Fallen Aces

About

Fallen Aces is a single player action game. It was developed by Jason Bond and was released on June 14, 2024. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Fallen Aces is a gritty FPS crime noir featuring hand-drawn art and fully voiced comic cutscenes that tell a dark, episodic story of heroes, villains, and betrayal. Set in Switchblade City, players use an arsenal of melee and ranged weapons in non-linear levels, choosing stealth or all-out action to reclaim control. The game’s authentic period dialogue and 90s comic style bring its gritty world vividly to life.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+12

Skip User Reviews

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,120 reviews

story343 positive mentions

stability11 negative mentions

Unique 1950s comic aesthetic that enhances the immersive experience.
Engaging gameplay with multiple approaches to combat, allowing for both stealth and brawling.
Rich level design filled with secrets and alternative routes, encouraging exploration.

Limited inventory system restricts players to only three items, which can be frustrating.
Currently only one episode is available, leaving players wanting more content.
Some AI behaviors can feel inconsistent, particularly in stealth scenarios.

story
686 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
48%
2%
The story of "Fallen Aces" is a compelling blend of noir detective themes and comic book aesthetics, drawing players into a gritty world filled with engaging characters and intriguing plot twists. The narrative unfolds through well-crafted comic-style cutscenes and environmental storytelling, offering multiple approaches to mission objectives that enhance replayability. While currently limited to the first episode, the story has captivated players, leaving them eager for future chapters and further developments.
- “Couple that with excellent presentation, great voice acting, and a surprisingly compelling story.”
- “The story is engaging, the combat is fun, and the awesome comic book style brings this game to life.”
- “The storytelling is really cool, doing the graphic novel style panels, but sprinkling in all sorts of flourishes, small animations, transitions, cool framings, fun writing, alongside excellent voice acting, good sound design, absolutely stellar music which carries onto the gameplay as well & feels so good enriching the already thick atmosphere.”
- “The story drips with cliches and nostalgia for a better time long passed.”
- “It's unfortunate that the story is split into three parts, each released separately, as it was starting to get interesting right around the end of the fifth chapter.”
- “The story is pretty cheesy so far (only the first episode has been released with about 4 hours of gameplay) but it's enough to keep you interested.”
graphics
617 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
39%
1%
The graphics of "Fallen Aces" are widely praised for their unique comic book aesthetic, effectively blending 2D and 3D elements to create a vibrant and immersive world reminiscent of classic noir and pulp comics. Many reviewers highlight the game's charming visuals, detailed environments, and engaging cutscenes, which enhance the overall experience, despite some minor graphical glitches. Overall, the art style is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and atmosphere.
- “The art style is unique and visually stunning, making every scene feel like a page out of a comic book.”
- “Fallen Aces is an immensely satisfying FPS with emphasis on an excellent melee combat system, its world brought to life through consistently great voice acting, funny enemy quips, and a top-notch art style, and an intriguing story to tie it all together.”
- “The art style, the level design, the music, the cutscenes, the gameplay.”
- “The levels feel too big for the art style and gameplay.”
- “Minor bugs: the reworks to level 3 have left some graphical oddities like textures clipping through walls, nothing game-breaking like a crashing issue with level 2 that was patched a while back but level 3 might need a bit more polish.”
- “The graphics are pretty low poly, but look like a comic book.”
gameplay
502 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
49%
2%
The gameplay of "Fallen Aces" has been widely praised for its engaging mechanics, blending stealth, melee combat, and shooting in a unique, immersive sim style reminiscent of classic titles like "Dishonored" and "Thief." Players appreciate the freedom to approach encounters in various ways, with a focus on exploration and interaction with the environment, although some have noted issues with limited inventory and occasional inconsistencies in stealth mechanics. Overall, the combination of a captivating art style, solid voice acting, and a well-crafted narrative enhances the gameplay experience, making it a standout title in early access.
- “The gameplay is incredibly exciting, with every aspect of the controls feeling tight and satisfying.”
- “Gameplay allows for a lot of freedom in how you approach enemies.”
- “The gameplay shines with its open-ended, improvisation-heavy approach, backed by a near limitless range of weapons and a freedom of style going from ghost to bare knuckle brawler to all guns blazing shooter.”
- “The gameplay felt disconnected at times and I often found myself confused.”
- “The point is that the core gameplay loop in its current state is not fun or engaging enough and if a game is not fun then why would I stay with it, why would I waste my money on an entertainment product that I'm not enjoying, that is not entertaining me.”
