ORCS
- May 20, 2016
- Pixel vs Pixel
- 4h median play time
Get on Steam"Orcs" is a single-player action game with platformer elements, inspired by classics like Castlevania and Ghosts 'n Goblins. The game boasts ingenious gameplay, masterful visuals, and plenty of humor throughout its 24 levels and 5 bosses. With gamepad support and additional features, "Orcs" provides a challenging and entertaining experience.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features charming pixel graphics that evoke nostalgia and provide a unique visual experience.
- Gameplay is engaging and fun, with a variety of enemy types and bosses that keep the experience fresh.
- It's a budget-friendly game that offers a decent challenge, making it a good time-waster for fans of retro platformers.
- The controls can be clunky and unresponsive, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- The game lacks depth and can feel overly simplistic, with a linear design that may not appeal to all players.
- There are technical issues, such as inconsistent hit detection and a lack of customization options, which detract from the overall experience.
- music36 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 28 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its chill, retro chiptune style that complements the gameplay, while others find it repetitive and annoying, often opting to mute it in favor of their own playlists. Despite the varied opinions, many agree that the soundtrack fits the game's aesthetic, though a desire for more variety is frequently mentioned. Overall, while some enjoy the music, it tends to become a point of frustration for others during extended play sessions.
“I like the music a lot, but I tried playing the Doom OST instead and it just works.”
“Love the music, love the style.”
“The music is nice, although more variety of songs would be appreciated.”
“There's an option to turn off sounds and music, which of course should be done immediately due to the craptastic sound design, but of course this doesn't always work, so expect the game to make noise even if you told it to shut up.”
“The music in this game is terrible, it's better to mute it and listen to something else instead.”
“Worst music I have ever heard in a video game, but I am not sure if it is on purpose or not.”
- gameplay28 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of simplicity and challenge, with some players finding it fun and satisfying, while others criticize its janky controls and lack of polish. Many reviews highlight the straightforward mechanics and engaging action, though some note issues like limited options and frustrating difficulty spikes. Overall, the game offers a blend of enjoyable gameplay for casual players and challenging elements that may frustrate more experienced gamers.
“The gameplay is tight and satisfying; the challenge is high but never unfair.”
“Pretty decent game, pretty smooth gameplay, very challenging, nice soundtrack, cheap and you get to kill a bunch of orcs.”
“The game's mechanics are solid and the gameplay is intriguing.”
“It's janky and unsatisfying to play... and any experienced gamer will tell you, the handling, responsiveness, and general gameplay feel of the control scheme must be well polished for this kind of game to succeed.”
“Unfortunately, the gameplay and control scheme is something the developer seems to have phoned in, with little to no apparent gameplay testing.”
“One small mistake and hours of gameplay are gone with no hope of getting them back, seriously dumb.”
- graphics27 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a nostalgic pixel art style reminiscent of NES and Atari eras, which some players find charming and endearing, while others criticize it for being overly simplistic and low-quality. Despite the retro aesthetic, the visuals are praised for their originality and diversity in character and environment design, contributing to an enjoyable experience for fans of classic gaming. However, the lack of customization options and resolution settings has drawn some negative feedback regarding the overall graphical quality.
“Despite featuring pixel graphics, Orcs manages to turn this visual style into a charming asset.”
“The pixelated aesthetic adds a nostalgic charm to the game, evoking feelings of classic gaming.”
“Furthermore, the simplicity of the graphics doesn't compromise the diversity and originality of the characters and environments, providing a unique and enjoyable visual experience for fans of this retro style.”
“The graphics make it look like a mix between NES and Atari, the game being more like a dumbed down Mario-style platformer.”
“A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel 'art' as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
“There's no way for gamers to try to improve the low-quality graphics.”
- story15 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally described as simple and charming, with some players finding it engaging and refreshing, while others consider it generic and lacking depth. Despite mixed opinions on its complexity and execution, the narrative serves as a backdrop to the enjoyable gameplay experience. Overall, it appears to be a lighthearted tale that complements the game's aesthetic rather than a standout feature.
“Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
“Engaging, fun game with a simple story and charming pixel graphics.”
“Amazing story”
“If you want to buy this game, don't. It's hard because of the controls, which are bad for the game and hurt my fingers, and also the story is boring to read.”
“I also think that the protagonist was the bad guy all along, but I'm not really sure, because the story was too complex for me to follow.”
“But there is almost no story, and what is there is generic.”
- humor11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is a mixed bag, with some players enjoying its clever references and comedic moments, such as nods to classic games like Mortal Kombat and Castlevania. However, others feel that the attempts at humor often fall flat, resulting in a lack of consistent comedic impact. Overall, while there are amusing elements, the humor may not resonate with everyone.
“I liked the sense of humor of the game and trailer! :D”
“Pretty difficult and funny :)”
“It really feels like an old NES game... some great humor and great frustration included.”
- stability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report a stable experience with minimal glitches or bugs, although some minor issues, such as a menu problem, have been noted. The game appears to function reliably, allowing players to enjoy the gameplay without significant interruptions.
“My biggest nitpicks are a few glitches and a menu problem.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers enjoyable gameplay for a limited time, but lacks significant replayability beyond attempting to achieve world records.
“The game is great fun for an hour or two, although it has no replayability unless you want to hold a world record for a random game.”
