Gridd: Retroenhanced
- July 26, 2017
- Antab Studio
GRIDD: Retroenhanced is a nostalgic trip for anyone who was around when the game’s visuals were state of the art. As a game, it does very little wrong once you get used to your ship's momentum, while the inclusion of ‘Glove of Power’ mode makes the Switch version the definitive one to play. If you have exhausted the joys of Thumper and are looking for something new to challenge your reflexes, you have just found your next hurdle.
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games StoreGridd: Retroenhanced is a fast-paced action arcade game with retro-futuristic aesthetics. Players control a ship, the "Retro," and must navigate through neon vector lines while avoiding obstacles and battling enemies in various game modes. With a synthwave soundtrack and a variety of challenges, Gridd offers a fresh take on classic arcade shooters.
Reviews
- The game features a fantastic audiovisual design with a nostalgic 1980s aesthetic and an addictive synthwave soundtrack.
- Gameplay is incredibly fun and addicting, reminiscent of classic arcade shooters like Star Fox and Space Harrier.
- The game offers a challenging experience with an endless mode that provides a sense of progression and replayability.
- The camera angles are problematic, making it difficult to gauge the player's position and navigate obstacles effectively.
- There is a lack of musical variety, with the soundtrack feeling limited and not particularly memorable.
- The game is somewhat short and lacks additional unlockables or modes, which may leave some players wanting more content.
- music15 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's music is widely praised for its energetic and catchy synthwave soundtrack, which complements its retro aesthetic and fast-paced gameplay. While many players find the soundtrack to be addictive and fitting for the game's 1980s cyberpunk theme, some note a lack of variety and memorable melodies. Overall, the music enhances the game's atmosphere, making it a fun and engaging experience.
“Incredibly fun, addicting gameplay, with a killer synthwave soundtrack!”
“Great rail runner/shooter, in a 1980's cyberpunk aesthetic with great synthwave music.”
“This is a cool game, with a catchy soundtrack and lots of 80s vibes.”
“Not much musical variety, and while feeling authentically retro and nostalgic, none of the tunes stuck in my head like (just the most recent example off the top of my head) Strafe's did, or even something simpler like Bit-Blaster XL.”
“Sometimes retro-centric synthwave style game soundtracks forego melody in the pursuit of pure atmosphere.”
“Soundtrack is nuts.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as incredibly fun and addictive, featuring smooth mechanics and a captivating synthwave soundtrack. Players are challenged to develop their skills through progressively difficult levels, reminiscent of classic arcade action with a blend of obstacle courses and infinite dodging elements. Overall, the experience is both rewarding and engaging, making it a standout aspect of the game.
“Incredibly fun, addicting gameplay, with a killer synthwave soundtrack!”
“The soundtrack is super epic and the gameplay is super smooth.”
“Gridd forces you to develop your skill and doesn't skimp in the reward for your growth as you unlock the next mind-bending level of gameplay.”
“Exact same gameplay.”
“Mechanically: imagine the most obstacle-course-like parts of Star Fox, with a dash of Space Harrier, topped with an infinite runner/dodger, and you'll be on the right track.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their captivating 1980s cyberpunk aesthetic, featuring vibrant neon colors and a modern twist on vector graphics. The visual style effectively combines retro elements with a clear presentation of action, enhanced by a synthwave soundtrack that complements the frantic gameplay. Overall, the graphics create an immersive and nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic arcade games.
“Graphics is capable of capturing you fully but still manages to keep what is happening on the screen clear.”
“Gridd has a great sense of cyberspace and its aesthetic value is neon.”
“Stylistically: pure 1980s neon-tinged Tron meets nightmares (the Bishop of Battle). Grid lines, modern re-imaginings of vector graphics rendered in 3D and lit with bold colors.”
“Graphics is capable of capturing you fully but still manages to keep what is happening on the screen clear.”
“Stylistically: pure 1980s neon-tinged Tron meets nightmares (the Bishop of Battle). Grid lines, modern re-imaginings of vector graphics rendered in 3D and lit with bold colors.”
“Vintage graphic style, fast-rhythm music soundtrack, retro citations, frantic action, and a lot of fun.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, characterized by a strong retro-centric synthwave soundtrack that prioritizes creating an immersive experience over traditional melodic elements.
“Very atmospheric.”
“Sometimes retro-centric synthwave style game soundtracks forego melody in the pursuit of pure atmosphere.”
“Sometimes retro-centric synthwave style game soundtracks forego melody in the pursuit of pure atmosphere.”
- stability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game demonstrates excellent stability, performing well even on low to mid-tier hardware, ensuring a smooth experience for a wide range of players.
“Runs great on low to mid-tier hardware.”
“The game maintains a steady frame rate, even during intense action sequences.”
“I haven't experienced any crashes or major bugs, which is impressive.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers a nostalgic arcade experience reminiscent of the 80s, appealing to players who enjoy the challenge of improving their performance in each run rather than seeking extensive unlockable content. Its replayability hinges on the simple joy of striving for higher scores and further progress, making it ideal for fans of classic on-rails shooters.
“If you're craving an on-rails shooter that captures the essence of the 80s, especially if you enjoyed movies like Tron or Nightmares, and you appreciate the classic arcade joy of 'Can I make it further this time than my last run?', then I can highly recommend this game.”
“The replayability is fantastic; each run feels fresh and exciting, making you want to come back for more.”
“With multiple paths and challenges, every playthrough offers something new, keeping the experience engaging and fun.”
“The game lacks significant replayability, as once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to return.”
“After finishing the game, I found myself with no desire to play it again; the lack of varied content really hurt its replay value.”
“While the gameplay is enjoyable, the absence of different modes or unlockables makes it feel repetitive after just a few runs.”
Critic Reviews
GRIDD: Retroenhanced Review
GRIDD: Retroenhanced is a nostalgic trip for anyone who was around when the game’s visuals were state of the art. As a game, it does very little wrong once you get used to your ship's momentum, while the inclusion of ‘Glove of Power’ mode makes the Switch version the definitive one to play. If you have exhausted the joys of Thumper and are looking for something new to challenge your reflexes, you have just found your next hurdle.
80%Gridd: Retroenhanced - Recensione
80%
