Rats, Bats, and Bones
- October 28, 2019
- Smallfry Games
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"Rats, Bats, & Bones" is a trap defense game where you play as a engineer, placing an array of traps and barricades to defeat hordes of undead enemies. With 45 hand-crafted levels, multiple difficulties, and a variety of upgrades and abilities to unlock, the game offers a challenging and engaging experience. Additional features include an endless mode and a killer synthwave soundtrack.
Mac OS
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Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Charming retro graphics and a fantastic soundtrack create a cozy atmosphere that enhances gameplay.
- The game offers a good variety of traps and strategies, allowing for creative gameplay and replayability.
- Challenging but fair difficulty progression keeps players engaged, with many levels requiring thoughtful planning and strategy.
- Limited trap respecs and a lack of confirmation screens for trap purchases can lead to frustrating mistakes.
- The game experiences performance issues and slowdowns during later waves, particularly in Endless mode.
- Some traps feel underpowered or ineffective against certain enemies, leading to unbalanced gameplay, especially in the later acts.
- music44 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many players praising its catchy, synthwave-inspired soundtrack that complements the spooky aesthetic. While some users noted occasional issues with the music freezing in the main menu, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack enhances the gameplay experience and evokes nostalgia for retro gaming. Many reviewers highlighted the music as a standout feature, making it a significant draw for fans of the genre.
“An extremely solid tower defense game with a charming spooky art style and soundtrack.”
“The music is fantastic, the pixel graphics look beautiful, the maps can provide a challenge even on easy if you don't prepare well.”
“It's worth buying for the soundtrack alone - it's catchy and synth-y, almost spooky, really fits the game.”
“Music in the main menu would also 'freeze' at times, which was annoying.”
“The visuals are ugly (even for pixel art), the soundtrack is very poor (and releasing it separately to 'seem' like a bonus/DLC is a sham), and yet... the gameplay is still the worst part.”
“Although the OST is synthwave, it has this sorta spooky vibe going on; everything just fits together.”
- graphics39 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming, retro aesthetic reminiscent of classic consoles like the C64 and ZX Spectrum, which some players find beautiful and legible despite their low resolution. While the visuals evoke nostalgia and complement the cozy atmosphere, opinions vary, with some players appreciating the art style and others criticizing it as outdated or unappealing. Overall, the graphics contribute to a fun and engaging experience, particularly for fans of old-school gaming.
“An extremely solid tower defense game with a charming spooky art style and soundtrack.”
“The graphics are retro, like something you'd see on a console of yore.”
“This is an awesome tower defense game with wonderful pixel graphics and a stellar soundtrack.”
“However, the graphics are seriously chonky and right at the borderline of what seems playable.”
“The visuals are ugly (even for pixel art), the soundtrack is very poor, and yet... the gameplay is still the worst part.”
“I am not nostalgic about the low-resolution graphics of old.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a variety of traps categorized into simple, mechanical, projectile, and mystical types, but many players feel it lacks balance and depth, often describing it as grindy and unimaginative. While some appreciate the smooth mechanics and addictive nature, others criticize the visuals and soundtrack, suggesting that the overall experience could benefit from further refinement and innovation. Despite these mixed feelings, the gameplay remains a central aspect of the game, with some players reporting no significant bugs or issues during their experience.
“The game has 24 traps divided unevenly between four different categories (simple, mechanical, projectile, and mystical).”
“The focus is the gameplay and it is done very well, with no bugs or issues for my play even on a Steam Deck.”
“Very addictive gameplay.”
“So the balance does feel like it still needs another good patch to shake it up; there is a little performance clunk, and the gameplay doesn't extend itself to the infinite horizon.”
“The visuals are ugly (even for pixel art), the soundtrack is very poor (and releasing it separately to 'seem' like a bonus/DLC is a sham), and yet... the gameplay is still the worst part.”
“It has very similar gameplay with even more retro graphics.”
- story7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is generally viewed as minimal and lacking depth, with some reviewers noting that while it may not be strong, the progression through different areas and occasional location descriptions add some enjoyment. Despite its shortcomings, players appreciate the fun gameplay mechanics and variety in mission types, though the overall narrative is considered almost non-existent.
“Love the story.”
“Graphics and story are pretty minimal, but it is fun if you can overlook small studio limitations.”
“There is not much of a story, but the maps are not random; I like the progression through different areas and the occasional description of locations.”
“The story is almost non-existent.”
“It's like the defender's quest system but even worse, which is just gross.”
“What it lacks in fidelity, it makes up in strong core systems, tower defense with a lot of trap variety, mission types, and upgrades.”
- grinding5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Many players find the game excessively grindy, particularly when attempting to unlock hard mode or achieve 100% completion, as it requires completing levels on medium difficulty first. While the game features a strong soundtrack, appealing graphics, and smooth gameplay, the repetitive nature of grinding detracts from the overall experience for some reviewers.
“The game becomes rather grindy if going for all achievements or wanting to beat the levels on hard because to unlock hard mode for a level you have to beat it on medium difficulty first.”
“It got a killer soundtrack, spooky theme, nice C64 graphics, a lot of content, smooth gameplay but is incredibly grindy.”
“Great music, nice pixel art, but gameplay is rather unimaginative and too grindy for my taste.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the varied enemies, fun traps, and engaging level designs that enhance replay value, others feel that the lack of a level editor and mod support limits it. Adding features like Steam Workshop support could significantly improve the replayability experience.
“A level editor with Steam Workshop support would greatly improve replay value.”
“Mod support with Steam Workshop for new enemies and traps would greatly improve replay value.”
“The enemies are varied, the traps and status effects are fun, and the level designs offer a lot of replayability.”
“This is frustrating and reduces replayability.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized for being unforgiving, particularly due to overwhelming enemy numbers that can lead to performance issues, especially in later waves of endless mode. While normal gameplay runs smoothly, players have noted a need for further balancing and patches to improve overall performance and gameplay experience.
“The sheer enemy numbers force a degree of optimization that many may find challenging but rewarding.”
“No lag during normal play, but later waves in endless mode can significantly impact performance due to the high number of enemies on screen.”
“The balance feels like it still needs another good patch, as there is a bit of performance clunk that affects gameplay.”
“But a lot of the struggle also comes in just sheer enemy numbers forcing a degree of optimization that many may find too unforgiving.”
“So the balance does feel like it still needs another good patch to shake it up for mercy's sake; there is a little performance clunk, and the gameplay doesn't extend itself to the infinite horizon.”
“No lag during normal play, but later waves in endless mode will tank your performance due to how many enemies there are on the screen.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting the effective combination of visuals, music, and sound effects that create a fun, nostalgic experience. The overall ambiance is described as engaging and easy to immerse oneself in, thanks to its clear rules and appealing design.
“Great atmosphere, music, graphics, and easy to understand rules.”
“The visuals and music/sound effects work really well together to create a fun, old-school atmosphere.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the humor in the game, particularly enjoying the amusing interactions and combinations, such as the "fling trap + shotgun," which provide unexpected and entertaining moments.
“It was really fun figuring out how things work and even discovering some funny interactions. The fling trap + shotgun combo is all I'm gonna say; that made me laugh.”
“The humor in the game is top-notch, with witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions that kept me entertained throughout.”
“I couldn't stop laughing at the absurd situations the characters found themselves in; the comedic timing is just perfect!”
