panGEMic

About

panGEMic is a single player action game. It was developed by David Cross and was released on December 28, 2016. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Collect all the gems while avoiding enemies and hazards, do it in the time limit or face the 'Red Skull'. panGEMic is a retro inspired platform game requiring quick reflexes and quick thinking.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

79%

Audience ScoreBased on 56 reviews

gameplay4 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The game features a vibrant and appealing retro aesthetic that captures the charm of classic platformers.
Gameplay is simple yet challenging, requiring strategic thinking and skillful execution to collect gems and navigate levels.
It's a free game that offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of old-school titles, making it a fun time-waster for fans of the genre.

The lack of a save feature and limited lives can lead to significant frustration, as players must restart the game from the beginning upon dying.
The difficulty spikes are inconsistent, with some levels being much harder than others, which can disrupt the flow of gameplay.
Controls can feel imprecise, making it challenging to execute precise jumps and navigate through levels effectively.

graphics
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming retro pixel art style that evokes nostalgia, with a pleasing VGA/CGA aesthetic and decent animations. While some players appreciate the vintage visuals and find them aesthetically pleasing, others note that the graphics may feel outdated compared to contemporary standards. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's simplistic yet enjoyable gameplay experience.
- “The vintage aesthetics are really nice.”
- “It's got a nice VGA/CGa graphic style, simplistic yet rewarding gameplay.”
- “They chose to use obsolete retro pixel art as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
- “The graphics are decent, the enemy animations are decent... not much else to say other than the game looks and sounds good.”
- “The music is alright and the graphics/animation are well done.”
gameplay
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
45%
11%
The gameplay is characterized by its engaging platforming mechanics, appealing graphics, and simple controls, making it enjoyable for short sessions. However, the lack of a save feature can be frustrating, as players must restart if they close the game. While the time limit and lives system add a layer of challenge, they can also lead to frustration due to the strict nature of these mechanics.
- “This is used to great effect throughout and provides a substantial puzzle element to the proceedings; I can't personally think of another game that utilizes this mechanic so well!”
- “It's got a nice VGA/CGa graphic style, simplistic yet rewarding gameplay.”
- “Lovely little game to pass a bit of time, and great for short bursts of gameplay.”
- “A fairly short but tough little platformer and you have a limit on time and lives. That's the way it was back then, so even the gameplay is accurate to that era.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment or additional lives to progress effectively.
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
- “I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players feel that the monetization strategy adds unnecessary pressure, particularly with the appearance of a red skull that chases them when the timer runs out, which may encourage them to engage with ads.
- “The red skull that shows up (and chases you) when the timer reaches 0 adds extra pressure.”
- “The game feels like a constant push to spend money, making it hard to enjoy without feeling forced.”
- “I find the monetization tactics frustrating; it often feels like the game is designed to make you pay to progress.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews indicate that the story aspect is either unclear or not well-defined, with users questioning its presence or coherence. Overall, it seems that the narrative may lack depth or engagement, leaving players wanting more.
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is generally considered decent, contributing positively to the overall experience, while the graphics and animation are also well-executed, enhancing the game's appeal.
- “If it wasn't for the music (and the lack of color clash!), I would've thought I was playing on the Speccy!”
- “The music is alright, but it doesn't stand out in any significant way.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find the humor in the game to be highly entertaining and laugh-inducing, often expressing their enjoyment with enthusiastic reactions.