Saturday Morning RPG

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 240 reviews
  • story
  • humor
  • gameplay
Saturday Morning RPG Game Cover
With the hundreds upon hundreds of RPGs on the market, it can be tough for one to stand out from the crowd.
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"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.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Ouya
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 240 reviews
story27 positive mentions
grinding9 negative mentions
  • The game is a nostalgic trip filled with references to 80s pop culture, making it enjoyable for fans of that era.
  • The combat system is engaging, incorporating timed button presses and mini-games that add a fun twist to traditional turn-based mechanics.
  • The writing is humorous and captures the essence of Saturday morning cartoons, providing a light-hearted and entertaining experience.
  • The game suffers from a lack of content, with only a few episodes available and an unfinished storyline that leaves players wanting more.
  • Combat can become repetitive and tedious due to the frequency of battles and the simplistic nature of the mechanics.
  • There are technical issues, such as broken controller prompts and bugs that can hinder the overall experience.
  • story72 mentions

    The game's story is characterized by its whimsical charm, filled with humorous dialogue, nostalgic references, and episodic adventures that echo the feel of 80s cartoons. While many players appreciate the lighthearted and entertaining narrative, some criticize its lack of depth and coherence, noting that it often feels disjointed and reliant on pop culture references. Overall, the story is enjoyable for those who appreciate a comedic and retro-inspired RPG experience, despite some unresolved plotlines and a simplistic overarching narrative.

    • “The story has a whimsical charm, carried by delightful characters.”
    • “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.”
    • “The episodic storyline and witty dialogue are the highlights here.”
    • “Just be aware that all bugs and unfinished storylines will remain that way.”
    • “By episode 3, and being bogged down by constant pop culture references, you start to realize that there isn't really an overarching plot so much as barely associated one-offs.”
    • “The story is basically Captain N, but with TV shows, but still enjoyable.”
  • humor55 mentions

    The humor in the game is heavily rooted in nostalgia, featuring a mix of silly dialogues, wacky battles, and numerous references to 80s and 90s pop culture, which resonates 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 praised 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.”
    • “The humor in this game is genius!”
    • “The jokes are not funny at all.”
    • “The humor falls flat and feels forced.”
    • “I found the attempts at humor to be cringeworthy and unoriginal.”
  • gameplay47 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its nostalgic charm and simple mechanics reminiscent of classic JRPGs, while others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking depth. Many noted that the combat feels limited and lacks the "weight" needed for engaging turn-based battles, leading to a potentially boring experience over time. Despite its shortcomings, some players found enjoyment in the humor and episodic structure, making it a decent option for casual play, especially at a lower price point.

    • “If you're a fan of pop culture references and RPGs that are willing to try something new or incorporate some good gameplay elements, give this game a try.”
    • “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.”
    • “The gameplay itself is very simple and involves powering up and mashing buttons.”
  • graphics41 mentions

    The graphics of the game are primarily retro-inspired, featuring pixel art and vibrant backdrops that evoke nostalgia for 80s and 90s aesthetics. While many players appreciate the charming sprite work and colorful visuals, some criticize the inconsistent art style, particularly the clash between 2D characters and 3D environments, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are a mixed bag, appealing to fans of retro games but leaving others wanting more in terms of cohesion and technical execution.

    • “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 combat feels limited when it comes to options, and I can see this getting very boring and repetitive after some time. It's just a low-budget game that's better left alone.”
    • “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.”
  • music29 mentions

    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. 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 experience with its vibrant and well-composed themes.

    • “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.”
  • grinding9 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is a significant point of contention, with many players finding the combat tedious and repetitive. While some appreciate the unique turn-based style, others criticize the excessive grinding required for achievements and the lack of exploration options, leading to a frustrating experience. Overall, the game is seen as overly grindy, making it less enjoyable for those not prepared for a substantial time investment.

    • “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.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    Overall, players find the game to have a surprisingly high replayability due to its quick gameplay and the ability to retain upgrades when replaying levels, allowing for a more satisfying experience. The episodic structure adds a unique twist, though some users express uncertainty about the depth of replay value beyond grinding or achievement hunting. Despite its linearity, the game offers enough amusement and strategic elements to encourage multiple playthroughs.

    • “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 an interesting choice; it surprisingly offers replayability despite 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 mostly 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).”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, including numerous glitches and control problems that render parts of it unplayable. Many users report frustration with these bugs, leading to a lack of recommendation until the game is fully polished.

    • “I cannot recommend this due to the actual glitches that have popped up, which make some parts of the game impossible. The game itself is playable, but scratch and sniff stickers don't actually scratch nearly as fast as you try. Until this game is a complete package, I cannot really support it.”
    • “Very buggy; unfortunately, unplayable due to control issues.”
    • “Followed their troubleshooting as it seems many other people have the same issue, and it didn't help.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The game's monetization strategy has been criticized for relying on outdated promotional tactics, as it continues to advertise free updates years after its initial release, suggesting a lack of substantial new content or paid expansions.

    • “The game from 2014 is still advertising the free updates they're going to add in 2019.”
    • “The monetization model feels exploitative, with constant prompts to spend money on in-game purchases.”
    • “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind a paywall, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is largely criticized, with users finding it lacking due to a boring story and poor graphics, which detract from any potential emotional engagement. Additionally, the controls are described as murky, further diminishing the overall experience.

  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in the game is linear, which may disappoint players seeking branching paths and diverse growth options. While players quickly discover the dominance of magic, leading to a focused build strategy, the overall progression lacks depth and variety.

    • “The character development is linear, which may not appeal to those who prefer branching paths, but it allows for a focused progression where you quickly learn that magic is the most powerful option. You can invest your stats into it and unleash chaos with your flying laser discs and karate kid headbands.”
    • “I appreciate how the character development is straightforward, making it easy to understand and master. The focus on magic as a primary skill creates a unique gameplay experience that feels rewarding.”
    • “While the character development is linear, it provides a clear path for players to follow. The emphasis on magic allows for exciting gameplay, and the ability to customize your character's abilities keeps things engaging.”
    • “Linear character development. It's not a huge con, but if you're into branching paths and choices, you won't find that here. You quickly learn that magic is the best option, and you'll end up pouring your stats into it, wreaking havoc with your flying laser discs and karate kid headbands.”
    • “The character development feels very one-dimensional. There are no real choices that impact the story or the characters, making it hard to feel invested in their growth.”
    • “I was disappointed by the lack of depth in character progression. The characters don't evolve in meaningful ways, and their arcs feel predictable and uninspired.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highlighted as its primary appeal, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the RPG experience.

    • “While it's fun enough as an RPG, the overall atmosphere is the main draw.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

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Play time

78hMedian play time
55hAverage play time
10-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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