PopSlinger

50%
Game Brain Score Based on 19 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • graphics
PopSlinger Game Cover
PopSlinger is an old-school-inspired title that is tough as hell. The brutal mechanics will test your patience and your skills. Additionally, the random nature of each monster spawn will drive you insane. However, the excellent 80s music and the random storyline offer a glint of hope. + Vivid imagery. + Fun audio. + An interesting concept. - It is too difficult. - Wayward controls. - Odd hitboxes. - It doesn't fulfil its potential. (Rating: PEGI 3 Release date: 29/02/2024 Price: £10.49) (Reviewed on the Xbox Series X. Also available on Xbox One, PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5) (Full disclosure! This review is based on a copy of the game being provided by the publisher/developer.)
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PopSlinger is a vibrant, narrative-focused musical shooter inspired by ‘80s and ‘90s New Retro culture. Join Ria Carbon, a funky heroine on a stylish quest to save the world from sinister invaders from another dimension using soda-powered guns. Backing Ria up is former PopSlinger heroine, Gin! Experience the whimsical story of Ria and Gin as they fight against the "Corazones", people whose hearts …

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

50%
Audience ScoreBased on 19 reviews
music8 positive mentions
stability1 negative mentions
  • The game features stunning visuals and a vibrant art style that captures the essence of 90's Japanese animation.
  • The soundtrack is exceptional, with many players praising it as one of the best aspects of the game.
  • The game offers a unique blend of beat 'em up and puzzle mechanics, providing a fun and challenging experience for players.
  • The gameplay mechanics, particularly the color-matching system, can be frustrating and unintuitive, leading to a steep learning curve.
  • The camera is often too zoomed in, making it difficult to navigate and react to off-screen enemies, which can lead to unfair hits.
  • The options menu is lacking, with no ability to adjust the game's resolution or switch to fullscreen mode, resulting in a poor initial experience for some players.
  • music19 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its exceptional quality and dynamic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the charming aesthetic and the integration of music with gameplay, particularly noting the engaging future funk genre. However, some critiques mention a lack of polish in sound effects and dialogue clarity, which can detract from the enjoyment of the music.

    • “The soundtrack alone makes this game a 10/10.”
    • “Very fun game, runs perfect on PC, a must for future funk music fans, and quite the challenge but it has a lot of mechanics to tackle them.”
    • “Dynamic soundtrack, fully-voiced cutscenes!”
    • “Charming and with a banging OST but lacks polish in the sound department for dialogue and general sound effects as well as clarity in buttons and controls.”
    • “Why does getting hit even once remove your combo and even subtract a beat from the song that you will probably never recover if you decide to not restart the level?”
    • “A music album with a video game! Since after all, I purchased the complete package.”
  • gameplay17 mentions

    The gameplay of Popslinger has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the match-4 mechanic and the challenge it presents, particularly when combined with the game's music. However, many find the gameplay lacking due to a frustrating color-matching system and upgrades that complicate the main mechanics, detracting from the overall enjoyment. While the aesthetic and musical elements are praised, the gameplay often feels overly demanding and can hinder the player's ability to fully engage with the experience.

    • “The gameplay does get more fun with more popslingers, so don't knock the start for the somewhat weak orange weapon.”
    • “Es un juego hermoso estéticamente y musicalmente, en cuanto a gameplay se disfruta mucho ya que el desafío de las progresiones de color y el cambio en los tracks de la música son geniales por cumplir para escuchar en todo su esplendor la música del nivel.”
    • “The match-4 main mechanic is indeed a great idea, and using your arsenal at your disposal to try and snatch more monsters to get the combo in less than 4 orange-pistol shots felt rewarding, especially when you finally get into dream time.”
    • “But to be honest, it was the whole color-matching mechanic that broke the experience for me.”
    • “I think it looks great, I really like its style, I liked the characters and the music is super good, but the gameplay sucks.”
    • “This game was a bit disappointing because it looks really nice, but I just think the gameplay is a bit lacking.”
  • graphics6 mentions

    The graphics of the game are highly praised for their vibrant aesthetics and appealing art style, which many reviewers consider the strongest aspect of the presentation. The visuals, along with the music and dialogue, contribute to an engaging overall experience, although some players feel the game targets a specific demographic that may not resonate with everyone.

    • “I do love the visuals, music, dialogue, everything related to the presentation.”
    • “Has a really nice aesthetic and is very vibrant and nice to look at.”
    • “The aesthetics are without a doubt its strongest selling point.”
    • “The game clearly has a target demographic; I am not part of it.”
  • story3 mentions

    The story features a whimsical narrative centered around a magical girl named Ria, with users expressing curiosity about potentially missing key plot elements tied to different ranked endings. Overall, the characters and storyline are engaging, contributing to a dreamy and immersive experience.

    • “The story and characters are incredibly engaging, making you feel invested in their journeys.”
    • “The narrative is beautifully crafted, with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.”
    • “Now that I think about it, did I miss pieces of the story just because I didn't get the other ranked endings?”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional response to the game is largely negative, as players express frustration over unfair mechanics, such as off-screen enemy attacks and an oversized hitbox, which lead to feelings of helplessness and anger. This design choice detracts from the overall enjoyment and immersion, leaving players feeling overwhelmed and defeated.

  • stability1 mentions

    Users report significant stability issues, with one reviewer expressing frustration over unsuccessful troubleshooting efforts, leading to a negative first impression. There are doubts about whether the experience would improve on consoles.

    • “I spent all day trying to troubleshoot it, but I haven't had any luck. Because of this issue, I cannot recommend it. Maybe it's better on consoles, but I don't think it will have a good chance. It left me with a very bad first impression.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by entertaining boss encounters and the amusing interactions between characters, particularly the dynamic between Gin and Ria, which adds a lighthearted touch to the overall experience.

    • “Great bosses and funny characters! The interactions between Gin and Ria are so much fun!”
    • “The humor in this game is top-notch, with witty dialogue and hilarious situations that keep you laughing.”
    • “I love how the game balances its serious moments with lighthearted humor, making every encounter enjoyable.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Reviewers appreciate the character designs for their memorability and uniqueness, indicating that the visual aspects contribute positively to the overall character development in the game.

    • “I also really like the character designs; they are memorable and truly unique.”
    • “The character development in this game is incredibly deep, allowing players to form genuine connections with each character.”
    • “I appreciate how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

56% average critic score

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