Squally
- July 22, 2023
- zcanann
- 3h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Squally is a single-player 2D puzzle Role Playing Game, offering around 3 hours of playtime. Players help the inhabitants of a strange planet fight evil forces using x86/x6
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Windows
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Reviews
- The game effectively teaches the basics of Assembly in a fun and engaging way.
- It includes a unique mini-game, Hexus, which helps players understand binary and hexadecimal concepts.
- The game has great potential and is enjoyable for beginners looking to learn about game hacking and coding.
- The game feels unfinished and lacks sufficient documentation and depth in its educational content.
- Many players find the gameplay repetitive and slow, with too much hand-holding.
- There are numerous bugs and stability issues, leading to crashes and a frustrating experience for some users.
- story13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The story in the game is described as quirky and engaging, effectively integrating a unique "hacking" mechanic that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the narrative's focus on learning coding concepts through a fun adventure, although some express a desire for more content as the game is still in early access. Overall, the story mode is seen as a valuable educational tool for aspiring hackers, with anticipation for future updates and expansions.
“The story and characters are quirky, and the 'hacking' mechanic is implemented in a way that isn't jarring and doesn't pull you out of the gaming experience.”
“The story of you learning the 'magic of altering reality' suits the game very well and has kept me motivated to keep on playing.”
“It has a nice story that combines the main element of the game, which is coding, with a fun little adventure that the player goes on.”
“I haven't played story mode much since I can't save the game.”
“Waiting for the main story updates takes quite a while.”
“As of now, there's only about ~1h worth of content after they rolled the mini-games into story mode, but it seems like updates are consistently pushed out.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a quirky story and engaging hacking mechanics that enhance the experience, though it may initially seem simplistic as deeper mechanics unfold over time. However, players have noted a lack of tutorials and documentation, leading to navigation issues and a raw feel due to bugs and performance problems. Despite these drawbacks, the integration of puzzles helps maintain interest and mitigate potential fatigue.
“The story and characters are quirky, and the 'hacking' mechanic is implemented in a way that isn't jarring and doesn't pull you out of the gaming experience.”
“The mechanics of Hexus only really open up after playing for a while, so don't be discouraged by how simplistic the game seems at first.”
“However, Squally does a good job of mixing in puzzles with gameplay to prevent 'education fatigue'.”
“Lack of gameplay and documentation in the game.”
“The gameplay looks raw; there are some small bugs, languages are literally Google translated, and I'm getting less FPS than in Minecraft on my Windows 8.1 8GB RAM laptop.”
“I wouldn't recommend it as of now; the gameplay lacks tutorials, and navigation around the map is slow and boring.”
- music3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game's music consists of a single calming soundtrack that loops throughout, which some players find repetitive. While the music complements the fun minigames and exploration, the lack of background music in certain areas may detract from the overall experience.
“The calming music, the fun minigames (like the Gwent-style card game), the interesting rooms to explore, and the neat features involved around working with low-level computer science create an engaging atmosphere.”
“There is only one soundtrack looping throughout the entire game!”
“There is no background music!”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players appreciate that external tools can streamline the grinding process, allowing for more efficient exploration of game functions without the need for tedious searching.
“The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I spent hours grinding for resources, only to realize it was all for a minor upgrade that didn't feel worth the effort.”
“The grind is so monotonous that it takes away from the enjoyment of the game, turning it into a chore.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been criticized for being overly reliant on hand-holding, leading to a repetitive experience, and is further marred by numerous bugs.
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
“I experienced constant lag and frame drops, which ruined the immersion.”
“There are numerous bugs that disrupt gameplay and hinder progress.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be wholesome, highlighting its ability to evoke positive feelings and foster a sense of warmth and connection throughout the experience.
“The game took me on an emotional rollercoaster, making me laugh and cry in equal measure.”
“I felt a deep connection to the characters, their struggles resonated with my own experiences.”
“The storytelling was so powerful that it left me reflecting on my own life long after I finished playing.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users appreciate the graphics of Squally for their charm and aesthetic appeal, highlighting the game's visual style as a significant positive aspect.
“After giving Squally a serious try, I absolutely love the charm and aesthetic it brings.”
