Planes, Bullets and Vodka

About

"Planes, Bullets and Vodka" is a single-player action game with good gameplay and a sensational soundtrack, reminiscent of classic arcade games like River Raid and Galaga. Fly through procedurally generated tunnels, avoiding enemies and walls while increasing your multiplier for every 10 kills. The objective is to beat your best score, get on the leaderboards, and earn achievements in this endlessly re-playable game. The difficulty constantly rises, so destroy enemies early for a bigger score.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 600 reviews

graphics10 positive mentions

story6 negative mentions

Fun and simple gameplay reminiscent of classic arcade shooters.
Engaging power-up system that enhances the gameplay experience.
Great for short gaming sessions and easy to pick up and play.

Repetitive gameplay with limited depth and variety.
Visuals can be harsh on the eyes due to the high contrast color scheme.
Lack of meaningful achievements and progression can lead to boredom.

graphics
55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
71%
11%
The graphics of the game are generally described as simplistic and basic, lacking the vibrancy and detail that would elevate the experience. While some players appreciate the retro pixel art style and find it functional, many criticize the visuals for being monotonous, visually straining, or even unplayable at times. Overall, the graphics serve their purpose but do not impress, making them one of the game's weaker aspects.
- “What sets this game apart from others in its genre is the attention to detail in both the graphics and the gameplay.”
- “The pixelated visuals are a nod to classic arcade games, but they're brought to life with modern effects and animations that make each level a joy to behold.”
- “Graphics are nice (it's easy to tell what everything is and there's very little confusion outside of when too many bullets are on the screen), sound effects are spot-on, and gameplay is addictive.”
- “The graphics and sound are basic, lacking the vibrant energy that made the classic shooters memorable.”
- “However, there are many cons preventing this game from being better - absence of any story, no unlocks of new airplanes and weapons, no RPG elements enriching the gameplay, early stereotype and very simple graphics that are worse than in the games from the 80s.”
- “It's a basic alien shooter with less features, worse gameplay, less action, and worse graphics.”
gameplay
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
63%
8%
The gameplay is characterized by its straightforward, fast-paced mechanics that focus on dodging bullets and taking down enemies, making it easy to pick up and play. While some players appreciate the addictive nature and retro aesthetic, others criticize the repetitive and simplistic gameplay, lacking depth and variety. Overall, it offers a chaotic arcade experience that can be enjoyable for fans of the genre, despite its limitations.
- “The core gameplay revolves around surviving as long as possible while managing a multiplier system that rewards you for consecutive kills.”
- “With challenging levels, satisfying gameplay, and witty humor, it delivers a memorable and addictive experience for fans of arcade shooters.”
- “The mechanics are simple, the gameplay is fun and addictive, it has that retro element that makes you say 'screw it, I'll go at it one more time' two minutes after rage quitting out of frustration.”
- “The mechanics are all very basic, the gameplay is boring and the art isn't great either.”
- “The gameplay is boring too, all you do is hold ctrl and move around with arrows.”
- “While the devs did get one thing right, the game needs to be judged as a whole, and simplistic gameplay and retro 2D graphics just aren't enough for me to want to recommend this to anyone.”
music
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
36%
7%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its eclectic mix of electronic and synthwave styles, enhancing the retro aesthetic and gameplay experience. Many players find the soundtrack catchy and enjoyable, with some noting that it complements the fast-paced action well, while others appreciate the free downloadable soundtrack. However, a few reviews mention that the music can be repetitive or not particularly interesting, but overall, it contributes positively to the game's atmosphere.
- “Oh and this is worth mentioning too: the soundtrack is awesome.”
- “The music is an eclectic mix of electronic and synthwave, with a distinctly retro feel that perfectly complements the game's visuals.”
- “The soundtrack is amazing, strangely fitting and also comes as a free DLC.”
- “The music is kind of repetitive and the graphics are old, but they don't matter much for the game.”
- “Very basic 'side'-scroller; the bullets make a lot of noise, but you can turn that off. The music, however, is also not very interesting.”
- “I can't say much about the music because I usually turn it off, but the sound effects are okay; I don't really have anything against it.”
story
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
40%
40%
The game's story is largely criticized for its absence, with many reviewers noting that it lacks emotional depth, character development, and a coherent narrative. While some appreciate the adrenaline rush of gameplay, the consensus is that the game feels more like an arcade experience focused on scoring rather than storytelling. Overall, players express disappointment in the minimal storytelling elements present.
- “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.”
