Iwate Mountain Dance
- May 1, 2020
- Kirisame Jump
Get on SteamIwate Mountain Dance is a tough-as-nails bullet hell boss fighter. Take on unique multi-stage bosses in a grand dance of handcrafted fights, each with their own attack patterns and intense combos, as you explore the lands of Iwate and learn its history.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features enjoyable boss attack patterns and smooth controls, making it accessible and fun for both beginners and experienced players.
- The art and music create a charming and relaxing atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience of the game.
- The ability to face bosses in any order adds a unique twist to the gameplay, allowing for a personalized experience.
- The game is relatively short, with some players completing it in just a few hours, which may limit replay value.
- There are several minor technical issues, such as inconsistent art, a lack of hitbox visibility, and some janky boss mechanics.
- The difficulty level may be too easy for seasoned players, with a notable leap in challenge only present in the true ending boss.
- music9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its ability to create a beautiful and tranquil atmosphere that complements the gameplay, especially during boss fights. While some users find it not particularly memorable, others highlight its quality and fitting nature within the game's aesthetic. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the experience, despite some critiques regarding its polish and lack of configuration options.
“Amazing music, every character is individually well created.”
“The art, music, and sound all come together for a very beautiful and tranquil experience.”
“The music accompanies the relaxing atmosphere it wants to provide, even in the boss fights that are quite exciting, creating a beautiful and peaceful aura.”
“No configuration options other than music and SFX volume sliders.”
“The background music is fine.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally well-executed with simple mechanics and engaging boss patterns that challenge players, reminiscent of titles like Momodora and Touhou. However, it suffers from some janky mechanics, unmemorable music, and occasional softlocks during cutscenes. While early boss mechanics are introduced effectively, some high-tier bosses feature non-intuitive mechanics that can lead to frustrating trial-and-error gameplay.
“The gameplay is simple but well executed; boss patterns are interesting and deadly, and the character reacts quickly and precisely.”
“Early spell cards of each boss introduce you to a 'main mechanic' which will come back later in more difficult variations.”
“It reminded me in part of Momodora with the colors it handles in pixel art, and the gameplay and theme feel like Touhou.”
“There's polish to be had; the music isn't terribly memorable, some fights have really janky mechanics, certain cutscenes softlock you in walls, and so forth.”
“While it's good for some bosses, some of the others (like one of the 'ministers', which are the high-tier bosses) have non-intuitive mechanics which are required to pass them, but you'll have to discover them by luck.”
“The gameplay and theme feel like Touhou, but the mechanics can be frustrating and require a lot of trial and error.”
- story3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as short yet beautiful, serving as a backdrop to its action-heavy gameplay. While it may be light on narrative, players are encouraged to engage with the story to unlock a more challenging true ending.
“It also has a story, short, but beautiful.”
“It's light on story, heavy on action.”
“The game progressively gets more and more difficult and teases you with a true ending if you're willing to unfold the story.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its short length, leading to mixed opinions on replayability; while some believe it has high potential for replay value, others feel it lacks sufficient content to encourage multiple playthroughs.
“It is a short game; however, I think it has the potential for high replay value.”
“The game is short and lacks much replay value.”
“Once you finish it, there's little incentive to play again.”
“The limited choices and outcomes make replaying feel pointless.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their pleasant aesthetics, featuring decent pixel art and beautifully painted backgrounds. Reviewers appreciate the artistic approach that embraces a slightly messy style, enhancing the overall visual experience.
“Pleasant aesthetics, with some decent pixel art and nice painted backgrounds.”
“Whenever I think about art not having to be perfect, and it being allowed to be a little messy, I think of this game and its aesthetic.”
“The graphics look outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
“Character models are poorly designed and animations feel stiff and unnatural.”
“The environments are bland and lack detail, making the world feel lifeless.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a beautiful and relaxing aura, enhanced by well-suited music that complements the gameplay, even during exciting boss fights. The absence of platform levels allows for direct confrontations with bosses, contributing to a unique and immersive experience.
“The music perfectly complements the relaxing atmosphere, creating a beautiful and peaceful aura even during the exciting boss fights.”
“The game immerses you in a serene environment, where the absence of platform levels allows for direct confrontations with bosses, enhancing the overall atmosphere.”
“Every aspect of the game contributes to a calming ambiance, making even the most intense moments feel tranquil and engaging.”
“It has no platform levels; you directly face bosses on the map. The music complements the relaxing atmosphere it aims to provide, even during the boss fights, which are quite exciting. However, everything has a very beautiful and peaceful aura.”
