HellStar Squadron
- May 2, 2018
- Cosmic Crystal Games
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreIn "HellStar Squadron," players join the titular squadron to defend the galactic government Paradise from a daunting demonic rebellion across eight cosmic stages. With a selection of three playable characters and ships, players must dodge an onslaught of bullets, engage in intense boss fights, and save the galaxy in this thrilling, retro-inspired shoot 'em up game. Featuring a chiptune soundtrack, CRT shader, and TATE mode options, this game delivers a classic arcade experience. The galaxy's fate is in your hands.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Fun gameplay with a decent challenge that is accessible for newcomers to the genre.
- Beautiful pixel art and a catchy chiptune soundtrack enhance the overall experience.
- Multiple ship types and a variety of levels provide some replay value.
- Controls are awkward, especially for non-QWERTY keyboard users, and lack key rebinding options.
- Unskippable dialogue and dead time between stages can become tedious, especially after repeated attempts.
- The hitbox feels larger than it should, making dodging bullets more difficult than necessary.
- music6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy chiptune soundtrack, which complements the beautiful pixel art and engaging gameplay. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, noting its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, drawing comparisons to other beloved titles like Undertale.
“Beautiful detailed pixel art, catchy chiptune soundtrack, tight mechanics, fun bullet patterns, and a charming little story <3 <3”
“I love the soundtrack and visuals and reminds me a small bit of Undertale.”
“The soundtrack and visuals are great!”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The gameplay features beautiful pixel art, a catchy chiptune soundtrack, and tight mechanics with enjoyable bullet patterns, complemented by a charming story. While the controls are straightforward and consistently displayed, some players find the hitbox slightly larger than expected, and the basic scoring system may lack replay value for some. Overall, the experience is fun but may not encourage repeated playthroughs.
“Beautiful detailed pixel art, catchy chiptune soundtrack, tight mechanics, fun bullet patterns, and a charming little story.”
“The gameplay is very simple, and there is a constant reminder of controls on the side.”
“+fun gameplay”
“The gameplay is very simple, and there is a constant reminder of the controls on the side.”
“The scoring mechanic is very basic, involving chaining enemies, and I have absolutely no urge to play this again.”
“Although I feel the hitbox is a bit larger than it should be, it doesn't affect gameplay too much.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers moderate replayability through the selection of three different ships and various gameplay modifiers, such as one life or limited bullets, which encourage players to experiment with different strategies. However, the overall replay value is somewhat limited due to the lack of significant variation in gameplay experiences.
“Multiple ship types provide limited replayability.”
“There are three different ships to choose from, giving a little bit of replay value.”
“Multiple ship types offer limited replayability.”
“Features like one life or limited bullets add a bit more replayability.”
- story2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story is described as charming and enjoyable, fitting well within the genre's typical simplicity. While not deeply complex, it complements the game's beautiful pixel art and engaging mechanics, making for a satisfying overall experience.
“Beautiful detailed pixel art, catchy chiptune soundtrack, tight mechanics, fun bullet patterns, and a charming little story.”
“Nice little storyline; not insanely deep, but as this genre is not known for its stories, this was good.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are highly praised for their quality, with comparisons made to the visual style of Undertale, suggesting a charming and appealing aesthetic. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the game's atmosphere alongside its impressive soundtrack.
“I love the soundtrack and visuals; they remind me a bit of Undertale.”
“The soundtrack and visuals are great!”
