Hamsterdam
- July 31, 2019
- Muse Games
Surely there was a better pun to be made than “Hamster-Fu”
In Hamsterdam, players become a hamster-fu master, using rhythm and precision to fight off the Vermin Gang and restore peace to the town. Gameplay involves classic brawler mechanics, with a focus on martial arts combos and timely counters. Players must face off against the gang's faceless goons and challenging boss battles, ultimately facing off against the villainous chinchilla, Marlo.
Reviews
- The game features adorable graphics and charming character design, making it visually appealing.
- Gameplay is fun and engaging, with a focus on rhythm and timing that adds a layer of challenge.
- It's a light-hearted and enjoyable experience, perfect for casual gaming sessions, especially on mobile devices.
- Controls are poorly optimized for PC, making it frustrating to play without a controller, and mouse controls can be awkward.
- The game can feel repetitive and lacks depth, with limited mechanics and predictable level design.
- There are several bugs and issues with gameplay, including problems with character movement and action registration.
- gameplay13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The gameplay is visually appealing and features a charming story, but it is criticized for being overly simplistic and repetitive, particularly in its reliance on swiping and tapping mechanics. While some players appreciate the fluidity of combos and the variety present, others find the experience can feel monotonous, especially between boss fights. The final boss is highlighted as a standout moment that effectively utilizes all learned mechanics, providing a satisfying conclusion to the gameplay experience.
“Cute hamster, hamster-fu, an enthralling story, and quality gameplay.”
“The gameplay and combos in this game are fairly fluid, though some combos may have a slight delay.”
“The final boss fight was phenomenal at using all of the mechanics you've learned from the game, so nothing feels forgotten.”
“The gameplay is just tailored to swiping/tapping on a screen.”
“The gameplay can feel repetitive in between some of the boss fights and scooter levels.”
“I agree with the other reviews when they talk about the gameplay being simplistic, rhythm-based, and QTE focused.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and adorable aesthetic, featuring cute characters and vibrant artwork that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the modern design and satisfying visuals, particularly in scenes where whimsical elements, like a hamster battling foes, come to life. This appealing art style has been a significant draw for many, contributing to their excitement for the game.
“The graphics are adorable, and there is something so satisfying about a cute hamster beating up bad guys, three at a time, throwing them around face-down.”
“I really, really enjoy the aesthetic of the game (especially since I work in Amsterdam), and it's kind of a fun thing to do.”
“Lovely art style with adorable characters – this was one of the big factors for buying this, for me.”
“The graphics are quite underwhelming.”
“Graphics are lacking depth and detail.”
“The overall visual presentation feels outdated.”
- story9 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's story is light and whimsical, featuring a cute hamster protagonist engaged in kung-fu action, which appeals to players looking for a fun and quirky experience rather than a deep narrative. While the story isn't particularly substantial or groundbreaking, it complements the gameplay well and adds charm to the overall experience.
“Cute hamster, hamster-fu, an enthralling story, and quality gameplay.”
“The story isn't life changing, and the gameplay isn't anything new, but it's cute as hell.”
“The fact that I beat this game tells me that they didn't put a huge story into it.”
“The story isn't life-changing, and the gameplay isn't anything new, but it's cute as hell.”
“I would recommend this game for anyone that doesn't necessarily want a serious story, but would like some quirky kung-fu action.”
- music5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, featuring a rhythmic song that is enjoyable enough to listen to on repeat, alongside solid soundtracks and sound effects. Overall, the audio complements the gameplay effectively.
“Very good controls, music, and animations.”
“One song in a loop is rhythmic and is enjoyable to listen to repeatedly.”
“The soundtracks and sound effects are well done.”
“One song in a loop is rhythmic and is fine to be listened to in a loop.”
“The soundtracks and sound effects are fine.”
“Solid music.”
- humor2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized as light-hearted and charming, making it an enjoyable choice for quick, entertaining sessions. Players appreciate its cute aesthetics and find it to be a delightful way to pass the time with a good laugh.
“This game is a delightful mix of humor and charm, making it a truly funny and cute experience.”
“Perfect for those moments when you have fifteen minutes to spare and want to enjoy something lighthearted and amusing.”
“The humor in this game is spot-on, providing plenty of laughs while keeping the gameplay engaging and fun.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its low replayability, suggesting that players may not find enough incentive or variety to engage with it multiple times.
“The game has low replayability, making it hard to justify multiple playthroughs.”
“Once you complete the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
“The lack of varied outcomes and choices results in low replayability.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development is praised for its impressive design, particularly highlighting the aesthetic appeal of the bosses.
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game appears to be better suited for mobile platforms, as its optimization for controller use is lacking; players have reported issues with executing commands using a DS4 controller, which detracts from the intended experience. While using a mouse may provide a more effective control scheme, the reliance on it highlights the game's shortcomings in controller compatibility.
“The game is well-optimized for mobile devices, providing a smooth experience that enhances gameplay.”
“I appreciate how the optimization allows for seamless transitions between different control schemes, making it easy to switch from controller to mouse.”
“The performance optimization in this game ensures that even on lower-end devices, the gameplay remains fluid and enjoyable.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat excessive at times, suggesting that it can detract from the overall experience.
“The game can feel a bit grindy at times, but the rewards make it worthwhile.”
“Grinding is a necessary part of the experience, and it adds depth to character progression.”
“While there are moments of grinding, they are balanced by engaging gameplay and rewarding loot.”
“The game can feel a bit grindy at times.”
“Grinding becomes tedious and takes away from the overall enjoyment.”
“I found myself spending too much time grinding for resources instead of enjoying the story.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has been reported to be quite buggy, which affects its overall stability, though some players still find enjoyment in its unique features, such as the inclusion of hamsters.
“Although it is very buggy from what I have played (and it has hamsters, so hell yeah)”
Critic Reviews
Hamsterdam Review
Hamsterdam is a mobile title through-and-through. It's got all of the tropes normally associated with mobile games, such as limited gameplay mechanics and a heavy focus on purchasing cosmetic items, with none of the depth you should come to expect from your average Switch title. There's a lot of potential in the game's premise and presentation that could well be capitalised on for any future games, but here it feels like a bit of a wasted opportunity. Add to this the lengthy load times and technical issues, and this is game you'd be best off avoiding.
40%Hamsterdam (Switch) Review
Surely there was a better pun to be made than “Hamster-Fu”
50%Switch Review - 'Hamsterdam'
60%