Lovely Planet

A great, merciless speedrunning platformer and twitch shooter with a mediocre presentation.

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"Lovely Planet" is a first-person shooter game that takes players through vibrant, colorful levels. With a focus on precision and speed, players must quickly eliminate enemies and reach the end of each level. Featuring a minimalist art style and upbeat soundtrack, the game offers a charming and challenging experience for fans of the genre.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,061 reviews

music137 positive mentions

story8 negative mentions

Lovely Planet features a unique blend of fast-paced shooting and platforming, making it both challenging and addictive.
The game's vibrant art style and cheerful soundtrack create a delightful atmosphere that keeps players engaged.
The instant restart mechanic allows for quick retries, making it easy to learn from mistakes and improve performance.

The difficulty spikes significantly in later levels, particularly in World 4, which can lead to frustration and a sense of unfairness.
The lack of a crosshair complicates aiming, making precision shots more challenging than necessary.
Some players may find the gameplay repetitive, especially when attempting to achieve perfect scores on levels.

music
246 mentions
56 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its upbeat, catchy, and charming qualities, often compared to the soundtracks of beloved titles like Katamari Damacy. Many players find the soundtrack to be a highlight, enhancing the overall experience and helping to mitigate the game's challenging aspects. However, some reviewers note that the music can become repetitive over time, yet it remains a significant draw for players.
- “The music is great, the game is not.”
- “The energetic music, simple yet pleasing graphics, and fast-paced gameplay put a smile on my face for the full duration of my time playing it.”
- “The soundtrack is absolutely lovely.”
- “Came here for the music, and left when the game got too agonizing.”
- “The upbeat music that drew me to the game has come to reinterpret itself as mocking due to how dreadfully out of place it sounds when you’re desperately trying to focus.”
- “The music sounds like it could have been lifted right out of a Nintendo game.”
graphics
151 mentions
40 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming, low-poly aesthetic reminiscent of titles like Katamari Damacy, which some players find delightful and colorful, while others criticize it for being overly simplistic and poorly optimized. Despite the mixed opinions on the art style, many reviewers appreciate how the visuals complement the upbeat soundtrack and enhance the overall gameplay experience, even if they can sometimes mask the game's challenging nature. Overall, the graphics evoke a cute and quirky atmosphere that appeals to fans of indie games, though they may not satisfy everyone.
- “This game is absolutely bursting at the seams with charm, but don't let the pastel low-poly graphics fool you; this game can be brutal.”
- “The graphics are my favorite thing about this game; it has such a weird abstract style with every enemy and friend being very distinct, and the minimal style really suits the game.”
- “The visuals and graphics of this game are beautiful, and the colors are quite lovely to look at.”
- “I hate this art style with a passion; Operation Centerboard didn’t go far enough.”
- “The graphics need some more baking, even for a budget Katamari Damacy / Nobi Nobi tribute.”
- “The graphics are terrible.”
gameplay
120 mentions
41 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its minimalistic design, focusing on simple mechanics and enemy layouts that promote quick decision-making and precision. While many players appreciate the gradual difficulty curve and engaging mechanics, some criticize the later levels for introducing frustrating elements, such as unfair mechanics and a lack of guidance. Overall, the game offers a blend of fun, fast-paced action with a charming aesthetic, though it may not appeal to those who prefer deeper gameplay complexity.
- “The game does an excellent job slowly ramping up the difficulty, incorporating new mechanics and skills throughout.”
- “The energetic music, simple yet pleasing graphics, and fast-paced gameplay put a smile on my face for the full duration of my time playing it.”
- “This game is heaven for fans of fast FPS gameplay involving precise timed shooting; it starts simple but levels become more difficult and complex as you go along, the last two worlds are notably challenging but incredibly rewarding to complete.”
- “However, I found the core gameplay to be too simplistic for my liking and thus I can only very weakly recommend it.”
- “The gameplay of this game isn't too complex, you defeat all enemies, don't shoot any buddies and get to the end of the level. There's 3 stars: one for completing the level, one for under a par time, and one for 100% accuracy. This instantly was one of the worst parts of the game, as world 4 comes around, homing bullets spawn in thin air and you have to react to them, which I found very irritating and didn't enjoy at all. The game never really explains mechanics; it just throws them in without much guidance, leading to confusion.”
- “What I'm trying to say is the game kills you in one hit and the difficulty becomes frustrating due to the lack of a crosshair and one-hit kill mechanics.”
story
34 mentions
12 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
24 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely absent, with many reviewers noting that it lacks any meaningful narrative or character development. While some appreciate the focus on gameplay over story, others feel that the absence of a plot detracts from their overall experience, making it less engaging. Overall, players seeking a compelling storyline should look elsewhere, as this title prioritizes fast-paced action over narrative depth.
- “It's amazing from its quick-paced FPS shooting to its not obvious in-your-face, but certainly there storyline.”
- “A story about exterminating the reds to create Lovely Planet.”
- “This game has absolutely nothing to offer in terms of story or character design, but what it does have is great raw gameplay with simple, yet difficult levels.”
- “A story so abstract it’s not told at all, description says.”
- “Basically, there is no story or any meaning behind it at all, as it seems.”
