GIGANTIC ARMY
- March 6, 2014
- ASTRO PORT
- 5h median play time
GIGANTIC ARMY is a sidescroller that reminds us of the 80's arcades and what Nintendo hard means.
Get on Steam"Gigantic Army" is a 2D side-scrolling shooting game where players control a mech suit to fight against enemy forces. With various weapons and power-ups to collect, players must navigate through levels, defeat bosses, and save the earth from alien invasion. The game features multiple stages, each with unique challenges and intense battles.
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Gigantic Army is a nostalgic throwback to classic 16-bit mech games, capturing the essence of titles like Cybernator and Metal Warriors.
- The game features solid gameplay mechanics with a good balance of difficulty, requiring players to strategize and learn enemy patterns.
- Visually appealing with nice pixel art and satisfying sound effects, the game delivers an enjoyable arcade-style experience.
- The strict time limit in each level creates unnecessary pressure, often leading to frustration and detracting from the overall enjoyment.
- Lack of checkpoints and the need to restart from the beginning of a stage upon dying can be punishing, especially for players unfamiliar with the game.
- Controls can feel clunky and unresponsive at times, making it difficult to execute precise movements and attacks.
- story48 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 85 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The game's story is delivered through lengthy text sequences between missions, which many players find tedious and poorly executed, often detracting from the fast-paced gameplay. While it attempts to pay homage to classic mecha shooters, the narrative is considered thin and uncreative, lacking the depth and engagement of its inspirations like "Front Mission: Gun Hazard." Overall, the story serves as a backdrop rather than a compelling element, with players often opting to skip it in favor of action.
“There is a storyline there somewhere, and that's probably the game's strongest part - you read text off a data tablet between each level, so... I guess your imagination fills in the details?”
“Gigantic Army is a true heartfelt homage to all 16-bit era mech shooters like Cybernator, Assault Suits Valken, Metal Warriors, Front Mission, and Gun Hazard, developed by the studio behind the acclaimed shooter Satazius.”
“I would say most of those games (Metal Warriors, Front Mission: Gun Hazard, etc.) are better and deeper than this, but Gigantic Army is a fine homage with some slick pixel art and nicely animated sprites.”
“There is a story told in text, but there's no reason to pay it any mind.”
“The story reading is way too long and boring along with having a ton of spelling and grammar errors.”
“A wafer-thin story.”
- gameplay29 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its old-school charm and tight controls, while others criticize clunky mechanics and frustrating design choices, such as the time limit and inability to change weapons mid-mission. Many players appreciate the nostalgic elements and smooth performance, but feel that certain gameplay aspects detract from the overall experience, making it less enjoyable compared to classic titles. Overall, while the game offers fun and engaging moments, its mechanics may not appeal to everyone, particularly those seeking modern gameplay standards.
“Gameplay is superb as ever; this one is a bit more old school, with basic controls and no dash button, so you have to tap left or right.”
“The run mechanic is the best touch.”
“The controls are tight, the graphics are well done, and the gameplay is enjoyable.”
“Poor design, clunky controls, and unfortunate game mechanics absolutely ruin the experience this game offers.”
“I can overlook the graphics and sound aspect, but the gameplay design is irritating - if you die, you go all the way back to the start.”
“Overall, the controls were poor and the gameplay mediocre.”
- graphics25 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many praising its appealing retro art style and 16-bit aesthetic, which evokes nostalgia for classic gaming. However, some users express disappointment over the lack of graphical options and the occasional incoherence in visual presentation. Overall, while the graphics are considered charming and fitting for the genre, there are calls for improvements to enhance clarity and coherence.
“I love the graphics in this game because they didn't go for the ultra smooth and cartoony look that modern raster graphics provide.”
“Graphics are crisp, especially for the style they are going for.”
“The graphics look nice and fit with the 16-bit aesthetic the team was going for.”
“Not impressed; needs graphical improvement.”
“There are also no graphics options, meaning you'll either have to play it full screen, where it's in the wrong aspect ratio and blurrier than someone smearing Vaseline on your screen, or in a very small 640x480 window.”
“As a result, there are times where the graphics do not look coherent, and it can be rather unsettling.”
- music20 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it either forgettable or subdued, failing to match the intensity of the gameplay. While some appreciate the sound design and the effort to evoke a retro feel, others criticize the soundtrack for lacking the memorable quality of classic titles. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the sound effects are well-executed, the music does not leave a lasting impression.
“Other than that, the game is very satisfying with its excellent sound design, music, and glorious explosions.”
“- The sound and music are extremely well done.”
“It's a little more advanced than the standard MIDI-type music of the SNES, but I'll let that slide as it does such a great job of setting the mood in each stage.”
“I know they were trying to catch the retro mech game feel, but it just doesn't do it. The mech is too slow even with jamming my sticks to boost, platforming wasn't fun, and the music and sound effects were obnoxious.”
“As for the music, considering the context of the game (shooting up hordes of mechs), this has got to be the most bizarrely subdued soundtrack I've ever heard.”
“The music is incredibly dull, which is unfortunate considering the standards of Cybernator's incredible OST.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game offers solid replayability through multiple weapon combinations and increased challenges on harder difficulties, enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate the fast-paced action and engaging boss battles, contributing to its enjoyable arcade feel. Despite some flaws, it remains a pleasant surprise with ample replay value.
“A brief but enjoyable side-scrolling shooter that packs in some replayability thanks to its multiple weapon combinations you can try.”
“On the whole, despite its flaws, Gigantic Army was a pleasant surprise that's filled with tons of arcade fun and replayability.”
“Fast-paced 2D action with huge boss battles and tons of replay value!”
“A brief but enjoyable side-scrolling shooter that packs in some replayability thanks to offering multiple weapon combinations you can try.”
“But harder difficulties give you more replayability, so there's that.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by quirky elements and amusing gameplay moments, such as achievements for mishaps rather than successes. While some players find it entertaining and visually appealing, others feel it lacks depth and overall fun compared to other titles.
“A really appealing graphics to me with gameplay that's really funny.”
“Just a couple of funny little quirks I've noticed: there are achievements for getting hit by a shock floor and for running into a mine, but no achievements for avoiding them.”
“A small but funny game!”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players feel that the grinding aspect of the game is tedious, particularly in no special weapons runs, where the health bars could be adjusted to reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks.
“They could have made the health bars lower for the no special weapons runs to feel less tedious.”
“The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I spent hours farming for resources, and it just felt like a chore rather than fun.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express that "Gigantic Army" serves as a heartfelt tribute to classic 16-bit mech shooters, evoking nostalgia and emotional connections to beloved titles from that era. The game's development by a studio known for its acclaimed shooters further enhances its emotional resonance with fans of the genre.
“Gigantic Army is a true heartfelt homage to all 16-bit era mech shooters like Cybernator, Assault Suits Valken, Metal Warriors, Front Mission, and Gun Hazard.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is generally considered acceptable for its low price, but it suffers from noticeable bugs and a clunky performance.
“It's okay for cheap, but it's kind of buggy and clunky.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the game for its strong character design, highlighting that the characters are well-crafted and contribute positively to the overall narrative experience.
“The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging.”
“The backstories and personal growth of the characters add layers to the narrative, making every decision feel impactful.”
