Halfway

About

"Halfway" is a single-player Science Fiction Turn Based Strategy game with an intriguing story and good gameplay. As the leader of a team of survivors, you must fight and outsmart the enemy aboard a colonized spaceship while uncovering the mysteries of the violent invasion. The game features tactical turn-based battles, unique characters, and an immersive storyline with outstanding visuals and fantastic music, though some grinding is required.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

72%

Audience ScoreBased on 735 reviews

story208 positive mentions

grinding25 negative mentions

Engaging story with interesting characters and a compelling sci-fi atmosphere.
Challenging turn-based tactical gameplay that requires strategic thinking and resource management.
Beautiful pixel art and a fitting soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.

Frustrating RNG mechanics lead to frequent misses on high percentage shots, making combat feel unfair.
Limited enemy variety and repetitive mission structure can make gameplay feel monotonous over time.
Clunky UI and lack of manual save options can lead to frustrating experiences during longer missions.

story
648 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
64%
4%
The story of the game is generally described as engaging and intriguing, with a classic sci-fi premise involving a crew navigating a disaster on a spaceship. While many players appreciate the character interactions and the unfolding mystery, some criticize the narrative for being linear, lacking depth, and leaving unresolved plot points, particularly towards the end. Overall, the story is seen as a strong aspect that keeps players invested, despite some frustrations with pacing and execution.
- “The story was really engaging that I kept trying to find time to complete it.”
- “The story is very rich, with each mission having a backstory and reason to it and each character in the game has its own interesting personality.”
- “Great game, interesting story, game ending wasn't fully what I was hoping for but I like what they did.”
- “The story adds context to the skirmishes but doesn't delve deeply into character development or plot intricacies.”
- “The story is simple and the characters are what carries it forward.”
- “The story is also boring and seems to get stale about 'halfway' through the game.”
gameplay
239 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
66%
7%
The gameplay of "Halfway" is primarily turn-based strategy, drawing comparisons to titles like XCOM, but it suffers from a lack of depth and variety in mechanics, leading to repetitive experiences. While some players appreciate its straightforward mechanics and nostalgic visuals, many criticize the frustrating design choices, unclear mechanics, and balance issues, particularly regarding hit chances and inventory management. Overall, the game offers a solid foundation but is marred by inconsistencies that detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “At the core of 'Halfway' is its turn-based strategy gameplay.”
- “The game requires strategic thinking and patience, rewarding those who take the time to master its mechanics.”
- “The core gameplay loop is solid.”
- “However, some may find the gameplay lacking in variety, yearning for more depth in the strategic options available.”
- “The gameplay is severely limited by the lack of a few essential mechanics.”
- “The problem here is that the gameplay mechanics are very simple and not very engaging.”
graphics
174 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
47%
3%
The graphics of the game are predominantly praised for their charming pixel art style, which evokes nostalgia while effectively complementing the tactical gameplay. Many users appreciate the attention to detail and the atmospheric visuals, although some note that the graphics are basic and may not appeal to everyone. Overall, the retro aesthetic is well-received, contributing positively to the game's immersive experience despite some technical limitations.
- “The graphics, music, and story feel polished and put together in a way that got me enjoying the experience.”
- “The graphics are beautifully drawn pixel art.”
- “With its nostalgia-inducing graphics with contemporary flair and the fast-paced tactical combat, you'll lose yourself to the cold vacuum of space pretty quickly.”
- “Graphics are very basic; they reminded me of 'Into the Breach' (a cellphone game, free with Netflix).”
- “The graphics are not my thing with pixels, but they're nice enough to see the details of the game, and the gameplay for me makes this game a good 8/10.”
- “However, the user interface feels clunky and the graphics could use work.”
music
125 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
36%
3%
The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many reviewers praising its atmospheric and fitting quality that enhances the sci-fi setting. The soundtrack is often described as reminiscent of Blade Runner, contributing to a compelling ambiance, although some players noted its repetitiveness and a limited number of tracks. Overall, the combination of engaging music and retro pixel art creates a captivating experience that resonates well with players.
- “The soundtrack of 'Halfway' complements the sci-fi setting with a mix of eerie and atmospheric tunes.”
- “Great atmospheric narrative-driven pixel art game that's like XCOM with an amazing soundtrack by Gavin Harrison.”
- “The game looks, runs, and sounds great, with its pixel style retro look and low-key, mood-setting sci-fi soundtrack.”
- “The music is mediocre.”
- “Yes, it has a cool space theme, but it feels like there are only 2 soundtracks (title screen, battle theme) as far as I am aware.”
- “The soundtrack, though good, is repetitive with maybe 2-4 songs in rotation.”
atmosphere
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
73%
22%
5%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its engaging pixel art, immersive sound design, and fitting soundtrack, which collectively create a compelling sci-fi environment. While many reviewers appreciate the charm and mood, some note that the atmosphere can be undermined by tedious gameplay and unclear mechanics. Overall, the game's aesthetic elements contribute significantly to its appeal, making it a standout feature despite its gameplay flaws.
- “The soundtrack of 'Halfway' complements the sci-fi setting with a mix of eerie and atmospheric tunes.”
- “What caught my attention is the wonderful pixel art, which – together with the soundtrack – evokes a dark, sci-fi atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is beautiful and the music helps fit the scene :)”
- “The atmosphere doesn't feel just right; the sounds feel just okay, and the dialogue is really flat.”
- “It seems like that was done to create an atmosphere that the game otherwise lacks in its simplistic boxy environments.”
- “Emergency lighting creates a dim and hopeless atmosphere.”
grinding
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
