Skybolt Zack
- November 7, 2019
- DEVS MUST DIE
Get on Steam"Skybolt Zack" is a platformer game where you don't jump, but instead use rocket punches and dashing to maneuver through 48 challenging levels. The game features color-matching mechanics, branching routes, and an evolving soundtrack inspired by 90's platformers. With dedicated speedrun and score attack modes, players can compete on leaderboards for best scores and times. The game combines 3D assets with digital painted textures and explosive FX for a unique art style.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Skybolt Zack offers a unique and fast-paced platforming experience with fluid controls and satisfying combo mechanics.
- The game features great visuals and a dynamic soundtrack that enhances the overall gameplay experience.
- It has excellent replayability with multiple branching paths and a scoring system that rewards skillful play.
- The later levels present a significant difficulty spike, often requiring extensive memorization and leading to frustration.
- The control scheme can be confusing, leading to imprecise inputs that hinder gameplay, especially in high-pressure situations.
- Some players find the long levels without checkpoints tedious, as mistakes can force them to replay large sections repeatedly.
- music28 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for being dynamic and engaging, contributing to an overall fun experience. While many reviewers highlight the solid, pump-up quality of the soundtrack, some note that it tends to sound repetitive over time. Overall, the music enhances the gameplay and is considered a standout feature, with special commendations for the music team's work.
“Great gameplay, solid soundtrack and excellent replayability make this worth your time.”
“Also, however many times I repeat the same stage, it never gets boring and the music is top tier!”
“Special mention for the soundtrack, nice job to the music team!”
“The music is solid pump-up video game music, and there's an element of a dynamic soundtrack, but it all kind of sounds the same in the end.”
“It's like a mix between a precision platformer and a rhythm game, but without the musical aspect.”
“The music is solid pump-up video game music, and there's an element of a dynamic soundtrack, but it all kind of sounds the same in the end.”
- gameplay24 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a unique blend of platforming and rhythm elements, offering a polished experience with a solid soundtrack and high replayability. While the core mechanics are engaging and easy to grasp, some players find the later levels overly complex and frustrating, suggesting that a more streamlined approach with shorter levels could enhance enjoyment. Overall, the game presents original and challenging gameplay, with regular new elements that add depth for those looking to optimize their performance.
“The core concept of the game is easy to understand and there's a nice element of rhythm and timing to the gameplay.”
“Great gameplay, solid soundtrack, and excellent replayability make this worth your time.”
“New gameplay elements are introduced regularly, and it clearly has a lot of depth if you like to optimize, but is fun regardless of trying to get good scores or times.”
“The level design ideas generally are not bad and there's a lot of variety in constructing different platforming challenges out of the same mechanics, but the later levels feel too overstuffed with ideas and pretty much all of them could've been cut in half, or more, to make several smaller levels.”
“I think the concept would be worth expanding upon in a sequel if it was geared towards shorter levels and introduced more mechanics to make for a bit more variety, but the game we got isn't quite there in my opinion, and I found it more frustrating than fun to play even with how cool the concept itself should be.”
“It's not accumulated skill in the same way mastering the core mechanics are.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally praised for their quality, with vibrant visuals and smooth effects that enhance the gameplay experience. However, some reviewers note that while the artwork is beautiful, the overall aesthetic feels average, as the level designs tend to be repetitive, primarily defined by enemy colors rather than unique backgrounds. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's fun factor, earning a solid rating.
“Visuals are great, music is dynamic and overall just a fun burst!”
“I'd say a solid 9/10 with smooth and responsive controls, good music along with graphics and a heck of a lot of fun!”
“Artwork is gorgeous, and the cool effects never get in the way.”
“The level aesthetics also change, but they basically all look the same, because the defining point of the visual aesthetic of each level is the red/blue/yellow enemies more than the actual backgrounds.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players consistently highlight the game's excellent replayability, attributing it to great gameplay and a solid soundtrack, making it a worthwhile experience.
“Great gameplay, solid soundtrack, and excellent replayability make this worth your time.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game transforms an initially enjoyable skill-building experience into a tedious and frustrating chore, diminishing the excitement of the concept over time.
“It turns what should be a fun skill-building game into a tedious slog where the coolness of the concept wears off quickly and ends up being more frustration than actual enjoyment.”
“Grinding feels like an endless chore that detracts from the overall experience, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding makes the game feel more like a job than a source of entertainment.”
- story2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The story is largely criticized for its lack of depth and substance, with many users noting that it feels almost nonexistent.
“There's barely a story at all.”
“The narrative is almost non-existent.”
