Gearend

About

Gearend is a single player action adventure game. It was developed by SolarLune and was released on November 17, 2017. It received very positive reviews from players.

"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."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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91%

Audience ScoreBased on 22 reviews

music10 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

Stunning graphics and a charming atmosphere that enhance the overall experience.
Engaging gameplay with a unique customization system for the character's abilities and equipment.
Excellent soundtrack that complements the game and adds to the enjoyment of exploration.

The game is relatively short, leaving players wanting more content and a more fleshed-out story.
Manual saving can be frustrating, especially with instant death mechanics that require backtracking.
Some technical issues, such as framerate instability and minor bugs, can detract from the experience.

music
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
41%
14%
The music in Gearend has received high praise for its quality and variety, with each area and boss featuring unique tracks that enhance the overall experience. Reviewers noted that the soundtrack is engaging enough to keep players interested, often making them look forward to discovering new tunes as they explore. 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.”
- “Lots of variety considering the fairly limited scope of the game; for example, every boss has its own music.”
- “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.”
- “The music matches the graphics, which are pixelized without any of the palette limitations common to retro games.”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
24%
13%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning visuals, vibrant animations, and unique character designs, creating a captivating atmosphere. While some elements may appear to be at a programmer-art level, the overall presentation, including dynamic lighting effects and a well-executed dark aesthetic, showcases significant care and dedication. Additionally, the pixelized graphics are enhanced by a fitting musical score, contributing to the game's immersive experience.
- “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!”
- “Charming graphics with unique characters and dialogue.”
- “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.”
story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
58%
25%
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, many players feel that the narrative is cut short, leaving some important elements unresolved, and express hope for future updates or DLC to address these gaps. Overall, while the atmosphere and storytelling are appreciated, the conclusion may feel incomplete for some players.
- “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, 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).”
- “The game's plot is simple, well explained, and just ambitious enough to lead to a surprisingly effective resolution.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its stunning graphics and well-crafted dark aesthetic, reminiscent of classic titles like Cave Story. Reviewers note the attention to detail in each area, contributing to an immersive experience that complements the platforming and metroidvania elements of gameplay. Overall, the game's atmosphere is a significant highlight, appealing to fans of visually rich and atmospheric worlds.
- “I would recommend Gearend to anyone who enjoys platforming, action games, or even just a stunning and atmospheric world.”
- “The atmosphere is reminiscent of Cave Story and its gameplay has light Metroidvania mechanics mostly prominent in its obstacle-based open map progression.”
- “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.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The gameplay features light metroidvania mechanics with an emphasis on obstacle-based open map progression, encouraging players to mix and match abilities to suit different scenarios. Each new ability significantly alters the character's behavior, providing a refreshing experience rather than just incremental upgrades. The game is noted for its charm and quirky nature, making exploration and experimentation a rewarding aspect of the gameplay.
- “The atmosphere is reminiscent of Cave Story, and its gameplay features light Metroidvania mechanics, mostly prominent in its obstacle-based open map progression.”
- “The atmosphere is reminiscent of Cave Story, and its gameplay has 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.”
- “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 development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development in the game is notably enhanced by engaging NPC dialogue and well-crafted character designs that are both varied and fitting for their roles. This attention to detail contributes significantly to the overall immersive experience.
- “The NPC dialogue is a highlight of the game, and the character design is also well-done, varied, and appropriate for the characters.”