96%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be overwhelmingly tedious and frustrating, primarily due to monotonous combat, poor hit rates, and a lack of meaningful progression. While the game's art style and atmosphere are appreciated, the repetitive nature of missions and inventory management detracts significantly from the enjoyment, leading many to describe their experience as "not fun." The combination of RNG elements and bullet sponge enemies further exacerbates the grind, making it a major point of contention among reviewers.
- “It has charm and atmosphere, but the tedious combat, monotonous levels, negligible strategy required, and lack of a meaningful sense of progression made halfway a DNF for me.”
- “The situation doesn't become 'oh no, this will be hard', it becomes 'oh no, this will be more tedious' because I have less than 50% chance rolls and need to just sit here hoping someone will hit someone two tiles away.”
- “It's just that the game's accuracy is so not-fun and teeth-grindingly frustrating that there is no reason to recommend this game because, well, games are meant to be fun and this game is the most not-fun game I've played all year because of this one thing.”
replayability
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
63%
25%
Overall, the game's replayability is largely viewed as limited, with many players noting its linear structure and lack of randomization or significant side content. While some mention potential for replay value through different playstyles or future updates like a map editor, the current experience is often described as repetitive and lacking depth, leading to a consensus that replayability is low.
- “Different ways to go about the game also offers some replayability, though I already believe it offers a decent amount of game time for the small price.”
- “Easily replayable.”
- “Couple that with the promise of an editor and the inevitable Steam Workshop support, and you'll be investing in a game that will have a lot of replay value in many months to come.”
- “On a downside, it has very little replayability.”
- “Having logged a little less than 40 hours into it, there isn't really any replay value, which would be fine if it were a deeper game, but the encounters become repetitive very quickly.”
- “There's not really any replayability since it's a linear game with no random levels, although there are a few optional side missions.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
Character development in the game is generally perceived as minimal, with players noting a lack of depth in character arcs and backstories despite some cohesive design elements. While the game offers a linear story that provides context for gameplay, it fails to engage players with meaningful character growth or intricate plot details. Overall, the character designs add personality, but the development feels superficial and largely unimpactful.
- “If you like a small adventure that requires you to be at least competent and tactful while going through a linear story that showcases character development, then this game is for you.”
- “The 3 points I give are only for character development and backstories.”
- “What we see of the game feels cohesive, and the character designs lend each a greater degree of personality.”
- “The story adds context to the skirmishes but doesn't delve deeply into character development or plot intricacies.”
- “The character development and/or character building is pointless or non-existent; the graphics are one step above pixel art.”
- “No real character development; stims are very minor and basically necessary to succeed.”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
88%
The game's stability has been criticized for various bugs and glitches, particularly affecting the user interface and controls, which can lead to a clunky experience. While the graphics are well-executed, players report that issues tend to escalate as the game progresses, making it feel unfinished. Additionally, the absence of a borderless window mode complicates multitasking, further detracting from overall stability.
- “The graphics work flawlessly with no glitches, and the sprites are beautifully drawn and animated with care. The backgrounds are fantastic.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or performance issues, providing a stable and enjoyable experience.”
- “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; I can focus on strategy without worrying about technical problems.”
- “Sometimes the UI is a bit buggy and doesn't let you click items that are in side chests.”
- “Doesn't have borderless window fullscreen mode unfortunately, so you can't alt-tab unless you want to play it in a bordered window. It has glitches and bugs here and there every so often, which makes it feel kind of clunky, but overall decent.”
- “It feels half-finished: there are several interface glitches and a lack of polish in the controls - not in the visuals; these are quite nice.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is characterized by a mix of simple yet intriguing storytelling, rich narratives infused with irony and drama, and excellent banter that delivers genuinely funny moments. While the humor is present, it often balances with more serious themes, creating a unique blend that appeals to players. Overall, the comedic elements enhance the experience, making it a noteworthy aspect of the game.
- “The banter between them is excellent, with plenty of genuinely funny moments.”
- “Easy, then difficult, with loot, great art, and a clever/funny story!”
- “The story is simple, funny at times, but quite intriguing and sober most of the time.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game is well-optimized for controller support and runs smoothly, showcasing appealing pixel art and a calming soundtrack. However, players have noted that the gameplay mechanics feel sluggish, detracting from the overall experience.
- “The game runs smoothly, and its eye-catching pixel art combined with a low-key soundtrack are definitely its best qualities.”
- “But even early on, the gameplay feels sluggish, not in performance but in its overall mechanics.”
- “They seem to be optimized for controller support.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for creating a frustrating experience, as players are frequently faced with challenging enemy encounters that require significant focus and resources, suggesting a potential push towards spending to alleviate difficulty.
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players report that the game evokes strong emotions, with some expressing that it brought them to tears, highlighting its impactful storytelling and character development, even for those who primarily enjoy tactical gameplay.
- “This made me cry as a tactical gamer.”
- “The story's depth and character development left me feeling profoundly connected to the characters.”
- “I was overwhelmed with emotion during the pivotal moments of the game.”