiscent of bootleg games.
- “Virtually no glitches.”
- “All games feel like low-effort bootleg games or ROM hacks, filled with intentional bugs and glitches, making them weirdly enjoyable.”
- “It's just as buggy as a bootleg would be!”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the games to be somewhat tedious but manageable, with achievements requiring effort without being overly challenging. Despite the grind, titles like "Enter the Gun Dungeon," "Shootyboots," and "Luftrousers 3" offer engaging gameplay that can keep players entertained, justifying the time investment.
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
- “The achievements can be a bit grindy, but aren't all too difficult.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “That said, you could still get hooked grinding scores in Enter the Gun Dungeon, Shootyboots, or Luftrousers 3, so you'll probably find something here to keep you amused, enough to warrant the entry fee.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players report that the game evokes strong emotional responses, highlighting its ability to resonate deeply with them and create a lasting impact.
- “This game evoked a deep sense of nostalgia and longing.”
- “I was genuinely moved by the characters' struggles and triumphs.”
- “The story's emotional depth left a lasting impact on me.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization is praised as a remarkable achievement, showcasing a seamless and efficient performance that enhances the overall gaming experience.
- “Pure performance art”