Forma.8

52%
Game Brain Score Based on 38 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
Forma.8 Game Cover
Forma.8 is an utterly gorgeous and affecting take on the familiar 2D Metroidvania style game with some clever puzzles for your plucky little probe to navigate.
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"Forma.8 is a single-player Science Fiction Arcade game with great mechanics and stunning visuals. As a stranded exploration probe, you must find a lost energy source on an alien planet filled with danger, ancient civilizations, and hidden secrets. Explore a vast open world, gain new abilities, and engage in challenging battles with deadly enemies in this immersive Metroidvania experience."

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
  • Tablet
  • Wii
  • Wii U
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

52%
Audience ScoreBased on 38 reviews
graphics14 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • Beautiful graphics and a compelling atmosphere that enhances exploration and storytelling.
  • Unique mechanics for bosses and a smooth difficulty curve provide engaging gameplay.
  • The game offers a sense of wonder with its alien landscapes and clever puzzles.
  • Movement is painfully slow, making exploration and backtracking tedious.
  • Lack of clear feedback and minimal tutorials can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
  • Inconsistent mechanics, such as the bomb ability not always working as expected, detract from the overall enjoyment.
  • graphics24 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beauty and appealing art style, with many reviewers highlighting the minimalist visuals and atmospheric environments that effectively convey the story. While some players appreciate the unique silhouette graphics and chill aesthetics, others note that the gameplay pace can feel slow. Overall, the visuals are considered one of the game's strongest aspects, contributing to an engaging and immersive experience.

    • “Beautiful graphics, intuitive gameplay, and a moving subliminal story all paired with challenging puzzles and enemies make for one of the best indie games I've ever played.”
    • “Visuals are one of the game's strongest points.”
    • “It's a clever idea, and the art direction ties it together for some nice chill aesthetics and relaxing gameplay.”
    • “Enemies seem to take damage from your basic attack judging by sounds and visuals when in fact they are not taking any damage.”
    • “I like the general atmosphere, the game does a great job of telling a compelling story with only the environments to go by, even if I'm not that big a fan of silhouette graphics.”
    • “The game started off really strong, I liked the quiet, slower pace and the minimalist visuals.”
  • gameplay15 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by beautiful graphics and intuitive mechanics, complemented by a moving story and challenging puzzles. While the combat is simple yet evolves into more complex strategies, some players find the progression linear and the mechanics frustrating. Overall, it offers a relaxing experience with up to 10 hours of exploration, though it may not stand out in originality within the metroidvania genre.

    • “Beautiful graphics, intuitive gameplay, and a moving subliminal story all paired with challenging puzzles and enemies make for one of the best indie games I've ever played.”
    • “+ Unique mechanics for every boss make for interesting battles.”
    • “It's a clever idea, and the art direction ties it together for some nice chill aesthetics and relaxing gameplay.”
    • “At first, I really liked the way the minimalist intro left you feeling abandoned on an alien planet, fitting well with the story, but then it was frustrating and limited progression through what (in my fairly limited gameplay thus far) seemed like a reasonably linear story.”
    • “But I'm just not a fan of the mechanics.”
    • “Forma.8 isn’t the most original metroidvania-type in mechanical terms.”
  • story11 mentions

    The game's story is praised for its compelling atmosphere and effective environmental storytelling, creating a sense of abandonment on an alien planet. However, some players find the progression frustratingly linear and the narrative somewhat obtuse, despite the engaging visuals and soundtrack. Overall, while the story has its strengths, it may not resonate with everyone due to its pacing and structure.

    • “I like the general atmosphere; the game does a great job of telling a compelling story with only the environments to go by, even if I'm not that big a fan of silhouette graphics.”
    • “Beautiful graphics, intuitive gameplay, and a moving subliminal story all paired with challenging puzzles and enemies make for one of the best indie games I've ever played.”
    • “It’s also a touch obtuse in its early hours, but the pulp sci-fi novel visuals, electronica soundtrack, and intriguingly drip-fed storytelling are reasons enough to warrant your attention.”
    • “At first, I really liked the way the minimalist intro left you feeling abandoned on an alien planet, fitting well with the story, but then it became frustrating due to limited progression through what seemed like a reasonably linear story.”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and compelling storytelling through environmental design, particularly in the metroidvania genre. While some players appreciate the stunning atmosphere, there are concerns about execution that may detract from the overall experience. Overall, it is considered a strong atmospheric title, though some recommend waiting for a sale.

    • “A love letter to the metroidvania genre, this game is atmospheric and immersive in every detail.”
    • “A really amazing atmosphere.”
    • “I like the general atmosphere; the game does a great job of telling a compelling story with only the environments to go by, even if I'm not that big a fan of silhouette graphics.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be overly tedious and repetitive, leading to a loss of enjoyment. The primary attack mechanic, involving dropping and shooting bombs, quickly becomes monotonous and detracts from the overall experience.

    • “Unlike that game, this one wears out its welcome and ultimately becomes too tedious to enjoy.”
    • “The whole 'drop bomb -> shoot bomb' primary attack gets really tedious really fast.”
  • music3 mentions

    The music in the game features an ambient soundtrack that differs significantly from the trailer, contributing to the overall atmosphere. While some players find the early hours a bit confusing, the electronica elements and the unique visuals enhance the experience, making it worth exploring.

    • “The ambient soundtrack is captivating, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
    • “The electronica soundtrack perfectly complements the pulp sci-fi novel visuals, making for a unique and engaging experience.”
    • “The music, combined with intriguingly drip-fed storytelling, is a compelling reason to dive into the game.”
    • “The ambient soundtrack is nice, but it's nothing like what was shown in the trailer.”
    • “The ambient soundtrack is nice, but it's nothing like what was shown in the trailer.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

57% average critic score

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Play time

10hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
10-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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