Gravity Circuit
- July 13, 2023
- Domesticated Ant Games
- 14h median play time
Short but packing a hell of a wallop, Gravity Circuit delivers on most of what fans of Mega Man X and Zero would want out of a fast, challenging 2D platformer.
"Gravity Circuit" is a fast-paced, action-packed platformer game that features exciting gravity-defying mechanics. Players control a robot with the ability to switch gravity on the fly, allowing for unique movement and combat opportunities. The game offers a variety of levels and challenges that put these abilities to the test, with explosive battles against enemies and bosses.
Reviews
- Gravity Circuit is a fantastic homage to the Mega Man series, particularly Mega Man X and Zero, with smooth controls and engaging gameplay.
- The game features a unique combat system that allows players to punch, kick, and throw defeated enemies, adding a fresh twist to the classic formula.
- The soundtrack is exceptional, composed by Dominic Ninmark, and perfectly complements the fast-paced action and vibrant visuals.
- Some players found the grappling hook mechanics to be finicky and frustrating, leading to unintended deaths during platforming sections.
- The game is relatively short, with many players completing it in around 5-6 hours, which may leave some feeling it lacks content for the price.
- The final boss and certain difficulty spikes were considered too challenging for some players, leading to frustration during the last stages.
- music897 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Gravity Circuit" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its energetic and catchy soundtrack composed by Dominic Ninmark. The soundtrack is described as a blend of synthwave and eurobeat, perfectly complementing the game's fast-paced gameplay and nostalgic aesthetic reminiscent of classic Mega Man titles. Overall, players find the music to be a standout feature, enhancing the overall experience and making it a significant reason to play the game.
“The overall soundtrack is suitably fast-paced and features particularly memorable bits of synth.”
“The soundtrack is also, again, absolutely fantastic - one of my favorites in any game now.”
“The music is incredible and makes the most of its chiptune design, with songs that even rival that of the 2D classics.”
“I cannot remember a single song from the game’s soundtrack, outside of the boss theme.”
“If I had to say anything negative about it, it'd be the music.”
“The times I noticed the music I was unamused by the choice of instrumentation.”
- gameplay670 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Gravity Circuit" has been widely praised for its fast-paced, fluid mechanics that blend elements from the Mega Man series with unique features like grappling and melee combat. Players appreciate the tight controls, engaging level design, and the ability to customize gameplay styles, making it accessible for both casual players and speedrunners. While some mechanics, such as the grappling hook, received mixed feedback, the overall experience is described as addictive and rewarding, with a strong emphasis on skill and exploration.
“The gameplay is fast-paced and fun, and there's so much in terms of replayability, and from what I've seen, the dev team is still hard at work for adding updates!”
“Gravity Circuit is a contender for the best gameplay I've seen in a 2D platformer - challenging but usually fair, smooth melee combat that complements the protagonist's high speed, and a perk system that's limited enough to make decisions meaningful while still giving the player enough power to survive the game's high difficulty.”
“The gameplay is so damn fun and addicting, I thought I would miss having a 'buster' but beating enemies up with my fists and a grappling hook has been far more satisfying than I imagined.”
“Archaic combat design mixed with a punishing traversal mechanic, and the end product is somehow an old-fashioned Mega Man clone that is somehow worse to play.”
“The fact you suffer touch damage in a game where you have to run up to enemies and punch them is just a blatantly bad oversight at best, or an obnoxious-yet-failed mimicry of a better gameplay experience at worst.”
“There isn't really much separating one level from another other than aesthetics; you run around with enemies scattered about, then there's a pretty basic platforming section, but with nothing about that platforming section being specific to the level.”
- story384 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of the game is generally regarded as simple yet engaging, with many players appreciating its nostalgic ties to the Mega Man series. While some found it to be straightforward and lacking depth, others highlighted its surprising twists and emotional moments, particularly in character backstories. Overall, the narrative serves as a functional backdrop to the gameplay, with many players noting that it enhances the experience without overshadowing the action.
“I went into the game expecting the story to be a no-show, but it's surprisingly well executed.”
“The story was surprisingly good from start to finish which is something I don't often see in games like these.”
“The story surprisingly has a few great twists and turns near the end and if you're familiar with its inspirations you might be able to figure some of them out, but it's superbly executed for its simplicity and genuinely made me fall in love with the game's world.”
“The worst aspect of the game is the story; no words would have been better storytelling than the sea of verbiage that plagues this game.”
