Headlander

82%
Game Brain Score Based on 493 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Headlander Game Cover
An excellent side-scrolling Metroidvania game, with nostalgic undertones and great gameplay, helping it thrive in its science fiction paradise.
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Headlander is a single-player, science fiction shooter game with a unique mechanic of docking into and controlling robot host bodies. In a retro-futuristic world, you uncover a dense atmosphere and hilarious narrative while seeking clues to your past in a utopia gone wrong. With phenomenal visuals, exceptional music, and some grinding, this game from Double Fine Productions and Adult Swim Games promises to be a mind-bending experience.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 493 reviews
gameplay92 positive mentions
grinding16 negative mentions
  • Unique and quirky gameplay mechanic of controlling a flying head that takes over robot bodies, providing a fresh take on the Metroidvania genre.
  • Stylish 70s retro-futuristic aesthetic with vibrant visuals and a fun soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Humorous dialogue and characters, including entertaining interactions with the AI and NPCs, adding charm to the game.
  • The game can feel repetitive, with some players noting a lack of depth in combat and puzzle mechanics as the game progresses.
  • Short playtime of around 6-10 hours, which may leave players wanting more content and exploration opportunities.
  • Some technical issues, such as performance drops and unskippable cutscenes, can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • gameplay212 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by a unique body-swapping mechanic that offers a fresh twist on the metroidvania genre, allowing for inventive puzzle-solving and combat. However, many players noted that the gameplay can become repetitive and lacks depth, with a reliance on fetch quests and limited variety in challenges. While the art style and humor are praised, some reviewers felt that the overall experience suffers from shallow mechanics and a lack of engaging content as the game progresses.

    • “The gameplay is fun and engaging.”
    • “The core mechanics of the game are to take possession of other robot bodies, with their colors determining which colored doors you can open.”
    • “Headlander is a perfect storm of thought-provoking sci-fi, biting humor, and pitch-perfect gameplay that comes wrapped in a stylish, affordable package, and is one of this year’s very best.”
    • “The incredibly tedious and annoying gameplay loop basically amounts to 'get this yellow keycard (body) to this yellow door' except there's no puzzles to how to get the yellow keycard, just incredibly lackluster respawning combat, oh and by the way, the keycard (your body) can take damage and be destroyed, so be prepared to backtrack from room to room to get a new one a ton.”
    • “Unfortunately, the gameplay gets old and it drags on from hour 2.”
    • “Even though the premise seems interesting, the actual gameplay is boring (just going back and forth doing the same things over and over again).”
  • story141 mentions

    The story of the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its quirky humor and unique premise involving body-swapping mechanics, while others find it underdeveloped and lacking in emotional depth. Many reviews highlight the engaging dialogue and interesting characters, but criticize the overall plot for being thin or confusing, with some feeling it fails to deliver a compelling narrative experience. Overall, while the story has its moments and fits the game's retro sci-fi aesthetic, it often feels secondary to the gameplay mechanics and visuals.

    • “The story was also surprisingly good for something that at first glance seems super silly.”
    • “The story, art, and mechanics are where the game shines.”
    • “Headlander deftly delivers a smart story via a constant stream of varied, original ideas, ensuring a journey that feels remarkably vibrant and fresh from start to finish.”
    • “The story was annoying exposition chitchat that didn't make much sense and wasn't engaging at all.”
    • “I felt the story was kind of pasted together and didn't really feel it made sense or made me feel any way emotionally.”
    • “The story is not particularly original or compelling.”
  • graphics124 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning 70s retro-futuristic aesthetic, combining vibrant colors and unique art styles that evoke a nostalgic sci-fi vibe. Reviewers highlight the beautiful visuals, charming character designs, and effective use of 2.5D elements, which enhance the overall experience despite some noting that the gameplay can become repetitive. Overall, the game's graphics are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to its appeal and immersive atmosphere.

    • “The graphics are gorgeous, and while they aren't AAA quality polished, they are perfect for this game, as the retro lends itself well to this graphics.”
    • “The graphics, music, and sound create a vibrant 70s retro/future aesthetic, polished to a rare luster.”
    • “Headlander is a great metroidvania game with fairly unique mechanics and a really well done 70s inspired sci-fi aesthetic and a fair bit of humor.”
    • “Not worth 20 bucks; the graphics are really bad, the controls are confusing. Maybe worth 5 dollars.”
    • “It's easy to think this is just a metroidvania platformer relying on its aesthetic alone.”
    • “The single tiny negative I can give about visuals is overwhelming chromatic aberration after a certain point in the game where an area is slow motion for a good while.”
  • humor105 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, characterized by quirky audio cues, witty dialogue, and a playful aesthetic that evokes a 70s sci-fi vibe. While many players appreciate the goofy and offbeat humor typical of Double Fine games, some feel it can be overdone or inconsistent, with moments of brilliance overshadowed by less effective jokes. Overall, the game successfully blends fun gameplay with a lighthearted narrative, making it an enjoyable experience for those who appreciate its unique comedic style.

