Progressbar95

About

"Progressbar95" is a humorous single-player arcade game with a nostalgic 90's aesthetic. Experience simple yet addictive gameplay through various mini-games, puzzles, and creative modes. Unlock systems, discover secrets, and customize your PC, while taking care of a digital pet and exploring the old internet. The game is filled with bugs and jokes, providing a fun and entertaining experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,122 reviews

gameplay17 positive mentions

grinding35 negative mentions

The game captures the nostalgia of old operating systems, providing a fun and engaging experience for those who grew up with them.
The gameplay is simple yet addictive, with a variety of mini-games and challenges that keep players entertained.
The attention to detail and humor in the game, including references to classic software and hardware, adds to its charm.

The game can become grindy and repetitive, requiring players to complete the same tasks multiple times to progress.
There are bugs and performance issues, particularly on certain systems, which can detract from the overall experience.
Some players may find the gameplay too simplistic or lacking depth, especially if they are looking for a more complex gaming experience.

gameplay
95 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
76%
6%
The gameplay of the game is characterized as easy to learn but challenging to master, offering a mix of simple mechanics and a variety of mini-games that keep it engaging. While some players find it repetitive and grind-heavy, many appreciate the nostalgic aesthetic and the rewarding progression system that unlocks new features. Overall, it provides a casual yet addictive experience, appealing particularly to vintage computer enthusiasts.
- “Gameplay-wise, it's a pretty easy to learn, kind of hard to master game you can play for hours or just minutes at a time.”
- “While the core gameplay loop really only consists of that, it's the way that the game plays around with that idea in interesting and unique ways.”
- “The gameplay loop is enjoyable time and time again; there are all kinds of different modes too, including a minesweeper mode which I really like.”
- “I'm giving it a thumbs up for the aesthetic and effort alone, because the gameplay itself was not fun at all.”
- “However, the gameplay doesn't hold up much.”
- “While the game is charming without a doubt, the gameplay is abysmal and it manages to kill the overall experience.”
graphics
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
59%
4%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their nostalgic aesthetic, effectively capturing the look and feel of vintage operating systems like Windows and macOS. Players appreciate the attention to detail, from pixelated graphics to iconic sound effects, which evoke fond memories of early computing experiences. While some users noted occasional graphical glitches, the overall visual presentation is considered a highlight, enhancing the enjoyment of the gameplay.
- “The attention to detail is impeccable, from the pixelated graphics and iconic sound effects to the familiar user interface elements.”
- “The game looks and sounds awesome, and matches the aesthetics of the original Windows and Mac operating systems quite well, and is very nostalgic.”
- “The aesthetic is great, it nails the retro Windows feel in the first few operating systems you get, and sticks just as well to the modern feels as the game progresses.”
- “Screen was flashing graphical parts of the game so bad that it locked up my whole computer!”
- “I have too many problems with this game that aren't fixable (graphical glitches, crashing at startup)”
- “Every time I tried to run it so far it caused my MacBook Pro to crash, it did the Mac equivalent of a blue screen, and it even messed with all the visuals on my desktop like it was a virus.”
grinding
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
22%
76%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for becoming excessively tedious and repetitive, often requiring players to engage in the same minigames hundreds of times for minimal rewards, primarily cosmetic upgrades. While some players find it a decent way to pass the time, many express frustration with the lack of engaging content and the overwhelming grind that diminishes enjoyment after a short period. Overall, the consensus is that while the game can be fun initially, it quickly devolves into a grind that may deter long-term play.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The problem with this game is that it is full of bugs, but the most annoying part is that sometimes the pellets (or whatever they are called) just go through the bar without it actually being collected, especially on the later versions. Not to mention some of the achievements are far too tedious to go through.”
- “It becomes way too grindy way too fast, which is a problem when none of the game modes are fun for more than 9-15 minutes, and all that you ever unlock is cosmetics.”
- “The fun will wear off from this game after about an hour and a half, leaving you with nearly a full 24 hours' worth of just grinding the same minigame over and over again.”
story
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
66%
29%
The reviews indicate a general consensus that the game lacks a meaningful story, with many users stating there is "no story" or only a minimal narrative presence. A few comments suggest that while there are elements of a story, they are overshadowed by repetitive gameplay mechanics, leading to a lack of engagement with the narrative. Overall, the story aspect is seen as weak or non-existent.
- “Moral of the story, you never know what life holds in store for you, and if I would have given up when all the odds were stacked against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
- “A dreadfully horror and story-rich game, expand your computer's capabilities and complete progress bars!”
- “It kinda has a story but whatever”
- “I tried to like it, but the fetch quest mechanics of the game just drags on way too long.”
- “story?”
humor
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players praising its clever references to old operating systems like Windows 95 and MacOS X, as well as its quirky writing and amusing mini-games. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to blend nostalgia with humor, creating a chaotic yet entertaining experience filled with funny events and achievements. Overall, the game's comedic elements are well-received, making it a recommended choice for fans of retro gaming and lighthearted fun.
