Gizmo

About

Gizmo is a single player action adventure game. It was developed by Dane Winn and was released on December 5, 2018. It received very positive reviews from players.

Gizmo is a Saturday-morning 3D platformer inspired by 90s classics of the genre.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 208 reviews

gameplay19 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

Gizmo offers a fun and visually appealing platforming experience with smooth controls and engaging mechanics, reminiscent of classic 3D platformers like Crash Bandicoot and Ratchet & Clank.
The game features charming character designs and witty dialogue, adding to its overall charm and humor, making it enjoyable for players of all ages.
Despite being a short demo, Gizmo provides replayability through collectibles and speedrun challenges, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.

The game is very short, with only one level that can be completed in about 5-10 minutes, leaving players wanting more content.
Some players have reported issues with hit detection and platforming mechanics, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences, especially with one-hit kills from enemies.
The lack of a story and limited character development may leave some players feeling unsatisfied, as the game feels more like a proof of concept than a fully realized title.

gameplay
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
42%
8%
The gameplay is characterized by smooth and engaging mechanics, particularly in platforming and movement, with a charming protagonist and colorful environments that enhance the experience. While the game offers rewarding challenges and replayability through collectibles and speed runs, some players noted issues with glitches and collision detection that can lead to frustration. Overall, the gameplay is praised for its fluidity and fun, despite the brevity of the single level.
- “The environments are colorful and engaging, filled with clever puzzles and a variety of obstacles that keep the gameplay fresh and interesting.”
- “Good concept with all the replayability factors you'd expect like hidden collectibles, optional objectives, and a speed challenge, along with a fun speed/momentum mechanic.”
- “Oh, and the movement system is perfect for a 3D platformer; I loved being able to leap across large gaps with the roll and jump mechanic.”
- “The double jump mechanic, however, glitches quite often.”
- “Free is not an excuse to not care about the gameplay.”
- “I'm sad to not recommend it, but the gameplay for me falls a bit flat.”
graphics
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
22%
11%
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their vibrant and cartoony art style, with many noting the top-quality animations and smooth performance. While some reviewers mention a lack of detail and textures, the overall aesthetic is described as charming and fitting for a 3D platformer, evoking nostalgia for classic titles. Despite minor criticisms, the visuals contribute positively to the game's enjoyable experience.
- “Amazing graphics, great controls, and solid level design.”
- “The animations and visuals are top-notch; the visual and level design impress, and the jumping/attacking feels so good.”
- “Beautiful aesthetic.”
- “The visuals in Gizmo are vibrant and well-crafted, but they don't quite have the same level of detail or charm as its inspirations.”
- “The graphics could use a bit of improvement, mainly the lack of textures on most things, but other than that the cartoony look is acceptable.”
- “The crazy robot overlord guy rambles on with funny quips all the way through the level; the graphics are tolerable, there's 4K support and a couple of graphics tweaks.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by witty dialogue and amusing character interactions, particularly from Dr. Bolt and the quirky antagonist, which contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere. Players appreciate the funny quips and voice acting, noting that the humor enhances the overall enjoyment of the gameplay. Despite a vague story, the comedic elements, including charming animations and clever announcements, make it a standout feature that elicits genuine laughter.
- “The funny dialogue from Dr. Bolt is just the icing on the cake.”
- “I loved Dr. Bolt's little quips as I played through the level; they were pretty funny.”
- “This is one of the few 3D platformers I've played that actually made me laugh out loud.”
story
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
The game's story is criticized for being vague and underdeveloped, with players noting a lack of depth despite an intriguing setting involving robots rebuilding a post-apocalyptic world. While some appreciate the potential for character and narrative growth, many express disappointment with the current state of the story, hoping for future expansions and improvements. Overall, the story is seen as a weak point, overshadowed by the game's enjoyable gameplay and aesthetics.
- “I love the idea of him rebuilding the world and I see so much potential in this story, world, and character.”
- “The antagonist of the story is a pretty funny character which I would like to see more developed in the final version of the game.”
- “I love the whole theme and aesthetic and I really want to know more about the story.”
- “Aside from no actual story (despite the setting) and some minor bugs/nitpicks, it's hard to complain when it's completely free, short, and challenging.”
- “The lack of story and sudden end were a bit of a turnoff, but more to come... maybe... if you must play all things 3D platformer, give it a go.”
- “As I stated before, the game is actually quite decent, but the story is garbage.”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
11%
33%
The game's music and sound effects are generally well-received, enhancing the atmosphere without being overly memorable. The standout track is exciting and playful, fitting the game's theme, while the background music complements the visuals effectively, creating an enjoyable experience. Overall, players appreciate the thoughtful integration of music with the game's art style and gameplay.
- “The OST is really exciting and playful, which matches the nature of the game, despite taking place in a snow level.”
- “The music fits in very well with the graphics style.”
- “I loved the music and the gameplay!”
- “The music reminded me of the Dead Cell boss theme from MGS2.”
- “The OST (1 song) is really exciting and playful, which matches the nature of the game (despite that the game takes place in a snow level).”
- “The music reminds me of ice, cold, and it never gets annoying!”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The game offers notable replayability despite its short length, primarily through the pursuit of achievements and score improvement. Players find that the engaging achievements and the challenge of enhancing their performance add significant value to the experience, making it enjoyable to revisit even a single level. Overall, the combination of these elements creates a satisfying incentive for repeated play.
- “This game is cool but pretty short with only one level, but trying to get all the achievements makes it more fun and replayable.”
- “For a free demo level, with replayability to improve your score, it's a win-win.”
- “It has quite some replayability for a level that takes 10 minutes at most.”
- “Plus it has interesting achievements, which increases replayability a lot.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The character development is praised for its adorable and cartoonish design, which strikes a perfect balance between nostalgia and fresh ideas. The well-thought-out character designs, combined with charming and humorous voice acting, enhance the overall fun experience of navigating the game as a little bot.
- “Perfect balance of nostalgia and fresh ideas with well-thought-out character designs and charming, funny voice acting.”
- “The whole environment and character design is cartoonish, so the humor fits perfectly well with it.”
- “I love the character design and the fun feeling you get running around as a little bot.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by a pleasant soundtrack and sound effects, contributing positively to the overall experience. While the world design is solid and complements the gameplay, the atmosphere is particularly praised for its high quality, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “Solid world design and atmosphere, as icing on the gameplay cake.”
- “The game’s soundtrack and sound effects are pleasant, adding to the overall atmosphere.”
- “The controls are simple but tight, the movement isn't restricted to a specific control scheme or area setting, and the atmosphere of the game is top-notch.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with frequent bugs leading to misinputs and glitches, particularly with the double jump mechanic, which can result in frustrating gameplay experiences.
- “Very buggy at times, with misinputs causing me to die.”
- “The double jump mechanic, however, glitches quite often.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be a mix of sweetness and challenge, as it evokes feelings of nostalgia and frustration, particularly when navigating difficult gameplay mechanics that can lead to unexpected failures.
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its good performance, complemented by an appealing art style and engaging game design.
- “The art style is nice, the performance is good, and the game design is interesting.”
- “The optimization really enhances the overall experience, making everything run smoothly.”
- “I appreciate how well the game is optimized; it allows for seamless gameplay even on lower-end systems.”