Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 111 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.
Starting at $17.99Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Xbox Games Store

"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

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 111 reviews
humor4 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • The collection offers a comprehensive look at Jeff Minter's career, featuring a wealth of historical material, interviews, and playable games that highlight his contributions to the gaming industry.
  • The emulation quality is excellent, allowing players to enjoy over 40 classic Llamasoft games across various platforms without the hassle of setting up emulators.
  • The interactive documentary format is engaging and informative, making it a great way for both fans and newcomers to learn about Minter's unique style and the evolution of his games.
  • Many of the games included are inferior ports or lack the original versions, which diminishes the overall experience and authenticity of the collection.
  • The absence of key titles from Minter's later career, such as Tempest 3000 and TxK, leaves the collection feeling incomplete and may disappoint long-time fans.
  • Some users reported technical issues, such as audio sync problems in videos, which detracts from the polished presentation expected from Digital Eclipse.
  • story20 mentions

    The story of "Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story" is presented as an interactive documentary that chronicles the first twenty years of Jeff Minter's career, blending personal insights with a timeline of his games. While some reviewers found the storytelling to have inconsistencies, many felt invested and inspired by Minter's journey, appreciating the comprehensive and artistically curated nature of the experience. Overall, it is seen as a valuable tribute to a significant figure in the gaming industry, despite some narrative shortcomings.

    • “In addition to the games, you will have a 'story mode', which is like an interactive documentary about Jeff Minter's creative mind.”
    • “The second of the Gold Master series from Digital Eclipse that is less a retro game collection and more a 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.”
    • “Beautifully put together with a wealth of painstakingly researched historical material, candid looks at Jeff's storied life from Jeff himself, and just about all of the games that heralded his rise to prominence in the games industry packed in for kicks, Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story is a masterclass in how you find out about one of the charismatic and genuinely talented legends of the games industry - and you'll have a great time doing it.”
    • “As the story progressed, I found myself surprised and disappointed.”
    • “The latest, though not the greatest from Digital Eclipse (due to some lapses in storytelling), Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story still offers a good experience.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay12 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a blend of derivative mechanics from well-known games, often with unique twists that may detract from the overall experience. Players can observe the evolution of the designer's style, moving from traditional arcade influences to more innovative and non-violent gameplay elements. Titles like "Space Giraffe" and "Tempest 4000" exemplify this shift, showcasing distinct gameplay mechanisms that reflect the designer's growing technical proficiency and artistic vision.

    • “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.”
  • graphics8 mentions

    The graphics in the game feature a reimagined version of the classic Gridrunner, allowing players to switch between updated and original C64 graphics seamlessly. The visuals are well-optimized, running smoothly even on basic hardware, and the overall presentation includes a mix of text, videos, and image galleries that enhance the nostalgic experience for fans of retro gaming.

    • “But you also get the reimagined Gridrunner Remastered, which is the C64 version with updated graphics, and you can switch between graphics on the fly.”
    • “[A comprehensive dive into the mind of an industry legend, great mix of text, videos, image galleries, and playable games, slick timeline UI with clear visuals and easy-to-read text, excellent emulation, some rare and lost classics that are unplayable elsewhere].”
    • “But 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.”
    • “For a certain demographic of gamers, it could be a nostalgic-filled romp.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in "Hover Bovver" is described as both weird and hilarious, showcasing a unique comedic style that resonates with players. Reviewers appreciate the creator Jeff's passion and ambition, which adds depth to the game's humor, even if they find some of his other projects more intriguing.

    • “Hover Bovver is weird and hilarious.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    While "Atari 50" is praised for its comprehensive exploration of video game history, many users report a lack of emotional connection to the featured games, suggesting that the nostalgic value may not resonate deeply with all players.

    • “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 insightful context about the development process, making each playthrough feel fresh and rewarding.

    • “I really loved this, and found many of the games within to be delightful. The live-action interviews are both entertaining and enlightening regarding the development process.”
    • “The variety of choices and outcomes keeps me coming back for more; every playthrough feels fresh and exciting.”
    • “With multiple paths and endings, each run offers a unique experience that encourages exploration and experimentation.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

Buy Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story

Videos

Similar Games