Hargrave

About

Hargrave is a single player action game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Disafter Games and was released on October 12, 2020. It received very positive reviews from players.

Hargrave finds himself inside the walls of a mysterious labyrinth filled with strange robots. Find the way out, or find what's hidden deep inside.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 148 reviews

music12 positive mentions

monetization1 negative mentions

The game offers a fun and challenging experience reminiscent of classic platformers like Mega Man and Metroid, making it highly enjoyable for fans of the genre.
The controls are generally tight and responsive, allowing for precise platforming and combat, which enhances the overall gameplay experience.
It's a free game that provides a surprising amount of content and quality, making it a great value for players looking for a challenging yet rewarding platforming adventure.

Some players have reported issues with the controls, particularly on keyboard, which can feel awkward and uncomfortable, detracting from the gameplay experience.
The game features difficulty spikes that can feel frustrating, especially in certain challenge rooms that may seem unfair or overly punishing.
While the level design is generally praised, some players feel that certain bosses and challenges lack balance, making them either too easy or disproportionately difficult compared to the rest of the game.

music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
6%
19%
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its catchy and nostalgic qualities that evoke classic platformers, particularly reminiscent of old Mega Man tracks. However, some players note that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time, suggesting that it may be beneficial to have additional music or podcasts on hand while playing. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, enhancing the experience despite some criticisms regarding its repetitiveness.
- “Great atmosphere, funny music, tight controls (apart from the random dash), and I like the fast respawn; you don't have to wait around to try again!”
- “From the retro art style to the soundtrack, this game is a masterpiece.”
- “The music is catchy and the platforming is challenging but satisfying to solve.”
- “The game itself is really pretty, although the music still needs some work.”
- “The music has a very 'classic' vibe to it, and each zone has its own feel.”
- “Prepare some podcasts, lectures, streams, music albums, or whatever to accompany you while playing this game.”
gameplay
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
46%
23%
The gameplay of this retro-styled platformer is a mixed bag, with some players finding it frustratingly difficult and unpolished, while others praise its refreshing take on the metroidvania genre, highlighting its rewarding mechanics and polished design. The game features basic platforming and shooting, with a unique mechanic that prevents death after collecting a key resource, allowing for a challenging yet accessible experience. Overall, it offers a blend of enjoyable exploration and engaging mechanics, though opinions on its difficulty and execution vary significantly.
- “Gameplay consists of basic platforming and shooting, and moving between different level screens to progress through the Metroid-inspired story.”
- “There's one weapon that homes in on enemies and can clear an entire screen, which obviously is very powerful in normal gameplay.”
- “It's very fun to discover how it's laid out and how all the mechanics work.”
- “A retro-styled platformer that feels hollow in its gameplay.”
- “Gameplay is made frustratingly difficult, to the point I'm not sure what the developer hoped to achieve.”
- “Even in normal gameplay, the game can feel unfair and unpolished; the challenge rooms are just a complete pain to even attempt.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The graphics of the game feature a charming retro pixel art style that, while not groundbreaking, is visually appealing and complements the overall experience. Players appreciate the nostalgic aesthetic and find it fitting for the game's design, contributing to its status as a well-crafted title.
- “Lovely retro style visuals.”
- “From the retro art style to the soundtrack, this game is a masterpiece.”
- “Great controls, lovely art style, and ingenious level design.”
- “They chose to use obsolete retro pixel art as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
- “The graphics are nothing to write home about, but they aren't ugly, so I'm happy.”
- “Fast game with modern-day graphics, but it moves from location A to B to C and so on.”
story
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The game's story is described as metroid-inspired, providing a fun backdrop for the platforming and shooting gameplay, which many players find enjoyable. However, some users feel that the lack of a strong narrative may detract from the experience, though they acknowledge that a story may not be essential for enjoyment. Overall, the game is recommended for its engaging gameplay rather than its storytelling.
- “Solid input and a really fun story make this game an absolute blast to play!”
- “Gameplay consists of basic platforming and shooting, and moving between different level screens to progress through the Metroid-inspired story.”
- “I specifically recommend this game to anyone who has enjoyed Cave Story, Mega Man, and Dustforce, as well as anyone looking for a nice challenge.”
- “The only thing the game doesn't really have is a story.”
- “I don't think a story is necessary in this case, but some people might find it more fun.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate that the game avoids artificial difficulty through grinding, allowing characters to be capable and easy to control from the start. Instead of requiring extensive experience grinding, the challenge comes from navigating a hostile environment, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
- “The thing I really appreciate about this game is the difficulty - it doesn't feel artificially imposed like certain overrated pseudo-RPGs. There's no grinding for experience to make your woefully inadequate character able to actually do something without falling over. Instead, your character is extremely capable on their own and very easy to control, with all the difficulty of victory coming from the extremely hostile environment.”
- “I love how the game balances challenge and progression. Instead of tedious grinding, every encounter feels meaningful, and I can see my character grow stronger through skill and strategy rather than just time spent.”
- “Grinding in this game is rewarding rather than a chore. The mechanics are designed in such a way that every battle contributes to my character's development, making the grind feel purposeful and engaging.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is highlighted by its clever dialogue, amusing achievement names, and whimsical weapon designs, contributing to an overall entertaining atmosphere. Players appreciate the lighthearted music and the fast respawn feature, which enhances the comedic experience without long waits.
- “The creators seem to have a great sense of humor, from the names and requirements of certain achievements to the dialogue and weapons.”
- “Great atmosphere, funny music, tight controls (apart from the random dash), and I like the fast respawn; you don't have to wait around to try again!”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization model of the game is entirely free, which contrasts with the common criticism of games made with Gamemaker Studio being perceived as low-effort cash grabs.
- “Very often, game maker studios are used to create shovelware and lazy cash grabs, although in this case, the game is completely free.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a vibrant atmosphere enhanced by humorous music and tight controls, although some users noted a random dash mechanic that can be frustrating. The fast respawn system is also praised, allowing players to quickly jump back into the action without long waits.
- “Great atmosphere, funny music, tight controls (apart from the random dash), and I like the fast respawn; you don't have to wait around to try again!”