February 5, 2017
Game Freak

GIGA WRECKER

Giga Wrecker Alt marries puzzling with Metroidvania beautifully, offering up just enough challenge without getting in its own way. Despite its few stumbles, Giga Wrecker Alt is one of those out-of-nowhere games that's well worth your time.

72%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, stability

78% User Score Based on 342 reviews

Critic Score 69%Based on 9 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $2.36

Buy NowGet on Steam€19.99

About

GIGA WRECKER is a physics-based puzzle-platformer where you manipulate debris to solve levels and defeat enemies. As a mechanically-enhanced girl, traverse through a post-apocalyptic world, using your abilities to create and control tools made from scrap. With challenging gameplay and creative level design, GIGA WRECKER offers a unique spin on the genre.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

+12

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 351 reviews

story66 positive mentions

grinding14 negative mentions

Giga Wrecker features unique gameplay mechanics that combine environmental manipulation with puzzle-solving, providing a dynamic and engaging experience.
The game boasts stunning graphics and a vibrant art style, enhancing the overall immersion and appeal.
Boss battles are challenging and enjoyable, requiring players to learn patterns and utilize their abilities effectively.

The physics engine can be inconsistent, leading to frustrating moments where players may fall through platforms or experience unpredictable outcomes.
The translation and dialogue quality are often poor, detracting from the narrative experience and character development.
Some puzzles can feel cryptic or overly reliant on trial and error, which may lead to frustration rather than satisfaction.

