Shmups Skill Test

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 33 reviews
  • music
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Shmups Skill Test Game Cover
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"Shmups Skill Test" is a shoot-'em-up game that evaluates your shmup skills through various minigames, giving you a "gamer age" score that gets younger with better performance. The game includes 1-4 local player support, replay support, and features a rockin' soundtrack. With quick-hitting skill challenges and a randomized test option, players can practice individually or compete with friends. The game also includes Steam achievements, leaderboards, and cloud saves.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 33 reviews
music7 positive mentions
graphics3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a unique blend of mini-games that test various shmup skills, making it both fun and engaging for players of all skill levels.
  • Replay value is high due to the randomized nature of the mini-games and the ability to compete on leaderboards, providing a competitive edge.
  • The game is newbie-friendly and serves as a good warm-up for more serious shmup sessions, with a charming aesthetic reminiscent of classic arcade games.
  • Lacks proper portrait mode support, making it inconvenient for players who prefer tate gaming setups.
  • Some mini-games are poorly designed, leading to frustration rather than enjoyment, and the scoring system can feel random and unbalanced.
  • The music is often criticized for being annoying or low quality, detracting from the overall experience.
  • music13 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising the soundtrack as fitting and enjoyable, particularly in the context of mini-games, while others find certain tracks annoying or only "acceptable at best." Notably, there are references to classic tunes that resonate well with shmup veterans, but overall, the quality of the music varies significantly among players.

    • “I get to truly see just how good I could be at shmups with some simple exercises, fun challenges, and a daunting soundtrack.”
    • “The graphics of the mini-games are quite simple, but fulfill their role, with several customization options such as filters, screen rotation, image scale, etc. The soundtrack is interesting, fitting well in the various mini-games, including the presence of some well-produced vocal chords.”
    • “There is plenty here for shmup veterans to enjoy, as new stages or even music tracks can contain references to timeless classics.”
    • “The soundtrack contains a number of extremely annoying tracks, and the best tracks are 'acceptable at best.'”
    • “The soundtrack is really bizarre.”
    • “There is one good track and that is when they are copying the Space Invaders music.”
  • graphics5 mentions

    The graphics are generally perceived as cheap and somewhat dated, yet effective color choices and a coherent design help maintain a cohesive aesthetic. While the visuals of the mini-games are simple, they serve their purpose well, complemented by customization options. The overall PS1/90s arcade style resonates positively with players, enhancing the game's charm.

    • “The controls are perfectly suitable, the mechanics are rock-solid, and the visuals are clear and concise.”
    • “Plus, the PS1/90s arcade aesthetic works perfectly with this game, in my opinion.”
    • “The graphics look cheap, but proper color choices save this most of the time.”
    • “It feels a bit dated on a lot of points (graphics, UI, feel), but everything fits together in a coherent package.”
    • “The graphics of the mini-games are quite simple, but fulfill their role, with several customization options such as filters, screen rotation, image scale, etc.”
  • gameplay5 mentions

    The gameplay is praised for its solid mechanics and user-friendly controls, making it enjoyable and beneficial for players looking to improve their skills in shmups. However, some users express frustration with the randomness of the scoring system, which can hinder leaderboard competition by resulting in inconsistent point distributions across different runs. Overall, the game offers a straightforward experience that is accessible to players of all skill levels.

    • “The gameplay is solid, fun, and very useful for enhancing the skills of shmup players.”
    • “The controls are perfectly suitable, the mechanics are rock-solid, and the visuals are clear and concise.”
    • “Another complaint is the scoring mechanic. For those who want to focus on leaderboard chasing, the game is a little too random, with some games giving out significantly more points than others. This means you could be playing for quite a while before you achieve the ideal run.”
    • “As for the actual gameplay, the controls could not be any simpler.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game is well-optimized, running smoothly even on lower-end computers, with easy controller setup and clear instructions for button configuration. Minor complaints about mini-game grading do not detract from the overall positive experience regarding performance and controls.

    • “These complaints, though, are quite minor in the long run as the controls work brilliantly. Setting up controllers is easy thanks to clear instructions on setting up buttons, and the whole game runs smoothly at all times, optimized well for even the lower end of computers.”
    • “The game suffers from severe optimization issues, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
    • “I found the loading times to be excessively long, which really detracted from the overall experience.”
    • “Despite having a powerful PC, the game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, making it frustrating to play.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Users highlight the game's exceptional replayability, often describing it as "practically bottomless" and rating it a perfect 10/10. This suggests that players find numerous reasons to return to the game, enhancing its long-term enjoyment.

    • “The replay value of this game is practically bottomless.”
    • “Replayability: 10/10”
  • story2 mentions

    The game's story is minimal and primarily caters to shoot 'em up fans, making it less suitable for those seeking a rich narrative experience. While the direct translation may lead to initial confusion due to insufficient mission guidance, the overall content and low price make it a worthwhile pick for genre enthusiasts.

    • “This is more for shoot 'em up fans, though those wanting a more story-driven game would be better off elsewhere. However, for the low price and amount of content, it's well worth picking up.”
    • “This is more for shoot 'em up fans; those wanting a more story-driven game would be better off elsewhere. However, for the low price and amount of content, it's well worth picking up.”
    • “The game seems to employ a direct translation, so be prepared to struggle initially. The small amount of information provided during a new mission doesn't really instruct you with anything meaningful.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is notably effective, with players finding themselves laughing out loud, particularly at the amusing failures that often overshadow successes. This unique comedic approach sets it apart from typical shoot 'em up titles.

    • “I can't think of many shmups that have made me laugh out loud, but this one sure did (in a good way)!”
    • “Failure is often more hilarious than success.”
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