Saturday Morning RPG

About

"Saturday Morning RPG" is an episodic JRPG that pays homage to 80s cartoons and pop culture. Play as Martin "Marty" Michael Hall, an average student with incredible power, navigating episodic adventures full of turn-based battles and retro-style graphics. With a soundtrack by Vince DiCola and Kenny Meriedeth, this game offers a nostalgic journey for fans of 80s cartoons. Your progress carries over between episodes, allowing for a unique New Game Plus experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

79%

Audience ScoreBased on 490 reviews

story55 positive mentions

grinding19 negative mentions

The game is a nostalgic trip filled with references to 80s pop culture, making it enjoyable for those who grew up during that era.
The humor and writing are charming, providing a light-hearted and entertaining experience.
The combat system is unique and interactive, incorporating timed button presses and mini-games that keep battles engaging.

The game has been abandoned by developers, leaving it incomplete with unresolved storylines and broken achievements.
Combat can become repetitive and tedious, with a lack of variety in attacks and enemy encounters.
The graphics and overall presentation may not appeal to everyone, as they mix 3D environments with 2D character models, which can feel disjointed.

story
146 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
60%
2%
The game's story is characterized by a whimsical charm, filled with humorous dialogue, zany characters, and numerous references to 80s pop culture, reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons. While the episodic format allows for entertaining side quests and a light-hearted narrative, many players noted that the overarching plot lacks depth and resolution, leading to a somewhat disjointed experience. Overall, the story is enjoyable for those who appreciate its nostalgic elements, but it may not satisfy those seeking a more substantial narrative.
- “The story has a whimsical charm, carried by delightful characters.”
- “There are ridiculous monsters, crazy quests, and zany characters to meet as you make your way through little episodes that chronicle the life and times of Marty - our protagonist - as he goes up against his nemesis, Captain Hood.”
- “Funny, chock-full of references, and with a story set up as corny and unique as old Saturday morning cartoons, you will be entertained for hours.”
- “If you get this, just be aware that all bugs and unfinished storylines will remain that way.”
- “[*] Abandoned project: this means there are broken achievements and a plot that's never fully resolved.”
- “The story is as generic as they come; there is the occasional genuinely funny quip, but besides that, it is nothing special.”
humor
112 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in the game is heavily rooted in 80s and 90s nostalgia, featuring silly dialogues, wacky battles, and a plethora of pop culture references that resonate well with players familiar with that era. While many find the humor entertaining and reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons, some critiques point to an over-reliance on puns and a lack of depth in the story. Overall, the game is celebrated for its lightheartedness and comedic elements, making it a fun experience for those who appreciate its unique style.
- “A funny storyline, silly dialogues, wacky battles, and some well-done pixel art bring this package together in a nice way.”
- “Funny, chock-full of references, and with a story set up as corny and unique as old Saturday morning cartoons, you will be entertained for hours.”
- “I've been playing RPGs since the Dragon Warrior (or Dragon Quest) era, and I thought I'd seen it all... until I got this game in the summer sale; as a child of the 80s, this made me laugh out loud, cheer, and just put a smile on my face that lasted for 2 hours.”
- “The jokes are not funny at all.”
- “The jokes are not funny at all.”
gameplay
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
70%
10%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its nostalgic charm and simple mechanics reminiscent of classic JRPGs, while others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking depth. Players appreciate the humor and episodic structure, but many feel that the combat lacks variety and "weight," leading to a potentially boring experience over time. Overall, while the game offers some unique mechanics and enjoyable moments, it may not satisfy those looking for more complex gameplay.
- “Highly addictive, interesting story and great gameplay.”
- “The retro graphics are a joy to behold, the music is killer, and the gameplay is a very solid Paper Mario/Super Mario RPG type of thing, with button presses for better defense and better attacks.”
- “The gameplay itself is surprisingly deep and something I cannot recommend enough, but at the time, it is very short for RPGs (I finished it in about 8 hours) and the overall story falls very flat.”
- “It's mechanics and design where the game fails, sadly.”
- “The gameplay and combat overall don't offer much diversity in terms of how many attacks or items I can use, and it just lacks 'weight'. I've seen many other indie games that went the same route do much better than this. They understood that when you do turn-based combat, you need to give it some visual show-off, some weight to compensate. This game feels limited when it comes to options, and I can see this getting very boring and repetitive after some time.”
- “Loved the idea of this game; however, the gameplay made it hard to get into despite really wanting to like it.”
graphics
85 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
62%
8%
The graphics of the game are primarily retro-inspired pixel art, which some players find charming and nostalgic, particularly for fans of 80s and 90s aesthetics. However, opinions are mixed, with criticisms pointing to a lack of cohesion between 2D character models and 3D backgrounds, leading to an overall inconsistent visual experience. While the vibrant colors and sprite work are appreciated by some, others feel the graphics fall short of modern standards and can detract from the gameplay.
- “The graphics are all mostly sprite work with some beautiful backdrops for each battle you enter into.”
- “The retro graphics are a joy to behold, the music is killer, and the gameplay is a very solid Paper Mario/Super Mario RPG type of thing, with button presses for better defense and better attacks.”
- “The graphics work well for the type of game that it is - a homage to the 1980's and early 90's culture.”
- “The game's art style is all over the place and quite ugly sometimes. The gameplay and combat overall don't offer much diversity in terms of how many attacks or items I can use, and it just lacks 'weight'. I've seen many other indie games who went the same route do much better than this. They understood that when you do turn-based combat, you need to give it some visual show-off, some weight to compensate. This game feels limited when it comes to options, and I can see this getting very boring and repetitive after some time.”
