Planes, Bullets and Vodka

About

Planes, Bullets and Vodka is a single player casual shooter game. It was developed by NukGames and was released on December 13, 2016. It received positive reviews from players.

Planes, Bullets and Vodka, is a retro infinite shmup with randomly generated elements. Grab your manche with your right hand, your vodka with your left hand and kill everything in front of you!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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88%

Audience ScoreBased on 851 reviews

gameplay23 positive mentions

story6 negative mentions

Addictive and fast-paced arcade shooter gameplay that is easy to pick up and satisfying to play.
Strong retro arcade aesthetic and music soundtrack that many players enjoyed and found fitting.
Affordable price point that offers good value for a short but fun experience, with easy achievements and trading cards. Suitable for quick gaming sessions and nostalgia fans.

Repetitive and shallow gameplay with limited variety, which can become boring after short playtime.
Visuals and color scheme are harsh and can cause eye strain or discomfort for some players.
Lack of deep progression, content, or multiplayer features limits replayability; some technical issues and clunky controls reported especially with controller support.

gameplay
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
62%
7%
The gameplay is simple, fast-paced, and easy to pick up, featuring straightforward shoot-'em-up mechanics with tight controls and a charming, retro arcade style. While many find the core loop addictive and enjoyable for quick sessions, others critique it as repetitive, shallow, and lacking depth or variety in maps and features. Overall, it appeals to those seeking uncomplicated, action-packed fun rather than complex or story-driven experiences.
- “Some maps could use more variety, but the core gameplay is fun and keeps me coming back.”
- “You're a drunk plane in a bullet hell, and the ridiculous premise is executed with charm and solid gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is both challenging and accessible, blending smooth controls with strategic weapon upgrades and diverse enemy patterns. The roguelike elements ensure that no two runs are the same, keeping the gameplay loop fresh and addictive.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive and shallow.”
- “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.”
graphics
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
77%
9%
The game's graphics are simple, retro pixel art with a clear and functional design that fits its arcade-style gameplay, though many find them basic, unpolished, and visually straining compared to modern indie titles. While the aesthetic captures a nostalgic charm and complements the fast-paced action, it lacks ambition and can feel monotonous or outdated for some players. Overall, the visuals are sufficient for the game's price and purpose but unlikely to impress those seeking high-end or distinctive graphics.
- “Planes, bullets and vodka is a fast-paced, top-down shooter that delivers exactly what the title promises: nonstop action, retro-styled pixel graphics, and a soundtrack that keeps your adrenaline up.”
- “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.”
- “I really enjoyed the aesthetic; the contrast made it perfectly clear where you and your enemies are, which fixes a big problem I have with shoot'em ups in that I constantly lose myself in the hail of bullets.”
- “The graphics feel unfinished and lack polish, especially when compared to modern indie games that do much more with far less.”
- “Graphics in the game is the simplest, and at the same time quite acidic, from which after a short time the eyes get very tired.”
- “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 80’s.”
music
57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
41%
5%
The game's soundtrack is widely praised for its energetic, retro-inspired electronic and synthwave music that perfectly complements the fast-paced, frenetic gameplay, often enhancing immersion and adrenaline. While some find it catchy and a standout feature—offered even as a free DLC—others note it can be repetitive or less memorable, but overall, the music is considered a strong positive that contributes significantly to the game's identity and enjoyment.
- “The soundtrack does more heavy lifting in giving the game its identity, with pounding electronic tracks that fuel the frantic pace.”
- “Planes, bullets and vodka is a fast-paced roguelike shooter that brilliantly combines intense aerial combat with stylish visuals and a killer soundtrack.”
- “The soundtrack perfectly complements the frenetic pace, combining driving beats and catchy tunes that keep adrenaline high from start to finish.”
- “The soundtrack is rather strange, which is not catchy or memorable, just something playing in the background.”
- “Very basic 'side'-scroller, the bullets make a lot of noise, but you can turn that obviously off, the music however is also not very interesting.”
- “It has an easy gameplay, music is kind of repetitive and graphics are old but they don't matter much for the game.”
story
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
57%
29%
The game features no traditional story or character development, focusing purely on fast-paced, action-packed shooting gameplay. Players are dropped into chaotic battles without narrative or progression elements, appealing mainly to those seeking adrenaline-fueled, straightforward arcade fun.
- “You play as a pilot who loves vodka (he drinks it before every mission) on a mission to destroy as many enemy planes as possible.”
- “It strips away any semblance of story or elaborate progression systems, focusing entirely on the purity of dodging, shooting, and chasing high scores.”
- “The game doesn’t waste time with story or fluff — it drops you right into chaotic battles where dodging bullets and shooting back is all that matters.”
- “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 games from the 80’s.”
- “There is no story, visuals are monotonous.”
- “Lack of depth in story and character development.”
grinding
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
Grinding in the game is chiefly tied to achievement farming, with several achievements requiring extensive and repetitive tasks, such as killing 10,000 enemies. This results in a tedious and sometimes boring experience that may diminish player interest before completion. While the game is otherwise easy, the grind-heavy achievements are a notable downside.
- “There are some achievements that anyone can unlock, except one that requires killing 10,000 enemies in total, which demands significant grinding and lots of patience.”
- “Your eyes might melt a little after a couple of hours of grinding 10,000 kills, so be prepared.”
- “The game is very easy but too grindy and boring.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
88%
13%
The game's humor is generally well-received, praised for its absurd, old-fashioned, and quirky style that adds unpredictability and fun to the gameplay. However, opinions vary slightly, with some finding it less funny. Overall, the humor contributes positively to the game's charm and enjoyment.
- “The mix of fast-paced shooting and absurd humor makes every match feel unpredictable.”
- “Exploding planes never looked this funny.”
- “It was a fun game, very funny and old-fashioned in a good way!”
- “Not funny.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The game offers some replayability through procedurally generated tunnel layouts, providing varied short sessions. However, many users find the overall replay value limited due to its simplicity, short length, and inconsistent difficulty. It is recommended primarily as a sale purchase rather than for extensive replay.
- “Very short sessions but insanely replayable.”
- “Because the tunnel layouts are procedurally generated, no two sessions feel exactly the same, giving the game replayability despite its simplicity.”
- “Get it on sale for sure, not a colossal amount of replayability.”
- “Wish it had more replay value.”
- “That said, it’s a bit too simple for my taste and doesn’t have a ton of replayability.”
- “Shockingly short, sometimes very easy other times hard, odd hit detection and little replayability due to its length.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The game's optimization is inconsistent, with some users experiencing smooth performance while others report fluctuating and unreliable frame rates despite clear visuals.
- “The visuals are basic but clear, and the performance is smooth.”
- “The performance for some reason was all over the place sometimes.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The atmosphere is widely praised for its nostalgic, retro stylization and engaging vibe, enhanced by a fitting soundtrack and challenging gameplay. It effectively evokes the classic shoot ‘em up feel while creating a distinctive mood, though some note a differing thematic tone compared to similar titles.
- “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.”
- “Loved the atmosphere and vibe.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users found the game to evoke strong emotional responses, including moments of regret and tension, but felt it lacked deeper emotional storytelling and lasting impact despite its intense and thrilling gameplay.
- “I cried over my own bad decisions.”
- “Emotional impact and engagement.”
- “Touching the void will damage you and entering the void will kill you.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization is quick to unlock content within minutes, but users feel this approach may not be appropriate for promoting new titles.
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users feel that the game lacks depth in both its story and character development, resulting in underdeveloped and unengaging characters.
- “Lack of depth in story and character development”