“Unfortunately the story is rather rubbish, being all serious business with vague statements about vague stuff going on vaguely before it all gets infodumped on you at the end.”
“While there is a small attempt at some worldbuilding, the game’s story doesn’t go far from your stock standard 'robot attack' formula.”
- graphics320 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful pixel art style, which evokes nostalgia for classic NES and SNES titles, particularly the Mega Man series. Reviewers highlight the vibrant colors, charming character designs, and fluid animations that enhance the overall aesthetic, making the visuals both engaging and easy to follow during gameplay. While some minor graphical glitches were noted, the overall presentation is considered polished and a significant strength of the game.
“The visuals are gorgeous, the soundtrack is incredible, the story is engaging and the comedic beats are on point.”
“The pixel art is crisp and colorful, the character designs are charming, and the overall aesthetic is just really cool.”
“The game's visuals are absolutely beautiful, the controls are very tight and responsive, the music is amazing, the game has a pretty good difficulty spike, everything, just everything about this game is so good!”
“The graphics are the only real letdown here.”
“It does have some minor graphical glitches in the background, such as a large black flickering box on most 'outdoor' stages (probably the result of their parallax scrolling system) and it's both distracting and unpleasant to look at.”
“Music is also good, although I wouldn't say it stands out as much compared to the gameplay, and the graphics are (intentionally) limited but serviceable.”
- replayability80 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability, despite its relatively short runtime, thanks to a customizable difficulty system, diverse upgrade options, and a variety of challenges and achievements. Players can engage in speedrun modes and new game+ features, enhancing the experience and encouraging repeated playthroughs. Overall, the combination of fast-paced gameplay, extensive customization, and ongoing developer support contributes to a highly replayable experience.
“Gravity Circuit is made to be highly replayable for those who seek challenge in these types of games, as difficulty is highly customizable, be it via the options menu or the player's will to omit or incorporate certain upgrades into their playstyle.”
“The gameplay is fast-paced and fun, and there's so much in terms of replayability. From what I've seen, the dev team is still hard at work adding updates!”
“Combining the parts system, the paint jobs, and the special techniques gives you tons of builds to tackle any stage, all of which can carry over into New Game+, providing the game with a lot of replayability.”
“If you ask me, the only thing Gravity Circuit does wrong is replay value.”
“To compare this to another recent release in this same genre, Panzer Paladin, for example - it was a good game but I'd not play through it again because once you get done with it, the gimmick of the game (finding/making weapons) is not that fun or replayable in my opinion.”
“While it may not break new ground on the format that Mega Man games usually use, the 'change your loadout mid-level' pause menu the game uses makes it versatile and replayable.”
- character development76 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted by its impressive and diverse character designs, which blend influences from classic franchises like Mega Man and Super Sentai, resulting in unique and memorable visuals. Players appreciate the expressive animations and the overall aesthetic, which enhances the gameplay experience, although some critiques mention a few uninspired designs. The combination of charming character art, engaging combat, and a cohesive soundtrack contributes to a strong sense of character throughout the game.
“The character designs were unique and memorable.”
“To start off, let's talk about the character designs. The art style does a great job of complementing all of the characters' super cool Gundam-esque designs for each ally and enemy alike.”
“And speaking of Ray, the character designs are extremely uninspired.”
“The character designs feel like a mix between Mega Man-style robot masters and Kamen Rider Sentai heroes, and it's sick as hell.”
“The game takes inspirations from Mega Man Zero in terms of combat and stage design, as well as the HQ that acts as a hub world, while the character design is like a cross between classic and X series robots.”
- humor32 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating its lightheartedness and witty dialogue, particularly from the character Kernel, who balances serious briefings with comedic remarks. Many find the facial expressions and character interactions to add an extra layer of charm, contributing to an enjoyable experience despite some critiques about the overall visual and comedic inventiveness compared to similar titles. Overall, the humor enhances the game's appeal, making it a fun and engaging experience for players.
“The game also has a neat story and a fun sense of humor.”
“Before each stage, you're given a serious briefing from your commander, Kernel, which serves to provide more insight on what exactly you're supposed to be doing - and in the same exchange, Kernel will often provide a humorous, deescalating remark showing his jovial side and skewed sense of priorities.”
“Pros: fast-paced when you want it to be, dialogues are very funny and charismatic, the main character has actual character, upgrades are fun to chase after, and the story is very fun.”
