S.U.M. Slay Uncool Monsters

About

In S.U.M. you'll put your Quick-Math skills to test! Fight very Uncool Monsters using Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication & Division.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 88 reviews

graphics3 negative mentions

The game effectively makes math fun and engaging, providing a unique way to practice basic arithmetic skills while battling monsters.
It has successfully brought families closer together, allowing parents and children to bond over gameplay and improve their math skills simultaneously.
The game is free to play and offers a charming retro aesthetic, making it accessible and enjoyable for both kids and adults.

The gameplay can become repetitive and lacks depth, with limited RPG elements and a linear progression that may not hold the attention of older players.
Some players find the difficulty curve frustrating, especially when introduced to more complex operations, which can lead to a steep learning curve for younger children.
The game lacks meaningful rewards for progression, as leveling up does not significantly impact gameplay, and the coin system feels pointless.

gameplay
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The gameplay is criticized for being overly linear and repetitive, lacking depth and variety, with minimal story and equipment options. While some players find the math-based mechanics engaging and challenging, others feel that the reliance on a single mechanic and the limited impact of DLCs diminish the overall experience. The visuals and sound effects enhance the gameplay for some, but the free version is seen as lacking content and engagement.
- “On the side of mechanics, it's an interesting take on math and a spin on 'type to kill', but of course it's math to kill which gets harder and harder while keeping how to play as simple as clicking the correct integers.”
- “I absolutely find the gameplay interesting in the sense that it gets more difficult in three side-chained ways.”
- “Amazing, addicting gameplay with the right visual effects and sounds to give each math problem impact and make solving it feel satisfying.”
- “The game is too linear, doesn't have equipment, doesn't have a story, and the gameplay is all the same, except for the different operations you have to perform. There are DLCs that integrate different character classes, but the only thing they change is some stats and a skill you have little to no agency over.”
- “Yes, it's a repetitive game with one mechanic and bright colors indicating that you have won!”
- “Playing for free is skeletal. There isn't anything to engage with or experience outside of the raw gameplay. The default free class has an ability that's nearly impossible to use as it involves trying to line up a column or row of the same number. Trying to do that is an impossible multitasking task dependent on random number generation, so anytime it gets triggered, it's by accident.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The graphics are characterized by a charming old-school 8-bit pixel art style that, while not top-of-the-line, effectively supports the gameplay experience. Users appreciate the nostalgic visuals, noting that they enhance engagement without needing to be overly fancy or advanced. Overall, the graphics are deemed adequate and fitting for the game's design, contributing to its appeal.
- “Has a cool old-school 8-bit pixel art style.”
- “It is not fancy and it does not feature top-of-the-line graphics, but then it does not need these things and does not pretend to be anything other than it is.”
- “Charming pixel style graphics get the job done but nothing above average.”
- “Jokes aside, there is definitely an engagement aspect under its pixelated aesthetics and the playability that made me come back again and again just to do what essentially are basic math operations.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
67%
The music in s.u.m. is well-designed and complements the game's visuals with enjoyable animations and sprites, contributing positively to the overall experience.
- “The soundtrack to s.u.m. is well designed and enhances the overall experience.”
- “It features fun little animations and sprites, and the soundtrack is enjoyable as well.”
- “The soundtrack to s.u.m. is underwhelming and lacks variety.”
- “While the game has fun little animations and sprites, the soundtrack fails to leave a lasting impression.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
The game's story is perceived as simplistic and linear, lacking depth and variety, which may not satisfy players seeking a more engaging narrative. While it offers a cute and brain-teasing experience, it ultimately feels repetitive and limited in its storytelling elements, with DLCs providing minimal changes to gameplay.
- “It's cute, it jogs the brain, it's a nice way to pass the time when you don't feel like playing games with a story, or frantic action, or just want to exercise your gray cells :)”
- “The game is too linear, doesn't have equipment, doesn't have a story, and the gameplay is all the same, except for the different operations you have to perform. There are DLCs that integrate different character classes, but the only thing they change is some stats and a skill you have little to no agency on.”
- “The story feels underdeveloped and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters or care about the outcome.”
- “I found the narrative to be predictable and uninspired, which detracted from my overall enjoyment of the game.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly when trying to complete it quickly, despite the overall simplicity of the game's logic.
- “The game's logic is simple, but if you wish to complete it in the shortest time, the grinding becomes a tedious part that annoys many players.”
- “Grinding feels like a never-ending chore that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- “The repetitive nature of grinding makes it hard to stay engaged, turning what could be an exciting adventure into a monotonous task.”