"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.
The game offers high replayability with a variety of game modes, weapons, and unique scenarios that keep matches fresh and engaging.
Shellshock Live features simple yet engaging gameplay mechanics, chaotic multiplayer matches, and a humorous atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
The absence of microtransactions and a fair progression system make the game accessible and enjoyable for all players.
Many players find the grinding aspect tedious and time-consuming, particularly at higher levels, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.
The game's community can be unfriendly, and some players report issues with AI and matchmaking, leading to frustrating experiences.
Technical optimization is inconsistent, with reports of performance issues on lower-end systems and frequent glitches that disrupt gameplay.
gameplay
633 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
53%
3%
The gameplay of Shellshock Live is characterized by its simple yet engaging mechanics, allowing players to control tanks, calculate shots, and utilize a wide variety of weapons in both solo and multiplayer modes. While the game offers a rewarding progression system and a plethora of unlockable content, some players find the grind for higher-level weapons tedious and the gameplay can become repetitive over time. Overall, it combines casual accessibility with strategic depth, making it a fun experience, especially when played with friends.
“The core gameplay is simple yet incredibly engaging: control your tank, calculate your shots, and rain destruction on your enemies.”
“The physics-based mechanics add a layer of depth, requiring careful aim, terrain awareness, and strategic thinking.”
“With its chaotic gameplay, endless weapon variety, and hilarious multiplayer matches, it’s a game that’s easy to pick up but impossible to put down.”
“Overall, this game does not offer a lot of different mechanics, bad bots, toxic players, and not many players after all.”
“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.”
“The gameplay may be somewhat repetitive, but it doesn't get boring.”
graphics
487 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
45%
3%
The graphics of "Shellshock Live" are generally described as clean, colorful, and vibrant, effectively complementing the game's lighthearted and competitive atmosphere. While some users note that the visuals are simplistic and not overly detailed, many appreciate the game's unique art style and neon aesthetic, which enhance the overall experience without demanding high system specifications. Overall, the graphics are considered adequate for the gameplay, with a nostalgic nod to classic artillery games, making it visually appealing despite not being cutting-edge.
“The visuals, while simple, are clean and vibrant, perfectly complementing the game's lighthearted yet competitive vibe.”
“The graphics are clean, colorful, and perfectly suited to the arcade style.”
“Shellshock live proves that flashy graphics aren’t necessary to create an incredible gaming experience.”
“The graphics are rough, but adequate.”
“The graphics are simple, but effective.”
“The graphics are dreadful and the game looks like it was put together within a matter of seconds.”
story
344 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
77%
8%
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its absence, with many users noting that it lacks a coherent narrative and primarily focuses on gameplay mechanics. While there is a campaign mode featuring over 80 missions, these are often described as frustratingly difficult and reliant on luck rather than skill, serving more as training for multiplayer rather than a compelling story experience. Overall, players seem to agree that the game is more about the multiplayer experience and gameplay challenges than any meaningful storyline.
“The campaign missions are fun yet challenging in some aspects and they count towards your experience level.”
“The single player missions are great because you can't just rush through them in one go as you need to also play multiplayer to get more XP and level up your tank & weapons to even be able to beat the next single player mission.”
“The single player missions are mostly fun from what I have played, albeit infuriating sometimes.”
“Worst campaign missions ever seen; devs thinking they're talented, totally a waste of time!”
“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.”
“The single-player mission 'Fiesta Forever' is impossible because you're up against 3 level 80 bots with literally everything, and all you have are weak weapons that do basically 0 damage.”
humor
291 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "Shellshock Live" is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting the game's chaotic and unpredictable mechanics that lead to hilarious moments, especially when playing with friends. The variety of whimsical weapons and the lighthearted banter in multiplayer matches contribute to a fun and engaging atmosphere, making it a great choice for those seeking a comedic gaming experience. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to generate laughter through both gameplay and community interactions.
“Overall, Shellshock Live is a must-have for anyone who loves competitive games with a mix of strategy and humor.”
“When your 'super cat' weapon is bouncing around the screen causing havoc, you’re too busy laughing to notice the lack of ray tracing.”
“The in-game chat system is excellent as well, with text bubbles of what a player says appearing above a tank, which can make for some funny conversations.”
“But it is not funny when lopsided houses do a thing called a 'penalty' and makes you want to uninstall the game. Also, when he does a ghost shot when you have 3 HP and you are begging for mercy, it just adds to the frustration.”
“And now it's not funny at all.”
“Funny bugs.”
grinding
280 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
9%
90%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly at higher levels, where players report needing hundreds of hours to unlock weapons and upgrades. While some players find enjoyment in the grind and appreciate the variety of weapons available, many express frustration over the imbalance in matchmaking and the prevalence of XP farming lobbies, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game is seen as fun but heavily reliant on grinding, making it less appealing for those who prefer a more casual gaming experience.
