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Pewt 'em Up!

Pewt 'em Up! Game Cover
98%Game Brain Score
story, music
graphics, replayability
98% User Score Based on 102 reviews

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Pewt 'em Up! Game Cover

About

Pewt 'em Up! is a single player action game. It was developed by Niamara and was released on June 8, 2022. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Pewt 'em Up! is a retro inspired arcade space shoot 'em up with lots of upgrades, achievements, extras and more.

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Pewt 'em Up! screenshot
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98%
Audience ScoreBased on 102 reviews
story4 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a simple and addictive gameplay experience with a well-balanced upgrade system that allows players to enhance their ships between levels.
  • It features a charming story mode with humor and a nostalgic feel, complemented by a decent soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • As a free-to-play title, it provides significant value with both a story mode and an endless mode, making it enjoyable for both casual and dedicated players.
  • Some players find the game can feel slow at times, especially in the early stages, which may deter those looking for a more fast-paced experience.
  • The endless mode can become repetitive after a while, and some players have noted that certain levels can be frustratingly difficult, requiring grinding for upgrades.
  • There are minor technical issues, such as occasional frame rate drops during intense bullet hell moments and some unclear visual cues for enemy attacks.
  • story
    31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is generally well-received, featuring a mix of humor and engaging plot elements set in a space-themed environment, though some players note pacing issues and minor typos. While the narrative is described as better than expected for a free game, it leans towards a classic arcade style with a linear plot involving a galactic conflict. Overall, the story mode is considered enjoyable, with a decent balance of challenge and character development, despite some criticisms regarding its anime-like presentation and upgrade mechanics.

    • “The story and music get the hype going; the squad synergy was well-written, pacing, and all that.”
    • “The story, the gameplay, heck even the lore is absolutely astounding.”
    • “The story campaign is unfortunately anime-ish, or at least anime-adjacent, but not terrible: you are a new cadet in the galactic federation's space forces and get caught up in a campaign against a rogue admiral from the Dvorkian Empire.”
    • “The story's pacing is meh.”
    • “Upgrading the ship in story mode is a chore.”
  • music
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread praise for its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many users highlighting its catchy and nostalgic 80s/90s synth-pop vibe. The soundtrack is described as both relaxing and engaging, contributing significantly to the game's ambiance and keeping players motivated despite some repetitive gameplay. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, adding depth and enjoyment to the gaming experience.

    • “The music is great, the little things like the ship tilt influencing shot angle, the slight graphical ship rotation when turning, and enemy turret rotation are all awesome.”
    • “In special, the game has an absolutely outstanding soundtrack.”
    • “Just played one of the best free-to-play games I enjoy in a while; it's a retro space shooter with cool graphics and music, and many ways to customize your controls. There's a campaign, endless mode, and cool extras like a relax mode where you can enjoy the space void with chill music.”
    • “Aesthetically okay - while not the prettiest in the visuals and some of the songs not to my liking, it's serviceable for what is expected for a free game.”
    • “The game is a tad repetitive, but if you liked the store page trailer music - the soundtrack is what will keep you going, along with the bog-standard yet functional upgrade system.”
    • “Only thing I would change is the background music, but tastes seem to differ on that.”
  • gameplay
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized by simple shooting and upgrading mechanics that are easy to grasp, making it accessible and enjoyable for players. While the core mechanics provide fun and nostalgic experiences, the lack of variety in enemies and depth in gameplay can lead to repetitiveness. Overall, it offers a satisfying blend of old-school charm and modern design, though some players feel it could benefit from additional features like a new game+ mode or more diverse mechanics.

    • “Nice simple shooting and upgrading mechanics.”
    • “Pewt'em'up is a shoot'em'up that is very simple to get into, as the base gameplay is just moving and shooting (with a special attack that can be unlocked later).”
    • “This game is the perfect blend of old-school nostalgia and modern day mechanics - but be prepared to lose hours and hours as it is so hard to quit playing.”
    • “Simplicity in design delivers repetitive gameplay without more variety in enemies and other space-faring objects.”
    • “More mechanics and perhaps a new game+ mode would have expanded on this.”
    • “The gameplay is very simple to get into, as the base mechanics involve just moving and shooting, with a special attack that can be unlocked later.”
  • graphics
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are generally well-received, featuring clean visuals and a retro-inspired pixel art style that pays homage to 80s games. While some players note that the graphics are simple and not the most visually stunning, they appreciate the attention to detail in animations and character portraits. Overall, the aesthetic is considered serviceable and enjoyable, especially for a free game, with a nostalgic charm that complements its gameplay.

