LocoCycle

About

LocoCycle is a single player and multiplayer casual hack and slash game with comedy and science fiction themes. It was developed by Twisted Pixel Games and was released on February 14, 2014. It received neutral reviews from critics and mostly positive reviews from players.

LocoCycle is a comedic hack and slash game with both single-player and multi-player modes. The story follows I.R.I.S., a martial-arts wielding motorcycle who has gained self-awareness and is on a cross-continent escape to freedom, with her engineer Pablo as her only ally. Hunted by enemies and with long odds against them, I.R.I.S. and Pablo's journey is filled with humor and action.

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76%

Audience ScoreBased on 294 reviews

gameplay26 positive mentions

grinding10 negative mentions

LocoCycle is a fun, absurd, and unique game that combines various gameplay styles, including shooting, fighting, and quick-time events, all wrapped in a humorous narrative.
The live-action cutscenes and voice acting add a charming B-movie quality to the game, making it entertaining and engaging.
The game is short and can be completed in a single sitting, making it a great option for those looking for a light-hearted gaming experience.

The gameplay can become repetitive and lacks depth, with many sections relying heavily on button mashing and quick-time events.
The controls are often criticized for being difficult to use, especially without a gamepad, making the game less accessible for keyboard users.
While the humor is appreciated by some, others find it forced and the overall story nonsensical, which may not appeal to everyone.

