Planes, Bullets and Vodka

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 508 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Planes, Bullets and Vodka Game Cover
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"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.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 508 reviews
gameplay12 positive mentions
story5 negative mentions
  • Fun and simple gameplay reminiscent of classic arcade shooters.
  • Great for achievement farming and collecting trading cards.
  • Good value for its low price, providing a decent amount of entertainment.
  • Repetitive gameplay that can become boring quickly.
  • Poor graphics and UI design that can strain the eyes.
  • Lack of depth and variety in gameplay mechanics, making it feel shallow.
  • gameplay45 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its simple and addictive mechanics, focusing on survival and managing a multiplier system for kills, which appeals to fans of arcade shooters. While some players appreciate the nostalgic retro aesthetic and tight controls, others criticize the repetitive nature and lack of depth, such as missing story elements and upgrades. Overall, the game offers a fun yet basic experience, making it suitable for casual play, especially at a low price point.

    • “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 ragequitting out of frustration.”
    • “The mechanics are all very basic, the gameplay is boring and the art isn't great either.”
    • “But the gameplay loop is very bland.”
    • “The gameplay is boring too, all you do is hold ctrl and move around with arrows.”
  • graphics45 mentions

    The graphics of "planes, bullets and vodka" are generally described as simplistic and basic, with a nostalgic retro pixel art style that some find charming while others consider visually straining. While the game achieves its intended aesthetic, many reviewers note that the graphics lack vibrancy and can be jarring, with a color palette that often feels monotonous. Overall, the visuals are functional but do not elevate the gameplay experience, leading to mixed opinions on their quality.

    • “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.”
    • “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 and sound are basic, lacking the vibrant energy that made the classic shooters memorable.”
    • “While the retro pixel art style has its charm, reminiscent of the northern lights of howlstrom, the color scheme and design choices can be jarring.”
    • “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.”
  • music36 mentions

    The music in "Planes, Bullets and Vodka" has received widespread acclaim for its eclectic mix of electronic and synthwave styles, enhancing the game's retro aesthetic and fast-paced gameplay. Many players find the soundtrack catchy and atmospheric, contributing positively to the overall experience, although some note it can be repetitive. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, with some players even enjoying it enough to listen outside of the game.

    • “Planes, bullets and vodka is an exhilarating retro-style game that combines fast-paced aerial combat, catchy music, and a unique noir atmosphere.”
    • “The music is an eclectic mix of electronic and synthwave, with a distinctly retro feel that perfectly complements the game's visuals.”
    • “Awesome soundtrack that speeds up the rhythm as you kill more enemies.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “It has an easy gameplay, music is kind of repetitive and graphics are old but they don't matter much for the game.”
  • story14 mentions

    The game's story is largely criticized for its absence, with many reviewers noting that it lacks emotional depth, character development, and any meaningful narrative elements. While some appreciate the adrenaline rush of gameplay, the overall consensus is that the game feels more like a score-chasing arcade experience rather than a story-driven adventure.

    • “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.”
  • grinding12 mentions

    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 opportunity for achievement farming, many express that the grind can lead to boredom and frustration, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Last achievement is a little grindy.”
    • “There are some achievements that you can get, which I'm pretty sure anyone can unlock, except maybe for the one which 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.”
  • humor5 mentions

    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 didn't land at all.”
    • “I expected more laughs, but the humor was stale and uninspired.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    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.”
    • “But the main difference to Samoliotik is the lack of understanding of propaganda symbols, the atmosphere, and the play with it.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    While the game provides an adrenaline rush and engaging excitement, it falls short in delivering emotional depth and storytelling, which are essential for creating a truly memorable experience.

    • “The emotional impact and engagement of this 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.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game has limited replayability, primarily due to its short length and inconsistent difficulty levels, which detract from the overall experience. Players noted issues like odd hit detection that further diminish the incentive to replay.

    • “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.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    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 development1 mentions

    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.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the game has been criticized for inconsistent performance, with users reporting fluctuations that detract from the overall 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 severely impacted my enjoyment.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

4hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
4-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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