ShellShock Live
- May 22, 2020
- kChamp Games
- 59h median play time
Get on Steam"ShellShock Live" is a turn-based artillery game where players battle in dynamic landscapes. Upgrade and customize your arsenal with unique weapons and abilities. Compete in multiple game modes, including casual and ranked matches, aiming for the top of the leaderboards.
Mac OS
PC
Phone
Windows
Linux
Tablet
Reviews
- gameplay521 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Shellshock Live is characterized by its simple yet addictive mechanics, offering a wide variety of weapons and customization options that enhance the experience. While the game is accessible and engaging, some players find the grind for progression to be relentless, and the multiplayer experience can be heavily influenced by player skill and weapon availability. Overall, it provides a fun, competitive environment, especially when played with friends, but may feel repetitive over time for some users.
“With its engaging mechanics, variety of weapons, and multiplayer focus, it offers a unique take on battling against friends or AI opponents.”
“The sheer variety of weapons is what makes this game go from cool to amazing, and its easy-to-learn yet hard-to-master mechanics keep the gameplay feeling fresh as you progressively level up and unlock a million different weapons.”
“The gameplay is fun and exciting, and is just a great game.”
“The repetitive nature of the gameplay strips away any semblance of joy, leaving only an overwhelming sense of despair as the hours slip away like sand through your fingers.”
“Gameplay loop was alright but knowing you don't have any of the good tools to fight the higher level people sucks all of the fun out of it.”
“But in the long run, the lack of other mechanics makes this game get incredibly boring after a while.”
- graphics394 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their colorful, cartoonish aesthetic that enhances the lighthearted gameplay experience. While some users note that the visuals are simple and reminiscent of older games, many appreciate the vibrant colors and clean design, which contribute to an engaging atmosphere. Overall, the graphics are considered effective and enjoyable, even if they don't push the boundaries of modern gaming visuals.
“The graphics and design are also top-notch, providing a beautiful and engaging environment for the players.”
“The graphics are amazing and are easily customizable while it may be a bit loud when you first open the game but I believe you won't struggle to easily lower it due to its amazing interface.”
“The graphics are simple but bright and eye-catching, the physics are well-done, the weapons are fun and funny, and the upgrade system is interesting and encourages you to use as many types as possible rather than just stick with a favorite few.”
“The graphics are dreadful and the game looks like it was put together within a matter of seconds.”
“With graphics that appear to be done by someone in MS Paint (and poorly I might add) while the entire premise of the game is a re-write of the game Scorched Earth - which is still a better game - leaves a lot to be desired.”
“The graphics are simple, but effective.”
- story285 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game "ShellShock Live" is noted for its minimal story, with most players emphasizing that the focus is primarily on gameplay rather than narrative. While there is a campaign mode featuring over 80 missions that serve as tutorials and challenges, many players find these missions frustratingly difficult and reliant on luck, often leading to a repetitive experience. Overall, the lack of a compelling story is overshadowed by the enjoyment of multiplayer gameplay and the challenge of single-player missions.
“The campaign missions are fun yet challenging in some aspects and they count towards your experience level.”
“There's a campaign of ~80 missions where you can earn some progression, a mix of bot matches and 'kill x stationary targets in y shots' challenges.”
“The single player missions are nice, some offering a fair challenge and even occasionally cause some frustration.”
“The single-player missions are an absolute slog and boil down to either trial and error or a theme that gives you weak weapons that chip away at the enemy team's screen-wide health bar.”
“This game makes story missions where it's impossible to succeed, which only leads to anger and rage. I would not recommend buying this game not only because of that but because when playing multiplayer you meet people who are toxic, racist, and go out of their way to insult you.”
“Some of the missions are hard for the wrong reasons, but generally you're in for a good time.”
- grinding232 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 9 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely noted as excessive and often tedious, particularly at higher levels, with many players expressing that it requires a significant time investment to unlock weapons and upgrades. While some find the grinding enjoyable and rewarding, especially when playing with friends, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, leading to repetitive gameplay and frustration. Overall, the game is characterized as fun but heavily reliant on grinding, making it less appealing for those who prefer quicker progression.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“One long, tedious grind.”
“Fun game, unlocks are a bit slow but not really grindy; you just have to hit your shots to get experience.”
“I haven't found a way to skip any of this and it soon becomes tedious.”
“The amount of grinding to actually get everything unlocked in this game is insane.”
“The gameplay is great and the graphics are a cool nod to SE, but the addition of grinding to unlock the simplest things and endless boring animations about the experience points you are gaining is utter bullshit.”
- humor229 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Shellshock Live" is a standout feature, with players enjoying a plethora of funny weapons and chaotic gameplay that leads to hilarious moments, especially when playing with friends. The game's lighthearted banter, amusing weapon effects, and unpredictable outcomes contribute to a fun and engaging experience, making it a great choice for casual multiplayer sessions. Overall, the combination of witty interactions and comedic elements keeps players entertained, although some note that the humor can diminish over time if played solo.
“The competitive nature of the game, combined with its strategic elements, makes for engaging and often humorous battles.”
“Playing this game with friends with voice chat is a hilarious experience that you should try at least once.”
“The game also has a great sense of humor like shooting piñatas, pooping birds, or even throwing music notes at your enemies.”
“And now it's not funny at all.”
“Funny bugs.”
- music148 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for being epic and fitting well with the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience with a variety of soundtracks and victory tunes. However, some players find the music repetitive over time and suggest that it could benefit from more diverse tracks. Overall, while the soundtrack is well-received, many players prefer to listen to their own music while playing.
“One of the best soundtracks ever!”
“The soundtrack throughout the game is beautiful.”
“The music really gives you a kicker.”
