Gorgon Shield

About

Gorgon Shield is a single player casual role playing game. It was developed by Whiskeybarrel Studios and was released on July 29, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Ever yearn to return to the magic of the first time you played an arcade RPG like Gauntlet 2 or Golden Axe? Recapture the magic in Gorgon Shield, from Oliver Joyce, creator of the beloved Swords and Sandals series! Up to four heroes ride on a giant shield in a tower in their quest to vanquish the mighty gorgon Medusa. Fight, heal, gain treasure, rise upwards. Each hero will eventually fall and …

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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76%

Audience ScoreBased on 45 reviews

gameplay8 positive mentions

optimization6 negative mentions

Gorgon Shield offers a unique roguelike experience with its vertical ascent gameplay and party management mechanics, reminiscent of classic arcade games.
The game features a satisfying gameplay loop with a variety of heroes and upgrade options, encouraging experimentation and strategic planning.
Its retro aesthetic and upbeat soundtrack create an engaging atmosphere that enhances the overall enjoyment of the game.

The game suffers from performance issues, including crashes and framerate inconsistencies, which can disrupt gameplay and lead to lost progress.
Content variety feels limited over time, with repetitive room designs and enemy sets that may diminish the excitement of repeated runs.
Some gameplay mechanics, such as the meta-progression and character upgrades, lack depth and meaningful impact, making progression feel less rewarding.

gameplay
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
57%
12%
The gameplay of "Gorgon Shield" is characterized by its unique roguelike mechanics, fast-paced arcade action, and a nostalgic gauntlet-like mini-game, offering an addictive loop of tower ascents with randomized loot and hero combinations. While the game features interesting mechanics and a fun gameplay flow, it suffers from a lack of depth and variety, with some players noting performance issues and a desire for more content and upgrades. Overall, it provides an engaging experience for fans of action-driven roguelikes, despite its limitations.
- “The gameplay loop is built around repeated ascents of the tower, each one offering new item drops, hero combinations, and room layouts.”
- “For players who appreciate roguelite loops, arcade combat, and quick-session gameplay, it has an addictive flow that is easy to slip into.”
- “I love everything from the unique party management mechanic, the roguelite progression systems, to the fast-paced arcade action.”
- “The mechanics just aren't that fun.”
- “Although there are a variety of mechanics and systems in the game that are well thought out, they just aren't too deep to offer a player over tens of hours of gameplay, which you would find commonly in many good modern roguelike games.”
- “When it comes to randomly encountered NPCs and events such as the labyrinth or the snakes and ladders, although they are promising, they did not add much to the gameplay in my case but just cluttered the core gameplay loop of the game.”
optimization
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
11%
67%
The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including low frame rates and graphical stuttering, even on relatively modern hardware. While the gameplay is engaging, the poor optimization detracts from the overall experience, suggesting a need for improved performance and mechanical polish.
- “While it would benefit from more content variety, smoother performance, and deeper mechanical polish, it remains an engaging and enjoyable experience for those who enjoy action-driven roguelikes with a nostalgic edge.”
- “For example, certain heroes deal multiplied damage every few attacks, resulting in a behavior that can be optimized.”
- “Performance issues are the most commonly discussed drawback within the community.”
- “The game is badly optimized.”
- “The performance optimization is really not good - my laptop is 7 years old with an integrated GPU, which isn't modern but certainly not ancient - yet the game absolutely chugs at times at 10 - 20 fps.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's graphics embrace a nostalgic retro aesthetic, reminiscent of early arcade and console titles with bold colors and chunky sprites. While the pixel art style is charming, some players have noted performance issues like stuttering and freezing, suggesting potential optimization problems despite the low demands typically associated with such visuals. Overall, the graphics effectively capture a beloved arcade vibe, enhancing the immersive gameplay experience.
- “Visually, the game embraces a strong retro aesthetic, deliberately recalling the bold colors, chunky sprites, and flashy effects of early arcade and console titles.”
- “In summary: an absolute love letter to an arcade aesthetic near and dear to my heart delivered extremely sincerely through a fantastic gimmick that'll make you wanna play more and more.”
- “There's definitely a depth you could get into with the stats and the calculations but for me, it's a fun gimmick with good gameplay and an incredibly immersive approach to the aesthetic.”
- “The graphics are what you would find on a PS1 game, so requiring this much processing power makes no sense and indicates horrible optimization.”
- “This doesn't look like the kind of game that should demand a performant GPU (it's pixel graphics with 3D imposters using 2D pixel textures), though I understand making high-speed 3D games in Godot can be a challenge, having attempted it before myself.”
- “Fun gameplay loop, but the only issue I've run into is graphic stuttering and freezing in some cases.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is characterized by upbeat, synth-driven tracks that enhance the arcade experience, complemented by engaging sound effects and a motivating announcer. Players appreciate the energetic soundtrack, which aligns well with the game's fast pace and playful character designs. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's fun and immersive atmosphere.
- “The soundtrack reinforces the arcade spirit, pulsing with upbeat rhythms and synth-driven energy that keep the pace high.”
- “It's got a satisfying game loop with lots of player choice in upgrades, character loadouts, great sound effects, and epic arcade-style music with an announcer's booming voice encouraging you on.”
- “Love the music and silly character designs.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game offers solid replayability through its focused design and varied build options, encouraging players to experiment with different strategies despite its relatively short playtime of around five hours. Its clear identity and engaging action contribute to a satisfying experience that invites multiple playthroughs.
- “The game’s price point and scope reflect a focused, indie approach: it isn’t trying to overwhelm with sprawling systems or deep narrative threads, but instead aims to deliver tight, replayable action with a clear sense of identity.”
- “It's short (took me around 5 hours to beat the first time), but there's plenty of replayability in trying out different builds and seeing what works well.”
- “Has enough replayability to keep you going for a while.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with users reporting numerous bugs, particularly in the user interface and upgrade system. These problems detract from the overall experience, indicating that the game is poorly optimized and in need of substantial fixes.
- “The UI can get quite buggy, with the tutorial itself even having some UI bugs when pausing, and upgrades not registering correctly, often upgrading the wrong hero or building.”
- “Fun concept, but the game is buggy and poorly optimized to the point that it bothers me.”
- “Buggy mess.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, but some feel that certain abilities can diminish the experience by making it too easy, leading to a sense of guilt or loss in the challenge.
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
While the music and character designs are appreciated, there is no specific mention of character development in the reviews, suggesting that this aspect may not be a focal point for players.