Necrosphere
- August 31, 2017
- Cat Nigiri
Get on Steam"Necrosphere" is a single-player science fiction platformer game with a unique twist: it's controlled using only two buttons. In the game, you play as Agent Terry Cooper, who, after being fatally injured, finds himself in the afterlife and must navigate the Necrosphere to find a way back to the world of the living. With at least 2.5 hours of challenging gameplay, an original soundtrack, and a humorous side story, "Necrosphere" is a mind-bending and entertaining metroidvania game.
iPad
iPhone
Mac OS
PC
Phone
Windows
Xbox One
Android
Linux
Mobile Platform
Tablet
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features impressive level design that challenges players with clever puzzles and sequences, making it engaging and rewarding.
- The unique two-button control scheme adds a layer of complexity and innovation, allowing for a minimalist yet challenging gameplay experience.
- The game is praised for its high difficulty level, generous checkpoints, and satisfying sense of accomplishment upon overcoming tough challenges.
- The dash mechanic is often unreliable, leading to frustration as players struggle with inconsistent controls during critical moments.
- The lack of a map and minimal guidance can result in aimless backtracking, making navigation tedious and sometimes confusing.
- Some players find the two-button control scheme overly complex, leading to difficulty in executing precise maneuvers, which detracts from the overall experience.
- gameplay22 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Necrosphere is characterized by its unique two-button control scheme, which introduces a challenging and engaging experience as players navigate through increasingly complex mechanics and obstacles. While the level design and overall challenge are praised, the lack of a map can lead to frustrating backtracking, detracting from the flow of the game. Despite some control issues and a tonal inconsistency in the story, the game is recognized for its fun, simple yet difficult gameplay that appeals to fans of the genre.
“The developers took only 2 buttons and pushed it to the extreme, adding certain game mechanics after certain game progress to keep it fresh and challenging!”
“Over time, new obstacles and mechanics are introduced, requiring the application of new techniques and greater precision to progress.”
“The gameplay is really simple and challenging; the music is great. It's a small gem that needs to be played!”
“The absence of a map forces the player to aimlessly backtrack in search of the next place they are supposed to go, tediously breaking up the core gameplay loop.”
“The horrible control mechanic of the jetpack takes all the fun away.”
“Biggest gripe I have is that double tap dash is always, always a bad mechanic and having the option to switch to a button for a dash would be much preferred.”
- music20 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently praised as amazing and immersive, enhancing the overall experience with its emotional depth and catchy tunes. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, often comparing it favorably to other well-regarded games. Overall, the music complements the gameplay effectively, contributing to the game's charm and appeal.
“The soundtrack is amazing.”
“The level design is flawless, the music is great, and the graphics do what they need to do.”
“The soundtrack is another rare gem, every song is immersive and brings up some kind of emotion.”
“Most of the time the music is fine.”
“Visually it's okay, not great but serviceable, and the soundtrack's pretty solid too.”
“Pretty neat soundtrack.”
- graphics9 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics are characterized by a retro pixel art style that, while attractive and contributing to an immersive atmosphere, often lack distinct landmarks for navigation. Users appreciate the colorful backgrounds and tidy visuals, which complement the superb level design and engaging music, though some feel the graphics could be more memorable. Overall, the visuals effectively support gameplay, enhancing the overall experience despite some criticisms.
“Great music and tidy graphics.”
“The level design is flawless, the music is great, and the graphics do what they need to do.”
“The graphics are both attractive and keep the level design 'readable'.”
“Different sections of the map at least feature different background colors, but the pixel graphics and retro color palette offer little help in the form of memorable landmarks for getting your bearings, even within these distinct zones.”
“The graphics are not too hot.”
“The graphics remind me of Environmental Station Alpha, but they lack the polish and detail that would elevate the overall experience.”
- story7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as quirky and intriguing, providing a unique experience that complements its gameplay. However, the ending is criticized for being tonally inconsistent and unsatisfying, which some players felt did not reward their efforts adequately. Overall, while the narrative is minimal, it contributes positively to the game's charm and presentation.
“It's amazing how much they managed to do with 2 buttons and a quirky little story.”
“The story is intriguing and the game is satisfying for people that try hard to pass every situation!”
“The mysterious story and the fantastic presentation really rounded this game into a full and special experience like no other.”
“In the end, the initially lighthearted story is wrapped up with a bizarre and tonally inconsistent ending that felt like a poor reward for my efforts, suitably mirroring the shift in gameplay.”
“It took me around 4 hours to complete the main story, and according to the credits, I died 1200+ times trying.”
“Other modern platformers have been praised for challenging players, but the best of these generally start out difficult or gate their hardest content behind a higher difficulty setting or an optional 'endgame' outside of the main story.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding experience hindered by the lack of a map, leading to aimless backtracking that disrupts the core gameplay loop and makes progression feel tedious.
“The absence of a map forces the player to aimlessly backtrack in search of the next place they are supposed to go, tediously breaking up the core gameplay loop.”
“The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the story.”
“Leveling up requires an excessive amount of time spent on monotonous tasks, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its ability to entertain both players and spectators, with moments of failure leading to laughter and enjoyment, as evidenced by a player's girlfriend who found the numerous deaths amusing.
“It's fun to play and watch; my girlfriend couldn't stop laughing at my thousands of deaths.”
“The humor in this game is top-notch, with witty dialogue and hilarious situations that keep you entertained.”
“I love how the game uses absurd scenarios to create laugh-out-loud moments that make every playthrough unique.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the combination of visuals and sound in the game effectively creates an immersive atmosphere, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
“The visuals and sound create an immersive atmosphere.”
“The game's atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful, drawing you into its world.”
“Every detail contributes to a rich and captivating atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
