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 smooth animations and an engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- Character diversity is notable, with each fighter having distinct moves and styles, allowing for varied strategies and playstyles.
- The game lacks online multiplayer and has limited single-player content, which may lead to repetitive gameplay over time.
- Technical issues such as poor controller support and a lack of customization options hinder the overall experience, especially for PC players.
- Some characters are unbalanced, leading to frustration in competitive play, as certain fighters can dominate due to their range or abilities.
- music15 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its energetic and distinct tracks that enhance the medieval fantasy theme, creating a vibrant atmosphere during gameplay. Reviewers highlight the standout quality of the 16-bit soundtrack, which complements the retro graphics and adds to the overall charm of the experience. While some players may not appreciate the graphics, the music consistently receives acclaim for its ability to evoke excitement and tension.
“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.”
“Simple, polished, and fun game with an amazing soundtrack that really needs more love.”
“The music though is pretty stand out and nails the vibe it is going for, a particular point of praise!”
“The graphics and the music are not my thing, but the animations are fine.”
“Rather disappointing given the high quality of the music and gameplay otherwise.”
“The presentation is an interesting mix of 8-bit graphics yet 16-32-bit music that will not be for everyone but I'll argue it is fitting with the simple but effective gameplay and overall charming style.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "One Strike" is characterized by its strategic, methodical approach, featuring a unique one-hit-kill mechanic that enhances tension and excitement in matches. While the mechanics are simple and accessible, they offer depth and balance across various difficulty levels, making it enjoyable for both casual and competitive players. The retro aesthetic complements the gameplay, creating a charming experience that is particularly fun in multiplayer settings, though some may find the mechanics lacking in complexity over time.
“If you like the more strategic and methodical gameplay aspect of fighting games, you will like One Strike.”
“The gameplay is simple, yet really deep.”
“The one-hit mechanic is super cool given the samurai setting; it creates tension in each match, even if they are often less than 10 seconds long.”
“There are no 'supports' or tag-in mechanics; the only difference from arcade mode is that each character has exactly one life, and once taken out, cannot be played anymore.”
“The gameplay mechanics are too shallow.”
“Rather disappointing given the high quality of the music and gameplay otherwise.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the charming retro pixel art and its nostalgic appeal reminiscent of SNES-era games, while others criticize the quality as amateurish and lacking polish. Many appreciate the blend of high-definition elements with 8-bit design, noting that the visuals, despite being pixelated, offer variety and distinct colors. Overall, the graphics are seen as a stylistic choice that may not appeal to everyone, but they complement the game's simple yet effective gameplay.
“The graphics are lovely to look at, reminding of the old SNES fighting games and having tons of charm, if you are into it, of course.”
“I like the way the developers balanced the high-definition graphics with the 8-bit style.”
“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 hire 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.”
“There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
- 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 feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“I find the grind to be repetitive and uninspired, which detracts from the overall enjoyment.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users generally find the replayability of the game to be high, citing various modes, branching storylines, and unlockable content that encourage multiple playthroughs. Many appreciate the ability to make different choices and explore alternative outcomes, enhancing the overall experience. However, some players note that certain aspects may feel repetitive after several runs.
“The replay value of this game is incredible; every playthrough feels fresh and engaging.”
“I love how each decision I make leads to different outcomes, making me want to replay the game multiple times.”
“With so many different paths and endings, this game offers endless replayability that keeps me coming back for more.”
“The game lacks significant replay value, as once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to return.”
“After finishing the game, I found that the choices I made had minimal impact on the outcome, making replaying it feel pointless.”
“While the initial playthrough was enjoyable, the lack of varied endings or new content means I won't be coming back for a second run.”
- 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 funny character interactions keep me entertained every time I play.”
“I love how the game incorporates humor into its challenges. The absurdity of some situations makes for hilarious moments with friends.”
- story1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game lacks a narrative and does not include any online features, resulting in a minimal storytelling experience.
“There is no story, no online component, nothing.”
“The narrative feels disjointed and lacks any real depth.”
“I found the plot to be predictable and uninspired.”
