qrth-phyl

About

qrth-phyl is a single player action game. It was developed by Verran and was released on July 19, 2018. It received very positive reviews from players.

Arcade documentary of maze/dot/snake mechanic within changing dimensions, axis locks and the corruption of the system. Collect, grow, avoid your past, find new space, wake up...

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 24 reviews

graphics3 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

A nostalgic and polished evolution of the classic Snake game, offering a unique 3D perspective and engaging gameplay.
The game features precise and intuitive controls, making it accessible and enjoyable for quick pick-up-and-play sessions.
It includes a dynamic difficulty system that keeps the gameplay challenging and engaging, with a variety of obstacles and collectibles.

Some players find the gameplay scope limited and feel that there are better modern alternatives to the 3D Snake concept.
The game's description may be misleading, as it does not fully deliver on the promise of being an 'arcade documentary' of Snake-like games.
Camera angles can be problematic, leading to frustrating moments during gameplay, particularly in the 2D sections.

gameplay
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
Qrth-phyl features a blend of 2D and 3D gameplay mechanics reminiscent of classic arcade games, focusing on high-score challenges through familiar "snake"-like mechanics of eating pellets and dodging obstacles. While its frantic pace and adaptive difficulty are engaging, the glidey movement and inverted controls may require some adjustment, potentially limiting its appeal to a broader audience. Overall, the game is praised for its unique atmosphere and nostalgic design, making it particularly enjoyable for fans of retro gaming.
- “Qrth-phyl falls in the class of games like Lumines or Space Invaders Extreme that offer simple, familiar mechanics, carefully tuned and immaculately presented.”
- “Frantic gameplay and adaptive difficulty system.”
- “Unique atmosphere and gameplay, highly recommended.”
- “Qrth-phyl will not be everyone's cup of tea and may be enjoyed more by those with nostalgia for the earlier days of arcade gaming. If you aren't immediately pulled in by its overall design or the feel of its navigation, not much will change in its gameplay to draw you in.”
- “These 3D movement levels can be a bit jarring at first, with the game's somewhat glidey mechanic and the inverted flight controls taking some getting used to. Abrupt turns needed to avoid obstacles are the order of the day.”
- “I also think the core gameplay is a bit subpar considering the plethora of awesome arcade scorechasers out there.”
graphics
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
The graphics of Qrth-phyl are celebrated for their nostalgic tribute to classic arcade games, featuring a vibrant tron-inspired aesthetic that evokes the charm of vector graphics. While the retro design and sound effects may appeal primarily to those with a fondness for earlier gaming eras, they effectively enhance the overall experience, creating a unique and engaging atmosphere. However, players who are not captivated by its visual style may find little to draw them into the gameplay.
- “A celebration of the classic snake game with a fun Tron fever-dream aesthetic.”
- “The music has an IDM-ish chip tune appeal, and the graphics do a great job of feeling like what we imagined games to be in our heads back in the vector graphics days.”
- “The aesthetics are working great for the retro-arcade style.”
- “Qrth-phyl will not be everyone's cup of tea and may be enjoyed more by those with nostalgia for the earlier days of arcade gaming. The graphics, sound design, and music seem to be a nod toward the game's predecessors, but if you aren't immediately pulled in by its overall design or the feel of its navigation, not much will change in its gameplay to draw you in.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The music in Qrth-phyl is characterized by its IDM-inspired chiptune style, evoking nostalgia for classic arcade games with its glitchy and vibrant sound effects. The soundtrack complements the game's retro aesthetic, enhancing the overall experience with a lively and engaging auditory backdrop. While it may appeal primarily to fans of low-fidelity, abstract gaming, its energetic tunes contribute significantly to the game's charm.
- “The music has an IDM-ish chiptune appeal, and the graphics do a great job of feeling like what we imagined games to be in our heads back in the vector graphics days.”
- “Qrth-phyl includes a variety of low fidelity, abstract effects including glitchy/chiptune music, pixelated particle effects in droves, lasers that cut across the entirety of the level, and various other brightly-colored obstacles you have to quickly evade in order to continue chowing down on the Pac-Man-esque pellets.”
- “Qrth-phyl will not be everyone's cup of tea and may be enjoyed more by those with nostalgia for the earlier days of arcade gaming. The game's 'pinball'-esque sound effects when you complete a level, as well as the graphics, sound design, and music, seem to be a nod toward the game's predecessors. If you aren't immediately pulled in by its overall design or the feel of its navigation, not much will change in its gameplay to draw you in.”
- “It's an abstract game with chunky, pixelated vibes and loud electronic music.”
- “Qrth-phyl includes a variety of low fidelity, abstract effects including glitchy and chiptune music, pixelated particle effects in droves, lasers that cut across the entirety of the level, and various other brightly-colored obstacles you have to quickly evade.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of [i]qrth-phyl[/i] is praised for its polish and uniqueness, making it a standout in the arcade score-chaser genre. Reviewers highlight its engaging and immersive environment, which enhances the gameplay experience.
- “It's been a good 6 or so years since qrth-phyl's original release and there have been leaps and bounds in the evolution of arcade score-chasers here on Steam, and yet unsurprisingly with its rerelease, qrth-phyl still holds its own and stands out as probably one of the more polished and atmospheric takes on the twisty-turny snake formula.”
- “Unique atmosphere and gameplay, highly recommended.”