- “The art styles don't match; you have a 3D world with clearly 2D pixelated characters, and the two don't mix well.”
- “Too easy, ugly graphics, murky controls, and a boring story.”
music
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
53%
5%
The music in the game is heavily inspired by the 1980s, featuring a catchy synth soundtrack that resonates with fans of the era's pop culture, including references to cartoons and movies. Composed by Vince DiCola, the soundtrack has been praised for its quality and nostalgic appeal, although some players wished for a longer tracklist. Overall, the music is considered a standout aspect of the game, enhancing the overall experience for those who appreciate 80s pop and rock influences.
- “Amazing soundtrack, great comedy and pop culture references, love it all!”
- “The music by Vince DiCola is worth the price of admission by itself--it felt like a lost happy chapter of Transformers: The Movie.”
- “Everything from the music, to the quests, to the NPC dialog perfectly captures both my real and imaginary life from that time period - I love it.”
- “One quibble is that the soundtrack could have been longer.”
- “The second crime is the soundtrack is not included with the game or offered as a download.”
- “That said, if you've ever seen the Transformers cartoons and thought only 'ugg, this is unbearable' or can't stand music from before 1998 then maybe this game isn't for you.”
grinding
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the combat tedious and repetitive, particularly due to the turn-based mechanics and the linear gameplay that limits exploration and leveling opportunities. While some appreciate the unique combat style, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game requires excessive grinding for achievements, making it less enjoyable for those who prefer a more dynamic experience. Overall, potential buyers should be prepared for a significant amount of grinding if they choose to engage with this title.
- “Only buy this game if you're prepared to do a crapload of grinding.”
- “Great concept, but I just find it to be way too grindy and repetitive.”
- “The battles are tedious affairs, with every enemy getting two attacks to my one; it's a matter of sitting around waiting for my turn, especially when faced with three opponents.”
replayability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
Overall, the game offers a surprisingly high replayability factor, particularly due to the ability to retain upgrades and tackle previously challenging levels with newfound power. While some players express uncertainty about the depth of replay options, the episodic structure and amusing gameplay mechanics contribute to a fun experience that encourages multiple playthroughs. However, the linear nature may limit replayability for those seeking extensive exploration or varied outcomes.
- “Quick game, but I find the replay value to be pretty high.”
- “There is some replay value, as you get to keep all your new shinies when you replay a level, so you can experience the satisfaction of instantly obliterating a baddie that gave you trouble the first time around.”
- “Episodic gameplay is surprisingly replayable despite it being so linear.”
- “Episodic gameplay is an interesting choice, though I'm really not sure how much replayability this game will give you; it would be grinding or achievement hunting.”
- “Lol... yeah, that's what you will do when playing this game... highly amusing. I don't know about replayability or length; however, it far makes up with the amusing moves you can pull off. By the way, this is a turn-based RPG even if they tell you otherwise.”
- “+episodic gameplay (surprisingly replayable despite it being so linear).”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including numerous glitches and control problems that render parts of it unplayable. Many users report that troubleshooting efforts have been ineffective, leading to widespread frustration and a lack of recommendation for the game until these issues are resolved.
- “Very buggy, unfortunately unplayable with control issues.”
- “Followed their troubleshooting as it seems many other people have the same issue and it didn't help.”
- “I cannot recommend this due to the actual glitches that have popped up which make some parts of the game impossible.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy for the game, which has been around since 2014, focuses on providing free updates to add content, indicating a commitment to maintaining player engagement without additional costs. However, the ongoing promotion of these updates suggests a reliance on long-term player investment rather than immediate revenue generation.
- “The game from 2014 is still advertising the free updates they're going to add in 2019.”
- “The game from 2014 is still advertising the free updates they're going to add in 2019.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is largely criticized, with users finding it lacking due to a boring story and poor visual and control design, which detracts from any potential emotional engagement.
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
Character development in the game is primarily linear, which may disappoint players seeking branching paths. While this simplicity allows for a clear focus on maximizing magic abilities, it limits the depth of character progression options.
- “The character development is linear, which may not appeal to those who prefer branching paths. However, once you discover that magic is the most effective option, you'll find yourself pouring your stats into it and unleashing chaos with your flying laser discs and karate kid headbands.”
- “The character development is linear, which may not be a huge con for everyone, but if you're into branching paths and diverse growth options, you won't find it here. You quickly realize that magic is the most effective choice, leading you to invest all your stats into it and dominate with your flying laser discs and karate kid headbands.”
- “The character development feels very linear. While this might not be a significant drawback for some players, those who enjoy branching paths and varied character growth will be disappointed. You soon discover that magic is the most powerful option, and you'll end up focusing all your stats on it, resulting in a repetitive gameplay experience.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highlighted as its primary appeal, enhancing the overall enjoyment despite its RPG mechanics. Players find that the immersive environment significantly contributes to their experience.
- “While it's fun enough as an RPG, the overall atmosphere is the main draw.”