gameplay
132 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
74%
6%
The gameplay of this title is a mixed bag, characterized by shallow and repetitive mechanics primarily involving button mashing and quick-time events, which some players found tedious. However, the game compensates for its gameplay flaws with a steady introduction of new enemy types, upgrades, and a humorous, absurd narrative that keeps the experience entertaining. While it may not appeal to those prioritizing gameplay depth, its quirky charm and cinematic elements provide a unique, albeit brief, experience.
- “While the combat is fairly shallow and repetitive button mashing, this matters not because there's a generous and steady drip feed of upgrades, new enemy types, and new mechanics being introduced constantly.”
- “The gameplay is fairly good as well; the aerial combat where you bounce between enemies to combo them to oblivion feels pretty satisfying even if it's a little too easy.”
- “However, I found the game consistently funny (lots of puns, lots of deadpan humor, tons of reference humor, lots of great visual gags in the gameplay, it's so hilarious), it was always introducing new enemy types and patterns so that any shallowness in the gameplay was made up with sort of consistently new things.”
- “The gameplay itself is very dull and easy (only QTEs and button mashing), but the whole idea for the game, the battles, animations, and FMV cutscenes are totally absurd and hilarious.”
- “From the very start to the very end, the gameplay does not change or challenge you that much.”
- “The story seems decent, but the gameplay is painfully repetitive.”
humor
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
3%
The humor in the game is described as absurd, silly, and often cringeworthy, with many players appreciating its over-the-top scenarios, such as a sentient motorcycle piloting a helicopter and evil scientists in giant hamster balls. While some found the live-action cutscenes and dialogue genuinely funny, others noted that the humor could be hit-or-miss, with certain gags feeling stretched or repetitive. Overall, the game is seen as a blend of dumb fun and chaotic comedy, appealing to those who enjoy a lighthearted, bizarre experience.
- “If you appreciate the kind of humor where a sentient motorcycle can pilot a helicopter, you will enjoy this.”
- “The gameplay itself is very dull and easy (only QTEs and button mashing), but the whole idea for the game, the battles, animations, and FMV cutscenes are totally absurd and hilarious.”
- “Great action combat game with a fantastic sense of humor.”
- “The humor in the game often falls flat, relying too much on cringey jokes that don't land.”
- “While there are moments that made me chuckle, the overall humor feels forced and unoriginal.”
- “The attempts at humor are hit or miss, with many jokes feeling outdated and lacking creativity.”
story
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
71%
8%
The story of Lococycle is characterized as absurd and chaotic, often described as "so bad it's good," with a mix of ridiculous plot points and humorous dialogue that some players find entertaining. While the narrative is filled with long cutscenes and nonsensical elements, it is supported by strong voice acting and a cinematic presentation, making it a unique experience despite its flaws. Overall, the game's story is seen as a blend of comedy and absurdity that can elevate the otherwise repetitive gameplay for those who appreciate its quirky charm.
- “I fell in love with the story, the game universe flowing in jokes and absurdity at its finest - creating the feeling of going along with the joke and having fun.”
- “An epic story of legendary proportions awaits all those who step forth to take on the daring gauntlet through the levels of Lococycle.”
- “This game is fantastic, it's short, has ridiculous cutscenes (directed by James Gunn), the story is as ridiculous as you can find and I couldn't put it down till I finished it.”
- “Do you want to watch a whole terrible film that over-explains a pointless storyline?”
- “Lococycle's silly and pointless story idea would've been half sold if the game was fun to play, but unfortunately it is not.”
- “The story seems to be trying really hard to be funny, but it never made me laugh so much as groan or wish I was playing something else.”
graphics
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
57%
10%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the modern visuals and smooth performance, while others criticize them as outdated and reminiscent of earlier console generations. Many users note a campy art style and occasional glitches, but also highlight moments of stunning visuals and effective effects that contribute to the overall enjoyment. Overall, the graphics are seen as a blend of nostalgic charm and technical shortcomings, impacting the game's appeal.
- “Endless galleries and genuinely interesting behind-the-scenes stuff, graphics and effects that still do their job and constant action make for a definite recommendation - if you don't play this in one go, that is.”
- “Great smooth graphics and some stunning visuals sprinkled about.”
- “The concept, the graphics, the sound, the humor...everything, just perfect!”
- “The overall graphics are outdated, there's no doubt about that, as Lococycle looks like a 2005 game at its best, but the problems with its visuals don't stop there.”
- “Gameplay is boring, graphics are ugly and the frame rate is poor, repetitive (just mash B and press A to jump to a different enemy).”
- “Anyway, I played half an hour and was put off by the cringeworthy videos and surprisingly poor graphics (there are some good character models but the general scenery is reminiscent of a PS2-era title).”
music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
18%
19%
The music in the game is described as cinematic and features a beautiful orchestral soundtrack, with some reviewers praising its high production values and the involvement of the Prague Orchestra. However, opinions are mixed, as some feel the soundtrack doesn't align with the cartoonish gameplay and is overshadowed by other flaws. Overall, while the music is generally well-received, it may not be the focal point for players amidst the game's chaotic elements.
- “It's cinematic with a beautiful orchestral soundtrack, but the story is completely insane.”
- “Good production values, music, graphics, sound effects, hilarious dialogue peppered through the whole thing, and fast-paced action that never lets up.”
- “The soundtrack... it's this grim 80s action movie orchestral thing, does not fit the cartoonish gameplay at all.”
- “Music is pretty fine too, but nothing special.”
- “The music is boss level, done by the Prague orchestra; this game doesn't mess around, everything is hardcore!”
grinding
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game can be tedious and repetitive, particularly due to combat and mini-games that frustrate players. While the game's relatively short length of 4.5 hours helps maintain engagement, many found the overall design and character elements unremarkable, leading to a lack of interest in the gameplay.
- “It makes the gameplay tedious and quite frankly uninteresting.”
- “The overall design is repetitive, the environments are tedious and the character design is just decent at best, there's nothing really memorable about Pablo or I.R.I.”
- “The control scheme (especially in the many tedious mini games) quickly became annoying and in some parts even unplayable.”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game's stability is mixed, with some players experiencing significant visual glitches and bugs, while others report smooth performance without any issues. Overall, while the graphics are generally appealing, the presence of glitches can detract from the experience for some users.
- “It is more fun than I expected and runs great on my system with no slowdown or graphics glitches that I could see.”
- “On my machine, Lococycle is pretty darn buggy or triggers bugs in drivers or who knows what.”
- “There's also the countless number of visual glitches that are impossible to ignore, as some objects will show up inside of other objects.”
- “The game offers some nice graphics, although some ugly glitches here and there, it is pleasant all the same.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game to be deeply emotional, with many highlighting the wholesome behind-the-scenes content that enhances their connection to the narrative. The experience has resonated profoundly, evoking feelings that surpass those from real-life interactions, making it a standout piece of media.
- “I learned about this game's existence today, 6 hours later and I am convinced this might be the best piece of media ever. This game made me feel more than most people I interact with.”
- “It's actually kind of touching, in its own way.”
- “The behind-the-scenes unlocks are incredibly wholesome.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
Overall, "Lococycle" is well-optimized, delivering a smooth gameplay experience with a consistent frame rate and no major bugs. While some players reported occasional stuttering, it may be attributed to individual hardware rather than the game itself. The audio quality, featuring performances by the Prague Symphony Orchestra, adds to the positive experience.
- “On the bright side of things, Lococycle runs smoothly, with a constant frame rate and no game-breaking bugs, so if you're up for a continuous loop of the same events, you might want to give this game a try.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The game has limited replayability due to its reliance on running gags, particularly the humor derived from i.r.i.s. misinterpreting Pablo's cries for help, which can become repetitive. While the dialogues are entertaining, the lack of depth in gameplay means it may not hold players' interest for multiple playthroughs.
- “So if you're looking for a deep, replayable game, it's not here.”
- “Limited replayability.”
- “Limited replayability.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development in the game is criticized for being lackluster, with repetitive design and tedious environments contributing to a sense of forgetfulness regarding the characters, particularly Pablo and I.R.I., who are described as having only decent and unremarkable designs.
- “The overall design is repetitive, the environments are tedious, and the character design is just decent at best. There's nothing really memorable about Pablo or I.R.I.”