ROUNDS
- April 1, 2021
- Landfall
- 8h median play time
Get on Steam"ROUNDS" is a frenetic action game where players duel with a wide variety of powerups, from shotgun-rocket-launchers to heat-seeking bouncy missiles. The game features over 65 unique powerups, 70+ maps, customizable characters, and online and local multiplayer options. Its defining feature is the "Noodle Arm" system, allowing players to flail their arms to assert dominance and control their characters. Twitch-based matchmaking is also available for a unique viewing experience.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- humor730 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Rounds" is a standout feature, with players consistently praising its chaotic and absurd gameplay that leads to countless hilarious moments, especially when played with friends. The game's whimsical animations, quirky character designs, and the unpredictable nature of card combinations contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere that encourages laughter and fun. Many reviews highlight that the experience is amplified with mods, allowing for even more outrageous and funny interactions, making it a perfect choice for casual gaming sessions.
“Landfall’s signature humor shines through in everything from the animations to the level design, and it’s clear they wanted to create a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously, yet delivers seriously fun gameplay.”
“Rounds provides countless hours of replayability with friends, and endless funny moments, however you must be willing to spend some time to set up mods and to deal with the jank that the mods bring.”
“This game has made me laugh harder than anything in a long time.”
“You're not funny!”
“Good game, if death wasn't funny.”
- gameplay484 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Rounds" is characterized by its dynamic and engaging mechanics, allowing for a variety of strategies through a card-based upgrade system that keeps matches fresh and exciting. While the core gameplay is easy to learn and fun, some players find it can become repetitive without the addition of mods, which significantly enhance the experience by introducing more content and variability. Overall, the game excels in multiplayer settings, offering a chaotic yet balanced experience that encourages creativity and quick reflexes.
“Because of the card system, the builds can get surprisingly intricate with many different winning strategies, while the core gameplay stays easy to understand and extremely fun.”
“With its quirky graphics, energetic gameplay, and endless customizability, 'rounds' effortlessly stands out, keeping me engaged game after game.”
“The gameplay experience is marred by negative interactions with other players, who often resort to insults and derogatory language when losing or winning.”
“In my opinion, there aren't enough cards in the vanilla game as gameplay gets fairly repetitive after a few games, making it more of a novelty game you play every so often.”
“The vanilla gameplay feels like it’s missing something at times that the mods can offer.”
“Not enough customization for gameplay, which results in it being stale really quickly.”
- graphics197 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their vibrant, colorful, and quirky aesthetic, which enhances the engaging gameplay experience. However, many players express a desire for more graphical options to accommodate different hardware capabilities, as some report performance issues and discomfort due to the visual effects. While the art style is often described as charming and fitting for the game's chaotic nature, there are concerns about optimization and the lack of settings to adjust graphical intensity.
“With its quirky graphics, energetic gameplay, and endless customizability, 'Rounds' effortlessly stands out, keeping me engaged game after game.”
“The clean, colorful graphics are delightfully quirky without distracting from the action.”
“The game sports a charming, minimalist aesthetic that is both colorful and visually appealing.”
“This game made me aware that I might have epilepsy by inducing a headache from its visuals.”
“Rounding is a minimalist 2D single-screen PvP arena platform shooter where you control a blob (graphics are clearly not the strong suit for this developer) and you shoot other players' blobs in a minimalist arena while knocking over blocks and wrestling with the mediocre physics engine.”
“While there are options to change the resolution for the game, all this does is scale up the simplistic 2D art assets used to make the game, which makes little or no difference to the graphics quality.”
- stability131 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
The game is frequently described as "buggy," with users reporting various glitches, particularly in multiplayer matchmaking and UI elements. While these issues can detract from the experience, many players find that the fun and chaotic gameplay often outweighs the technical problems, making it a worthwhile purchase despite its instability. Overall, while stability is a concern, the game's enjoyment factor remains high for most players.
“Runs great on my potato.”
“It's pretty good and actually not buggy.”
“This game is not buggy.”
“This game is a buggy mess but, it's Landfall who made it so it's expected.”
“The game is plagued by numerous glitches and technical issues.”
“Online matchmaking has become so buggy that it's not worth it anymore.”
- replayability128 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its high replayability, with many players noting that the variety of cards, customizable matches, and a robust modding community significantly enhance the experience. While some users mention that the base game can feel repetitive without mods, the overall consensus is that it offers near-infinite replay value, especially when played with friends. The combination of quick rounds and diverse gameplay mechanics keeps players engaged and encourages experimentation, making it a standout choice for those seeking fun and replayability.
“The customizability of matches adds another layer of fun, as you can adjust rules and create your own unique challenges, bringing endless replayability to an already engaging game.”
“Landfall has created a game that is not only fun to play but genuinely engaging, with endless replayability and a community-driven spirit that makes every session a joy.”
“The replayability and short bursts of incredibly fun gameplay is something this game truly excels at.”
“Very fun to play with friends, however it is lacking in replayability without mods due to the limited amount of cards and the lack of updates.”
“Limited replayability for now, but you can definitely get a few hours of fun out of it.”
“Mods are needed to give the game more replayability than a typical flash game, not even with the steam workshop so it makes organizing a session with friends even harder.”
- story89 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The reviews for the "story" aspect of the game are overwhelmingly negative, with many users stating that there is no significant narrative or storyline present. A few comments suggest that while some players enjoy the gameplay and mechanics, they do not find a compelling story to engage with. However, there are a couple of contrasting opinions that highlight a complex and emotionally charged narrative, indicating that the game's storytelling may vary in perception among players.
“Compelling storyline - engaging narrative.”
“I have never seen such a complex, character-driven story told through the medium of video games.”