story
203 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
61%
7%
The story of "Giga Wrecker" is described as engaging and filled with emotional depth, featuring themes of resilience and character development that keep players invested in the protagonist's journey. However, many reviews point out issues with translation quality, which detracts from the narrative experience, and some find the plot to be predictable and clichéd. Overall, while the story has its strengths, including interesting concepts and character dynamics, it is often overshadowed by localization problems and a lack of backstory for supporting characters.
- “The narrative is told through dialogue and cutscenes that add depth to the characters and storyline, keeping players invested in Aki's journey.”
- “The storyline touches on themes of resilience, creating an emotional connection with players.”
- “The progression of the story, combined with the development of the characters, provides a sense of purpose and motivation to continue playing.”
- “The game tries to tell a story, but fails at two points here.”
- “There is little to no satisfaction in progressing to see the plot unfold, since there is barely any there to sustain the player and what is there is so utterly cliché, predictable, and tropey.”
- “The story and characters are a bit on the flat side unfortunately, and there are a lot of odd localization choices for the translation, which leaves some bits reading awkwardly.”
gameplay
188 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
69%
4%
The gameplay of "Giga Wrecker" is characterized by its unique environment manipulation mechanics, blending physics-based puzzles with platforming and metroidvania elements. While the game offers engaging boss battles and a rich narrative, some players find the mechanics frustrating due to inconsistent physics and a lack of clear instructions for certain challenges. Overall, the gameplay is a mix of innovative ideas and execution flaws, providing a rewarding experience for those who enjoy puzzle-platformers, despite some criticisms regarding flow and complexity.
- “Giga Wrecker offers a multifaceted gameplay experience, with its primary focus on puzzles complemented by platforming elements, a dash of metroidvania exploration, and engaging boss battles.”
- “The mechanics of destruction and reconstruction are not only unique but also innovative, allowing the game to stand out among its competitors.”
- “The smooth animation of the characters and interactions helps to create a sense of fluidity that is essential to the gameplay.”
- “The first boss fight almost turned me off the game due to a lack of instruction on how to counter the boss. Such mechanics never appeared before or were taught in the stage, and it is exclusive to this boss that you had to figure it out yourself or lose several times for an NPC to give you a hint.”
- “The gameplay works well when it does, but when the physics do not go how you hoped, it gets very frustrating.”
- “Simply put, the overall gameplay is boring beyond just the puzzle elements; a good example of this would be the gimmicky nature of the weird robot arm our lead protagonist has that collects junk. Those impractical gimmicks are something Nintendo needs to really stop doing, because it's annoying and not fun.”
graphics
125 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
50%
2%
The graphics of "Giga Wrecker" are widely praised for their vibrant and detailed art style, which effectively blends anime and futuristic aesthetics. While many players find the visuals striking and memorable, some critique the technical execution, noting issues like lazy sprite work and a lack of polish in certain areas. Overall, the game's art style is considered its strongest feature, contributing significantly to its appeal despite some graphical shortcomings.
- “The art style is vibrant and detailed, with a design that blends elements of anime and futuristic aesthetics.”
- “The art style of the game is gorgeous and unique.”
- “I can say I bought this game full price solely for the beautiful art style, nothing else included.”
- “I didn't enjoy my time with it; I get lost easily in the map, the graphics are a little small, and the physics engine seemed a little wonky.”
- “This game has awful graphics - the art is good, but the technical side lacks polish and basic stuff like anti-aliasing, so the sprites don't look like garbage.”
- “The gameplay and challenge themselves are well worth the money, so long as you don't mind the weak aesthetics.”
music
120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
50%
10%
The music in "Giga Wrecker" is generally praised for its dynamic and adaptive qualities, enhancing the gameplay experience with a mix of ambient and upbeat tracks that suit various situations, particularly during boss battles. While some players find the soundtrack soothing and fitting, others note that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing positively to its atmosphere and enjoyment.
- “The soundtrack is one of my favorites and the gameplay had me hooked from the start.”
- “Finally, the music is excellent - in the main areas it's nice and relaxing for puzzle solving.”
- “While during the stages the music usually has an ambient and relaxing vibe, boss fight themes are uptempo tracks with melodies and beats that kept me pumped for another try.”
- “Made by Game Freak with quality art but plays like a bad indie physics game with a 20s music loop and horrible story.”
- “Some areas have no music, with no particular reason why there shouldn't be any.”
- “The music's lacking, and the localization's even more so.”
grinding
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
88%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some appreciate the challenge of mastering boss patterns, many feel that the repetitive nature of puzzles and constant stage resets lead to tedium and frustration. The game offers enough experience points through regular play to minimize the need for grinding, but the interruptions and lengthy dialogues can detract from the overall enjoyment. Ultimately, persistence may yield satisfaction, but the grind can feel excessive and time-consuming for some.
- “The constant stage reset that was necessary was very tedious and felt like time-wasters as the failure point of the puzzle could be as far as the end of the puzzle but the restart goes back all the way to the beginning.”
- “However, it has a few downsides: you can make progression through grinding, which is always questionable in an 'ability progression'-based game.”
- “You literally can't play any part of the first fifteen minutes of this game for more than 90 seconds in a row before it will interrupt you with another tedious, boring conversation between forgettable characters mumbling expository dialog.”
character development
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