“The music gets repetitive after a while and sounds boring, but that's not a big deal.”
“The game has a few original songs that play in the menus that all sound fairly similar.”
“Also, there will frequently be loud music played and as far as I can tell you cannot turn it off even if your music volume is set to 0.”
- monetization64 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 81 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, offering a fair and rewarding progression system where players can unlock content solely through gameplay. While some reviews mention a slow accumulation of in-game currency, the overall sentiment is that the absence of in-game purchases enhances the experience, making it accessible and enjoyable without the pressure of pay-to-win mechanics. However, there are concerns about potential future monetization changes, as some updates have introduced microtransactions, leading to mixed feelings among players.
“It is very fun and rewarding to level up and unlock new weapons, and involves no loot boxes or other in-game purchases that similar games tend to be plagued with.”
“I definitely give this game a recommend, as it is inexpensive, has zero microtransactions, and is just plain good gameplay.”
“No microtransactions, no premium version, no bull.”
“The latest update is a shameless cash grab with cosmetics - the daily challenges give you 3 cents worth of cosmetic coins, where the cheapest cosmetics cost 50 cents, and the most expensive cost 7 bucks.”
“The grind is huge and it makes you feel like you're playing some of the recent cash grab triple A/mobile games where they implement huge grinds just to milk you out of your money.”
“Added microtransactions, fixed nothing.”
- replayability56 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, with many users highlighting the variety of game modes, weapons, and scenarios that keep each playthrough fresh and engaging. Players appreciate the affordability and the fun factor, especially when playing with friends, making it a great choice for social gaming. While some mention limitations in single-player content, the overall consensus is that the game offers significant replay value, ensuring players will return for more.
“Great game, no game is the same, so great replay value.”
“The replayability that this game has is insane as you can level up so much and the different game modes never get boring.”
“Fantastic game with so much replayability.”
“I find this to be a little excessive, and I personally can't justify spending that long grinding out what is, at its core, a 2D tank game that has obvious limits to its replayability.”
“Replay value: ok, the community in games is what brings people into the game but a decent amount of the community here is not too friendly and you will not have fun unless you have friends to play with.”
“My two only two concerns are something that can and likely will be fixed, but currently need to be addressed: opponent AI and mission amount/replayability.”
- stability48 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many users reporting frequent bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as freezing during matches and issues with weapon selection. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these problems, others express frustration over persistent issues that detract from the overall experience. Regular updates aim to address these glitches, but the game's stability remains a significant concern for many users.
“It's great overall, no glitches and fun gameplay.”
“This is probably the best pocket tank game I have found; it also runs great on a basic laptop.”
“Yeah, it works bug-free!”
“I want to play, but it freezes in the middle of the match and I've found no solution, not that I should need one in the first place.”
“The game used to be so buggy that I couldn't play it for more than a couple of minutes without crashing.”
“I'm guessing it has something to do with the Unity update, but now there are virtually no open lobbies, every lobby you get into crashes, the game freezes constantly, even singleplayer bots are broken, and now daily rewards aren't getting dished out.”
- optimization18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance and enjoyable gameplay, others experience significant frame rate drops and poor optimization, particularly on laptops and Macs. Frequent updates aim to address these issues, but some users still find the game processor-intensive and in need of further optimization to fully utilize GPU capabilities. Despite these concerns, the game remains popular for its engaging content and community.
“Excellently balanced, huge variety of maps and modes, rewards for performance, milestones, and achievements, and a community of people that love to have a good time, all come together to make a fantastic and consistently enjoyable experience, whether you're an everyday player or an occasional player.”
“I never had a bug and the game needs like no PC performance.”
“Devs are always pumping out new weapons and optimizations.”
“The game isn't optimized at all.”
“Technical issues aren't frequent, but very poorly optimized, running 27-30 fps minimum on lowest settings, but then tanks to 20 fps on medium, then 15 on max, with not much noticeable changes.”
“It is actually quite processor-intensive and could probably be optimized to use more of the GPU.”
- atmosphere13 mentions
- 85 % positive mentions
- 15 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is frequently praised for its nostalgic and relaxed vibe, making it a favorite among players who enjoy returning to it. The developers enhance this atmosphere through continuous updates, including new weapons and maps, while features like atmospheric nudge and wind add layers of challenge and strategy. Overall, the combination of stunning design and a friendly community contributes to a captivating and enjoyable gaming experience.
“Me and my friends always find ourselves coming back to this game because it has such a fun nostalgic atmosphere about it.”
“The developers keep making the game better by adding more and more weapons, maps, and atmosphere changes.”
“Elements in the game - the atmosphere, design, and simplicity - are stunning.”
- emotional10 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- -10 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Players express a profound emotional connection to "Shellshock Lives," often feeling a deep sense of loss and attachment to in-game characters, likening their experiences to personal relationships. The game evokes strong feelings of joy and heartbreak, particularly through its gameplay mechanics and community interactions, creating a unique emotional landscape that resonates with players long after they finish playing. Overall, the combination of progression and community adds layers to the emotional experience, making it both satisfying and poignant.
“Shellshock Lives made me feel something deep in my core as a person. Those few pixels flying across the screen made me want to scream and cheer them on as if they were my son, and we could go get ice cream after. And all of a sudden, they are gone, blown to smithereens like my son. Now I realize, 269.6 hours into a game that I haven't played in over a day, at least I think I am writing this review.”
“Perhaps most heartbreaking of all, you can't play around with physics such as wind, dirt suspension, and most importantly: wall types.”
“☐ heartbreaking”
“The story was heartbreaking and left me feeling empty.”
“I expected a more emotional experience, but it fell flat.”
“The game tried to evoke emotions, but it felt forced and unconvincing.”
