Project Mercury
- September 19, 2017
- Raxasoft Games
Get on SteamThe challenge is Project Mercury. The power is Raxasoft. Make your way on foot, on a hoverbike, up skyscrapers, and down bottomless pits, as you exterminate a threat of unknown origin!
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game successfully captures the nostalgic feel of classic retro games, reminiscent of titles like Contra and Mega Man.
- The soundtrack is engaging and fits well with the retro aesthetic, enhancing the overall experience.
- The gameplay offers a decent challenge, requiring players to learn enemy patterns and level layouts, which can be rewarding.
- Controls are often described as clunky and unresponsive, making platforming and combat frustrating.
- The game features poor level design with repetitive enemy placements and a lack of variety, leading to a monotonous experience.
- Checkpoints are infrequent, and the knockback mechanic can lead to cheap deaths, making the game feel unfair at times.
- gameplay57 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Project Mercury has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its retro-inspired mechanics and challenging difficulty reminiscent of classic NES titles. While some appreciate the nostalgic feel and solid level design, others criticize the janky controls, punishing gameplay, and the need for memorization, leading to frustration rather than enjoyment. Overall, the game is seen as a love letter to retro gaming, but it struggles with execution, resulting in a gameplay experience that can be both charming and aggravating.
“The gameplay really emulates well the feeling of playing retro games.”
“A short and enjoyable sidescrolling NES-like platformer with a great soundtrack, captivating visuals, and decent mechanics.”
“Controls are nice, the levels are fun, the small story that it gives is pretty interesting, the music is very well made, the look of it is very SNES, and the gameplay itself is very solid!”
“The worst part of Project Mercury is, unfortunately, the gameplay.”
“Stiff controls, punishing gameplay, a few weird inconsistencies, and 'you need to learn what happens in every inch of the level to complete it' make Project Mercury more frustrating than fun.”
“Gameplay is boring and repetitive as it requires you to stand on a platform and shoot enemies until they're dead.”
- music47 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its catchy, nostalgic 8-bit style that evokes classic NES tunes. However, some players find it repetitive and lacking in variety, while others appreciate its fittingness for the genre despite its dated feel. Overall, while the soundtrack is often highlighted as a strong point, opinions vary on its execution and memorability.
“The soundtrack is simply great if you're into NES-style tunes.”
“The music is catchy.”
“With the retro style of visuals and music, on top of the great controls and enemies, it's a great time and very addicting.”
“The music is quite grating, heavily repetitive and very inspired, but ultimately lacking.”
“It's a short frustrating game, with no memorable bosses, music, or graphics.”
“This music is basic and bad.”
- graphics39 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game evoke a retro aesthetic reminiscent of early NES and ZX Spectrum titles, with opinions divided on their execution. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and simplicity, others criticize the visuals as bland, uninspired, and lacking detail. Overall, the graphics are seen as a mixed bag, appealing to fans of retro styles but failing to impress those seeking more creativity and depth.
“It certainly has a charming retro aesthetic, and I'd recommend playing it with a controller, as old style as possible.”
“The graphics in Project Mercury are fantastic.”
“One positive thing I have to say about this game is that I think they managed to capture NES-era aesthetics pretty well, both in graphic and sound design.”
“The art style is too simple to be pretty to look at; I would call it bland and uninspired.”
“The graphics are very bland, similar to ZX Spectrum, but with no creativity.”
“Both graphics and gameplay are sub-par even when held to the standards of games from ZX Spectrum and other 8-bit machines.”
- story29 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The story of "Project Mercury" is generally viewed as simplistic and lacking depth, serving primarily as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a central focus. While some players find the premise intriguing, involving a female commando investigating missing soldiers, many feel that the narrative does not significantly enhance the overall experience. Overall, the game is criticized for its minimal storytelling, with players expressing a desire for more engaging content and replay value.
“The story of Project Mercury is that you're a female (android?) commando who's been charged with investigating the disappearances of the missing 4 commandos before you.”
“The story was extremely satisfying to boot.”
“Controls are nice, the levels are fun, the small story that it gives is pretty interesting, the music is very well made, the look of it is very SNES, and the gameplay itself is very solid!”
“This game has no story.”
“The story is tremendously simple.”
“There is a basic story in Project Mercury, but it serves as background rather than being a major focus.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game is considered to have high replayability, particularly due to its minimalistic design and engaging gameplay mechanics. With eight levels that can be played in various orders and the opportunity to earn upgrades, players are encouraged to revisit the game for a fresh experience.
“Infinitely replayable (or almost).”
“If a game is going to go for minimal/retro graphics and game mechanics, it better play like a champ and have lots of replay value, because otherwise it doesn't have much else to fall back on.”
“There are 8 levels, levels 2-5 are playable in any order and offer upgrades as you finish them which do help a good deal.”
“If a game is going to go for minimal/retro graphics and game mechanics, it better play like a damn champ and have lots of replay value, because otherwise it doesn't have much else to fall back on.”
“There are 8 levels, but the gameplay feels repetitive after the first few, making it hard to find motivation to replay them.”
“Once you've completed the game, there isn't much incentive to go back, as the lack of variety in gameplay makes replaying feel tedious.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is negatively impacted by frustrating hitbox mechanics, leading to feelings of unfairness and annoyance during combat, particularly in boss fights.
