Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 59 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story Game Cover
Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
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"Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story" is an interactive documentary that explores the history of eccentric game developer Jeff Minter, known for his psychedelic and animal-themed shooters. The game features 42 playable classics from Minter's career, spanning 8 different platforms, as well as design documents and video features. It offers a unique look into the life and work of a true independent game design pioneer.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 59 reviews
humor2 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • The collection offers a comprehensive and engaging look into Jeff Minter's career, featuring a wealth of historical information, interviews, and playable games that showcase his unique style and contributions to the gaming industry.
  • The interactive documentary format is praised for its presentation, allowing players to explore timelines, read newsletters, and watch videos while enjoying a variety of playable Llamasoft games across multiple platforms.
  • Many players appreciate the nostalgia factor and the opportunity to experience classic games like Tempest 2000 and Gridrunner, along with lesser-known titles, all in one well-curated package.
  • Several reviews criticize the collection for including inferior ports of games, particularly the 'Atari ST' titles that are actually Jaguar homebrews, which detracts from the overall experience and authenticity.
  • There is disappointment regarding the lack of more recent games from Minter's catalog, as well as the absence of certain beloved titles, leaving the collection feeling incomplete for some fans.
  • Some players found the emulation quality inconsistent, with specific games suffering from bugs or poor performance, which undermines the enjoyment of the nostalgic experience.
  • story9 mentions

    The story aspect of "Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story" is described as an engaging and inspirational journey through the life and creative mind of Jeff Minter, offering a blend of personal narrative and interactive documentary elements. While some users found the progression of the story to have its ups and downs, the overall experience is seen as a valuable exploration of Minter's contributions to gaming, presented in a format akin to a digital museum exhibit.

    • “By the end, I was invested in Jeff's story and felt inspired by it.”
    • “Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story is a great way to experience the mind of Jeff Minter and his work.”
    • “My experience with the Jeff Minter story followed something of an upside down bell curve.”
    • “As the story progressed though, I found myself surprised and disappointed.”
    • “The second of the Gold Master series from Digital Eclipse that are less retro game collection and more digital museum exhibit, Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story invites you into a comprehensive overview of the first twenty years of Jeff Minter's career and encourages you to treat it as indeed the exhibit of an artist.”
  • gameplay8 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a blend of derivative mechanics and unique twists, often resulting in mixed experiences for players. Jeff Minter's titles, while esoteric and not universally appealing, offer mechanically rewarding gameplay for those willing to invest time. His evolution as a designer is evident, showcasing a shift from traditional arcade influences to more innovative and satirical gameplay elements.

    • “If you're into games that are mechanics-focused, Jeff Minter is a name you need to know if you don't already.”
    • “Minter's design style and ideas aren't for everyone, and some of his most esoteric titles are included here, but they're very mechanically rewarding for those willing to put in the time.”
    • “Go and buy Space Giraffe and Tempest 4000, which may look similar but in true Minter style have quite different gameplay mechanisms.”
    • “Nearly everything is derivative of better known games, and while he usually puts a twist on the gameplay, it is always to the game's detriment.”
    • “A narrative starts to emerge of a pioneer game designer who started out imitating the trigger-happy gameplay of every arcade machine, and then perhaps shifted in a different direction of trippy, quietly satirical non-violence.”
    • “Just like any other artist exhibit, you slowly see Jeff grow in technical proficiency and develop his personal style and motifs - whether that's visual elements like the light synthesizer or gameplay mechanics like the assist droid.”
  • graphics4 mentions

    The graphics of the game are praised for their weird and trippy visuals, showcasing the evolution of the company from unlicensed ports to full-fledged games. The remastered version of Gridrunner features updated graphics that can be switched on the fly, enhancing the nostalgic experience. Performance is solid, running smoothly on basic hardware configurations.

    • “A golden ticket into learning about how a company rose from making unlicensed ports into creating full-fledged games with weird and trippy visuals (and music, too).”
    • “You also get the reimagined Gridrunner Remastered, which is, I think, the C64 version with updated graphics, and you can switch between graphics on the fly.”
    • “You also get the reimagined Gridrunner Remastered, which is, I think, the C64 version with updated graphics, and you can switch between graphics on the fly.”
    • “The graphics are a mixed bag, with some elements feeling outdated and lacking polish.”
    • “The visuals are underwhelming and do not live up to modern standards, making the game feel less immersive.”
    • “While the gameplay is enjoyable, the graphics leave much to be desired, often appearing bland and uninspired.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in "Hover Bovver" is described as both weird and hilarious, with a unique charm that stands out. Reviewers appreciate the creator Jeff's passion and ambition, which adds an interesting layer to the game's comedic elements, even if the gameplay itself isn't universally appealing.

    • “Hover Bovver is weird and hilarious.”
    • “The funny thing is, I felt Jeff's visualizer programs were a more interesting topic when it came to his games. Even if I wasn't totally into them, Jeff had a clear passion for them and an ambition that was ahead of his time.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    While Atari 50 offers a nostalgic exploration of video game history, some users feel a lack of emotional connection to the featured games, despite appreciating the overall package.

    • “That is a wholesome journey through video game history of Jeff Minter.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players appreciate the replayability of the game, highlighting the enjoyable mini-games and the engaging live-action interviews that provide valuable insights into the development process, making each playthrough feel fresh and rewarding.

    • “The variety of choices and paths in the game makes each playthrough feel fresh and exciting.”
    • “I keep coming back to this game because there are so many different strategies to explore.”
    • “The random events and dynamic world ensure that no two playthroughs are ever the same.”
  • music1 mentions

    The music in the game is noted for its unique and trippy qualities, complementing the overall visual experience and reflecting the company's evolution from creating unlicensed ports to developing full-fledged games.

    • “The music in this game is a golden ticket into understanding how a company evolved from creating unlicensed ports to developing full-fledged games with unique and trippy visuals.”
    • “The soundtrack perfectly complements the gameplay, creating an immersive experience that enhances every moment.”
    • “Each track is carefully crafted, adding depth and emotion to the game's atmosphere.”
    • “The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “While the visuals are stunning, the soundtrack is underwhelming and doesn't match the game's energy.”
    • “The audio design is disappointing; the music doesn't enhance the gameplay experience at all.”
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Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

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