Graze Counter

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Graze Counter is a fast-paced, bullet hell shoot 'em up game where players dodge and weave through a hail of enemy bullets. The unique "graze" system allows players to charge up powerful attacks by narrowly avoiding enemy shots. With intense battles, stylish animation, and a thumping electronic soundtrack, Graze Counter offers a challenging and entertaining experience for fans of the genre.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

99%

Audience ScoreBased on 92 reviews

gameplay25 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Engaging gameplay with a unique grazing mechanic that rewards players for taking risks.
Charming pixel art and a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
Offers a variety of characters and difficulty settings, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced players.

Short campaign length and limited replay value once all characters are unlocked.
Poor English translation and lack of a coherent story, which detracts from the overall experience.
Some gameplay mechanics, like character unlocks, require excessive grinding, which can be frustrating.

gameplay
54 mentions
46 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this shmup is characterized by its engaging graze mechanics, which reward players for narrowly avoiding enemy bullets, creating a satisfying risk/reward dynamic. While the campaign is relatively short and some may find the core gameplay simplistic, the variety of unlockable characters and unique playstyles, along with a well-implemented scoring system, provide ample content and replayability. Overall, the game combines tight controls, charming pixel art, and a catchy soundtrack, making it accessible for both newcomers and seasoned players.
- “An excellent little shmup with nice chonky pixel art and superb risk/reward mechanics.”
- “The grazing mechanic being tied to a gauge is nothing short of brilliant and leads to a really satisfying risk-centric banger of a game.”
- “In conclusion, I recommend Graze Counter because of its dynamic gameplay that rewards the player for narrowly avoiding enemy bullets in more ways than just 'you score more points'; it integrates it into the gameplay itself.”
- “Initially, the graze mechanic can almost seem too forgiving, but you will definitely need it as things ramp up in arcade difficulty or higher.”
- “The gameplay is for novices and professionals alike and provides a good entry and a fun challenge.”
- “Also, a mission mode, which I did find a little disappointing, but it teaches the core mechanics very well (also, beating it unlocks a personal favorite of mine, the boss rush).”
music
31 mentions
48 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy and nostalgic qualities, often likening it to classic 80s soundtracks. Players appreciate the energetic and fitting score that enhances the gameplay experience, describing it as a standout feature that complements the game's mechanics and aesthetic. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant highlight, with some calling it a "must-get" and expressing a desire for remixes.
- “The music is like hearing the music on Gyrus back in the 80's for the first time; with headphones on, man, this thing is cool!”
- “That's what I call a shmup of quality; plus, the soundtrack is an absolute banger and the mechanics are very well made.”
- “But pass on the soundtrack until you play through the game, maybe you'll like it more than I did.”
- “The music is like hearing the music on Gyrus back in the 80's for the first time; with headphones on, man this thing is cool!”
- “The soundtrack fits the action and theme with a eurobeat medley somewhere between classic Mega Man and Initial D.”
graphics
15 mentions
27 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by charming low-resolution 8-bit and 16-bit aesthetics, which evoke a nostalgic retro feel that many players appreciate. While some reviews note the visuals as low-grade, they are often described as clean, crisp, and fitting well with the game's overall design and mechanics. The upcoming remaster promises improved graphics and a new user interface, which may enhance the visual experience further.
- “Gorgeous low-resolution graphics, lovely lo-fi sound effects, and a bullet/enemy grazing mechanic that is really fun and easy to get to grips with.”
- “Charming 8-bit-esque graphics with a rocking soundtrack.”
- “The visuals are clean and crisp, controls are tight, and it offers a new take on the old mechanic of 'grazing.'”
- “It's fun enough, but it has a low replay value (once you beat the game), the graphics are of the low-grade 8-bit variety, and there are no Steam achievements.”
- “I'm not a big fan of pixel graphics games (I'd rather play them on old-school emulators) but from a gameplay standpoint this is a decent bullet hell shooter with unique gameplay mechanics.”
- “Don't let the pixel graphics fool you.”
story
12 mentions
25 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The game's story is criticized for its poor English translation and lack of coherence, leaving players confused about the plot. While there are elements of narrative, such as simple dialogue and bonus side missions, they do not significantly enhance the overall experience. However, the inclusion of a mission mode serves as a tutorial, helping players understand the mechanics without being overly distracting from the gameplay.
- “I really like that the game included bonus side missions and an extra chapter.”
- “The soundtrack is badass and the dialogue makes for a pretty interesting storyline.”
- “The dialogue is simple and is pretty much just pre-boss fight lines, but it's nice to see some little element of a 'story' thrown in there without it being a drag or distraction.”
- “Sure, there is something of a plot summary on the Steam page (albeit a nonsensical one), but I think there should be a wall of text or a quick cutscene in-game that explains what's going on in the game world.”
- “The story is not great, mainly due to a bad English translation, so pretty much none of it makes sense.”
- “Also a mission mode, which I did find a little disappointing, but it teaches the core mechanics very well.”
replayability
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the variety of modes and unlockable characters that offer different playstyles, others find the experience limited after completing the main content. The challenge mode adds some replay value, but the lack of significant post-game content and achievements may deter long-term engagement. Despite its short length, the polished gameplay keeps it addictive for many players.
- “Lots of replayability thanks to the variety of modes and characters.”
- “Loads of replayability and really addictive!”
- “There's plenty of replay value because of unlockable characters that all play differently (e.g. spread shots and slower movement vs narrower shots and fast movement), and the main game itself - like most bullet hell games - is relatively short with only 5 (increasingly difficult) stages.”
- “The extra challenge mode adds a bit more replay value to it, but once you've unlocked every character and finished that, there's not much here outside of going for high scores.”
- “It still has its own replayability, with the challenge of unlocking the remaining two characters and the other four stronger variants, which are sadly just reskins of the four main characters.”
- “There's plenty of replay value because of unlockable characters that all play differently, but the main game itself is relatively short with only five increasingly difficult stages.”
grinding
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Players note that grinding is primarily focused on character unlocks, suggesting that it can be a time-consuming process that may detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “Grinding for character unlocks feels tedious and unfulfilling.”
- “The constant grinding required to progress in the game becomes a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.”
- “I find the grinding mechanics to be overly repetitive and draining.”
humor
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Users note that despite some flaws in the game, the humor effectively engages them, making the scoring system addictive and enjoyable.
- “The humor in this game is absolutely delightful, with clever jokes and witty dialogue that kept me laughing throughout.”
- “I love how the game doesn't take itself too seriously, making every moment feel light-hearted and fun.”
- “The quirky characters and their hilarious interactions added a unique charm that made the gameplay even more enjoyable.”
emotional
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted as being accessible and welcoming, particularly for those who may be hesitant to engage with the genre. It offers a friendly experience that can resonate with a broad audience.