Metavaxx
- August 10, 2023
- PUNKCAKE Délicieux
Metavaxx is a unique combination of minesweeper and shooter genres, where you develop vaccines by clearing infected cells or eliminating hidden virus agents. Your vaccine's progress depends on the number of healthy or infected cells left at the end of each level. With roguelike gameplay elements, chiptune music, and 25 body samples to cure, Metavaxx offers tight action, strategic thinking, and considerable replayability.
Reviews
- Creative blend of minesweeper and twin-stick shooter mechanics, offering a fresh take on both genres.
- Engaging gameplay with multiple strategies available for tackling levels, enhancing replay value.
- Colorful graphics and an atmospheric soundtrack contribute to an immersive gaming experience.
- Gameplay can become repetitive and optimal strategies may lead to boredom over time.
- The inability to mark cells by default can lead to frustration and confusion during gameplay.
- Some players may find the reliance on guesswork frustrating, especially in later levels.
- gameplay12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as a fresh and engaging twist on the classic minesweeper, incorporating irregular cell shapes and a shoot-em-up mechanic that adds strategic depth. While the vibrant art style enhances the experience, some players find the lack of cell marking options cumbersome, potentially detracting from the puzzle-solving aspect. Overall, it appeals to both puzzle enthusiasts and action gamers, though preferences may vary based on individual gameplay styles.
“As someone who thoroughly enjoys Minesweeper, this is a fun and fresh new take on the classic game, not only switching up the formula by using irregular shapes for the cells (both literally and figuratively) but also throwing in a shoot-em-up mechanic for when you open a 'trapped cell'.”
“The core gameplay involves navigating through various body samples to identify and deal with infected cells.”
“This strategic layer adds depth to the gameplay and encourages players to think critically about their choices.”
“I don't find it fun having to write down that info outside of the game to keep track of it or just try and remember it, and I can't think of any other minesweeper variant or derivative that doesn't let you mark cells by default, and I don't think making it an item does anything to improve the gameplay.”
“This aspect can be a drawback for those who enjoy the puzzle element more than the shooting mechanics.”
“Can ruin gameplay.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's pixel graphics and vibrant art style are praised for their immersive quality, creating a visually appealing backdrop that enhances the overall experience. However, some users find it challenging to discern interactions between cells due to the art style. The accompanying atmospheric soundtrack further complements the graphics.
“The graphics and sounds are great.”
“The game’s pixel graphics and atmospheric soundtrack contribute to an immersive experience.”
“The colorful and vibrant art style is a standout feature, providing a visually appealing backdrop to the gameplay.”
“It's really hard to tell at times with this art style how many cells a given cell is touching.”
“The game's pixel graphics feel outdated and lack the detail needed to fully engage players.”
“The graphics are underwhelming and do not match the expectations set by modern games.”
- music5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game, composed by Hans Zimmer, is highly praised for its immersive quality, complementing the pixel graphics and enhancing the overall atmosphere. Players appreciate how the soundtrack enriches the gaming experience, making it feel both unique and engaging.
“Absolutely love all the music, and the faux CRT with the blobby shapes makes it feel like I'm looking at a screen displaying a microscope output or something.”
“The game’s pixel graphics and atmospheric soundtrack contribute to an immersive experience.”
“Songs written by Hans Zimmer.”
“Why is there even music in this game?”
“The songs are written by Hans Zimmer, but they don't fit the game's atmosphere.”
“The music feels out of place and doesn't enhance the overall experience.”
- story4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's story is perceived as minimal by some, while others find it engaging and worth noting, with a few describing it as cool. Overall, opinions vary significantly on the depth and impact of the narrative.
“It has a little story.”
“A cool story.”
“A story worth paying attention to.”
“What story?”
“It has a little story.”
“A story worth paying attention to.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is hindered by the art style, which makes it difficult for players to gauge interactions between cells, leading to frustration and mistakes. Enhancements like highlighting connected cells could improve the experience and reduce emotional strain.
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is reported to be poorly optimized, even on high-end hardware such as an i9 10900k and dual RTX 3090 graphics cards, leading to subpar performance.
“PC with i9 10900K + 2x RTX 3090 (poorly optimized game)”
“The game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate even on high-end hardware.”
“Despite having top-tier specs, the performance issues are frustrating and detract from the experience.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's procedural generation of levels provides a unique experience with each playthrough, greatly increasing its replayability by consistently presenting new challenges.
“The procedural generation of levels ensures that each playthrough offers a new challenge, significantly enhancing the game’s replay value.”
“With multiple character classes and branching storylines, every run feels fresh and exciting, encouraging players to dive back in.”
“The variety of unlockable content and achievements keeps me coming back for more, as there's always something new to strive for.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's pixel graphics, combined with an atmospheric soundtrack, create a highly immersive experience that enhances the overall ambiance.
“The game’s pixel graphics and atmospheric soundtrack contribute to an immersive experience.”
“The haunting visuals and eerie sound design create a truly captivating atmosphere.”
“Every corner of the game world is filled with rich details that enhance the overall ambiance.”