Solid Aether

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NOTHING BUT BULLET HELL. Solid Aether is a bullet hell shoot'em up game that is extremely simple designed. It is a classic 2D shooter game featuring a variety of bullet patterns that are generated continuously in a stylish black and white world.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

59%

Audience ScoreBased on 10 reviews

music5 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

Beautiful minimalist graphics and aesthetic design that enhance the gameplay experience.
Challenging yet forgiving gameplay with clear mechanics and teachable moments, making it accessible for both new and experienced players.
Fantastic music that complements the gameplay and creates an engaging atmosphere, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.

The game is quite short, lasting under half an hour, which may leave some players wanting more content.
Small bullet sizes and their visual similarity to the player's hitbox can make it difficult to track your position during intense moments.
Lack of a condensed scoring system may confuse players regarding their performance metrics.

music
9 mentions
56 % positive mentions
11 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beautiful presentation and ability to enhance the gameplay experience, striking a balance between excitement and relaxation. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's listenability, even outside of gaming sessions, and its perfect alignment with stage choreography, particularly during challenging moments like boss fights. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that complements the game's visuals and mechanics effectively.
- “A minimalist shooter with a beautiful presentation, wonderful music, and challenging yet strangely relaxing gameplay. Solid Aether is, in my opinion, the best 'training shmup' around.”
- “Also, the music is wonderful and very listenable even if you're not one to listen to video game music outside of a gaming session (like me!).”
- “The bullet patterns are creative and beautiful, and are complemented by the music so well.”
- “The game is very challenging, with low-key graphics, and music that gets you excited, but not so excited you make mistakes.”
- “I think the controls and music work really well, and this game has something that I love that most shmups fail at: appropriate music to stage choreography!”
- “The final boss and its music gave me dopamine-induced goosebumps.”
graphics
7 mentions
29 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
The graphics are minimalist yet clear, enhancing the gameplay experience without unnecessary distractions. This focus on simplicity and aesthetics complements the game's challenging nature, making it appealing to fans of the genre. Overall, the design is praised for its effectiveness and visual appeal.
- “Great aesthetics!”
- “Design aesthetics is wonderful.”
- “The graphics are as minimalist as you can get, but they are also incredibly clear and easy to read.”
- “The game is very challenging, with low-key graphics, and music that gets you excited, but not so excited you make mistakes.”
- “This game shows what is possible when the creative effort is focused entirely on gameplay, rather than graphics and a needless story.”
gameplay
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Solid Aether is praised for its minimalist yet engaging design, combining challenging mechanics with a relaxing experience. Reviewers highlight its focus on gameplay over graphics and narrative, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a training shoot 'em up.
- “A minimalist shooter with a beautiful presentation, wonderful music, and challenging yet strangely relaxing gameplay. Solid Aether is, in my opinion, the best 'training shmup' around.”
- “This game shows what is possible when the creative effort is focused entirely on gameplay, rather than graphics and a needless story (neither of which are needed for a shmup).”
optimization
2 mentions
150 % positive mentions
-100 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Users generally feel that while the game's optimization is not a major issue, there is room for improvement, particularly regarding particle effects.
- “The game runs smoothly after the latest optimizations, making for a much more enjoyable experience.”
- “I appreciate the attention to detail in the optimization process; it really enhances the overall performance.”
- “The recent updates have significantly improved the game's optimization, reducing lag and improving frame rates.”
- “But need more optimizations; it's not really a big problem, but I think the particles are not optimized.”
story
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimal and not a focal point, as the creative effort is primarily directed towards enhancing gameplay rather than developing a complex narrative. This approach aligns with the expectations for a shoot 'em up (shmup) genre, where gameplay takes precedence over story elements.
- “This game shows what is possible when the creative effort is focused entirely on gameplay, rather than graphics and a needless story (neither of which are needed for a shmup).”
replayability
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the game highly replayable, with many returning to it multiple times, indicating strong engagement and enjoyment.
- “The game is extremely replayable; I think I've already played it 3 or 4 times.”
- “Each playthrough offers new experiences and surprises, making me want to dive back in.”
- “With multiple endings and choices, I find myself coming back to explore different paths.”