- “Unfortunately, I do have one major sticking point that kinda sucks the fun out of the gameplay itself.”
music
215 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
47%
1%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, perfectly complementing the comic book art style and noir themes. Reviewers highlight the catchy, period-accurate soundtrack, which blends classic cinematic influences with modern elements, creating an immersive experience that resonates with players. Additionally, the voice acting and sound design are praised for their quality, further enriching the game's engaging narrative and gameplay.
- “The soundtrack complements this perfectly - it's composed in the style of classic cinema and nails the vibe completely, but still sneaks in some modern grooviness without betraying the core themes.”
- “With beautiful art direction, catchy period-accurate music, and superb voice acting, this game is a treat to the senses.”
- “The music ties everything together beautifully, and the period pieces introducing each level are a nice touch—especially the one in chapter 4.”
- “The moment I heard the music, I knew there was trouble ahead.”
- “My thoughts about this game were pretty much summarized when a very interesting and intense set piece was interrupted rudely by a minute-long Gianni goon shitting bit playing loudly over the music.”
- “Game is good, though I felt I should use this review to make it known to the dev (likely already heard and noted to be fixed) that the game's audio is a bit buggy, with any reloads of any kinds generally breaking the sound of rain or music, the music typically being very quiet after the load after some random trigger that gets it back to normal.”
humor
137 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
2%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and cleverness, with players highlighting the hilarious voice lines of the goons and the witty dialogue that enhances the immersive experience. Many reviews note the balance between serious themes and comedic elements, making for a fun and engaging atmosphere filled with memorable moments, such as unexpected toilet humor and quirky interactions. Overall, the game's humor is a significant draw, contributing to its replayability and enjoyment.
- “The goons' voice lines and easter eggs are unbelievably hilarious and funny and add to the charm of the game.”
- “Legitimately the most charming and funny immersive sim ever ❤️”
- “The dialogue is so funny; I love listening to all the stupid stuff the enemies say, and the art in the cutscenes is so cool looking.”
- “Gianni remains unfunny as always, but this game's pretty great.”
- “The humor falls flat and feels forced throughout the game.”
- “I expected more laughs, but the jokes just didn't land for me.”
atmosphere
107 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
33%
3%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and stylish design, effectively blending noir and comic book aesthetics to create a captivating experience. Players appreciate the attention to detail in the art style, sound design, and level layout, which together enhance the overall mood and storytelling. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke nostalgia while providing a rich, engaging environment that encourages exploration and replayability.
- “The atmosphere and the world that Switchblade City is in is amazing.”
- “The atmosphere is top notch, nailing that classic boomer-shooter FPS with the detail and nuance that you just love to see.”
- “The golden-age comic and noir pulp mashup works brilliantly, creating a unique atmosphere.”
- “I feel like that throws off the atmosphere a bit, but it's not a massive issue.”
- “The atmosphere combined with the music and the gameplay and the love and soul that was put into this legendary imsim, absolute in love with it and is just in EA!”
- “I have a couple mild critiques of it - the limited item slots really mess with my mind as I keep overthinking things, interrupting my gameplay - but let's be honest: this is a game all about the atmosphere.”
replayability
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
49%
4%
The game offers exceptional replayability, with multiple approaches to missions, numerous secrets to discover, and varied playstyles that encourage players to revisit levels. Despite currently having only five chapters, the depth and design of each level provide ample opportunities for exploration and experimentation, making it a highly engaging experience. Future content and features, such as a level editor, promise to enhance its replay value even further.
- “You can approach every mission however you want, and there's so much replayability.”
- “The aesthetic of this game is amazing, and it also has a lot of replay value with all of the missions having tons of secrets and variations in how you could go through them.”
- “The game offers replayability since you can either go full stealth or just punch everyone you see without caring about exploring and finding secrets.”
- “The game takes about 4-5 hours, but 4 of those levels have plenty of replayability.”
- “It's fun but it's 3 hours worth of content with no replay value.”
- “Even if it's short, though, there's enough replayability to add a few hours within the one chapter that's here.”
optimization
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
62%
13%
