HellSinker
- July 19, 2019
- Ruminant’s Whimper
Get on Steam"HellSinker" is a single-player shooter game with compelling gameplay and an exceptional soundtrack. The game takes place in a world split in two, where a band of people called "GRAVEYARD" study the remains of a lost civilization, while "EXECUTORS" are obsessed with severing their fate. Players can expect intense boss battles and fragmented lore, allowing them to piece together the story as they progress.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Hellsinker offers a unique and complex gameplay experience with a diverse moveset for each character, making it highly replayable and engaging.
- The game features a beautiful and atmospheric soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, along with visually striking graphics.
- Once players overcome the steep learning curve, they find a rewarding and satisfying challenge that is unlike any other shmup.
- The user interface is confusing and poorly designed, with an incomprehensible font that makes it difficult to read important information.
- The tutorial is excessively long and complicated, which can be overwhelming for new players and may deter them from continuing.
- Many players find the game frustrating due to its punishing difficulty and lack of beginner-friendly options, making it less accessible for newcomers to the genre.
- gameplay55 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Hellsinker is characterized by its complex and varied mechanics, offering a deep and multifaceted experience that may initially overwhelm players. While the game features a steep learning curve with intricate controls and unique character abilities, those who invest the time to master its systems will find rewarding and engaging gameplay. The combination of challenging level design, diverse mechanics, and a convoluted plot creates a unique shmup experience that stands out in the genre, appealing particularly to veterans seeking something fresh.
“Don't be intimidated by the weird language - the gameplay is actually quite straightforward and unbelievably varied for a shmup title.”
“Hellsinker is a game that would go beyond miles by having a very unique gameplay; all characters have their own mechanics, different weapons, and others. It is such a massive blast to play once you learn many things in the game, such as scoring and grazing.”
“Once you wrap your head around the controls and gameplay mechanics, especially defensive moves like rechargeable bombs and a bullet-canceling force field, the real beauty of Hellsinker shines through.”
“The amount of mechanics this game has will feel overwhelming at first, but it quite quickly becomes second nature.”
“It looks terrible, the sprites all look like PNG cutouts and are super pixelated, the music is generic drum and bass probably stolen from a royalty-free website, and the gameplay is too complex while simultaneously being super boring.”
“You need to learn convoluted yet elegant rules that invite unorthodox strategies and gameplay scenarios.”
- music29 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its exceptional quality and how well it enhances the gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to create a unique atmosphere, often syncing perfectly with the action on screen, while some criticize it as generic or unremarkable. Overall, the music is seen as a significant aspect that elevates the game's presentation and emotional impact.
“A very unique game with an incredible soundtrack.”
“The sense of exploration is truly unmatched, with a very special atmosphere enhanced by the game's melancholic soundtrack.”
“Even as a lifelong Touhou fan, I can't think of a shooter with a more perfect soundtrack than Hellsinker; it's a lot of wonderful trance music synced perfectly with the stages and enemy formations, and it knows when to get aggressive.”
“I only made it about 3/4 of the way through the tutorial before the CIA interrogation music and barely readable font had my brain crying 'uncle'.”
“Despite the variability of what can go on in the game, the stages are still synced to the music.”
“With top-of-class soundtrack and inscrutable writing, Hellsinker has a remarkable presentation that belies a confidence in its own insanity.”
- story16 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The story of the game is described as deeply intricate and compelling, with a convoluted plot that unfolds through text snippets and dialogue, encouraging players to piece together its meaning over time. Reviewers appreciate the unique storytelling approach, which includes cryptic messages and rich lore, likening it to other celebrated titles in the genre. Overall, the narrative is seen as a significant and rewarding aspect of the gameplay experience, inviting players to engage deeply with its complexities.
“I cannot stress enough my love towards the game, its story, and everything revolving around it.”
“To think that a bullet hell game’s story content could be so compelling!”
“This game also features some quite complex story and lore, of which I honestly don't know much about, but it's the kind of stuff where you have to spend some time looking into all the pieces of dialogue spread around everywhere and then come up with your own theories as to what it all means.”
“Hellsinker's story is told vaguely, through text snippets that will begin to show up as you play.”
“The story is also appropriately incoherent, at least unless you have someone explain it to you.”
“It was a mess of going through internet forums from the early 2000s to understand the plot and scoring system, let alone trying to find anyone to explain the UI to me.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful and unique aesthetic, which stands out in the indie game landscape. While some elements, like character and item sprites, may appear somewhat simplistic, the overall visual presentation is considered eye-catching and masterfully crafted, complementing the complex gameplay and rich audio experience. Players appreciate the intricate design and the game's ability to create an unforgettable atmosphere.
“This game means everything to me. I don't have enough linguistic abilities to articulate what I love and how much I love it, but I hope the sentiment comes across. The absolutely eye-catching visuals, extremely complex story and lore, and everything about this game, even the little manual it comes with, is masterfully crafted.”
“Beautiful visuals and soundtrack.”
“Overall, it has a very unique aesthetic that you probably have never seen before, and likely never will again.”
“Some things like the character, bullet, or item sprites might look kind of wonky and too game-like and break that cohesiveness.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive sense of exploration and unique blend of melancholic soundtracks that enhance the dark, sci-fi adventure experience. Reviewers note the exceptional ability to create an ominous and creepy ambiance, setting it apart from typical shoot 'em up titles. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's appeal.
“Ost does sell a lot of scenes with memorable tunes that ooze atmosphere of dark, sci-fi adventure.”
“The sense of exploration is truly unmatched, with a very special atmosphere enhanced by the game's melancholic soundtrack.”
“It also seems to have a more ominous and creepy atmosphere, which isn't common for shmups, but Hellsinker does it perfectly.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game highly replayable due to its engaging mechanics and features that encourage multiple playthroughs.
“That alone makes the game incredibly replayable.”
“The variety of choices and outcomes ensures that each playthrough feels fresh and exciting.”
“With multiple endings and different character paths, I find myself coming back for more.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players initially enjoyed the challenge of grinding, but many have found it has become tedious over time, diminishing their overall experience.
“While the challenge was fun at first, it has now become nothing short of tedious.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding makes the game feel more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
“I find myself spending hours on tasks that yield minimal rewards, which is incredibly frustrating.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game features three distinct scoring metrics that players can optimize in various ways, providing a challenging experience for those looking to enhance their performance.
“For those who really want to push themselves, the game offers three separate scoring metrics, which must all be optimized differently.”
