Gearend
- November 17, 2017
- SolarLune
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Get on itch.io Store"Gearend is a single-player Action game with beautiful graphics and an exceptional soundtrack. As the robot Eps, explore an abandoned research facility, upgrading your abilities and uncovering the truth of the facility's fate. With non-linear progression and multiple playstyles, Gearend offers a unique and engaging experience for players."
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Stunning graphics and vibrant animations create an engaging atmosphere.
- The game features a charming soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- Unique customization mechanics for the character encourage exploration and experimentation.
- The game is relatively short, leaving players wanting more content.
- Manual saving can be frustrating, especially with instant death mechanics.
- Some technical issues, such as framerate instability and minor bugs, detract from the experience.
- music11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The music in Gearend has received high praise for its quality and variety, with many players noting that it enhances the overall experience of the game. The soundtrack is described as engaging and memorable, with unique themes for different areas and bosses, making it a standout feature that players look forward to. While some found the complexity of the music occasionally distracting, the consensus is that it significantly contributes to the game's charm and atmosphere.
“Finally, I come to the soundtrack, which is awesome. Usually, I don't pay much attention to the music in a game and often I will turn it down in favor of talk radio, but in this case, I didn't feel compelled to dial it down. Instead, I looked forward to finding new areas in the game so I might be greeted by its accompanying tune.”
“The music matches the graphics, which are pixelized without any of the palette limitations common to retro games.”
“The music is very well done, but in some cases, is so ambitious and complex as to be distracting.”
“I've always believed a soundtrack can make or break a game, and Gearend's music really makes it.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning visuals, vibrant animations, and unique character designs, creating a captivating atmosphere. While there are some elements that resemble programmer art, the overall presentation, including dynamic lighting effects and a well-executed dark aesthetic, showcases significant care and dedication. Additionally, the pixelized style is enhanced by modern graphical effects, making it visually appealing even on more demanding platforms.
“Splendid graphics, reasonable amount of customization, and a well-presented dark atmosphere.”
“The visuals are absolutely stunning, and it's very clear that a lot of care and dedication went into making every area of the game have a particular atmosphere.”
“The graphics look great; this is a 2D sprite game that has dynamic lighting effects!”
“The music matches the graphics, which are pixelized without any of the palette limitations common to retro games.”
“Playing the Linux version, the game is surprisingly graphics intensive.”
- story6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's story features cute characters and a well-explained, simple plot that draws inspiration from titles like Cave Story, leading to an effective resolution. However, some players feel that the narrative is cut short, leaving important elements unresolved, and express hope for future updates or DLC to expand on the story. Overall, the atmosphere and storytelling are appreciated, despite some lingering questions.
“All in all, this is a great game and while I can tell that the story and game length were cut short, I can only hope that the dev will release a DLC or update to fill these voids, and I look forward to any of their future projects.”
“- The ending, while not abrupt per se, feels like it leaves important parts of the story unresolved, although I don't know if it maybe changes if you get absolutely everything or trigger something (I doubt it because there's no achievement for something like this).”
“All in all, this is a great game, and while I can tell that the story and game length were cut short, I can only hope that the dev will release a DLC or update to fill these voids. I look forward to any of their future projects.”
“The ending, while not abrupt per se, feels like it leaves important parts of the story unresolved. I don't know if it maybe changes if you get absolutely everything or trigger something (I doubt it because there's no achievement for something like this).”
“The game's plot is simple, well explained, and just ambitious enough to lead to a surprisingly effective resolution.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by stunning graphics and a well-crafted dark aesthetic, reminiscent of classic titles like Cave Story. Players appreciate the attention to detail in each area, which enhances the overall experience, making it appealing to fans of platforming and action games.
“Splendid graphics, reasonable amount of customization, and a well-presented dark atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere is reminiscent of Cave Story, and its gameplay has light Metroidvania mechanics, mostly prominent in its obstacle-based open map progression.”
“The visuals are absolutely stunning, and it's very clear that a lot of care and dedication went into making every area of the game have a particular atmosphere.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay features light metroidvania mechanics that emphasize obstacle-based open map progression, encouraging players to explore and adapt their character's abilities throughout the game. Each new ability significantly alters gameplay, providing a fresh experience rather than just incremental upgrades, while the charming atmosphere adds to the overall enjoyment.
“The atmosphere is reminiscent of Cave Story, and its gameplay features light Metroidvania mechanics, mostly prominent in its obstacle-based open map progression.”
“This feature is not an accessory or afterthought but rather an important mechanic that will require often mixing and matching of parts best to suit the scenario. While you will likely have a favorite setup, you won't be able to stick to it for the whole game, which is nice because it motivates the player to explore this feature.”
“The atmosphere is reminiscent of Cave Story, and its gameplay has light Metroidvania mechanics, mostly prominent in its obstacle-based open map progression.”
“Regarding gameplay, each new ability changed the character's behavior just enough to be genuinely novel, instead of being merely a new kind of incremental upgrade.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is notably strong, with engaging NPC dialogue that enhances the narrative, alongside well-designed and varied character visuals that complement their personalities.
“The NPC dialogue is a highlight of the game, and the character design is also well-done, varied, and appropriate for the characters.”
“The depth of character development really immerses you in the story, making each character feel unique and relatable.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, with their backstories and motivations being revealed in a compelling way.”
