Mean-While
- September 4, 2020
- Daniel Bourke
Get on SteamAfter an unfortunate confrontation, two rivaling megalomaniacs bent on world domination, are forced to work together in hopes to survive. Join Skeleman, and his rival, Dr. Dangerous, in the thrilling adventure title: Mean-While. Mean-While is a non-linear adventure game where you are stuck as two characters, Skeleman and Dr. Dangerous, trapped in each other's fortresses. To succeed you will b…
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features charming writing and a humorous story that adds to the overall experience.
- Gameplay is straightforward and fun, with a nice variety of enemies and bosses, and the dual character mechanic adds depth.
- The music and sound design are well-executed, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.
- The game is unpolished and has low visual quality, resembling outdated Flash platformers.
- Controls are problematic, especially for keyboard users, making it less accessible on PC.
- The linearity of the game may limit replayability, and some attack animations can leave characters stuck in place.
- gameplay5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a dual character mechanic and the acquisition of unexpected skills and abilities, providing a pleasant surprise for players. While it offers straightforward and enjoyable mechanics reminiscent of old-school Castlevania, it lacks the complexity and challenge of more intense titles like Dead Cells or Scourgebringer. Overall, it features varied enemies and bosses, making for a fun experience without overwhelming difficulty.
“Gaining extra skills and abilities during the game was a mechanic I did not expect, and I was pleasantly surprised.”
“Overall, the dual character and environment gameplay features nicely varied enemies and bosses.”
“Gameplay is pretty straightforward and decently fun, even if it's not going to make you feel like you're playing Dead Cells, ScourgeBringer, or Vibrant Venture.”
“If you like the old-school Castlevania gameplay but not the difficulty, Mean-While is what you're looking for.”
- story3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The story of Mean-while is described as charming and humorous, featuring a farcical setup that enhances the gameplay experience. However, despite the endearing narrative and the effort put into it, the overall quality of the story is considered low by some users.
“The story is similarly endearing, with its farcical setup being a pretty neat idea.”
“Mean-while is a 2D retro pixel story-driven puzzle/action platformer with the gimmick that you must switch between two characters to progress.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized as charming and reminiscent of shows like "Invader Zim" and "The League of Super Evil," appealing to fans of quirky, offbeat comedy. However, some reviewers note that despite the effort put into the humor, the overall quality of the game is lacking.
“Think of a League of Super Evil or Invader Zim type sense of humor.”
“Overall, Mean-While does what it says on the tin—it's a humble release, and I'm a stickler for games with this sense of humor.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics have been criticized for relying on outdated retro pixel art, resulting in lifeless backgrounds and an overall unpolished appearance reminiscent of low-quality flash platformers.
“They chose to use obsolete retro pixel art as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
“The backgrounds are kind of lifeless, and the visuals in general feel unpolished, reminiscent of a Flash platformer on Kongregate or Armor.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its quality and style, enhancing the overall experience and resonating well with players.
“The music is great!”
“The sound and music are both done well and very much in the style that I appreciated.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is highlighted by amusing and creative designs, such as a snail with boxing gloves, which adds a unique charm to the characters.
“The character designs are amusing, and as the trailer points out, it's got a snail with boxing gloves.”
“The depth of character development really makes you feel connected to each character's journey.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, each with their own unique backstory and growth.”
