POLYBIUS

78%
Game Brain Score Based on 213 reviews
  • music
  • graphics
  • gameplay
POLYBIUS Game Cover
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"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.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Virtual Reality
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​Station VR
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

78%
Audience ScoreBased on 213 reviews
music21 positive mentions
optimization1 negative mentions
  • Polybius offers a unique and immersive experience, especially in VR, with its fast-paced gameplay and vibrant visuals that create a psychedelic atmosphere.
  • The soundtrack is highly praised, enhancing the overall experience and making it a joy to play.
  • The game is addictive and provides a sense of flow, allowing players to get lost in the action while enjoying the colorful graphics and engaging mechanics.
  • The game can be overwhelming and confusing at times, with a steep difficulty curve that may frustrate some players, especially during certain levels that require precise movements.
  • There are technical issues reported, particularly with VR support, including problems with controls and performance that can detract from the experience.
  • The lack of clear instructions or tutorials can leave players unsure of the mechanics, making it difficult to progress without trial and error.
  • music44 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its integration with the gameplay and its ability to enhance the overall experience. The soundtrack features a mix of light techno and electronica, creating a therapeutic and immersive atmosphere that complements the vibrant visuals. While some players noted a limited number of tracks, the quality and impact of the music remain a standout feature, making it a memorable aspect of the game.

    • “Just like Tempest 2000, Polybius has a soundtrack that is one with the game.”
    • “The music in Polybius is beyond awesome, easily worth $30 on its own: let's just pretend you get the game for free while paying for the music ;-)”
    • “The soundtrack is simply intoxicating.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics30 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their psychedelic and colorful aesthetics, featuring mind-bending visuals that create an immersive experience. Players appreciate the combination of vibrant landscapes, smooth animations, and retro-inspired designs, which enhance the overall gameplay. However, the flashy graphics may be overwhelming for some, particularly those sensitive to visual stimuli.

    • “Graphics are fantastic, with colorful landscapes and pixel explosions galore.”
    • “Utterly mesmerizing visuals, sound, and gameplay.”
    • “Mind-blowing visuals and a great soundtrack on top of a simple-to-learn tunnel shooter.”
    • “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.”
    • “Beyond the fancy display options, the game is your typical Llamasoft fare: trippy visuals for a simple arcade-style game.”
  • gameplay25 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its fast-paced, thrilling experience that combines simple mechanics with a visually stimulating environment and an engaging soundtrack. While some players find it light on traditional gameplay elements, the challenge of mastering its mechanics and the addictive nature of the action keep them coming back. Overall, it offers a unique blend of excitement and frustration, inviting players to immerse themselves in its chaotic yet compelling gameplay.

    • “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'm probably never going to finish it, but the music, visuals, and gameplay (even if it's a bit too hard for us non-VR plebeians) keep me coming back to it.”
    • “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.”
  • story5 mentions

    The story aspect of the game is inspired by the classic Tempest, with connections to the visionary experiences often associated with Llamasoft's creations. Players express a desire for a native Oculus Quest version to fully immerse themselves in this narrative, which evokes a sense of expanded consciousness and exploration. Overall, the storytelling resonates with themes of inspiration and the potential for transformative experiences in virtual reality.

    • “Tempest was one of the games that inspired the Polybius story, so perfect for Jeff Minter and Llamasoft, creators of Tempest 2000 and TXK, to work on an 'official' version.”
    • “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.”
  • humor2 mentions

    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.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players note that Polybius offers enhanced replayability at 120Hz due to reduced input latency, making the gameplay experience more engaging compared to 60Hz.

  • optimization1 mentions

    Reviewers note that while the optimization techniques used for older 8-bit machines were impressive, they do not translate well to modern systems, leading to 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.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    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 game's atmosphere is immersive, drawing you into its world.”
    • “Every detail contributes to a captivating atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Reviews suggest that the stability of the game is comparable to titles like "Race the Sun," "Torus Trooper," and "Buggy Boy," indicating a solid performance with minimal technical issues. Players generally experience smooth gameplay, contributing to an enjoyable overall 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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

90% average critic score

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