MazeBot

About

MazeBot is a single player action game. It was developed by Dynamite Whale and was released on May 3, 2018. It received very positive reviews from players.

MazeBot is a speedrun game with action-focused gameplay and vintage CGA graphics, where you control a robot forced to test other deadly inventions in maze-like levels. Using only four colors, you must navigate through the levels, deciding when to fight or run from enemies, with the ultimate goal of survival not being guaranteed. Inspired by DOS games, MazeBot features a 4-color-only palette and a 320x200 pixel resolution, giving it a unique retro visual style.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 23 reviews

gameplay3 positive mentions

story1 negative mentions

Original mechanics and gradually increasing difficulty levels provide an engaging experience.
The retro graphics and color palette create a nostalgic atmosphere that many players appreciate.
The game is free and offers a short, enjoyable playtime, making it accessible for casual gamers.

Instructions can be unclear at times, leading to confusion during gameplay.
Combat mechanics can become repetitive, diminishing long-term enjoyment.
The game lacks a deep storyline, which may disappoint players looking for a more narrative-driven experience.

graphics
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a nostalgic retro aesthetic, utilizing a 4-colour CGA palette that evokes early computer visuals. While some players appreciate the vibrant colors and the homage to classic DOS art styles, others note the limitations in resolution and controls, which prevent any enhancements to the visual experience. Overall, the graphics are a divisive aspect, appealing to fans of retro gaming while leaving some wishing for more modern visuals.
- “I really love the color palette and graphics used; it really gives off the retro feel that I so very much love.”
- “I especially liked the retro visuals; they really stood out to me in this day and age.”
- “Lovely little game featuring some old-school visuals and speedrun mechanics!”
- “The game features portal and timing/rhythm puzzle elements, and is presented with 4-colour CGA graphics.”
- “Resolution and controls are locked, so there's no way to improve the visuals in the game or the handling.”
- “There's no 'maybe' option in Steam, unfortunately, but I hope to see more work from this developer, perhaps as part of a professional game development company that can make full use of their talents without needing to make budget/quality compromises like using retro 'art' as a copout, instead of modern visuals.”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
The gameplay is characterized by engaging arcade combat mechanics that emphasize timing and dexterity, reminiscent of titles like *Undertale*. Players must navigate increasingly challenging attack patterns, where precision is crucial to avoid damage and achieve critical hits, all set against a backdrop of charming old-school visuals and speedrun elements.
- “The arcade combat mechanics were fun.”
- “The gameplay follows a system similar to your attacks in Undertale, where you have to properly time your hits. With each pass, the goal to hit gets smaller. If you miss, you get hit; if you hit a specific range, the enemy gets a critical on you. Land on a white area and take advantage, but it's easier said than done.”
- “Lovely little game featuring some old-school visuals and speedrun mechanics!”
- “The gameplay follows a system similar to your attacks in Undertale, where you have to properly time your hits. However, with each pass, the goal to hit gets smaller. If you miss, you get hit; if you hit a specific range, the enemy gets a critical on you. Land on a white area and take advantage, but it's easier said than done.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The story is considered minimal and lacks depth, with players primarily enjoying the arcade combat mechanics instead.
- “The story isn't much, but the arcade combat mechanics were fun.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report significant stability issues, with many spending more time troubleshooting than actually playing the game. This has led to a frustrating experience, as some players can complete the game quickly despite the technical problems.
- “It's short; most of my time in the game is spent troubleshooting for YouTube. I got 100% in less than 2 hours.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it hard to enjoy the experience.”
- “I encountered multiple bugs that disrupted gameplay and forced me to restart.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is generally well-received, described as good and fitting for the overall experience, though not particularly remarkable or standout.
- “The music is good; nothing amazing, but it fits.”
- “Neat soundtrack.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is intentionally crafted to evoke a sense of nostalgia through its deliberately outdated aesthetics, but this novelty quickly wears off, leaving players feeling that the joke falls flat and the experience becomes lacking.