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Solid Aether

62%Game Brain Score
music, optimization
graphics, gameplay
100% User Score Based on 13 reviews

Platforms

Mac OSMac OSPCPCWindowsWindowsXboxXbox
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About

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
Solid Aether screenshot

100%
Audience ScoreBased on 13 reviews
music5 positive mentions
graphics3 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful and creative bullet patterns, complemented by an amazing soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience.
  • It offers a challenging yet forgiving gameplay experience, allowing players to learn from their mistakes without feeling overwhelmed.
  • The minimalist aesthetic is clear and easy to read, making it accessible for both new and experienced players in the bullet hell genre.
  • The game is quite short, with a playtime of under half an hour, which may leave some players wanting more content.
  • Some players found the small size of the bullets and their similarity to the player's hitbox can make it difficult to track their position during intense moments.
  • There is a lack of a scoring mechanic, which may detract from the competitive aspect of the game for some players.
  • music
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 note that the soundtrack complements the game's visuals and stage choreography effectively, with some even finding it enjoyable outside of gaming sessions. However, a few users felt that certain tracks occasionally felt out of place, though overall, the music is considered a standout feature that elevates the game's appeal.

    • “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.”
    • “I felt the soundtrack was out of place sometimes.”
  • graphics
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are minimalist yet exceptionally clear, enhancing readability and gameplay without unnecessary distractions. This design choice complements the challenging nature of the game, showcasing a strong focus on aesthetics that aligns well with the shmup genre. Overall, the visuals are praised for their simplicity and effectiveness, making the game appealing to fans of the style.

    • “A minimalistic shmup that has some great effects built in, even with its (1-bit?) aesthetic.”
    • “Design aesthetics is wonderful.”
    • “The graphics are as minimalist as you can get, but they are also incredibly clear and easy to read.”
    • “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).”
    • “A minimalistic shmup that has some great effects built in, even with its (1bit?) aesthetic.”
  • gameplay
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Solid Aether is praised for its minimalist yet engaging shooter mechanics, combining beautiful visuals and music with a challenging yet relaxing experience. Reviewers appreciate the focus on gameplay over graphics and narrative, though some suggest the addition of a scoring system to enhance the experience.

    • “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.”
    • “Some sort of scoring mechanic would be welcome.”
    • “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 Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, users feel that the game requires further optimization, particularly regarding particle effects, although they consider this issue to be relatively minor.

    • “The game runs smoothly after the latest optimizations, making for a much more enjoyable experience.”
    • “I appreciate the continuous optimizations; they really enhance the overall performance and graphics.”
    • “The recent updates have significantly improved loading times and frame rates, showcasing great optimization efforts.”
    • “But need more optimizations (not really a big problem, but particles are not optimized, I think.)”
    • “But need more optimizations (not really a big problem, but particles are not optimized, I think.)”
  • story
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game prioritizes gameplay over graphics and narrative, suggesting that a minimal story can enhance the overall experience in a shoot 'em up (shmup) genre.

    • “This game shows what is possible when the creative effort is focused entirely on gameplay, rather than graphics and a needless story.”
  • replayability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the game highly replayable, with many, including one user, reporting multiple playthroughs, indicating strong engagement and varied experiences.

    • “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.”
    • “The variety of choices and outcomes keeps the game fresh, encouraging multiple runs.”

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