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with some players experiencing significant performance issues, particularly in densely packed areas and during level loading, while others report smooth gameplay after recent fixes. Many users noted improvements post-update, with solid performance on various systems, though optimization for the Steam Deck remains a concern. The game's visuals and mechanics are praised, suggesting that further refinements could enhance the experience even more.
- “Performance is great.”
- “I love this game and I love that the performance issues have been fixed.”
- “The visuals are phenomenal, the performance is rock solid, the melee system is very flexible, while the firearms system is very limited, forcing you to embrace your role as a hard-as-nails, goon-punching detective, where the only weapon you need is whatever happens to be around you at the time.”
- “I really wanted to play this game, but due to bad performance issues, I could not.”
- “Aside from some seriously intense stuttering when loading into a level/loading new assets, I haven't had many tech issues.”
- “The only problem is performance for now; the first level ran buttery smooth, but the second is suddenly 10-20 fps.”
stability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
7%
79%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report experiencing minimal bugs and smooth performance, some have noted minor glitches, particularly with audio and level interactions. The game runs well on various platforms, including the Steam Deck, and most users find the issues to be minor and not detracting from the overall experience.
- “Game runs great on Steam Deck after the latest update.”
- “Game runs great, has great polish, and rewards you for exploring. I would compare this game to Half-Life 2 in terms of gameplay and story.”
- “The game offers some nice graphics, although some ugly glitches here and there; it is pleasant all the same.”
- “It is a great game, but there are some glitches, like how you fall through the elevator.”
- “Game is good, though I felt I should use this review to make it known to the dev (likely already heard and noted to be fixed) that the game's audio is a bit buggy, with any reloads of any kind generally breaking the sound of rain or music, the music typically being very quiet after the load after some random trigger that gets it back to normal.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, praising its art style, voice acting, and nostalgic elements that evoke fond memories of classic genres. The experience is described as heartwarming and wholesome, despite some frustrations with gameplay mechanics like inventory limits and level design. Overall, the game successfully resonates with players, making them feel engaged and rewarded in their exploration.
- “It's heartwarming to see my favorite genre of games still alive and well in 2024.”
- “This game is literally so wholesome.”
- “It's genuinely a breath of fresh air and made me feel nostalgic in a way to be able to scour a map and be rewarded for finding the nooks and crannies.”
grinding
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
71%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while it can be tedious and repetitive during extended play sessions, it also encourages focused gameplay rather than excessive looting. Some appreciate the potential rewards for completing challenges, like unique items, but note that certain tasks can feel tedious, particularly when clues are poorly signposted. Overall, the game is best enjoyed in shorter bursts to mitigate the grind.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Fallen Aces overall is a fun game to play, yet sometimes it feels repetitive and can get boring and tedious if played for a long time. It's a very good city action game to enjoy in short bursts!”
- “This may sound tedious, but what it really does is force the player to concentrate on the action and the game, rather than on looting everything and managing a huge inventory.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game is highlighted by its exceptional art style and character designs, which draw inspiration from classic comic books. Players appreciate the engaging story, fun dialogue, and stellar voice acting that enhance the overall experience, making the characters memorable despite the game's short length and repetitive combat. The diverse and well-crafted character designs contribute significantly to the game's appeal.
- “From the hand-drawn art that takes on the classic comic book design, fun character designs and dialog ('I tried thinking but nothing happened.') and varied levels make this game a strong recommend from me despite its short length and slightly repetitive combat.”
- “Combat is very enjoyable though, story is fantastic and engaging, character design is a highlight and the world is beautiful!”
- “All the character designs are stellar, and the voice acting and script are just phenomenal.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
Reviewers appreciate the game's lack of microtransactions, highlighting it as a refreshing change from typical cash-grab models seen in larger titles. The focus on delivering a fun, immersive experience without monetization pitfalls is praised, particularly in contrast to other games in the genre.
- “Once again, New Blood Studios is putting out actual video games that are fun and not filled with microtransactions. Stop that, you're making the other guys look bad.”
- “It's funny how this comic 2.5D style game provides a more immersive single-player experience than your AAA budget open-world cash grab.”
- “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
- “I can't believe how many features are locked behind paywalls; it ruins the overall experience.”