Gran Vitreous
- May 20, 2015
- Heliocentric Studios
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam"Gran Vitreous" is a challenging platformer set in a surreal, abstract world. Traverse mysterious environments and solve mind-bending puzzles using your unique abilities. With its minimalist art style and atmospheric soundtrack, this game offers a truly unique and immersive experience.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Gran Vitreous offers a fun and addictive twin-stick shooter experience with RPG elements, including ship customization and a variety of weapons.
- The game features a strong loot and crafting system that enhances replayability and allows for diverse strategies in gameplay.
- Despite its simple graphics, the game provides hours of entertainment at a very low price point, making it a great value for fans of the genre.
- The game suffers from frequent crashes and technical issues, which can significantly hinder the overall experience.
- Visual clutter and lack of clarity in the graphics make it difficult to distinguish between bullets, enemies, and debris, leading to frustrating gameplay moments.
- There are no options for control customization, which can make gameplay cumbersome, especially for players using controllers.
- graphics12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as subpar and simplistic, with a retro style that appeals to some players but may frustrate others due to their flatness and occasional confusion caused by flashy effects. While some appreciate the indie aesthetic and find the visuals functional, many reviewers note that the graphics can hinder gameplay, especially in chaotic situations. Overall, the visuals are seen as a mixed bag, serving their purpose but lacking in polish and design.
“There is a lot of game here, as long as you are okay with the graphics. I personally love them, as someone who enjoys the indie retro style.”
“Great retro visuals and graphics - explosions and pickups are epic!”
“It's got lots of loot and great graphics with tons of mesmerizing particle effects.”
“Requires you to look past the subpar graphics.”
“The graphics are simple but flashy... at times way too flashy... so flashy that you may end up confused for a split second... in which you got hit by an asteroid.”
“For $5, it's not a game that's going to blow your doors off; the visuals suffer from lack of design, and there are some problems in seeing certain elements on the screen, which can put you in situations that can really screw you up in terms of levels versus enemies.”
- gameplay9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally well-received, praised for its engaging roguelite twin-stick shooter mechanics and effective controls for both controller and mouse/keyboard users. However, players have noted issues with stability, including crashes and a lack of ongoing development or bug fixes, alongside some unrefined elements like spelling errors. Overall, the mechanics are enjoyable and enhance the experience, making it worth considering at a lower price point.
“Having played this on controller as well as mouse/keyboard, I can say the developer has done a great job of making the gameplay work well no matter which you are using.”
“During playing, I tried only half of them, but overall they enhance the gameplay and are able to save your ship quite often.”
“There is also some weapon charge mechanic which I haven't bothered exploring at all.”
“Gameplay is pretty straightforward: kill or be killed.”
“Not totally polished for a release (there are a few pretty blatant spelling errors found in my two-hour first play), but all of that was easy to overlook considering the gameplay.”
- story5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimal, primarily revolving around the objective to destroy Gran Vitreous, the source of enemy ships. While players appreciate the variety of missions and random objectives, many feel that the lack of a substantial narrative detracts from the overall experience. Despite this, some elements like the upgrade system and specific mission types are noted as enjoyable.
“Great variety of missions and different random objectives keep things interesting.”
“Mothership, repairing missions, and enhancers are pretty cool.”
“There isn't much of a story in the campaign: your goal is to destroy Gran Vitreous, the mother shape that creates the ships that attack the galaxy.”
“Little real story, though this didn't bother me.”
- music5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players find it unimpressive and boring, others appreciate its uniqueness and ability to remain enjoyable despite a lack of variety. Suggestions for improvement include updating the soundtrack and enhancing sound effects to elevate the overall experience.
“Overall, Gran Vitreous is a blast; it looks great, has a unique soundtrack, and affords you a considerable amount of fun in each level.”
“The music doesn't wear on me at all; I can keep listening to it despite there not being much variety.”
“The game's main downfall is the sound - unimpressive effects and a flat-out boring soundtrack.”
“If you're into twin stick shooters and persistent upgrades, then it's worth a play... but turn off the music and play your own.”
“Update the soundtrack and any screen effects when you kill other enemies, and this game will be completely worth $5.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the game enjoyable overall, but note that it involves a significant amount of grinding, which may detract from the experience for some.
“Fun game, but it's very grindy.”
“The grinding feels endless and takes away from the enjoyment.”
“I love the game, but the amount of grinding required is exhausting.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game highly replayable due to the expansive galaxy to explore, opportunities for ship upgrades, and the pursuit of new gear, which encourages ongoing engagement and progression.
“This adds a lot of replayability in the form of a galaxy to progress through while you upgrade your ship, grind for new gear, and aspire for geometric domination.”