- grinding30 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and drawn out, particularly during platforming sections and boss rushes, which can feel overly long and uninspired. While some appreciate the opportunity to refine their skills and enjoy the achievements, many express frustration with the lack of clarity in combat techniques and the repetitive nature of unlocking content. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a mixed bag, with some elements being enjoyable but often overshadowed by monotony.
“To me, it's just stretch after stretch of tedious platforming interspersed with uninspired combat, where it's not typically clear what the right technique is supposed to be.”
“You guys made the last level extremely unfun and just tedious.”
“This really turned me off, especially for boss fights where you would get to use moves only a few times, thus trying to find weaknesses like a Mega Man game was very tedious and boring.”
- emotional20 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to "Gravity Circuit," highlighting its nostalgic elements that evoke childhood memories of gaming. The game's balanced and forgiving mechanics contribute to a sense of comfort and enjoyment, allowing players to relive past experiences without frustration. While the plot may not be groundbreaking, it still delivers a satisfying emotional impact, making players eager for a potential sequel.
“The plot actually surprised me a little, and while not groundbreaking, I feel it has a good emotional hit.”
“If there's a sequel, I'm gonna buy it sight unseen - I was really impressed by how much they made me feel the feelings I had as a child playing similar games.”
“And playing this game truly made me feel as if I was reliving those days, grinding away at how to perfect the game.”
- stability8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability with minimal glitches and a well-designed experience, surpassing many larger titles. However, some users have reported minor graphical issues, particularly a distracting flickering box in outdoor stages, which detracts from the visual experience. Despite these minor concerns, the game runs smoothly and effectively.
“Game runs great with no glitches of note.”
“Just an incredibly well-designed game, no bugs, no glitches, no weird amateur design issues, hit and hurtboxes act like you think they should... feels better than the usual big names, WayForward and IntiCreates.”
“It does have some minor graphical glitches in the background, such as a large black flickering box on most 'outdoor' stages (probably the result of their parallax scrolling system) and it's both distracting and unpleasant to look at.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is praised for its forgiving chip system, which allows players to customize their abilities without the pressure of performance ratings. This design choice enhances gameplay fluidity and encourages players to focus on improving their skills and performance, making the experience more engaging and enjoyable. Overall, the lack of gatekeeping for power-ups contributes positively to the game's pacing and presentation.
“It follows the structure of a MMZ/ASG game, but unlike IntiCreates' annoying tendency to actually gatekeep power-ups behind stage completion ratings, it just awards you currency based on your performance with no rating to worry about.”
“That said, the chip system does let you make the game a lot more forgiving, which is great, because when you notice yourself suddenly not needing the extra damage resistance, you can instead allocate that power into being a movement player with performance enhancers.”
“And while I normally don't care about improving my times or clearing stages 'stylishly', something about this game's presentation and pacing leaves me itching to perfect my performance.”
“The chip system does let you make the game a lot more forgiving, which is great, because when you notice yourself suddenly not needing the extra damage resistance, you can instead allocate that power into being a movement player with performance enhancers.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game appears to be misleading, as users feel that the advertising does not accurately represent the game's content, comparing it more to "Mega Man Zero" than the expected "Mega Man" experience. Despite this, players express satisfaction with the game's delivery, indicating that the monetization strategy may not detract significantly from overall enjoyment.
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with many users highlighting the excellent soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, making it a delightful treat.
“The soundtrack was great, the atmosphere was immersive, and it was truly a delightful experience overall.”
Critic Reviews
Gravity Circuit (PC)
Gravity Circuit contains the best parts of the SNES-era of 2D action platforming without the artificial difficulty spikes and frustrations. Its combat is fluid, easy to pick up, and exciting to master. Its pacing ramps up with the player. Its music is a nostalgia bomb of high-energy and synthetic charm. Yes, it's a short play, but it contains enough content to satisfy most players and get them hooked into using Kai's hookshot over, over, and over again. If this doesn't sound like a love letter to retro platforming, I don't know what will.
90%Gravity Circuit Review — Tossing Caution to the Wind
Gravity Circuit (grapple) hooked me after I threw caution to the wind. First playthroughs inherently emphasize caution, which means that truly appreciating the game will take some time. If you’re willing to put in the effort, you’ll find a game that twists old ideas in a fresh and fun direction.
80%Gravity Circuit (PC) Review
Short but packing a hell of a wallop, Gravity Circuit delivers on most of what fans of Mega Man X and Zero would want out of a fast, challenging 2D platformer.
85%