“Fun game, unlocks are a bit slow but not really grindy, you just have to hit your shots to get exp.”
“Not too grindy and lots of ways to play.”
“I got this game from my brother and I'm really having some fun with this game, fantastic leveling system, long but also not grindy, and tons of cool unlocks.”
“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 the genre, but the addition of grinding to unlock the simplest things and endless boring animations about the experience points you are gaining is utter nonsense.”
“This game isn't for you if you hate to grind for things, or don't like playing the same game mode over and over to get through the grinding fast.”
music
187 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
51%
5%
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players praising its upbeat and epic qualities that enhance the overall experience. However, some users note that the soundtrack can be repetitive, and there are limited tracks available, leading some to prefer listening to their own music while playing. Overall, the sound effects and music contribute positively to the game's atmosphere, making it enjoyable for casual play.
“The music is epic!”
“The soundtrack throughout the game is beautiful.”
“The music and sound effects complement the gameplay nicely, with intense music during battles and satisfying sound effects for firing weapons and explosions.”
“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 be frequently loud music played and as far as I can tell you cannot turn it off even if your music volume is set to 0.”
monetization
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
82%
6%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its lack of microtransactions and in-game purchases, allowing for a fair and rewarding progression system based solely on gameplay. However, some users have criticized recent updates for introducing poorly priced cosmetic microtransactions, which they view as a cash grab that undermines the game's integrity. Overall, the consensus leans towards appreciation for the absence of pay-to-win mechanics, making it accessible and enjoyable for all 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 new microtransactions system is terribly priced and incredibly disrespectful to long-time players.”
“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.”
replayability
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
36%
4%
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players highlighting the variety of game modes, weapons, and unique scenarios that keep each match fresh and engaging. While the multiplayer focus enhances replay value, some concerns about player count due to the game's age were noted. Despite this, the game remains a fun and affordable option for both casual and competitive play, making it a great choice for groups of friends.
“Shellshock is an amazing indie multiplayer turn-based strategy game that is just as much fun now as it was in its prime, has very satisfying visuals, easy to grasp gameplay, and endless replayability.”
“The replayability that this game has is insane as you can level up so much and the different game modes never get boring.”
“Overall you should get this game for its cheap price and high replayability and you should also make your friends get it to make the game that much better.”
“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.”
stability
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
4%
88%
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many users reporting frequent glitches and bugs that can disrupt gameplay, such as freezing during matches and issues with weapon selection. While some players find the game enjoyable and note improvements after updates, others express frustration over persistent problems that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game shows potential but requires further stability enhancements to fully realize it.
“It's great overall, no glitches and fun gameplay.”
“It's a great game for me; with a bad laptop, it runs great. It's fun to chill and play.”
“This is probably the best pocket tank game I have found; it also runs great on a basic laptop.”
“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.”
optimization
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
48%
13%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance and minimal bugs, others experience significant frame rate drops and processor-intensive demands, particularly on lower-end systems and laptops. Frequent updates aim to address these issues, but some users still find the game poorly optimized, especially on certain platforms like Mac. Despite these concerns, the game remains enjoyable for both casual and dedicated players, with a strong community and engaging content.
“You can earn everything through play, and the game has very little bugs or optimization issues that I've experienced.”
“Great game, good performance :d”
“After last performance updates no doubt giving it 10/10.”
“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.”
“However it is not optimized for Mac.”
atmosphere
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
87%
13%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a fun and nostalgic vibe, enhanced by upbeat music and satisfying sound effects. Players appreciate the relaxed environment, minimal toxicity, and the engaging design elements, which contribute to an enjoyable casual experience. While the graphics may lack realism, they effectively support the overall atmosphere, making it a welcoming space for both competitive and casual play.
“Paired with upbeat music and satisfying sound effects, the atmosphere is pure fun.”
“Me and my friends always find ourselves coming back to this game because it has such a fun nostalgic atmosphere about it.”
“Elements in the game - the atmosphere, design, and simplicity - are stunning.”
emotional
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
30%
Players express a profound emotional connection to "Shellshock Lives," often feeling a deep sense of loss and attachment to their in-game characters, likening them to loved ones. The game evokes strong feelings through its gameplay mechanics and community interactions, with players finding joy in progression and camaraderie, despite occasional frustrations. Overall, the emotional experience is marked by a blend of heartwarming moments and poignant losses, creating a lasting impact on players.
“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.”
“☐ heartbreaking”
“☐ emotional”
“The story was heartbreaking and left me feeling empty.”
“I expected an emotional journey, but it fell flat and failed to resonate.”
“While the game aimed for emotional depth, it often felt forced and unconvincing.”