- “Absolutely true story.”
- “Man, this is the story of my life.”
- “lack of depth in story and character development”
- “However, there are many cons preventing this game from being better - absence of any story, no unlocks of new airplanes and weapons, no RPG elements enriching the gameplay, early stereotype and very simple graphics that are worse than in the games from the 80s.”
- “There is no story, visuals are monotonous.”
grinding
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, particularly due to achievements that require excessive enemy kills, such as the daunting task of defeating 10,000 foes. While some appreciate the challenge for achievement farming, many express frustration over the repetitive nature of grinding, which can lead to diminished interest and enjoyment. Overall, the grinding is seen as a significant drawback, overshadowing the game's positive elements.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “There are some achievements that you can get, which I'm pretty sure anyone can unlock, except maybe for the one that demands you to kill 10,000 enemies in total, so that requires some grinding (and lots of patience).”
- “This game is very easy, just too grindy and boring.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
60%
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its witty and old-fashioned comedic style, contributing to a fun and memorable experience. However, some users found the humor lacking, indicating a mixed reception overall.
- “With challenging levels, satisfying gameplay, and witty humor, it delivers a memorable and addictive experience for fans of arcade shooters.”
- “It was a fun game, very funny and old-fashioned in a good way!”
- “Great and funny indie game.”
- “Not funny.”
- “The jokes fell flat and felt forced.”
- “I expected more clever humor, but it was mostly cringeworthy.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The atmosphere of "Planes, Bullets and Vodka" is characterized by its exhilarating retro-style aesthetic, enhanced by a catchy soundtrack and a unique noir vibe. Players appreciate the nostalgic feel of classic shoot 'em ups, though some critique the game's handling of propaganda symbols, which may detract from the overall experience.
- “Planes, bullets and vodka is an exhilarating retro-style game that combines fast-paced aerial combat, catchy music, and a unique noir atmosphere.”
- “There are some indisputable pros like bringing the feeling of playing a good old shoot ‘em up, solid power-ups, online leaderboard, challenging difficulty, responsive controls and atmospheric soundtrack.”
- “Great game, stylization under retro sets a good atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players in the game world.”
- “Despite the potential for a rich setting, the atmosphere is marred by repetitive environments and dull sound design.”
- “The game fails to create a compelling atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected and unengaged.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game has limited replayability, with many users noting its short length and inconsistent difficulty levels. While some recommend purchasing it on sale, the general consensus is that it lacks substantial content to encourage multiple playthroughs.
- “Get it on sale for sure, not a colossal amount of replayability.”
- “There's not much in terms of replay value.”
- “Shockingly short, sometimes very easy, other times hard, odd hit detection, and little replayability due to its length.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
While the game provides an exhilarating experience filled with excitement and adventure, many players feel it falls short in emotional depth and storytelling, which are essential for creating a lasting impact. The intense gameplay elements, such as the dangers of "touching the void," contribute to the thrill but do not compensate for the lack of emotional engagement.
- “The emotional impact and engagement of the game are truly remarkable.”
- “As a pegasus who thrives on excitement and adventure, I found the game to offer an adrenaline rush, but it lacked the emotional depth and storytelling that make a game truly memorable.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users express concern that the monetization strategy, while allowing quick unlocks, may inadvertently promote a form of advertising for new titles, which they find unappealing.
- “Sure, it would only take a few minutes to unlock them, but I wouldn't want to encourage this as a form of advertising new titles.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviews indicate a notable lack of depth in both the story and character development, suggesting that characters may feel one-dimensional and their arcs insufficiently explored.
- “There is a lack of depth in the story and character development.”
- “Character development feels shallow and uninspired.”
- “The characters lack meaningful growth throughout the game.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The optimization of the game has been criticized for inconsistent performance, with users reporting fluctuations that affect gameplay experience.
- “The performance for some reason was all over the place at times.”
- “The game struggles to maintain a consistent frame rate, leading to a frustrating experience.”
- “I encountered frequent stuttering and lag, which made gameplay nearly unplayable.”

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4h Median play time

3h Average play time

2-4h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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