POLYBIUS

About

"POLYBIUS" is an exhilarating single-player Arcade game with great gameplay, graphics, and a fabulous soundtrack. It offers 50 levels of trance shooting action, playable on a screen or in VR, and is designed to quickly bring you to a euphoric flow state. Pick up powerups, avoid obstacles, and test your limits with boost gates and stratospheric speeds, all while listening to a blistering soundtrack. The game is perfect for those seeking a thrilling and immersive experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 225 reviews

music24 positive mentions

optimization1 negative mentions

Polybius offers a unique and immersive VR experience that combines fast-paced gameplay with stunning psychedelic visuals and an excellent soundtrack.
The game is highly addictive and provides a sense of flow, making it easy to lose track of time while playing.
Fans of retro arcade games will appreciate the homage to classic titles, with engaging mechanics and a variety of levels that keep the gameplay fresh.

The game can be overwhelming due to its intense visuals and fast pace, which may not be suitable for players with sensitivity to motion or flashing lights.
Some players have reported issues with control mapping and VR functionality, making it difficult to start the game or play effectively without a gamepad.
The difficulty spikes in certain levels, particularly those requiring precise jumps, can lead to frustration and may deter some players from progressing.

music
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
43%
6%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its retro-inspired, techno-infused soundtrack that perfectly complements the fast-paced gameplay and vibrant visuals. Players describe the soundtrack as immersive and addictive, often enhancing the overall experience to the point where they pause to enjoy it. While some note minor issues with track transitions, the consensus is that the music is a standout feature, rivaling classic titles like Tempest 2000 and elevating the game's appeal.
- “The run from goal to goal, coupled with an incredible retro-style arcade soundtrack, is so much fun - it's so awesome!”
- “The soundtrack is absolutely fabulous and it is the first time I find myself taking a pause in between levels just to listen to the music with closed eyes, re-center myself for a moment, open my eyes and tell myself 'ok let's go back in.'”
- “One of the trippiest experiences I've ever had, fantastic soundtrack, smooth gameplay, the works.”
- “I'll say this, bring your own soundtrack because, per the norm, Mr. Minter includes only three tracks. Fortunately, you can adjust sound volume from the pause menu with the D-pad.”
- “There's an issue with the soundtrack on a few stages where it just goes silent; maybe the tracks need to be crossfaded deeper to keep the immersion going.”
- “It has an okay soundtrack that's very fitting to the atmosphere.”
graphics
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
61%
9%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning, psychedelic visuals and vibrant color palettes, creating an immersive and unique aesthetic experience. Players appreciate the combination of beautiful vector-inspired designs and dynamic backgrounds, which enhance the fast-paced gameplay. However, the flashy visuals may pose a risk for those sensitive to such effects, particularly individuals with epilepsy.
- “The visuals are gorgeous.”
- “Graphics are fantastic, with colorful landscapes and pixel explosions galore.”
- “Utterly mesmerizing visuals, sound, and gameplay.”
- “A mindless, color-saturated arcade shooter with epilepsy-inducing hallucinatory visuals.”
- “I've loved Llamasoft games since the '80s, and am a fan of 'rave in the world of Tron' visuals in reflex games, so this should've been right up my alley, but it managed to fail on just about every level.”
- “Graphically, the game is simple, yet at the same time anything but.”
gameplay
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
52%
11%
The gameplay is characterized by its fast-paced, psychedelic action that combines simple mechanics with a thrilling experience, enhanced by excellent music and visuals. While some players find the game light on traditional gameplay elements and occasionally frustrating due to unclear mechanics, many appreciate the addictive nature and the challenge of mastering its levels. Overall, it offers a compelling blend of excitement and innovation, making it a standout in arcade-style gaming.
- “Hot music, classic Williams/Midway sound effects, fast, smooth visuals, and heart-pounding gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is as fast as it is simple: things will happen, and they'll happen at a pace just fast enough that you almost (but don't quite) have the chance to process them.”
- “Lovely difficulty curve, varied levels (within the theme) and compelling score attack action with a great risk-reward mechanic.”
- “I've heard others say this is light on gameplay, which it sorta is, but there's definitely a thrill trying to hit the gates at full speed with all this madness going on.”
- “Keep in mind, new mechanics are thrown in that you haven't seen in previous levels and that aren't explained.”
- “Not all the game mechanics are obvious; power-ups are still a bit of a mystery to me. It might flash a text across the screen about what has just happened, but you are concentrating so hard you can't look away from the action.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The story of the game is praised for its modern interpretation of arcade mythology, drawing inspiration from classics like Tempest and Polybius. Players appreciate how it expands on the original narrative while offering a unique and immersive experience, particularly in VR. Overall, the narrative is seen as a compelling blend of nostalgia and innovation.
- “Tempest was one of the games that inspired the Polybius story, so it's perfect for Jeff Minter and Llamasoft, creators of Tempest 2000 and TXK, to work on an 'official' version.”
- “Hate to sound cliché, but you know how when you've had a vision quest experience that opens your mind to all the possibilities of reality.”
- “Hate to sound cliche, but you know how when you've had a vision quest experience that opens your mind to all the possibilities of reality.”
- “I love how it is a modern take on the arcade myth; it brings so much to the table and still has ties to the original story.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features the signature irreverent humor that fans of Llamasoft have come to love since the C-64 era, complemented by good music and visuals. However, some players feel that despite the humor, the overall gameplay experience falls short of being enjoyable.
- “The trademark Minter humor and irreverence abounds throughout.”
- “The music is good, the visuals are great, and it has the humor that's made me a Llamasoft fan since the C-64 days.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players note that Polybius offers enhanced replayability at 120Hz due to reduced input latency, making the gameplay experience more engaging compared to 60Hz.
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers note that while the optimization techniques used for older 8-bit machines were impressive, they do not translate well to modern systems, resulting in performance issues.
- “Their hacks to get maximum performance from the old 8-bit machines were brilliant, but that coding style doesn't seem to suit modern systems.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
The atmosphere is generally well-received, with an appropriate soundtrack that complements the overall experience, though it may not stand out as exceptional.
- “The soundtrack is fitting and enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.”
- “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the game's world.”
- “Every detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
- “The atmosphere feels bland and uninspired, lacking any real depth.”
- “Despite the decent soundtrack, the overall ambiance fails to engage or immerse the player.”
- “The game’s environment is dull and lifeless, making it hard to feel any connection to the world.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviews indicate that the stability of the game is comparable to titles like "Race the Sun," "Torus Trooper," and "Buggy Boy," suggesting a solid performance with minimal technical issues. Players generally experience smooth gameplay without significant crashes or glitches, contributing to an overall positive gaming experience.
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
- “I experienced constant lag and frame drops, which ruined the overall experience.”
- “There are too many bugs that disrupt gameplay, leading to frustrating moments.”