One Strike
- November 3, 2017
- Retro Reactor
Get on Steam"One Strike" is a minimalist, one-hit-kill fighting game. With a focus on defense and timing, players must outmaneuver their opponents in intense duels. Featuring a unique art style and quick matches, it's a fresh take on the genre for seasoned fighters and newcomers alike.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- One Strike offers a unique one-hit-kill mechanic that creates intense and strategic gameplay, making each match feel significant.
- The game features a charming retro aesthetic with a great soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- It provides a variety of game modes and characters, each with distinct fighting styles, adding depth and replayability.
- The game lacks online multiplayer, which limits its longevity and fun factor, especially when playing solo.
- Controls can be frustrating, with no option for customization, making it difficult for some players to adapt.
- Character balance is an issue, as some characters are significantly stronger than others, leading to an uneven gameplay experience.
- music33 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its energetic and engaging soundtrack, which complements the medieval fantasy theme and enhances the overall gameplay experience. Many reviewers highlight the catchy chiptune style and the distinctiveness of the tracks across different stages, noting that the music significantly contributes to the game's charm and replayability. While some found the music less memorable, the majority agree that it is a standout feature that elevates the game's appeal.
“The music brings a lot of hype and tension to the game, feels very distinct from stage to stage and just feeds into the overall theming of medieval fantasy Japan.”
“I cannot stress enough how important the soundtrack is to this game, it is absolutely amazing and one of the best I have heard in a long time.”
“The music though is pretty standout and nails the vibe it is going for, a particular point of praise!”
“Rather disappointing given the high quality of the music and gameplay otherwise.”
“Sometimes the music would start over when I chose a specific game mode, which was unexpected as I thought it would carry on.”
“The graphics and the music are not my thing, but the animations are fine.”
- graphics30 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game evoke a nostalgic charm reminiscent of classic SNES titles, with a mix of retro pixel art and detailed backgrounds that some players appreciate. However, opinions are divided, as others criticize the artwork for being amateurish and lacking polish, leading to an overall low visual quality. While the pixelated style and animations are generally well-received, there are calls for a more refined art direction to enhance the experience.
“The graphics are lovely to look at, reminding me of the old SNES fighting games and having tons of charm, if you are into it, of course.”
“You actually see that the 8-bit was a design choice and the developers have the skills to deliver highly detailed graphics.”
“The music and sound effects are dramatic, and the pixel art graphics are beautiful!”
“The artwork here is terrible; it's a blend of old retro pixel 'art' used as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics, with interstitial screens featuring some of the most amateurish 'baby's first Wacom tablet' style drawings I've ever hurt my eyes on.”
“It's unclear if this is due to a lack of budget to arrange for someone who can do graphics properly, or a lack of talent; regardless, the overall visual quality of the game is extremely low as a result of these decisions.”
“For visual graphics, I give the game a 6.0 because it does have backgrounds, though the faces in both the models on the fighting portion and in the background are fairly pixelated with zero facial features for the most part, save for a beard.”
- gameplay26 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a unique one-hit-kill mechanic that creates a tense atmosphere, making matches quick and intense. While the mechanics are simple, they offer depth and strategic elements, appealing to fans of methodical fighting games. The combination of retro aesthetics, smooth controls, and a balanced difficulty enhances the overall experience, making it enjoyable for both solo play and multiplayer sessions.
“The fighting mechanics are simple but brilliant and very addictive.”
“Overall, it effectively combines a retro presentation with well-crafted timing-based fighting gameplay, making it perfect for enjoyable bursts and no doubt more fun with friends, potentially with even more depth and length.”
“Rather disappointing given the high quality of the music and gameplay otherwise.”
“The game mechanics in terms of keyboard controls are a little... strange.”
“The gameplay is simple, yet really deep.”
- story5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game features a minimalistic story centered around a traditional Japanese warriors tournament, providing just enough background to give players a sense of purpose. While some players appreciate the lack of a complex narrative, others note that the simplicity aligns well with the gameplay, making it enjoyable without the need for an elaborate story.
“In the story, we get to experience various characters of medieval Japan with the intention of becoming the best warrior.”
“A simple background story, but it provides enough depth to give you a role.”
“No story, no online component, nothing.”
“Story/gameplay: no story, but I can tell this is just a simple old school idea of a Japanese warriors tournament.”
“In the story, we get into various characters of medieval Japan with the intention of becoming the best warrior.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game offers strong replayability through various modes and a diverse character selection, with six unique characters each possessing distinct weapons and skills that encourage different play styles. This variety enhances the overall replay value, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.
“Character selection is great; there are six characters to choose from, each with their own weapon and skills, allowing for different play styles when facing opponents, which significantly enhances the game's replay value.”
“The variety of gameplay options ensures that each playthrough feels fresh and engaging.”
“The different modes add a needed level of replayability.”
“Character selection is good; there are six characters to choose from, each with their own weapon and skills, allowing for different play styles when facing opponents, which enhances the game's replay value.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its stability, with users noting that it is free of bugs and glitches, which is particularly commendable for a 2D title. Overall, the stability contributes positively to the gameplay experience, despite some mixed reviews on other aspects.
“For a 2D game, the pixelated graphics are fine, but the bugs and glitches really detract from the experience. I would rate it 6/10.”
“The game is plagued with bugs and glitches that ruin the overall experience.”
“Despite its potential, the frequent crashes and instability make it frustrating to play.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game less appealing in single-player mode, preferring instead to engage in competitive arcade-style matches when the opportunity arises.
“I cannot see myself grinding this game's single-player, but I am sure down for a nice first-to-2 in arcade mode when asked for.”
“The grinding in this game feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I find the grind to be repetitive and uninspired, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the humor in the game to be highly engaging, often leading to competitive banter and playful exaggerations that enhance the social experience. The lighthearted dialogue and whimsical challenges contribute to a fun atmosphere, making it a source of laughter among friends.
“Whenever I play this game with others, we're all laughing and getting super competitive, talking like old warriors such as 'It'll take you yeaaaaaaars before you can challenge me!' or 'Did you not know that the reason I won was because I can hear the wing beat of a butterfly 4 years away?'”
“The humor in this game is top-notch! The witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions keep me entertained for hours.”
“I love how the game incorporates funny references and puns that make every session feel like a comedy show with friends.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the game's mechanics create a tense and engaging atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience and ensuring players have fun while leveling up.
“The mechanics of the game create a tense and interesting atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
“With excellent leveling and guaranteed fun, the atmosphere is incredibly engaging and immersive.”
