Dinocide
- September 29, 2015
- AtomicTorch Studio
- 3h median play time
Dinocide is a historical platformer game that can be played solo or with a friend in co-op mode. As a primitive man, you must save your kidnapped love interest from an evil Dinosaur God with the help of your tamed dinosaur mounts. The game features non-linear progression, various biomes, and dinosaur mounts that provide tactical abilities and enhance your character's speed and strength.
Reviews
- Great graphics and pixel art that pays homage to retro NES games.
- Fun gameplay with unique bosses and a variety of weapons and pets.
- Nostalgic experience for fans of classic platformers like Adventure Island.
- The hunger bar mechanic drains too quickly, making gameplay feel rushed and frustrating.
- Lack of difficulty settings and poor level design lead to a repetitive experience.
- Short game length and numerous bugs detract from overall enjoyment.
- gameplay36 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that the core mechanic of a constantly draining health or hunger bar can be frustrating and leads to a lack of satisfaction. While some appreciate the retro NES platformer style and enjoyable elements like music and riding dinosaurs, others find the mechanics slow and the overall experience lacking, especially after repeated deaths. Suggestions for improvement include a desire for faster-paced action and more customization options.
“Fantastic retro NES platformer style gameplay, a rich 8-bit soundtrack, cool items, and ride-on-dinos make this an enjoyable retro style indie title.”
“Gameplay is balanced and fun, as well as challenging in a way that NES platformers were known for.”
“Here comes along Dinocide with some really cool game mechanics, mostly familiar from the NES era.”
“What ultimately keeps me from recommending this is the gameplay.”
“The main game mechanic of starving very quickly is just ridiculous - this was a game I only bought for my kid to play but it was too hard to play.”
“Actual gameplay is lackluster and after you die two or three times you're almost completely done with it.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received high praise, particularly for the pixel art, with scores ranging from 8 to 9 out of 10. Reviewers appreciate the aesthetic effort, though some note that the graphics do not align with any specific platform or era, and there are minor criticisms regarding gameplay elements that detract from the overall experience.
“Graphics: 9/10 - my favorite part of this game, the creators did a great job with the pixel art and while I have seen better done, there is nothing wrong with it.”
“+ nice graphics.”
“Graphics- 8”
“The lack of difficulty setting and the health bar that drains far too quickly just make this an annoying mess and is surprising given the obvious effort that went into the aesthetic elements.”
“(a personal gripe) the game itself has graphics that don't really match any platform or era.”
- music6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as an average yet enjoyable retro soundtrack, featuring a rich 8-bit style that complements the NES platformer gameplay. Players appreciate the nostalgic feel it brings, enhancing the fun of riding dinosaurs with special abilities. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's retro indie charm.
“The music is enjoyable, riding dinosaurs with special abilities is fun, and the new mechanic of having to always be eating (hitpoints shared with health meter which goes down slowly over time, and a larger chunk is lost when you take damage).”
“Fantastic retro NES platformer style gameplay, a rich 8-bit soundtrack, cool items, and ride-on-dinos make this an enjoyable retro style indie title.”
“The music is just an average retro soundtrack.”
“The soundtrack feels quite generic and lacks originality.”
“Overall, the music doesn't stand out and is pretty forgettable.”
- story2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story revolves around an epic quest to rescue the protagonist's girlfriend from a massive, continent-sized prehistoric monster, emphasizing themes of adventure and heroism.
“You're on an epic quest to save your girlfriend from a continent-sized prehistoric monster.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often unintentional, leading to amusing moments that players find entertaining despite the game's shortcomings. This quirky charm contributes to the overall enjoyment, making it a source of laughter for players.
“The game is funny for all the wrong reasons and fun because of it.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly noting that the jumping mechanics contribute to this feeling.