RefleX

About

"RefleX: The ALLTYNEX Legacy" is the second chapter in the Japanese shooting game series, known for its carefully crafted play experiences and absorbing gameplay. In a futuristic world, players join the resistance organization Valkyness in their fight against the Global Unified Army, and later against an alien force, the Raiwat, in a battle that brings humanity to the brink of extinction. With splendid gameplay, pretty visuals, and amazing music, this single-player Science Fiction Shooter game promises destructive fun and an engaging storyline.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 114 reviews

gameplay29 positive mentions

RefleX features a unique shield mechanic that allows players to reflect enemy bullets back at them, adding depth to the gameplay and encouraging skillful play.
The game has a great soundtrack and engaging level design, with memorable boss battles that enhance the overall experience.
Despite its difficulty, RefleX offers a rewarding learning curve, allowing players to accumulate continues after game overs, making it accessible for both newcomers and seasoned players.

The game lacks modern features such as online leaderboards, achievements, and customizable resolution options, which may detract from the experience for some players.
Some players find the strict timing required for maintaining the score multiplier and the lack of clear indicators for shield status to be frustrating.
The graphics and presentation may feel dated, and the game can be punishingly difficult, which might not appeal to everyone.

gameplay
67 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
52%
4%
The gameplay of Reflex is highly praised for its unique shield mechanic that allows players to reflect enemy bullets, creating a dynamic and engaging experience reminiscent of classic shoot 'em ups like Ikaruga and Gigawing. While the game is relatively short, it compensates with challenging difficulty and a rewarding scoring system, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and veterans of the genre. Overall, the combination of intuitive mechanics, fast-paced action, and solid level design contributes to a satisfying gameplay experience.
- “Reflex is a dynamic shmup whose core mechanic is both immediately intuitive and fundamentally game changing.”
- “The gameplay is really really good and the shield mechanic is really fun to master.”
- “Reflex rises above expectations with a twitch shielding mechanic that is tightly linked to score, weapon power, and of course survival.”
- “The gameplay feels quite weird because stuff shot at you can be blocked and there is quite little actual need to evade anything except sparse missiles.”
- “Music and levels are uninspired and the gameplay is very simplistic.”
- “The sound is pretty bad and the only gameplay mechanic that separates this game from other shoot 'em ups is your shield; you can deflect most bullets, lasers, and super cannons back at the enemy with timing, gaining extra points and doing extra damage to the enemy besides surviving.”
music
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
81%
11%
8%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its exceptional composition and ability to enhance the gameplay experience. The soundtrack is noted for its high energy, dramatic flair, and atmospheric fit, particularly during boss battles, creating an engaging and immersive environment. While some mention the game's age and graphics, the overall sentiment is that the music stands out as a highlight, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.
- “Contains one of the best setpieces and the most epic boss fights I've ever come across in a shmup with excellent music to boot that perfectly matches the pacing, atmosphere, and certain sequences of the game.”
- “The music is amazing, beaten only by Touhou and Cave's games.”
- “Music and levels are uninspired and the gameplay is very simplistic.”
- “Since the game is pretty old, the graphics and music are straight out of that era but that just adds to the charm of this game.”
- “The soundtrack is well composed and works in spite of the mediocre synthesizers of the time, offering a darker and more serious tone than is usual for the genre while retaining the high energy one would expect.”
graphics
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
59%
10%
The graphics of the game are a blend of nostalgic, old-school pixel art that pays homage to the golden era of shooters, featuring vibrant visuals and solid mechanical design. However, they are often criticized for being low resolution, occasionally suffering from rendering issues, and some backgrounds appearing bland or chaotic. Overall, while the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they complement the gameplay and evoke a sense of charm reminiscent of classic arcade titles.
- “Excellent Taito Rayforce style shooter, very easy to get into with solid graphics and great controls.”
- “I have found the visual style better than Alltynex Second and loved the colorful graphics and once again, the epic boss fights.”
- “Great graphics, great sounds, great enemies.”
- “Graphics are mixed, with detailed, consistent mechanical design and clear bullet patterns marred in a few places by backgrounds that are either bland, overly chaotic, or even look like they were lifted straight out of Google Earth.”
- “Graphically, there is an issue where sprites may not show their transparencies correctly, resulting in all the sprites having black boxes around them as they fail to render correctly.”
- “But the graphics do look dated, and it is a shame that the developer did not allow making modifications to the game, so it is missing Steam achievements and leaderboards.”
story
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
68%
14%
The story in the game is described as vague and not central to the experience, yet it effectively enhances the gameplay through engaging "story staging" that allows players to feel part of a larger narrative without overwhelming them with lore. While some players appreciate the darker and more complex elements of the story, others note that crucial details are found in the manual, potentially leaving players confused if they rely solely on in-game cues. Overall, the integration of story and gameplay is praised for its creativity and atmosphere, making it more compelling than typical shmup narratives.
- “The gameplay is ingeniously integrated, and the story is told and inferred exquisitely within every stage.”
- “You feel part of something bigger than just playing a game, but it doesn't force-feed you unnecessary story/lore allowing the player to use imagination, should they choose.”
- “The atmosphere, gripping storyline, and beautifully made stages and bosses separate Reflex from other shmups.”
- “The story is 'whatever' and doesn't really matter to me.”
- “Combine that with no difficulty levels, limited continues (you do eventually get more as you keep dying), no story to speak of, only one non-upgradable weapon, and it's a no go for most players except the diehard bullet hell-fan and/or the Japanese teenager.”
- “This can lead players in the dark story-wise if they rely on the game itself to tell the story.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its amazing soundtracks that enhance the experience, perfectly matching the pacing and key moments. Players highlight the gripping storyline, beautifully designed stages, and epic boss fights as standout elements that distinguish it from other shmups. Overall, the combination of music and visual design creates an immersive and engaging atmosphere.
- “Amazing soundtracks that fit the atmosphere throughout the entire game.”
- “Contains one of the best set pieces and the most epic boss fights I've ever come across in a shmup, with excellent music that perfectly matches the pacing, atmosphere, and certain sequences of the game.”
- “The atmosphere, gripping storyline, and beautifully crafted stages and bosses separate Reflex from other shmups.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game is highly optimized, delivering a smooth experience with a consistent 60 fps.
- “The game is very optimized, running smoothly with a constant 60 fps.”
- “The performance is impressive; I haven't experienced any lag or stuttering.”
- “The optimization is top-notch, allowing for seamless gameplay even on lower-end hardware.”