HOP TOP
- February 27, 2024
- Miracle
Get on SteamHop Top is a shoot 'em up platformer where you help Hop the Dodo Bird retrieve his wings from troublesome bugs across five tower floors. With three modes of play, including Campaign, Endless, and Arcade, players can enjoy pick-up-and-play fun while facing off against various insect patterns and aiming for high scores. Assist Hop in his quest to reach the top and defeat a range of formidable flies and wasps.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Incredibly polished homage to classic Namco arcade games with a unique twist, featuring excellent pixel art and a fantastic soundtrack.
- Addictive gameplay that combines elements of Doodle Jump and Galaga, providing a satisfying challenge that keeps players coming back for more.
- Offers multiple modes, including a classic arcade mode and a campaign, appealing to both casual players and those seeking high scores.
- The game can be needlessly difficult at times, which may frustrate some players, especially with certain enemy designs.
- Lacks a loop system for endless replayability after completing the campaign, which could enhance the arcade experience.
- Some gameplay mechanics, like screen wrapping, may not be immediately clear to new players, potentially leading to confusion.
- gameplay6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a satisfying learning curve, where players gradually master levels through fair and predictable enemy patterns, allowing for multiple progression routes. It combines elements reminiscent of classic arcade games, offering a fun and addictive experience that balances accessibility with challenging mechanics. Overall, the charming design and engaging sound enhance the gameplay, making it both enjoyable and rewarding.
“It took me a long time to master even getting past the first few levels, but the natural osmosis over time through playing is greatly satisfying and rewarding. Failure is almost always on the player, as the enemy patterns are fair and predictable, each with their own unique behaviors and layouts. The platforms are laid out in such a way that there are almost always multiple ways to progress forward, even if you slip up on the first jump and have to retry. This is especially true once you get accustomed to crossing over from one side of the screen to another by warping across, similar to Pac-Man and other arcade games with screen wrap mechanics.”
“Charming, great sound design, lovely artwork, and addictive gameplay.”
“For the gameplay, it feels like Doodle Jump and Gaplus had a child, and while that sounds fun as an idea, it doesn't translate well into an engaging experience.”
“As for the gameplay itself, it's not too difficult to understand everything, but it does prove to be challenging and requires the player to be on their toes with certain platforms and enemies.”
“It took me a long time to master even getting past the first few levels, but the gameplay can feel frustrating at times due to the steep learning curve.”
- music6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic and energetic soundtrack, reminiscent of classic arcade titles, particularly Namco's collections. Players appreciate the short, memorable tracks that enhance the overall experience, complementing the charming visuals and classic arcade difficulty. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that perfectly aligns with the game's aesthetic and gameplay.
“Hop Top is a mashup between Galaga and Doodle Jump, with classic arcade difficulty, a wonderful soundtrack, beautiful art direction, and an absolutely charming feel that feels like a breath of fresh air in 2024.”
“The music in this game, though, I thought was fantastic as it sounds exactly like Namco's own 'Namco Classic Collection Vol 1 & 2'. I think it fits perfectly with what the game wanted to be.”
“The soundtrack is similar; every track is a banger utilizing the arcade instruments to their highest potential in short but memorable tracks.”
“Great arcade experience, cute characters, snazzy music, multiple modes for those looking for something more in line with remakes of classics such as the ones made by Namco, or for people who want to play till they run out of lives.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are highly praised for their stellar pixel art, evoking nostalgia while avoiding the pitfalls of lazy retro design. The visual style is complemented by a charming aesthetic and excellent sound design, enhancing the overall experience across its various modes, including a classic arcade feel reminiscent of the PlayStation/Saturn era. Players appreciate the blend of nostalgic visuals with fresh gameplay elements, making it both appealing and engaging.
“The presentation is stellar, with excellent pixel art reminiscent of the era, akin to the later 'arrangement' Namco games graphics, which look phenomenal. It really utilizes this style rather than using 'retro' graphics as a crutch for bad or lazy art.”
“The visual and musical aesthetic is incredibly nostalgic, but the play experience is a fresh blend of platforming and Space Invaders. Not to mention that it has classic arcade difficulty for sure, and those ladybug enemies will haunt my dreams with how eager they are to end a run.”
“This game offers three distinct modes, one being a classic arcade mode with a simplistic charming style, and the other two being a unique endless and campaign mode that introduce the graphics as if they were included in a PlayStation/Saturn era arcade collection, which is a really neat touch.”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games, making it hard to immerse myself in the experience.”
“While the gameplay is engaging, the visuals are disappointing and seem to be stuck in a previous generation, which detracts from the overall enjoyment.”
“The art style is inconsistent, with some elements looking great while others appear rushed and poorly designed, leading to a jarring visual experience.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and lacking clear design intent, often feeling that it rewards prolonged play rather than skillful performance.
“I don't really see the design ideology behind grinding, as it is rather tedious and usually just rewards you for playing worse and taking longer, which doesn't make much sense.”
“Grinding feels like a mindless chore rather than an engaging part of the game, making it hard to stay motivated.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding takes away from the enjoyment of the game, turning it into a slog rather than an adventure.”