- “As the game states, there is no story or purpose as to why what is happening in the game is happening.”
humor
13 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is consistently praised for its surreal and upbeat nature, complemented by a funny soundtrack and cute art style. Players find the combination of whimsical visuals, amusing sound effects, and quirky gameplay elements—like battling angry boxes—delightfully entertaining, making it a standout experience in the first-person shooter genre. Overall, the game is described as both challenging and hilariously fun, appealing to a wide audience with its lighthearted charm.
- “The feel is incredibly surreal and hilariously upbeat.”
- “Funny and cute FPS where you can kill angry boxes, lol.”
- “Boy was I surprised, probably the best first-person shooter experience I have had in a long time; it's fast, interesting, funny, and has an incredible soundtrack.”
replayability
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability, driven by the challenge of achieving perfect scores, uncovering secrets, and optimizing completion times. Players are encouraged to refine their skills and explore different strategies, making it suitable for time attack and speedrun enthusiasts. Overall, the combination of level design and gameplay mechanics ensures that players can enjoy numerous hours of replay value.
- “The incentive of getting a perfect score on every level adds a ton of replay value, and I can see myself sinking in dozens of hours to continue to refine my aim.”
- “There's lots of replayability; there are many secrets to be found in each world if you look hard enough.”
- “Plenty of replayability to achieve better times, find secrets, and 3-star every level.”
- “Lots of replay value (obviously made for time attack and speedrun).”
- “Smooth and fast paced with lots of replay value.”
grinding
9 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is described as a mix of frustrating repetition and challenging difficulty, often leading to a tedious experience. Players find the need for precision and the unclear mechanics aggravating, with many feeling that the game leans too heavily on grinding for perfection rather than providing enjoyable gameplay. While some appreciate the charm and relaxing elements, the overall sentiment leans towards it being a frustrating exercise in trial and error.
- “The apples will be one of the biggest pains in the ass throughout the game, but in 'the swamp' you'll be grinding your teeth if you're not fast enough or just calm enough to handle the trial and error it requires.”
- “Add on the terrible aiming and shooting, along with the relentless grinding for extremely (sometimes ridiculously) tight stars, and the game becomes a frustrating, anti-fun experience.”
- “For others (like myself), it is a tedious exercise in rote learning and negative reinforcement.”
atmosphere
9 mentions
44 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
22 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a charming and wholesome vibe, enhanced by a cheerful soundtrack and bright visuals that create a relaxing experience. While the simplistic graphics and consistent environments contribute to a minimalistic feel, some players find the lack of variety can lead to monotony. Despite its colorful and pleasant exterior, the game presents a challenging experience that contrasts with its cheerful atmosphere.
- “Simplistic and atmospheric with a good soundtrack.”
- “I get the appeal of it at the start; it has a very charming, wholesome atmosphere and the gameplay is solid.”
- “The bright atmosphere and bubbly music make it genuinely pleasant to play, even when you get frustrated.”
- “Don't let the colorful cheerful atmosphere of the game fool you, you'll die several hundred times before ever completing the game.”
- “The answer is that it is the most hardcore intense shooter ever created and one of the most colorful and cheerful atmospheres I have ever had the privilege to play in.”
optimization
7 mentions
29 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is inconsistent; while some players report smooth performance even on low-end PCs, others experience issues despite the simple graphics. The focus on speedrunning and precise execution highlights the importance of optimization, but the game's performance can vary significantly across different systems.
- “The game is to be played like a speedrun where the main goal is to get from start to finish with the best overall performance you can achieve.”
- “The game doesn't seem particularly well-optimized, especially considering how overly simple the graphics are; I was surprised my laptop was actually having issues running it at 120fps when it doesn't have issues with games that are way more graphically intensive.”
- “Lovely Planet is an unexpectedly difficult game that is all about precise execution and optimization.”
- “A challenging platformer/shooter with a focus on speedrunning and optimization.”
emotional
7 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's emotional depth, noting its charming and wholesome atmosphere enhanced by vibrant colors and a captivating soundtrack. Many express that it evokes strong feelings, with some experiencing tears and joy throughout their gameplay, describing it as a remarkable emotional roller coaster.
- “The colors and soundtrack emit such a wholesome and happy vibe.”
- “Made me cry a consecutive 8 times.”
- “This, the quirkiest and indiest of shooters, is a wonderful emotional roller coaster that picks you up as soon as it puts you down.”
stability
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report stability issues such as freezing mechanics and unresponsive controls, particularly with certain input devices like a PS2 controller and laptop trackpad. While these problems can lead to frustration, they are often seen as manageable or solvable.
- “Even with a slightly buggy copycat PS2 controller and a somewhat buggy laptop trackpad, the trackpad doesn't register numerous left mouse button clicks in-game for some reason, making the firing mechanism a tad frustrating.”
- “Hell freezes over and you begin to lose your way.”
- “The ice that freezes you in place for a couple of seconds is incredibly frustrating.”
character development
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game lacks depth in story and character design, focusing instead on delivering engaging gameplay with challenging levels.