Character development in the game is primarily conveyed through its unique and stylish character designs, which are noted for their blend of angular and rounded features. While the story offers heartwarming themes of family and companionship, it is considered somewhat generic, leading players to connect more with the characters through their visual appeal and in-game actions rather than through dialogue or plot. Overall, the character development shines through the art style and gameplay rather than narrative depth.
- “But that's where my complaints end; levels may look uninspired, but each has its own solution. Character design is good on its own, a story is there, and while generic, it has really heartwarming undertones about family and companionship.”
- “The character designs fit the world, being both oddly angular and rounded at the same time.”
- “All I'm saying is that more than likely most of your love for the characters will come from the character designs and actions taken in battle, rather than the dialogue or plot.”
- “All I'm saying is that more than likely most of your love from the characters will come from the character designs and actions taken in battle, rather than the dialogue or plot.”
- “The game's character development feels lacking, as it doesn't provide enough depth or engagement with the characters beyond their visual appeal.”
- “While the character designs are visually interesting, they don't translate into meaningful character development or emotional connection.”
replayability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
The game's replayability is mixed; while it offers a solid amount of content and a level editor that can significantly enhance replay value, its linearity and lack of diverse gameplay options limit replayability for some players. The inclusion of a skill tree adds potential for varied playthroughs, but overall, opinions vary on how much players will return to the game.
- “This game has high replayability; I really want to play through the game again, but I yet to have any free time to do that.”
- “The game as a whole packs more than enough content for its asking price (8-12 hours depending on achievement completion rate, difficulty, and physics shenanigans) but severely lacks replayability due to its linearity.”
- “There is also a skill tree in this game which I feel can increase the replayability, as I went through the whole game without knowing about a skill that can make more platforms.”
- “The level editor makes the game's replay value almost infinite if people keep adding to it.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is a mixed bag, with some scenes falling flat while others evoke nostalgia or genuine laughter, particularly through quirky elements like weapon skins. The translation from Japanese, done by a non-native English speaker, adds an unintended charm that some players appreciate, contributing to the game's unique comedic style. Overall, while not consistently effective, the humor can be entertaining and enhances the gameplay experience.
- “Some look awesome, some are nostalgic, and others are just plain funny.”
- “Apart from that, solving those riddles is highly satisfactory, since you get to witness the progress you're making right away, may it be an additional story part, a lot of experience, or a new weapon skin (which are hilarious by the way - ever fought with a swordfish/ice cream combination?).”
- “The game is originally in Japanese and has obviously been translated by somebody who speaks English as a second language. Some people might find this annoying (since it results in some perhaps unintentional humor), but I think it helps give the game a very unique and entertaining charm, and since it's been done this way, you get a more 'pure' translation in my opinion.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its engaging original compositions that enhance tension during action and create a calming ambiance during exploration. The art and character design contribute to a lovely setting, while the music complements the overall experience, evoking feelings of curiosity and relaxation. Overall, it successfully blends a fun puzzle platformer vibe with an immersive atmosphere.
- “The original compositions are engaging, increasing the tension during moments of action and providing a calmer atmosphere during exploration.”
- “Cutscene background music gives the same feeling and atmosphere as the main theme, albeit with a sense of curiosity about the unknown being added.”
- “Lovely atmosphere and setting, relaxing and fun puzzle platformer, with amazing art and characters.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game effectively evokes emotions through its themes of resilience, family, and companionship, fostering a strong connection with players. While some levels may appear uninspired, the overall narrative and character design contribute to a heartwarming experience that enhances the emotional journey. "Giga Wrecker" is recommended for those seeking both a challenging gameplay experience and an emotionally engaging story.
- “The storyline touches on themes of resilience, creating an emotional connection with players.”
- “If you’re looking for a game that challenges your skills while providing an emotional and visually stunning journey, 'Giga Wrecker' is a must-play.”
- “Levels may look uninspired, but each has its own solution. The character design is good on its own, and while the story may be generic, it has really heartwarming undertones about family and companionship.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game's stability is generally good, with no major game-breaking glitches reported. However, players have noted issues with loading times and occasional freezes, particularly during puzzle interactions, which can detract from the experience over time. The physics mechanics are well-executed, contributing positively to gameplay enjoyment.
- “It is fun at first, but gets mundane over time, especially due to the glitches in puzzles.”
- “The only problem at the moment (because early access) is the loading times and freezes when destroying something.”
- “The only problem at the moment (because early access) is the loading times and freezes when destroying something.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game suffers from notable optimization issues, including collision detection problems, inconsistent performance, and erratic physics. While some players experienced slow performance on lower-end systems, the overall gameplay was engaging enough to maintain their interest.
- “The game has some collision detection issues, occasional performance problems, and extremely wonky physics.”
- “My computer is not that great, so the game's performance was slow at times, but the game was good enough that I kept playing.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect includes dialog advertisements, such as a recurring promotion for Chocopie, which some users find engaging due to their personal preference for the snack.