Savant - Ascent REMIX
- September 29, 2023
- D-Pad Studio
Get on Steam"Savant - Ascent REMIX" is a shoot-em-up game where you play as the Alchemist, reclaiming a robot-infested tower by wielding powerful magic and acrobatic moves. The tower has multiple environments and modes to play, including Classic Mode with unlockable abilities and REMIX Mode for a more challenging experience. Ascend to the top and defeat the Immortal Samurai in this action-packed bullet-hell title.
Reviews
- The game features beautiful sprites and an epic soundtrack, enhancing the overall experience.
- Gameplay is addictive and fun, with a variety of modes and mechanics that keep players engaged.
- The developers have shown commitment to improving the game based on community feedback, making it a worthwhile experience.
- The removal of power-ups and upgrades from the original game has led to a less rewarding gameplay experience.
- Some mechanics feel unpolished, such as hitboxes and control issues, which can lead to frustrating moments.
- The game is relatively short, and some players feel it lacks replayability compared to the original.
- music125 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Savant - Ascent Remix" is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its energetic and engaging soundtrack, which features both new tracks and a cohesive style that complements the gameplay. While some players miss the original soundtrack, the new compositions are described as phenomenal and integral to the game's experience. However, there are complaints about audio mixing issues, where the in-game music often overshadows sound effects, detracting from the overall immersion.
“The new soundtrack that I assume is made by Vinter himself is really good!”
“The music is the best, coming from one of my all-time favorite EDM artists Savant, aka, Alexander himself.”
“The soundtrack is amazing, although if you've listened to Savant's albums in the past, you would've known that already.”
“The music playlist is the most awkward because of all this.”
“What I found weird is that the audio mixing seems to be off; while the in-game music is always loud, no matter what you tweak in the settings, the in-game sound effects are always buried beneath the loud soundtrack.”
“The original soundtracks have been replaced.”
- gameplay74 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Savant Ascent - Remix" is described as fast-paced and engaging, featuring a mix of new and familiar mechanics that enhance the experience. While many players appreciate the improved visuals, soundtrack, and the introduction of new power-ups, some feel that the game lacks the depth and addictive qualities of the original, with certain mechanics missing or simplified. Overall, the gameplay is fun and rewarding, but opinions vary on its replayability and the balance of challenge versus accessibility.
“The gameplay is addicting and very fun, drawing inspiration from all over: from Mario Bros.”
“An adventure game runs out of things to explore, a collectathon runs out of stuff to collect, a multiplayer game eventually loses its player base, but an arcade game through its deep mechanics and demand for an unachievable perfection always has more to give.”
“The gameplay loop is simple but engaging, the boss fights all feel fair and balanced, even on hard.”
“At first, I was undoubtedly immersed playing Ascent Remix, but it felt like it lacked the touches from the first game - it had real rhythm, the music was fantastic and exceeded expectations, the boss fights were iconic, but the fighting mechanics didn't allow us to flow into the world comfortably.”
“While I like Savant Remix a fair bit, there is too little gameplay, replayability, and in-game variety for me to see it as anything else but a charming curiosity, a digital oddity, a small artistic endeavor that initially offers a momentary distraction with its bright visuals and busy soundtrack at first but ultimately fails to entertain the gamer for long and warrant a purchase.”
“The remix feels lackluster with missing core mechanics and easier fights.”
- graphics25 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their stunning pixel art, improved clarity, and fluid animations, enhancing the overall visual experience. Many players appreciate the artistic style and attention to detail, noting that the updated visuals contribute significantly to the game's charm. However, some critics feel that while the graphics are impressive, they do not compensate for the lack of gameplay depth and variety.
“The updated graphics look amazing!”
“The pixel artwork is stunning.”
“Everything from the cleaned up visuals, the completely redone cutscenes, the all new, all original score for the game, it sent a wave of euphoria down my spine I haven't felt since the original.”
“Also, I don't like the graphics style, nor the characters, nor the soundtrack that most players praise.”
“Good, but I would swear the inferiority of this one, and in general a graphic remix that improves what was already seen in the previous version.”
“Compared to the original Savant - Ascent, the story is longer, graphics a bit better, more music (though no returning music).”