- “You can tell the dev put a lot of work into replicating the feel while also adding lots of humor everywhere.”
- “One of the standout features of progressbar95 is its quirky sense of humor.”
- “I enjoy the humor of this game as well as managing how chaotic later levels become when you're dodging a rain of error blocks while system32 attacks you and fills up half the screen.”
music
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
39%
17%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its retro-inspired soundtrack, which enhances the immersive atmosphere and complements the game's aesthetic. Players describe the music as chill and enjoyable, with many expressing a desire for a larger selection of tracks. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's appeal.
- “The retro-inspired music perfectly complements the game's aesthetic, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall enjoyment.”
- “And don't get me started on the music, it's very chill and incredible.”
- “I would really like if it had more songs that you can choose from the music player.”
- “I relaxed for 5 minutes to this music long enough to realize that I was going to be okay.”
- “The soundtrack deserves special mention as well.”
stability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
92%
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with users reporting significant issues such as crashes, graphical glitches, and problems launching on macOS due to incorrect signing. While some players appreciate the aesthetic and humor, many express frustration over persistent bugs that detract from the overall experience, including UI issues and freezing during gameplay. Overall, the game shows potential but suffers from stability problems that need addressing.
- “The game runs smoothly on Windows, providing a stable experience overall.”
- “Despite some issues on macOS, the game performs reliably on other platforms.”
- “The developers are working on improving stability, which shows their commitment to a better gaming experience.”
- “I have too many problems with this game that aren't fixable (graphical glitches, crashing at startup).”
- “Game freezes after reaching 100 percent in tutorial; I completed it but all I could do is move my mouse around.”
- “This is in addition to several UI bugs and glitches, and trying to exit out nearly crashed my system.”
monetization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
17%
58%
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively in its PC version, which is a paid title at $4.99 and free from ads and microtransactions, offering a superior experience compared to the mobile version that relies heavily on ads and in-app purchases. While some users appreciate the lack of required microtransactions on PC, they still criticize the mobile version for its aggressive monetization tactics. Overall, players find the PC version worth the price for a smoother and more immersive gameplay experience.
- “Played almost all in mobile, very cool to see it here with no microtransactions.”
- “Fun game to pass the time, much better than the mobile version since there are no ads or in-app purchases.”
- “Especially this, PC version, as it doesn't have any microtransactions.”
- “It is extremely bad, though, compared to this, as it is filled with ads, has a paywall, and is literally a game about PCs (playing this game with a mouse makes so much more sense).”
- “It's not nearly as bad as other mobile games due to the microtransactions not being required to get quite far in the game, but it's still a bad business practice.”
- “The mobile version is free with ads and microtransactions while the game on Steam is listed with a $4.99 price tag.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The game faces performance issues on the Steam Deck, despite being labeled "verified," with users noting that the PC version runs better. Players have experienced glitches, such as the progress bar not unlocking and occasional slowdowns, although these can be mitigated by turning off shaders. Overall, while there are minor optimization concerns, they do not significantly detract from the experience.
- “There are some glitches, like the one with Progressbar 2 not unlocking when it should, and occasional slowdown. Turning off the shader can improve performance, and while I'm not sure if the dead pixels (not actual dead pixels, just an in-game thing to click on for more points) actually appear, they're fairly minor.”
- “However, I mostly wanted to review it because, while I do recommend it overall, it runs into performance issues playing via Proton on Steam Deck, despite the 'verified' label, so I want to let fellow Steam Deck players know.”
- “Performance-wise, the PC version is better.”
- “There are some glitches, like the one with Progress Bar 2 not unlocking when it should, and occasional slowdown (turn off the shader for better performance).”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players consistently highlight the game's high replayability, noting that it offers significant value for those seeking a compact experience with numerous opportunities for repeated play.
- “This is a great game if you want a small game that has tons of replay value.”
- “This game has a lot of replayability.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game's retro-inspired music significantly enhances its aesthetic, contributing to an immersive atmosphere that elevates the overall enjoyment for players.
- “The retro-inspired music perfectly complements the game's aesthetic, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall enjoyment.”
- “The haunting visuals and ambient sounds draw you into a world that feels both nostalgic and fresh, making every moment feel significant.”
- “The atmospheric design is so well-crafted that it feels like you're stepping into a living painting, where every detail contributes to the overall experience.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game resonates strongly with older players, evoking nostalgia through humorous references to classic computer and hardware names, creating a sense of wholesome fun that appeals to long-time fans of the genre.