PulseCharge

About

PulseCharge is a single player platformer game. It was developed by Frozenmerk and was released on January 27, 2016. It received negative reviews from players.

"PulseCharge" is a thrilling action game where you play as Anju, the Icon of Hearts, with the power to turn enemy energy against them. Absorb attacks to charge up and dodge through intense levels filled with evil monsters and boss battles. With gamepad support, rebindable keys, and a soothing soundtrack, this DRM-free game offers a challenging platforming and speedrunning experience. Check out the developer's YouTube, Twitter, or Facebook for updates.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+11

Skip User Reviews

37%

Audience ScoreBased on 73 reviews

gameplay11 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

PulseCharge features a unique gameplay mechanic that allows players to absorb enemy attacks and use them to navigate levels, creating an innovative twist on traditional platforming.
The game boasts a vibrant, surreal art style that stands out in the indie platformer genre, offering a visually distinct experience.
The fast-paced gameplay encourages players to remain mobile and aggressive, providing an exhilarating sense of flow when executed well.

The game suffers from poor execution, with issues such as inconsistent hit detection, clunky controls, and a lack of polish that can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
Level design is often criticized for being bland and relying on trial-and-error rather than skillful play, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.
The absence of a narrative or deeper context leaves the game feeling hollow, and its minimal content may not provide enough replayability for players seeking a more substantial experience.

gameplay
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
50%
18%
The gameplay of "Pulsecharge" is centered around a unique mechanic that allows players to absorb enemy attacks to generate energy for movement and combat, creating a fast-paced and challenging experience. However, the game suffers from issues such as inconsistent hit detection, lack of polish, and minimal mechanical evolution, which can lead to frustration. While the core mechanics are innovative and engaging, the overall execution feels underwhelming, making it a mixed experience for players.
- “Developed and published by Frozenmerk Games, it takes a familiar genre—precision 2D platforming—and builds its entire personality around one distinctive mechanic: absorbing enemy attacks to generate energy, then using that stored power to move, attack, and overcome otherwise impossible obstacles.”
- “The gameplay is fast-paced, requiring precise maneuvers and quick reflexes.”
- “With its addictive gameplay and electrifying energy, Pulsecharge delivers an unforgettable gaming adventure.”
- “Because so many mechanics depend on precise timing and momentum, slight inconsistencies in hit detection or platform collision can lead to frustrating failures.”
- “There are no major upgrades, branching paths, unlockable characters, or additional gameplay layers to deepen long-term replayability.”
- “No tutorial, very poor mechanics, bad design, weak game concept.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The game's graphics feature a distinctive hand-drawn aesthetic that is intentionally raw and unconventional, leading to mixed reactions among players. While some appreciate the unique art direction and find it adds character, others criticize the visuals as inconsistent and poorly executed, with a few elements appearing hastily designed. Overall, the graphics are a polarizing aspect, with some players enjoying the psychedelic style while others find it visually unappealing.
- “The hand-drawn aesthetic is intentionally raw and unpolished, and while some players may find it visually noisy or unconventional, the distinctive art direction gives the game a recognizable identity within a crowded genre.”
- “The stunning visuals and immersive sound design create an adrenaline-fueled atmosphere.”
- “Art style is specific and not for everyone but is unique and well made.”
- “Graphics are like a psychedelic trip - not pleasant to look at.”
- “Graphic/visual is the weakest aspect of this game.”
- “While a few tiles/textures look okay, I feel the developer simply threw in a few random tiles that don't mix together, and some of you might even joke, 'graphic design is my passion.'”
music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
The music in the game features upbeat electronic rhythms that enhance the gameplay experience, promoting a dynamic and aggressive playstyle. While some players find the soundtrack soothing and atmospheric, others describe it as average, with mixed opinions on its overall impact. Overall, the music is catchy and complements the visuals, though it may not stand out as exceptional.
- “The soundtrack complements the visuals with upbeat electronic rhythms and energized loops that reinforce the game’s focus on flow.”
- “This design encourages players to remain mobile and aggressive rather than cautious, giving the platforming a kinetic, almost musical cadence.”
- “It's not the best OST ever, but it's relaxing and gives a good atmosphere to the game.”
- “Game music/sound effects are just 'so-so'.”
- “Add in stiff controls, lame level design, and odd music, and you have yourself a loser.”
- “Audio was limited but not grating in terms of effects, and the background music felt appropriately electronic and laidback to fit.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The game's story is largely absent, with minimal narrative context or worldbuilding, resulting in a focus on mechanics over character development and thematic depth. While there is a hint of a moral lesson about perseverance, the overall consensus is that the game lacks a meaningful story, earning a low rating.
- “Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
- “There’s little narrative context or worldbuilding to soften the sharp edges—Pulsecharge focuses almost exclusively on mechanics, leaving story, characters, and thematic motivation in the background.”
- “There is no story.”
- “But there could be a story.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game lacks significant upgrades, branching paths, unlockable characters, or additional gameplay elements, resulting in limited long-term replayability.
- “There are no major upgrades, branching paths, unlockable characters, or additional gameplay layers to deepen long-term replayability.”
- “Once you complete the game, there's little incentive to play through it again.”
- “The lack of varied endings or choices makes replaying feel redundant.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Pulsecharge features a unique absorption platforming mechanic, but it is hindered by sluggish performance and unclear controls, leading to a subpar optimization experience.
- “Pulsecharge offers unique absorption platforming but suffers from poor execution, sluggish performance, and unclear controls.”
- “The game's optimization is a mess, leading to frequent frame drops and long loading times that ruin the experience.”
- “Despite its interesting mechanics, the lack of proper optimization makes it nearly unplayable on lower-end systems.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding mechanics to be confusing and tedious, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “The game mechanics are very weird, don't make a whole lot of sense, and are very tedious to play.”
- “Grinding feels like an endless chore rather than an engaging part of the game.”
- “The repetitive nature of grinding makes it feel more like a job than a fun gaming experience.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is impacted by a mechanic that requires players to freeze in place, making them vulnerable to enemy projectiles. This design choice can lead to frustrating moments, as players must rely on being hit to progress, which may disrupt the overall gameplay experience.
- “The game frequently crashes, making it nearly impossible to progress without losing progress.”
- “I encountered multiple bugs that caused the game to freeze, forcing me to restart.”
- “The stability issues are frustrating; I often find myself stuck in place or unable to interact with the environment.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by stunning visuals and immersive sound design that enhance the adrenaline-fueled experience, while the relaxing original soundtrack contributes positively to the overall ambiance.
- “The stunning visuals and immersive sound design create an adrenaline-fueled atmosphere.”
- “It's not the best OST ever, but it's relaxing and provides a good atmosphere for the game.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players seeking a deep narrative or emotional engagement may find the experience lacking, as it often feels insufficient in delivering meaningful emotional payoff.