EnHanced
- November 8, 2018
- RainingLampost
"EnHanced" is a game where Security Personnel H must navigate through a secret underground base, X-42, after dangerous creatures escape and wreak havoc. H is in search of his family and relies on Larank, the base's announcements administrator, for guidance. As H destroys enemies and props, his score increases and he can level up to enhance abilities like beam strength, weapon cooldown, and health.
Reviews
- The level design is interesting and varied, providing a fun and engaging experience.
- The game features a rewarding upgrade system and enjoyable boss fights that keep players engaged.
- The retro pixel art style and music create a charming atmosphere that appeals to fans of classic platformers.
- The game lacks a consistent saving system, making it frustrating to lose progress due to infrequent save points.
- Technical flaws such as a fixed windowed mode and poor resolution detract from the overall experience.
- Controls cannot be customized, which may hinder accessibility for some players and lead to a less enjoyable gameplay experience.
- story11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as intriguing and colorful, featuring engaging characters and plot twists that enhance the overall experience. While some players found the narrative enjoyable and well-wrapped up, others felt frustrated and disconnected from the story due to gameplay issues. Overall, the writing received mixed reviews, with some players noting that it improved as they progressed.
“Very intriguing and mysterious story, yet quite a colorful and fun dialogue and characters.”
“I really liked how the story as a whole wrapped up; I am legitimately surprised this game didn't get enough attention as it should have. Sure, it's a bit stiff, but otherwise, it was super fun!”
“The story was a lot of fun as well, the antagonist being a love-it-or-hate-it character.”
“This one is particularly badly made, and while it does feature some story and an upgrade system, that's lipstick on a pig here.”
“I hardly noticed any impact with my upgrades, and I stopped following the story as overall I got too frustrated over everything else, though in the end it seemed to be getting interesting.”
“The writing... well alright, to be fair I'm not far enough into the story yet to talk about the story in and on itself.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its satisfying platforming and intuitive mechanics, reminiscent of Metroid-style games, which rewards a steady approach and offers diverse enemies and creative boss battles. However, some players find the dialogue interruptions disruptive and the humor immature, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game provides an engaging and enjoyable experience, especially with its effective enhancement mechanics.
“Such a great Metroid-like style game, satisfying platforming gameplay that rewards those who tend to take things steady.”
“The gameplay is a lot of fun, with diverse enemies and creative boss battles.”
“Every mechanic is also very intuitive, which makes it easy to get the hang of the game quickly.”
“The humor felt too immature for me, and I disliked how in-game conversations interrupted gameplay.”
“As for the gameplay, it's a side-scroller shooter akin to Metroid games, but it nudges along the way so you never feel lost.”
- music8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received positive feedback for its nostalgic retro style, with particular praise for specific themes like the coolant system area. However, some players noted that it can become repetitive and that dialogue interruptions can detract from the experience. Overall, it appeals especially to fans of classic gaming soundtracks.
“The music is nice; I especially liked the theme of the coolant system area, which had a nice groove to it.”
“The music is amazing if you are a fan of old game style retro music.”
“To be honest, I didn't know what to expect, but they are bit tunes like the good old days, reminding me of songs like 'The Explorer' from La-Mulana and even Mega Man.”
“The music became repetitive quite quickly, and unfortunately, the conversations between you and Larken became detrimental as they would interrupt you during some crucial moments.”
“Also, special mention for the music.”
“And now, the music.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are criticized for relying on outdated retro pixel art, lacking options for resolution adjustments or customization, which leaves players unable to enhance the low-quality visuals.
“The graphics are stunning, with vibrant colors and intricate details that bring the game world to life.”
“The art style is beautifully crafted, blending modern aesthetics with a unique charm that captivates players.”
“The environments are richly designed, showcasing impressive textures and lighting effects that enhance the overall experience.”
“A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel art as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
“There are no options to change the resolution for the game or customize the graphics settings.”
“There is no way for gamers to improve the low-quality graphics.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability, particularly for players who enjoy uncovering secrets and exploring its charming design. Reviewers highlight the abundance of hidden content, making it an engaging experience that encourages multiple playthroughs. Overall, it is praised as an impressive debut from the developer, promising future potential.
“Vast replayability if you are really into finding all secrets and collectibles.”
“Such a fun game, tons of secrets and replay value. Everything about this game is charming and well thought out, making it an impressive first release from this developer, who I'll be keeping an eye on for their future releases.”
“Vast replayability if you are really into finding all the secrets and collectibles.”
“Once you complete the game, there's little incentive to play through it again.”
“The lack of meaningful choices makes replaying the game feel tedious and uninteresting.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is polarizing; some find it immature and disruptive to gameplay, while others appreciate the quirky character dynamics, particularly the bemusement of the protagonist in response to a comedic side character. Overall, it seems to evoke a mix of love and disdain among players.
“H is a bemused action guy with a hangover who loves his wife and daughter a lot (and I love him a lot). Larank... I feel like he's a bit of a 'love him or hate him' kind of character, but I personally think he's hilarious, especially when H reacts to his whole shtick with the exact same kind of bemused acceptance I do in any other video game.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features notable character development alongside engaging bosses, a captivating soundtrack, and unexpected plot twists, enhancing the overall narrative experience.
“The character development is rich and engaging, making each character feel unique and memorable.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, with their backstories and motivations deeply explored.”
“The growth of the characters is beautifully intertwined with the plot, creating a compelling narrative experience.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and frustrating, citing issues such as poor resolution, bugs, and weak upgrades that hinder progression and overall enjoyment.
“I really wanted to like this game, but the illegible font, horrible resolution, bugs, odd physics, weak upgrades, and tedious progression made it impossible for me to enjoy it.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's vintage pixel art is praised for its clarity and vibrant colors, creating distinct and charming atmospheres for each level.
“The pixel art is very vintage but clear and colorful, with each level having a distinct and often charming atmosphere.”