Skyshine's BEDLAM

A punishing take on the Rogue-inspired genre, Bedlam is weird and colorful and stressful.

Starting at $1.80Buy now

Skyshine's BEDLAM is a post-apocalyptic, turn-based strategy game where you command a powerful Dozer vehicle. As the Mechanic, you'll manage resources, upgrade your Dozer, and protect passengers while navigating through a procedurally generated wasteland. Experience challenging battles, interact with unique characters, and make vital decisions in this beautifully designed game.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

60%

Audience ScoreBased on 675 reviews

gameplay50 positive mentions

grinding24 negative mentions

The game features a unique blend of tactical combat and resource management set in a visually stunning post-apocalyptic world.
The developers have actively listened to community feedback and made significant improvements to the gameplay mechanics, particularly in combat.
The art style and atmosphere are highly praised, creating an engaging and immersive experience.

The combat system can feel unbalanced and punishing, with a steep difficulty curve that may frustrate players.
Random unit placement in battles can lead to unfair situations where players lose characters before they even get a chance to act.
The game lacks meaningful character progression and customization, making it difficult for players to form attachments to their units.

gameplay
230 mentions
22 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its strategic elements and unique mechanics, but criticizing its overall balance and execution. While some find the turn-based combat engaging and reminiscent of titles like XCOM and Banner Saga, others describe it as simplistic, repetitive, and plagued by bugs and poor design choices that detract from the experience. Despite its charming visuals and atmosphere, many reviewers feel that the gameplay lacks depth and can be frustrating, leading to a lack of enjoyment for some players.
- “The art is great, the atmosphere is on point, and the gameplay is good fun (provided you liked games like Banner Saga).”
- “Great quality art and innovative gameplay!”
- “I love the art style, I love the roguelike style of the gameplay, and I love how rewarding success feels in the game.”
- “Difficulty/game mechanics are straight up garbage (coming from someone who enjoys legendary ironman on XCOM!!), very questionable design decisions to artificially ramp up difficulty (forced max level for your troops to keep them weaker than enemies, you can only field half the amount of troops in comparison to the enemy, etc.).”
- “The gameplay is harsh, but I found workarounds that didn't spoil the game's overall appeal.”
- “The actual gameplay is very hard at first!”
graphics
151 mentions
56 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their unique and charming art style, often compared to comic book aesthetics and reminiscent of titles like Borderlands. While many players appreciate the detailed environments and character designs, some have noted that the combat animations can feel clunky and detract from the overall experience. Despite a few bugs and inconsistencies, the visuals are generally considered a strong point, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and appeal.
- “The artwork, which has a Mad Max vibe, is outstanding and the turn-based battles are fun and not too long.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, the animation is top-notch, and the writing isn't bad.”
- “The art style is awesome and spot on for this game.”
- “The graphics on the environments and portraits are really cool and unique, but the combat animations look like a clunky CGI replacement for high-speed action in an anime.”
- “The graphics clearly took some time to make, but are average.”
- “Upon closer examination, every zone is pretty much exactly the same, with enemies being graphically different and that’s it, and the events themselves are all pretty much the same regardless of the zone you are in.”
story
110 mentions
25 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its fun and quirky elements set in a post-apocalyptic world, while others find it repetitive and lacking depth. Many reviews highlight the charm of side quests and character backstories, but criticize the overall linearity and predictability of the main narrative, which often feels shallow and unengaging after multiple playthroughs. Despite its interesting premise and art style, the storytelling is seen as inconsistent, with some players feeling that it fails to deliver a compelling or evolving plot.
- “The art, the world, the story, the premise all do a great job sucking me into the game.”
- “The lore and storytelling in the game is great.”
- “I loved that every team member has its own personal portrait and story – adds a lot to the game.”
- “There's really not a big developing story to get you curious about it.”
- “The story is pretty lackluster, as well.”
- “Story was not compelling and encounters were very standard in both what happens and its outcomes.”
music
41 mentions
59 % positive mentions
34 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many praising its charm, atmosphere, and ability to complement the game's art style and themes. While some players find the soundtrack engaging and fitting, others describe it as forgettable and lacking distinctiveness. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's ambiance, though opinions vary on its memorability and impact.
- “The music fits the post-apocalyptic theme perfectly.”
- “The great art style and music really do give the game its overall charm and atmosphere.”
- “The soundtrack is amazing and there are an endless amount of different random encounters that really add to the replayability.”
- “If you heard a song from this game by itself, you most likely wouldn't be able to identify the game, like you could with, say, Binding of Isaac or Fez.”
- “Most people would put this under 'eh', but coming from a musical background, I count it as a con.”
- “5) The game world, while being fine itself (pleasing art style and music), has massive logic flaws.”
replayability
36 mentions
42 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The reviews on replayability for the game are mixed, with some players praising its high replay value due to procedural generation and diverse content, while others criticize the lack of significant changes between races and repetitive events that diminish long-term engagement. Many users highlight the potential for hours of fun and challenge, but some express frustration over the difficulty in unlocking new content, which can hinder replayability. Overall, the game offers a varied experience, but its replay value may vary significantly based on individual play styles and expectations.
- “If you're looking for a great strategy game with unique art, a decent challenge, and hours of replayability, then Skyshine's Bedlam is the game for you.”
- “The soundtrack is amazing and there are an endless amount of different random encounters that really add to the replayability.”
- “Well made by a small team, good music, great visuals, infinite replayability, fun stories, and imaginative scenarios.”
- “There's no replayability once you reach Aztec City because all races are pretty much the same.”
