MECHBLAZE

About

MECHBLAZE is a single player arcade shooter game. It was developed by ASTRO PORT and was released on November 6, 2020. It received very positive reviews from players.

MechBlaze is a part of the Astro Saga universe, serving as a culmination of previous titles. It takes place 12 years after the Battle of the Super Electric Research Facility and the events leading to it . The game features notable characters and mechs from these titles, offering a connected and enhanced experience for fans of the series.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 42 reviews

gameplay5 positive mentions

replayability2 negative mentions

MechBlaze offers a satisfying mech simulation experience, capturing the weight and vulnerability of piloting a giant robot while providing smooth gameplay mechanics.
The game features a variety of weapons and enjoyable boss battles, with a nostalgic aesthetic reminiscent of classic 16-bit run and gun titles.
It is accessible for newcomers with an easy mode, while still providing a challenge for veterans through multiple difficulty settings and a rewarding gameplay loop.

The game suffers from a low resolution and limited graphical fidelity, which can detract from the experience on larger screens.
Some players find the controls awkward and poorly designed for PC, lacking features like mouse aiming that could enhance gameplay.
The campaign is relatively short, and there are complaints about the lack of content and customization options for the mech, leaving players wanting more after completing the game.

gameplay
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
28%
27%
The gameplay of the mech contra-like game is characterized by smooth controls and a variety of mechanics that allow for a satisfying experience, despite its mediocre presentation and relatively easy normal difficulty. Players appreciate the modular arsenal and multiple difficulty modes, which enhance replay value and cater to different skill levels. While the game may require some initial adjustment to control layouts, it ultimately delivers enjoyable and engaging gameplay with a good balance of challenge and fun.
- “I love the controls in this game; you'll need to set the control layout in a way that feels intuitive for you, so there will be some trial and error until you find what works best. After that, it's all about the gameplay, which is very smooth. The things you can do in this game make you feel like a complete badass, although I have to say that the game is pretty easy on normal difficulty; you'll beat it in your first session if you stick to it.”
- “This constant series of choices and judgments created through power, limitation, and the player's own mastery of the basics is what makes Mechblaze one of Astro Port's finest titles. While the playtime is short, a modular arsenal with multiple difficulties and plenty of curveballs to the gameplay formula during its campaign gives Mechblaze solid replay value.”
- “The gameplay is as fun as always with multiple difficulty modes, so everyone can enjoy this.”
- “It's a mech contra-like with unforgiving gameplay and mediocre overall presentation.”
- “This game was solid, the mech moved a little slow, but the overall mechanics were solid.”
- “It seemed similar to the gameplay style of Gigantic Army, so I thought I could play this game at a similarly brisk pace using the same strategies and do fine.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The story is generally well-received, featuring engaging moments that resonate with fans of the genre, though it lacks depth in character dialogue compared to similar titles. While the narrative includes exciting boss encounters and maintains a decent pace, it falls short in providing a richer context between missions. Overall, it is considered an improvement over some previous games in the series.
- “The story also has a surprising number of hype moments for fans of Astro Port, especially given Mechblaze's weird transitory time period between Vulkaiser, Gigantic Army, and Steel Strider, though the between-level dialogue from your handler is still a bit threadbare beyond foreshadowing.”
- “It's especially noticeable comparing it to Valken, Front Mission: Gun Hazard, Gigantic Army, and Steel Strider's own finales.”
- “Some missions have you taking on a huge boss enemy.”
- “The story also has a surprising number of hype moments for fans of Astro Port, especially given Mechblaze's weird transitory time period between Vulkiser, Gigantic Army, and Steel Strider. However, the between-level dialogue from your handler is still a bit threadbare beyond foreshadowing.”
- “It's especially noticeable when comparing it to Valken, Front Mission: Gun Hazard, Gigantic Army, and Steel Strider's own finales.”
- “Some missions have you taking on a huge boss enemy, but the overall narrative feels lacking.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The graphics of the game are praised for their impressive aesthetic and nostalgic 16-bit style, reminiscent of classic Sega Genesis and SNES games. While the visuals are generally well-received, some players note a lack of color variety and mention that the level design detracts from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal.
- “The graphics are amazing, the scale is massive and the action feels satisfying.”
- “I love the art style of this one.”
- “The graphics are a nice 16-bit style with scaling and rotation - look up old SNES ads on YouTube to see what I am talking about if you aren't already familiar with those features.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Mechblaze offers strong replayability due to its modular arsenal, multiple difficulty levels, and dynamic gameplay elements that keep each playthrough fresh. Despite a relatively short playtime, the game's design encourages players to revisit it for new experiences and challenges. Overall, it is considered a fun and highly replayable title.
- “A simple, fun, and extremely replayable game.”
- “This constant series of choices and judgments created through power, limitation, and the player's own mastery of the Vostok's basics is what makes Mechblaze one of Astro Port's finest titles. While the playtime is short, a modular arsenal with multiple difficulties and plenty of curveballs to the gameplay formula during its campaign give Mechblaze solid replay value.”
- “Replayable.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The music in the game is generally considered decent, featuring fitting techno metal tracks that lack standout moments, except for a notable event in the endgame. The sound effects evoke a nostalgic 16-bit feel, reminiscent of classic gaming consoles, while the overall audio experience is serviceable but not particularly memorable.
- “The music is decent, and the sound effects have a digitized quality reminiscent of 16-bit gaming on the SNES and the Sega Genesis.”
- “Features fine sprite work, serviceable music, good gameplay, and even more difficulty modes than ever before.”
- “The soundtrack, while fitting, includes a standout track during a particular event towards the endgame, featuring palatable techno metal that may not linger in the mind for long.”
- “The soundtrack, while fitting, doesn't have any standout tracks besides a particular event towards the endgame—it's palatable techno metal that doesn't linger in the mind for long.”
- “The music is decent, but the sound effects sound digitized, which was a staple of 16-bit gaming on the SNES and the Sega Genesis.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its stability, with users reporting no glitches or bugs, indicating a smooth and reliable gaming experience.
- “There are no glitches or bugs in the game.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any interruptions.”
- “I haven't experienced any crashes or performance issues.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews do not provide specific insights into the monetization aspect of the game, focusing instead on the graphics, which feature a nostalgic 16-bit style reminiscent of classic SNES games.