Hollow Floor
- August 26, 2024
- Ahmed Khalifa (Amidos2006)
Hollow Floor is an exploration-based single-sitting Metroidvania inspired by VVVVVV and REDDER. Hollow Floor power-ups are based on adding movesets that will expand the player's ability to explore all three different dangerous biomes. Hollow Floor world is full of secrets and hard challenges that can be tackled at any moment in the game or completely ignored. All you need to finish is to collect a…
Reviews
- Hollow Floor offers a fun and unique experience with its creative mechanics and engaging level design, making it a delightful challenge for players.
- The game features a charming aesthetic and a well-composed soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere, contributing to an enjoyable gameplay experience.
- It's a bite-sized Metroidvania that is easy to recommend for fans of precision platformers, providing a satisfying sense of exploration and accomplishment.
- The game can be extremely challenging, with some players finding the difficulty level frustrating, especially in the challenge rooms that lack checkpoints.
- Certain mechanics, such as the inability to stop falling after jumping, can detract from the enjoyment and lead to a feeling of poor execution in gameplay.
- Graphics and UI elements are inconsistent, with some visual aspects, like the font and coin display, appearing blurry and detracting from the overall presentation.
- gameplay18 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its challenging mechanics that require players to learn through exploration rather than explicit guidance, which can lead to frustration but also a rewarding sense of achievement. Players appreciate the unique movement mechanics and the clever design of puzzles, though some find the difficulty spikes and lack of clarity in power-ups to be a drawback. Overall, the game offers a compelling and addictive experience, particularly for fans of the metroidvania genre, with potential for even greater depth in future titles.
“There is no hand-holding at all and it can be tough, especially until you get the hang of the nuanced gameplay.”
“I liked how it taught the mechanics, and because they were so simple, it was able to lock you in without telling you what the controls are until you figure it out yourself.”
“Overall, I think in terms of gameplay, this game is excellent for such a short experience, and I hope that the developer continues to make more games; I'd be particularly interested to see how they would handle a larger metroid experience with more freedom for the player to sequence break and potentially use some emergent gameplay from how the upgrades interact to have a more open experience!”
“There is no hand holding at all and it can be tough, especially so until you get the hang of the nuanced gameplay.”
“Checkpoints and difficulty started out generous, but then I encountered one place where I went through about 7 screens, died and oddly they were easy screens but the gameplay wasn't satisfying me in such a way that I had any desire to redo them.”
“The negative edge jump mechanic can be quite frustrating at times but I get it's part of the challenge.”
- music10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many praising its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance immersion in the gameplay. While some found the harmonies simple, they were deemed appropriate for the game's themes, contributing to a relaxing and engaging experience. However, a few users noted that certain sound effects were harsh and detracted from the overall enjoyment.
“If you like metroidvanias, surprisingly lush music and games that do not waste your time explaining stuff to you, this is a wonderful way to spend an evening.”
“The art style, combined with the atmospheric music, really completes the experience and pulls you into a world that feels both relaxing and fun!”
“Graphics are simple, appealing and get the job done, and the music succeeds at setting the mood for each of the zones.”
“I found the music irritating.”
“At this point, I felt that the music in the game was maybe a bit simple but worked quite well for both the puzzle and exploration elements of gameplay that were prominent for me.”
“The music succeeds at setting the mood for each of the zones.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally appealing and effectively communicate gameplay elements, though some users noted inconsistencies, such as blurry fonts. The art style, reminiscent of VVVVVV, combined with atmospheric music, enhances the overall experience, creating a relaxing and enjoyable world. While the visuals are simple, they successfully contribute to the game's charm.
“The art style, combined with the atmospheric music, really completes the experience and pulls you into a world that feels both relaxing and fun!”
“Graphics are simple, appealing, and get the job done, and the music succeeds at setting the mood for each of the zones.”
“I've been obsessed with tiny metroidvanias (both in scale and graphics) and this was a wonderful addition.”
“The graphics were a bit inconsistent, unfortunately. Generally, they were fine (I like the VVVVVV-inspired look), but the fonts look a bit blurry, especially the coin display.”
“Besides this, the graphics were fine, and in terms of the gameplay, they communicated everything they needed to clearly, which is the most important thing.”
“The music was interesting; I liked that the music wasn't necessarily 8-bit to match the visuals, but I wish some of the sound effects were less harsh, especially when first booting the game and interacting with the menus.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express that the emotional impact of games in the Metroidvania genre varies significantly, with some titles evoking deep feelings through their storytelling, character development, and atmospheric design. Many reviewers highlight personal connections to the narratives and the sense of nostalgia that enhances their emotional experience. Overall, the emotional resonance of these games is a key factor in their appeal and lasting impression on players.
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and punishing, particularly due to long stretches of precise platforming without checkpoints, which can lead to frustration.
“Just having long stretches of precise platforming with no checkpoints feels tedious and punishing.”
“The grinding in this game is relentless, making progress feel more like a chore than an achievement.”
“Repetitive tasks with little reward make the grinding experience frustrating and unenjoyable.”
- story1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story aspect of many indie precision platformers, including titles like vvvvvv and Super Meat Boy, is often perceived as simplistic, leading to a sense of frustration rather than engagement. While some games in the genre, such as Aeterna Noctis and Trash Quest, offer enjoyable experiences, the overall narrative depth tends to be lacking in comparison.
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by its art style and atmospheric music, creating an immersive experience that balances relaxation and enjoyment.
“The art style, combined with the atmospheric music, really completes the experience and pulls you into a world that feels both relaxing and fun!”