Minotaur Arcade Volume 1
- December 21, 2018
- Llamasoft Ltd.
Get on Steam"Minotaur Arcade Volume 1" offers a nostalgic arcade experience with two games, Gridrunner and Goatup, reimagined in a classic style. Gridrunner is a thrilling shooter that has evolved since the Vic 20 era, now featuring voxel-modeled pixels and optional VR gameplay. Goatup is a lighthearted platformer, where you play as a climbing goat. Both games offer challenging gameplay focused on score-chasing fun.
PC
Playstation 4
Virtual Reality
Windows
Oculus Rift
Oculus VR
PlayStation
PlayStation VR
Reviews
- Gridrunner is a fast-paced, addictive shooter that combines classic arcade elements with modern gameplay, making it a standout title.
- Goat Up offers a unique and quirky platforming experience, filled with retro references and engaging mechanics that keep players entertained.
- The inclusion of VR support enhances the gameplay experience, providing an immersive environment that adds to the fun of both games.
- Goat Up may feel simplistic and less exciting compared to the more intense Gridrunner, leading some players to overlook it.
- The VR mode is currently limited to Oculus headsets, leaving players with other VR systems unable to fully experience the game.
- Some players find the graphics and sound effects to be primitive or lacking compared to other modern titles, which may detract from the overall experience.
- gameplay16 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highly praised for its exceptional blend of classic 8-bit mechanics and modern elements, offering depth and addictive fun. Players appreciate the frenetic yet strategic nature of the games, with unique twists that enhance the experience, such as geographical landscapes and quirky humor. Overall, the combination of engaging mechanics, vibrant visuals, and immersive sound design creates a captivating arcade experience that keeps players coming back for more.
“Whilst it remains true to its centipede-inspired origins and the original 8-bit game, it introduces enough new modern gameplay elements to make it feel fresh and new - including geographical landscapes that affect some of the game mechanics.”
“Gridrunner is a full-on arcade style blaster which has perfect fluid mouse control and gameplay that strikes a fine balance of enough challenge and that one-more-go factor.”
“The apparently simplistic gameplay has hidden depths that you'll really need to master if you want to get those high scores.”
“Goat Up was probably my second favorite of the iOS releases; very simple concept and gameplay that is present in several other games - keep jumping up to higher platforms otherwise you'll die - but with a bunch of typical Minter-esque tweaks and quirks to make it stand out from the crowd.”
“Both games offer pretty frenetic gameplay that actually benefits from calmness and not panicking - easy to say, but not easy to do!”
- graphics14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are a blend of retro and modern styles, featuring psychedelic visuals and a mix of high-resolution updates alongside classic 8-bit aesthetics. While some players find the initial graphics somewhat primitive, they become more impressive in later levels with vibrant colors and particle effects. Overall, the visual presentation is engaging and enjoyable, though it may lack the polish of other titles in the developer's portfolio.
“Graphically unimaginable, fantastically playable.”
“The sounds and visuals are an absolute joy to behold, even if some of the 'unusual topography' levels can make your eyes go a bit wobbly.”
“Graphics-wise, not mind-blowing, but the aim is to shoot for points.”
“The graphics can look a little primitive at first with crude borrowed sprites, but when things get a little more busy in the later levels, it starts to look pretty glorious with all the particles and colors flying everywhere.”
“In terms of presentation, these games may feel a little stripped down compared to other Llamasoft games, with none of the slick neon and plasma visuals or techno soundtrack of games like Tempest 4000 or Gridrunner Revolution, which may explain why it's a two-pack at a discount price.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The music in Gridrunner enhances the psychedelic shooter experience, immersing players in a fun and chaotic atmosphere filled with quirky sound effects. However, compared to other Llamasoft titles, it lacks the polished visuals and techno soundtrack, which may contribute to its lower price point. Goat Up serves as a supplementary game, providing additional content but not significantly impacting the overall musical experience.
“Gridrunner is a typical Jeff Minter psychedelic shooter: lots of things going on, music and sound help you get into a zone, providing a lot of fun shooting all kinds of weird objects and earning bovine 'moos' and other bull references.”
“In terms of presentation, these games may feel a little stripped down compared to other Llamasoft games, with none of the slick neon and plasma visuals or techno soundtrack of games like Tempest 4000 or Gridrunner Revolution.”
“Goat Up is just a nice filler and a bonus game to fill the B-side of the main song Gridrunner.”
“In terms of presentation, these games may feel a little stripped down compared to other Llamasoft games, with none of the slick neon and plasma visuals or techno soundtrack of games like Tempest 4000 or Gridrunner Revolution, which may explain why it's a two-pack at a discount price.”
“Goat Up is just a nice filler and a bonus game to fill the B side of the main song Gridrunner.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the game offers significant replayability, particularly appealing to fans of arcade-style games.
“If you enjoy arcade games with plenty of replay value, then this will be right up your alley.”
“The game offers a variety of modes and challenges that keep you coming back for more.”
“Each playthrough feels fresh due to the random elements and different strategies you can employ.”
“The game lacks the depth needed for true replayability; once you've completed it, there's little incentive to return.”
“After finishing the main storyline, I found myself with no motivation to replay the game, as the side quests felt repetitive and uninspired.”
“While the initial experience was enjoyable, the lack of varied gameplay mechanics makes it hard to justify multiple playthroughs.”