“This game is incredibly nuanced, with an extraordinarily deep, intelligent, yet still challenging story, that will play with your emotions at every turn.”
“The developer gambled that other players would be an acceptable substitute for adding storytelling, level design, etc. to the game.”
“This game has no story.”
“Like playing Goat Simulator for the story.”
- optimization82 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, especially on lower-end PCs. While some updates have improved stability and performance, others still experience crashes and lag, particularly in intense gameplay scenarios. Overall, the game is considered fun, but its optimization remains a major concern, often requiring mods for better performance.
“The game runs smoothly even during intense matches, which is crucial for a skill-based game like this.”
“Overall a very good game, graphics are nice, and the performance is really good.”
“The newest update optimized a lot of the game, and it's fixed the crashing issues (at least for me).”
“Trust me though, this game crashing from normal gameplay isn't a sign of bad game design or poor optimization - the gameplay eventually just lets you stack such crazy stuff that the engine can't handle it.”
“This game is horribly unoptimized, constant crashes and bad delay with online.”
“How completely unoptimized this game is, is an absolute travesty.”
- music67 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its upbeat and energetic soundtrack that enhances the fast-paced gameplay and creates an engaging atmosphere. However, some players find certain tracks repetitive or annoying, particularly the menu music, which can be distracting during matches. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally well-received, a desire for more variety and refinement in the audio experience is noted by several reviewers.
“The soundtrack is perfect, creating an atmosphere that pulls you in and keeps you energized.”
“Rounds delivers an impressive auditory experience, enhancing the gameplay with a fitting soundtrack and impactful sound effects.”
“The game’s soundtrack is upbeat and energetic, setting the perfect tone for the fast-paced action.”
“Actually stole my money, terrible game. Can't even launch; when it does, nothing happens except raise my blood pressure. The music is like being trapped in a poorly auto-tuned elevator. I never knew I could get so mad sitting down and doing absolutely nothing.”
“It's a mix of upbeat music that soon becomes a repetitive, mind-numbing loop, punctuated by the incessant sound effects of cute creatures that you'll soon grow to despise as they mock your failures.”
“- Menu music sometimes plays during matches at the same time as the combat music, which is incredibly distracting.”
- grinding31 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is heavily criticized, with many players feeling that it requires an excessive time commitment, often likening it to needing "a second life" to keep up. While some enjoy the game, they find the grind tedious and frustrating, especially when competing against more experienced players. Overall, the grind is seen as a significant barrier to enjoyment, making the game less accessible for casual players.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“It's a really fun game, but if you go online without grinding the game for 500+ hours, you will get clapped and cussed out.”
“Verdict - after trying most of the interesting builds and getting good at gun mechanics, the game became tedious for me. However, it does not deny the fact that there are still a lot of entertaining features consisting of upgrades synergizing with a lot of outplay potential. The attendance of dull character physics, only one currently available solo game mode, and a few more gameplay drawbacks lead me to the conclusion to not recommend the game, not at its current state.”
“Really enjoying the game so far, but some of the upgrades can get really annoying and not very fun to deal with, and others just make the games too long and tedious.”
- emotional20 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a wide range of emotions while engaging with the game, from feelings of power and connection to moments of deep sadness and frustration. The experience evokes a strong emotional response, highlighting themes of authenticity and grounding in a chaotic digital world. Overall, the game successfully elicits complex feelings, leaving players both moved and, at times, emotionally scarred.
“I cried.”
“This game made me feel emotions I did not know existed.”
“We wanted to do a deep story with complex, rich, emotionally charged characters who were very different from each other.”
- monetization10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players criticizing it as a cash grab filled with microtransactions, while others appreciate the absence of such practices, highlighting a fair and enjoyable experience. Overall, the sentiment leans towards dissatisfaction with monetization strategies, particularly in games that feel exploitative.
“This game is my Game of the Year! No microtransactions or any nonsense, just get it and play with your buddies.”
“Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
“Use r2modman to mod rounds vs Thunderstore, as it's open source and has no ads!”
“It's a shallow, hollow experience that feels like a cash grab from start to finish.”
“In conclusion, I cannot recommend this game due to its numerous technical issues, toxic community, and misleading advertising.”
“Game looks like the free mobile game that has ads every 5 seconds, but it actually is good and a lot of fun.”
- atmosphere9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is a vibrant blend of upbeat music, colorful graphics, and immersive sound design that enhances the fast-paced gameplay and creates a lively, nostalgic environment. While the pixelated visuals evoke a retro arcade feel, the customizable characters add a layer of silliness that contributes to the overall energetic vibe. However, some players noted that certain elements can detract from the enjoyment, leading to a mixed experience.
“The soundtrack, too, deserves a mention—its upbeat tempo complements the fast-paced gameplay perfectly, creating an atmosphere that pulls you in and keeps you energized.”
“The music sets the tone for the battles, creating an adrenaline-pumping atmosphere that heightens the intensity of each round.”
“The colorful arenas and character designs are bursting with personality, creating a lively atmosphere that draws players into its world.”
“Nothing amazing on the graphics front, but the customizable little round people have a lot of options for goofy looks that reinforce the general atmosphere of frenetic silliness.”
“The atmosphere this game creates is both light and intense, and will get the homies laughing.”
“The sound design is equally impressive, adding to the game's intense atmosphere and keeping me on the edge of my seat.”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is highlighted through exceptional character design, which is praised for its diversity and charm, contributing to a vibrant atmosphere that enhances player engagement. Each character is imbued with personality, making the gameplay experience more immersive and enjoyable.
“The character design is top-notch, with each character oozing personality and charm.”
“The colorful arenas and character designs are bursting with personality, creating a lively atmosphere that draws players into its world.”
“The character design is diverse and charming, giving each round a distinct personality.”
