ESCHATOS
- September 18, 2015
- Qute
- 19h median play time
Get on Steam"Eschatos" is a single-player shooter game with stunning gameplay and a fabulous soundtrack. The game takes place in 21XX, where an alien force has taken over the Moon and is invading Earth. Players can choose from Original, Advanced, or Time Attack modes and enjoy an intuitive scoring system with a high skill ceiling. The goal is to repel the alien invasion, beat them back through space, and recapture the Moon.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Windows
PlayStation
Xbox
Xbox 360
Reviews
- Eschatos features an incredible soundtrack by Yousuke Yasui that enhances the overall gaming experience.
- The game is beginner-friendly with multiple difficulty settings and a unique shield mechanic that makes it accessible to new players.
- It offers a variety of gameplay modes and unlockable features, providing good replay value and a fun challenge for both casual and veteran players.
- The camera angles can be disorienting, leading to frustrating deaths and making it difficult to judge distances during gameplay.
- The scoring system can be punishing, as mistakes early in a stage can significantly impact the player's score multiplier.
- Some players find the graphics and visual clarity lacking, with certain elements blending into the background, making it hard to see projectiles.
- music104 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many reviewers praising it as one of the best soundtracks in the shoot 'em up genre. Composed by Yousuke Yasui, the soundtrack is described as catchy, energetic, and immersive, significantly enhancing the gameplay experience. Players often express that the music not only complements the action but also motivates them to play better, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The soundtrack absolutely slaps and the game mechanics are spot on.”
“Fantastic shmup with an excellent soundtrack.”
“The soundtrack is so outstanding I've found myself listening to a few of the tracks on repeat.”
“The graphics may look a bit dated, but the soundtrack overcompensates whatever expectations you could have if you've seen a trailer of this game on your phone with the sound muted.”
“I only bought the game because it had a rear-end kicking soundtrack and I was curious how the actual game was.”
“The music -- in both its original FM synth style and the more modern-sounding arrange version -- complements the action perfectly, and the high-speed, vomit-inducing rollercoaster ride of the final stage really brings things to a suitably epic climax.”
- gameplay48 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by fast-paced, addictive mechanics that balance offense and defense, with a focus on straightforward scoring and unique weapon systems. While some players appreciate the innovative design and engaging soundtrack, others find certain mechanics, like the shield system, less appealing. Overall, the game offers a nostalgic yet polished shoot-'em-up experience with multiple modes and a variety of challenges that cater to both casual and hardcore players.
“The gameplay is a perfect example of easy to learn, difficult to master, which I love—unlike some crazy cave game where you have to search for hours of poorly translated Japanese websites to decipher the overly complicated scoring/chaining system.”
“Unlike many modern shmups, which focus entirely on dodging and esoteric scoring mechanics, Eschatos prioritizes balancing offense and defense with its unique weapon and shield mechanic against unpredictable enemies whose quirky movement makes them as challenging to hit as they are to dodge.”
“The gameplay is entertaining and the soundtrack has been crafted by the marvelously talented Yousuke Yasui.”
“I only played as long as up to stage 3, but everything about the gameplay felt lame to me.”
“- while the gameplay is 2D, a lot of enemies and level design appear to be 3D, and it can be hard to tell what has a hitbox and what doesn't.”
“In what seems to be a common trend among people who are first exposed to this game, I was initially ready to dismiss it however many years ago before it initially arrived on Xbox 360, based on the seemingly underwhelming visuals and rudimentary looking gameplay.”
- graphics27 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the bright, low-poly art style and vibrant colors, while others criticize the visuals for being cluttered and difficult to read during gameplay. Many players appreciate the nostalgic aesthetic and cinematic camera work, though some find the graphics simplistic or dated. Overall, while the visuals may not be the standout feature, they complement the engaging gameplay and excellent soundtrack.
“High speed Toaplan-esque shmup with 3D graphics, tons of explosions, and some funky dynamic camera angles.”
“Top it off with stellar presentations: colorful graphics and a serene soundtrack.”
“The 2.5D graphics, exquisite music, and cinematic camera work give a real sense of drama to the game.”
“The overall graphic style was kind of a turn off at first.”
“Notes: primary complaints involve all of the z-axis shenanigans and the graphics/readability of the game being very poor in my opinion.”
“In what seems to be a common trend among people who are first exposed to this game, I was initially ready to dismiss it however many years ago before it initially arrived on Xbox 360, based on the seemingly underwhelming visuals and rudimentary looking gameplay.”
- story9 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimalistic, revolving around a straightforward premise of saving Earth from alien invaders who have captured the moon, conveyed without any text or lengthy cutscenes. While some players appreciate the simplicity and fast-paced action, others express a desire for deeper narratives and character development, particularly in titles like Ginga Force and Natsuki Chronicle. Overall, the story serves its purpose in a shoot 'em up context, focusing on gameplay rather than intricate storytelling.
“The game has a cinematic story that does not slow the action, as there are no pauses and videos.”
“The storyline of Eschaton can be summed up in about two sentences: aliens have invaded the Earth and captured the moon!”
“It's about the depth of story one might expect from a shoot 'em up.”
“One might say it's even preferable to have a bare-bones story.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability through multiple modes, including advanced gameplay mechanics and various difficulty levels that encourage players to improve and unlock new features. Players can enjoy repeated runs to earn points and extra credits, enhancing the overall experience and longevity of the game.
“All in all, it's a really good short game with a ton of replayability between the modes and the encouragement to rack up points with each run, whether you win or fail. The more you play, the more leniency options you'll unlock to make the harder modes more accessible, even if you're not great at shmups.”
“In addition to the harder difficulties, there is also the advanced mode, which features a different gameplay mechanic that adds to the replay value.”
“Good replay value through several modes as the player unlocks extra credits and features.”
“And in addition to the harder difficulties, there is also the advanced mode which has a different gameplay mechanic that adds to the replay value.”
“Various play modes for lots of replay value.”
- stability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game demonstrates impressive stability, featuring a seamless 3D experience with minimal loading interruptions and smooth performance on Windows 10. Users appreciate the effective use of camera work and unique setpieces that enhance the overall gameplay experience.
“Runs great on Windows 10.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I experienced multiple bugs that disrupted my gameplay experience.”
“The frame rate drops significantly during intense moments, affecting overall stability.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is not directly addressed in the provided text, which focuses more on gameplay mechanics related to shooting. Therefore, no specific emotional insights can be summarized from this excerpt.
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is characterized by a fast-paced, action-packed experience that immerses players in a battle against an invading alien force, transitioning from Earth to the moon as they confront various alien ships. This dynamic setting enhances the sense of urgency and excitement throughout the gameplay.
“It has the fast-paced feel of starting a fight against an invading alien force on Earth, blasting into the atmosphere to confront a carrier ship and an alien mothership, and then taking the fight to the moon itself, which has been occupied by the alien menace.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that while genre veterans may find the grinding aspect too simplistic, the grind for unlockables is perceived as less rewarding, suggesting a need for more variety, such as multiplayer options, to enhance the experience.
“Grindy unlockables aren't all that rewarding.”
“Genre veterans may find it a bit too simple.”
“The game could use more variations, such as multiplayer.”
