Horizon Shift '81

About

Horizon Shift '81 is a single player casual shooter game. It was developed by Flump Studios and was released on June 11, 2019. It received very positive reviews from players.

Horizon Shift '81 is an explosive wave based single screen shooter with a real retro feel to it. You can even play the game in Tate screen mode!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 11 reviews

grinding3 negative mentions

Horizon Shift '81 features a compelling core loop with a unique gameplay mechanic that blends elements from classic arcade shooters.
The game offers a nice variety of power-ups and modes, providing players with multiple ways to enjoy the gameplay.
Levels are well-balanced with increasing difficulty, and the game maintains a nostalgic feel that appeals to fans of retro arcade games.

The presence of a Unity 'trial version' overlay and various bugs detracts from the overall polish and experience of the game.
Leaderboard support is limited, only displaying the top 10 results without real-time updates, which can be frustrating for competitive players.
The sound design and some graphical elements are underwhelming, failing to capture the essence of the retro theme effectively.

gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The gameplay is praised for its innovative mechanics, particularly the unique center line shooting and the need to balance movement across the screen, which adds a fresh twist to traditional shmup gameplay. While players must continuously hold the fire button without the need for ammo conservation, the game remains engaging with multiple modes and customizable settings. Overall, it offers a fun and solid arcade shooting experience.
- “Cool game with an interesting game mechanic.”
- “Otherwise, it's a really solid arcade shooter, using a center line and an up/down mechanic where your ship either shoots up or down from that center line depending on where the enemies are coming from.”
- “Forced to hold the fire button, even though there is seemingly no reason to ever not fire due to a lack of ammo conservation or accuracy mechanics.”
- “With that said, what the game does well is twist the formula of standard shmup gameplay with the middle of the screen presentation, along with interesting gameplay mechanics with the dash and having to balance the sides of the screen and your movement area.”
- “The unique gameplay area with the middle bar adds new challenges while still feeling familiar in the genre.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the game's focus on high-score grinding, making it an appealing choice for those who enjoy this gameplay style.
- “The grinding in this game feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I found the grind to be repetitive and uninspired, which really detracted from the overall experience.”
- “The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The pixel graphics in the game are often considered underwhelming, particularly in how some weapon designs blend into the background, which detracts from the overall visual experience.
- “While usually something I overlook, the pixel graphics presentation at times is very underwhelming, especially with some weaponry blending into the screen.”
- “The graphics feel outdated and lack the detail that modern games offer, making the overall experience less immersive.”
- “Character models are poorly designed and lack any real depth, which detracts from the overall visual appeal of the game.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game has been criticized for failing to emulate vintage equipment and not fitting the historical context, leading to a disconnect with the overall experience.
- “Except, oddly, for the music.”
- “Not only does it not sound like they tried to emulate vintage equipment, but the music itself isn't even fitting of the time.”