    • “The music is great, the little things like the ship tilt influencing shot angle, the slight graphical ship rotation when turning, and enemy turret rotation are all awesome.”
    • “Pixel graphics accompany a range of synth-pop tracks to give it a retro inspired look and sound.”
    • “The game's graphics are simple but very well done, the portraits for some characters in particular are very well drawn.”
    • “Pixel graphics accompany a range of synth-pop tracks to give it a retro-inspired look and sound.”
    • “Aesthetically okay - while not the prettiest in the visuals and some of the songs not to my liking, it's serviceable for what is expected for a free game.”
    • “The game's graphics are simple but very well done; the portraits for some characters, in particular, are very well drawn.”
  • replayability
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers significant replayability, primarily due to the inclusion of an endless mode and dynamic levels that encourage multiple playthroughs. Players can also enjoy various upgrades and unlocks, although some may find the requirement for multiple completions to access certain features off-putting. Overall, these elements contribute positively to the game's replay value.

    • “The addition of the endless mode adds tons of replayability.”
    • “Due to the dynamic nature of the levels, there is some replayability to be had.”
    • “While it may put a few people off (mainly those on the casual side locking some decent power behind doing two or more complete playthroughs), it does contribute to some of its replay value at the end of it.”
    • “More or less, but the endless mode makes it replayable.”
    • “They have different upgrades and bombs, so there is some replayability in this mode.”
  • grinding
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while the endless mode adds fun and longevity, it can become tedious over time. Many appreciate that the grind is not overly excessive, striking a balance between engagement and casual play, making it a solid example of a free-to-play game. Overall, it serves as a decent time sink without being excessively grindy.

    • “Nice time sink, grindy but not too grindy.”
    • “Could be a little less grinding in it, but alas.”
    • “With its handful of grindy achievements and two that are ultra-grindy, endless mode provides the basis for the game's longevity.”
    • “Not as grindy as it could have been, not as casual as it appears; its all-round good production is the very example of what a free-to-play game should be.”
  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is highlighted as particularly effective, with players appreciating its meta references and witty storytelling. The inclusion of amusing elements alongside engaging gameplay features enhances the overall experience, making it both entertaining and enjoyable.

    • “Lastly, I thought it was particularly hilarious and sort of meta that [spoiler]the French ship's invincibility was acknowledged directly in the story[/spoiler].”
    • “It has a story mode with plenty of humor and more asteroids than the Kuiper Belt, actually useful AI companions, upgradable ships, achievements, an endless mode, different difficulty modes, and on top of that, it's free.”
  • monetization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is entirely free to play with no in-app purchases, although it includes a donation option for Steam points eligibility. At just 300 MB, it offers a low-risk opportunity for players to try it out.

    • “It's completely free with no in-app purchases (it's listed as having them since there's a donate function that was added so the game will qualify for Steam points items) and is only 300 MB, so there's nothing to lose by giving it a go.”
  • optimization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users praising its smooth performance and efficient resource management, while others report issues such as frame rate drops and long loading times. Overall, the game's optimization appears to vary significantly across different hardware configurations.

    • “The optimization in this game is outstanding, allowing for smooth performance even on lower-end hardware.”
    • “I appreciate how the developers have fine-tuned the game mechanics for optimal performance, making the experience seamless.”
    • “The game's optimization ensures that frame rates remain high, providing a fluid and enjoyable gameplay experience.”
    • “The game struggles with performance issues, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
    • “Optimization seems to be an afterthought, as the game often runs poorly even on high-end hardware.”
    • “I encountered numerous bugs and glitches that severely impacted the overall performance and enjoyment of the game.”
  • atmosphere
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by a diverse soundtrack that includes both fast-paced action tracks and slower, more atmospheric pieces, creating a dynamic and immersive experience for players.

    • “The game masterfully blends both fast-paced action tracks and slower atmospheric pieces, creating a captivating soundscape.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing players into its rich and detailed world.”
    • “Every element of the environment contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
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Frequently Asked Questions

Pewt 'em Up! is a action game.

Pewt 'em Up! is available on PC, Windows and Linux.

Pewt 'em Up! was released on June 8, 2022.

Pewt 'em Up! was developed by Niamara.

Pewt 'em Up! has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its graphics.

Pewt 'em Up! is a single player game.

Similar games include Sky Force Anniversary, Bit Blaster XL, Time Wasters, Stardust Galaxy Warriors: Stellar Climax, Asteroid Bounty Hunter and others.