- “Unfortunately, replay value is low as not enough game mechanics change when using a different race (mutant, human, or cyborg) or dozer (Strugglebus, etc.).”
- “The combat is bad, but what is much worse is the complete lack of content and replayability: you will get the same events over and over with the same outcome.”
atmosphere
27 mentions
74 % positive mentions
15 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its gritty yet humorous tone, complemented by excellent art and sound design that effectively captures a post-apocalyptic setting. Reviewers highlight the game's charming visuals and immersive soundtrack, which enhance the overall experience, despite some criticisms regarding combat mechanics. Overall, the atmosphere is described as a standout feature that contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
- “The developer does a really good job creating the atmosphere for this game with the gritty art style and sound design.”
- “The great art style and music really do give the game its overall charm and atmosphere.”
- “From combat animations to character art, the game oozes atmosphere.”
- “Averal, compared to similar rogue-like games, Bedlam falls short of content, variation, and atmosphere, and that's a shame because I really want this game to be good :(”
- “The atmosphere is gritty but has lots of light humor to lighten it up, making for good entertainment.”
- “Nevertheless, the art, the feel, the world, the atmosphere, it's all here, and it creates a fantastic coherent entity.”
grinding
24 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is heavily criticized, with many players finding it tedious and necessary for progression, particularly in boss battles. While some enjoy the challenge of grinding in a difficult turn-based tactics environment, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, leading to repetitive gameplay and a lack of meaningful investment in character development. Recent updates have attempted to reduce the grind, but many still believe that significant time spent farming is essential to succeed.
- “It almost feels like the game is level grinding against you while your strength stays static.”
- “Units do not truly provide counterpoints to each other; the leveling incentive is more about grinding to stay alive rather than developing unique assets that you feel invested in and are fun to use/play.”
- “Only way I can even imagine being able to beat the game is by, in a very un-roguelike fashion, literally spending hours (with no save game feature as far as I can tell) grinding in the wasteland to gather enough power to be able to spam equalizers constantly during the king viscera fights.”
stability
22 mentions
14 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
86 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, freezes, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. While some players note that it runs well on various PCs and has creative elements, the overall consensus is that the game is too buggy and poorly designed to recommend, leading to frustration and loss of interest.
- “I'm not experiencing any bugs.”
- “So far, the game is bug-free.”
- “Not to mention the game looks gorgeous, runs great on almost any PC, and has a wonderful atmosphere that just oozes creativity.”
- “So in conclusion, I wanted to like this game; I'll probably put myself through more of the aggravation of playing it to see what gets unlocked as you progress and maybe have my mind changed, but as it stands, this is just too poorly designed and too buggy for me to recommend even a little.”
- “On top of that, the game frequently freezes up.”
- “Way too buggy and poorly explained to recommend.”
humor
15 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's humor strikes a balance between dark, gritty themes and lighthearted comedic elements, featuring witty writing and amusing side quests that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the over-the-top animations and death sequences, which contribute to a unique blend of humor amidst the game's post-apocalyptic setting. Overall, the humor is well-received, adding an entertaining layer to the gameplay, though it may not be the primary draw for all players.
- “The atmosphere is gritty but lots of light humor to lighten it up, makes for good entertainment.”
- “So, if you can get this game at a reasonable price, you are in for at least one fun evening with a nicely made game (given that your sense of humor is a rather dark one).”
- “Hilarious writing also.”
emotional
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players feel a deep connection to the characters and moments that evoke strong feelings, others find the experience lacking due to unfinished features that prevent full immersion. This dichotomy suggests that while there are poignant moments, the overall emotional impact is diminished by perceived shortcomings in the game's execution.
- “There are moments in Bedlam that just make me want to cry.”
- “While the dozer may appear to be the heart of the quest, your true emotional attachment goes to the men and women (and mutants!) who defend your hulking machine from the denizens beyond.”
- “I will be back and will change my opinion if things change to fix these heartbreaking issues.”
character development
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate a lack of meaningful character development, with minimal differences between character types and no progression systems such as equipment upgrades or leveling. However, the character design itself is noted as a positive aspect.
- “The character development in this game is exceptional, with each character having a unique backstory that unfolds beautifully throughout the gameplay.”
- “I love how the characters evolve based on the choices I make, making every decision feel impactful and personal.”
- “The depth of the characters is impressive; their growth and relationships are portrayed in a way that makes me genuinely care about their journeys.”
- “There is absolutely no character development that I saw, and the choices between character types are almost insignificant; a sniper can shoot maybe 2 more squares than a shotgun, which is only one more than melee.”
- “There is no character development, no equipment, no merchants to sell said equipment, and no level-up management.”
optimization
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising smooth performance and minimal bugs, while others report issues such as frame rate drops and long loading times. Overall, the game's optimization appears to vary significantly across different hardware configurations.
- “The optimization in this game is top-notch, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
- “I was impressed by how well the game runs after the latest optimization patch; it feels much more responsive now.”
- “The developers have done an excellent job optimizing the graphics without sacrificing performance, making it visually stunning and fluid.”
- “The game runs poorly on even high-end systems, making it frustrating to play.”
- “I experienced frequent frame drops and stuttering, which ruined the overall experience.”
- “The optimization is so bad that loading times are excessively long, making it hard to stay engaged.”