    • “What a pleasant surprise, goofy humor, nice art style, and responsive controls all blend perfectly in a metroidvania.”
    • “The gameplay, concept, humor, and style/aesthetic are all great.”
    • “Headlander is a humor-filled, unique playing experience.”
    • “His jokes are not funny, and he has a cowboy accent for no reason whatsoever.”
  • music56 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its vibrant 70s sci-fi aesthetic, featuring a groovy synth soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere and complements the quirky gameplay. Reviewers appreciate the unique tracks that accompany character dances and the nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic sci-fi films and shows. While some note that the music can be generic at times, the overall consensus is that it significantly contributes to the game's charm and immersive experience.

    • “Fantastic and weird metroidvania-ish game with a stellar (pun intended) soundtrack.”
    • “The soundtrack is so good, the sweeping synths, deep pads, and awesome sequences really fit in with the whole vibe the game has, and I wish there was more music in-game (although there's already quite a bit of music in here).”
    • “The game just oozes style, with its space age retro-futurist setting, funky dancing robots, synth groove soundtrack, and dystopian undertones.”
    • “The soundtrack and sound effects don't stand out, but they're perfect for the game and creating the perfect feel.”
    • “It felt strange to enter a room and suddenly enter combat in slow-mo while groovy music is playing in the background.”
    • “The music much reminds me of the Tron 2 soundtrack and adds a great atmosphere.”
  • atmosphere17 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique blend of distinct art style, engaging soundtracks, and a mix of humor and sci-fi elements, creating a captivating and immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the effective use of lighting, neon aesthetics, and a retro vibe that enhances the overall ambiance. While the gameplay is solid, the atmosphere remains a standout feature that draws players in.

    • “The game paints a fascinating world with just a handful of assets, a distinct art style, and an atmospheric soundtrack.”
    • “The atmosphere and the lighting are great with lots of neon and reflections, and the soundtrack also fits that retro vibe.”
    • “I loved the game's atmosphere, the music--the music!!”
    • “The mechanics are solid, the controls are tight, the humor is there but it takes a back seat to the gameplay unlike other Double Fine games. However, it works in the setting and helps build the atmosphere.”
    • “I enjoy the sci-fi environment that it displays as well as a comical atmosphere.”
    • “Play this for the atmosphere and vibe.”
  • grinding16 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is often criticized for its tedious and repetitive gameplay, primarily involving backtracking and unskippable cutscenes that disrupt the flow, especially after deaths. While some players appreciate the creative achievements and the engaging map design that mitigates tedium, many find the combat and fetch-quests monotonous, leading to frustration and a sense of padding in playtime. Overall, the experience can oscillate between enjoyable and frustrating, depending on the player's tolerance for backtracking and repetitive tasks.

    • “The incredibly tedious and annoying gameplay loop basically amounts to 'get this yellow keycard (body) to this yellow door' except there's no puzzles to how to get the yellow keycard, just incredibly lackluster respawning combat. Oh, and by the way, the keycard (your body) can take damage and be destroyed, so be prepared to backtrack from room to room to get a new one a ton.”
    • “When you die, you reappear in the room you died in as if you just entered, but with unskippable cutscenes that mean every boss can become tedious as the game takes control from you several seconds at a time every time you die.”
    • “After the initial coolness of the concept fades, you get to enjoy a tedious and frustrating game where you wander through incredibly similar corridors and face sudden spikes in difficulty that aren't fun.”
  • replayability10 mentions

    Overall, the game has been criticized for its low replayability, with many players noting that it can be completed in a short time (around 6-8 hours) and lacks incentives for multiple playthroughs. While some may find enjoyment in speed runs or collecting all items, the general consensus is that the game does not offer enough content or challenge to warrant revisiting after the initial playthrough.

    • “It is a decent adventure game that does not have high replay value, but it would be enjoyable for a playthrough.”
    • “As a metroidvania, I guess the only replayability is finding easter eggs if there are any or completing the game 100% or something like that.”
    • “It feels like there is little replay value.”
    • “I got my money's worth, but glad I didn't pay full price, as replay value is low.”
    • “It's too short (8 hours for 100% completion), too easy, and if you're careful enough to collect everything on one playthrough, there's not really any replay value.”
    • “Cons: plot is rather thin, little replay value, can be beaten (all collectibles found, too) in 6 hours.”
  • optimization5 mentions

    User feedback on optimization is mixed; while some report no performance issues even during intense gameplay, others experience significant performance inconsistencies. Overall, there seems to be a divide in user experiences, suggesting that optimization may vary based on hardware configurations.

    • “I never had any performance issues when a zillion lasers were on screen, so there might have been some optimization done recently.”
    • “Graphics/Performance: (with a 970, 4790k, 16GB of RAM, SSD)”
    • “Performance is absolute shit.”
    • “But the performance was just all over the place.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Reviews indicate a general dissatisfaction with character development, noting a lack of depth and excitement in the story. While the art and character design are praised, many feel that the character arcs are underwhelming and fail to engage players effectively.

    • “I love the art and the character design; it's very Double Fine-esque. However, I feel that an adventure game might have worked better with these overwhelming visuals.”
    • “The character development was engaging and added depth to the story, making the characters feel more relatable and real.”
    • “The progression of the characters throughout the game was impressive, showcasing their growth and evolution in a meaningful way.”
    • “The story is there, but nothing exciting, no character development and such.”
    • “No character development.”
    • “By that point though, there had been character development and no build-up, so it fell very flat.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Users generally found the emotional aspect lacking, with some feeling that the story was disjointed and failed to evoke any significant feelings.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

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Play time

9hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
7-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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