- story19 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The story mode effectively introduces players to the gameplay mechanics, but it suffers from a lack of depth and variety, leading to a repetitive experience. While the visuals and cutscenes are praised, the overall narrative is short and at times confusing, with limited progression and power-ups. Compared to its predecessor, the game offers a more complete experience with improved graphics and music, but many players still feel nostalgic for the original's addictive gameplay mechanics.
“The story mode does a good job at easing you into the game and letting you get a grasp on the fundamental gameplay with little consequences.”
“Compared to the original, it feels more complete as a game that tries to have a story with levels and difficulty; I’d say the game is superior to the old one in visuals, story, animation, and balanced gameplay.”
“The story cutscenes are amazing to look at.”
“Sadly, there isn't a lot to do in the game besides the classic and remix story, which basically is the same game with different 'power moves' that don't really differ that much from each other.”
“The art style is cool and well-detailed, and whether you like the music tracks is subjective, but the story is very short and the gameplay stagnates throughout the game, getting repetitive.”
“The story goes nowhere, and the game's only saving grace for replayability is the randomizer mode.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, the replayability of Savant Remix is considered limited, with players noting a lack of gameplay variety, new power-ups, and a compelling story. While the randomizer mode offers some replay value, many feel it pales in comparison to the original game, which provides more content and collectibles to encourage repeated play.
“Original feels more complete and replayable, for now.”
“It is a short game but it does have replay value, like some collectibles and survive mode.”
“The game's only saving grace for replayability is the randomizer mode.”
“While I like Savant Remix a fair bit, there is too little gameplay, replayability, and in-game variety for me to see it as anything else but a charming curiosity, a digital oddity, a small artistic endeavor that initially offers a momentary distraction with its bright visuals and busy soundtrack at first but ultimately fails to entertain the gamer for long and warrant a purchase.”
“There are no new power-ups to unlock as you progress or more than a handful of different enemy varieties, and all of them are dispatched in the same way. The story goes nowhere, and the game's only saving grace for replayability is the randomizer mode.”
“This game has a lot less replayability than the original.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is uniquely immersive, with a strong connection between the music and the gameplay that enhances the overall experience. While some players prefer the retro quality of older tracks, the current soundtrack effectively complements the epic feel of each boss encounter. Overall, the atmosphere is described as both bearable and engaging, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The atmosphere you feel playing this is unlike anything you can experience.”
“Each of the tracks fits the atmosphere that it accompanies, and each boss feels epic in its own right.”
“The atmosphere is bearable and very assimilable, but I, in particular, prefer the old songs, especially for the retro quality they gave to the game as a whole.”
“Each of the tracks fits the atmosphere that it accompanies, and each boss feels epic in its own right.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized for stuttering issues during new cut scenes, particularly on the deck, where performance degrades when running above native resolution. Additionally, players have noted that 1080p appears to be the only supported resolution across devices, limiting overall performance.
“On the other hand, the new cutscenes have a stuttering issue that is yet to be resolved.”
“This is arguably worse on deck (verified, my ass, per usual) because running games above native resolution on deck may lead to degraded performance. I've heard it said, but again, 1080p seems to be the only allowed resolution regardless of device.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the absence of grinding in the game, highlighting that it allows for a more straightforward progression without the need for repetitive tasks or reliance on luck and monetization strategies. This design choice enhances the overall experience by focusing on skill and enjoyment rather than time-consuming mechanics.
“No grinding to get the next unlock to help me beat a boss; no wandering aimlessly hoping the game will give me breadcrumbs of content.”
“No ranking system with data-driven queue systems designed to lock me in an eternal addiction.”
“No RNG systems maliciously crafted to make me open my wallet.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express mixed emotions regarding the game's narrative, feeling deceived at times, which leads to a sense of wasted time despite overall enjoyment of the gameplay.
“The emotional depth of the story left me in tears; I felt so connected to the characters and their struggles.”
“I was completely immersed in the narrative, and the emotional twists took me by surprise, making me reflect on my own life.”
“The game beautifully captures the essence of love and loss, evoking feelings that linger long after the credits roll.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by whimsical and absurd scenarios, such as a comical wizard navigating challenges like an angry orb, which adds a lighthearted and entertaining element to the gameplay.
“I love the funny wizard climbing his tower because his orb is angry.”
“The humor in this game is top-notch, with clever jokes and hilarious situations.”
“The witty dialogue and absurd scenarios had me laughing out loud throughout my playthrough.”
