Squidlit

About

"Squidlit" is a humorous single-player platformer game with a standout plot and unique mechanics. Jump and ink downwards on enemies as you navigate through the 8-bit inspired world with a stunning soundtrack, designed to mimic Game Boy hardware limitations. Can you stop Skwit Skwot and save the squidlits?

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 354 reviews

gameplay15 positive mentions

The game captures the nostalgic Game Boy aesthetic perfectly, with charming visuals and sound design.
Gameplay is simple and fun, making it accessible for players of all ages, and the humor adds to the overall charm.
Despite its short length, the game offers enjoyable boss fights and a lighthearted story that keeps players engaged.

The lack of a save feature is frustrating, requiring players to complete the game in one sitting.
The camera movement can be disorienting, leading to potential motion sickness for some players.
The game is very short, with a playtime of around 30-45 minutes, which may leave some players wanting more content.

gameplay
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
68%
5%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by its simplicity and charm, reminiscent of classic Game Boy titles, featuring straightforward mechanics primarily focused on jumping and ink-based attacks. While some players appreciate the nostalgic aesthetics and the fun, light-hearted nature of the game, others find the gameplay lacking in depth and variety, leading to a somewhat repetitive experience. Overall, it offers a short but enjoyable romp, though many feel it could benefit from more complex mechanics and a longer playtime.
- “Good sense of humor, simple aesthetics that do their job, straightforward gameplay with no noticeable bugs or issues. Reasonably priced, everything considered, worth it if this is your kind of deal.”
- “The gameplay feels solid and intuitive, and the aesthetics of the game are pretty nice. Despite the simplicity, it has some inspired level design and enemies that showcase potential.”
- “Squidlit is a platforming game very obviously inspired by the Game Boy days, not just in visual design but also in the way the levels and gameplay are structured. It provides a cute storyline, fun characters, and an entertaining if not all that challenging half-hour of gameplay.”
- “Unfortunately, Squidlit completely fails to deliver on any gameplay potential.”
- “Since both the gameplay and the story aren't interesting and there are no achievements and no registered scores in any way, there is really no reason why you would play this game.”
- “It's not a very long or mechanically deep game.”
graphics
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
57%
6%
The graphics of the game are a nostalgic homage to the original Game Boy aesthetic, featuring simple pixel art and a green-and-black color palette that many players find charming and effective. While some reviews praise the visuals for their cuteness and retro appeal, others criticize them for being low quality and difficult to discern during gameplay. Overall, the graphics evoke a sense of nostalgia, appealing to fans of classic platformers, though opinions vary on their execution and impact on gameplay.
- “Squidlit is a super cute, super cozy indie platformer with fun retro Game Boy graphics and a neat chiptune soundtrack.”
- “The graphics are very well made, simple and effective.”
- “From its classic Game Boy aesthetic to the lovely animations, style, and the banging music - I love this game.”
- “Ugly graphics with characters whose sprites are nigh indiscernible.”
- “The extremely low quality graphics here are inexcusable; the developer attempts to hide their ineptitude by suggesting they are trying to rip off Nintendo's Game Boy product.”
- “The graphics have the same standard as the music (with it even making a joke in both the trailer and the game about the 'ugly shades of green') with the characters looking like they're from one of those games based on a TV show or product.”
music
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
50%
10%
The music in Squidlit receives mixed reviews, with many praising its nostalgic chiptune soundtrack that evokes classic Game Boy titles, while others find it grating or ear-piercing. Overall, the soundtrack is often highlighted as a standout feature, contributing to the game's charm and retro aesthetic, though some players note that it can be overwhelming or repetitive. Despite the divided opinions, the music is generally appreciated for its catchy tunes and fitting style within the game's design.
- “The soundtrack is absolutely amazing, and the nostalgia hit hard with every beep and boop.”
- “From its classic Game Boy aesthetic to the lovely animations, style, and the banging music - I love this game.”
- “The game hits it right out of the park with the Game Boy aesthetic with the music incredibly close to actual Game Boy titles like Super Mario Land 1 + 2 and the Mega Man World series.”
- “Terrible ear-piercing music.”
- “The terrible music, low fps, and bright green color gave me an actual real headache.”
- “It looks so ugly that from time to time you can barely distinguish enemies or walls from the background, and the music is the worst I've heard in a long time.”
story
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
68%
8%
The story of "Squidlit" is a lighthearted and whimsical quest where players control a squid-like creature on a mission to thwart an evil villain, featuring simple and childlike narrative elements reminiscent of a first grader's storybook. While the plot is straightforward and not particularly unique, it is presented with charm and nostalgia, appealing to those who enjoy a quick, fun experience. Overall, the game offers a cute and engaging storyline that complements its platforming mechanics, though it may lack depth for players seeking a more intricate narrative.
- “Your quest is linear, go from start to the flying castle.”
- “There's a nice little story, fun characters, good mechanics, some very interesting boss battles, and you can tell a lot of heart went into it.”
- “Nothing new or unique, just the minimum stuff to make a story.”
- “The story, characters, and settings are presented in this simplistic and childlike manner that is straight out of a first grader's storybook.”
- “While Squidlit is indeed charming, cute, simple, and nails the Game Boy feel, it simply didn't put enough attention into a well-thought-out story with gameplay that made me feel satisfied.”
humor
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its charming and cute humor, featuring witty dialogue and funny character interactions that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the lighthearted tone and comedic moments, which contribute to its appeal as a fun and simple platformer. While some found the gameplay short, the humor and adorable aesthetics make it a delightful choice for casual gamers.
- “The game is very cute and funny, the gameplay is simple but that's by design.”
- “Such a fun and cute little game, it's far from being an AAA production and that's what makes it so great, you can really feel the love that went into creating the characters, the funny dialogues and the charming art style.”
- “I'd say it's fun for the approximately half-hour it lasts, and the comedy elements are ridiculous and funny.”
replayability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
The game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the challenge of achievement hunting and the potential for speedrunning, others find the overall experience too short and lacking in content to warrant multiple playthroughs. For those who enjoy pursuing achievements, there is some replay value, but casual players may feel that the game offers little incentive to replay after the initial run.
- “They definitely offer a touch of replayability, and there's even something for casual speedrunners in there.”
- “I totally recommend playing this game due to everything I just listed and the fun replay value, and I can't wait to play Super Squidlit!”
- “Going after some of the achievements will be a fun way to get replay value out of it.”
- “Normally I wouldn't care, but since most of the intended replay value is in the goals set by the achievements themselves, it's hard not to be let down.”
- “If you're not an achievement hunter or bought it on another platform, Squidlit is devoid of replayability.”
- “There isn't any replay value either - you see absolutely everything the game has to offer in those 30 minutes.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its charm and wholesomeness, evoking nostalgia for classic Game Boy titles. While players appreciate its cute aesthetics and straightforward gameplay, some feel that it lacks a deeper, more satisfying narrative to fully engage their emotions. Overall, it serves as a heartfelt tribute to the simplicity and joy of retro gaming.
- “My girlfriend loved this game, and I enjoyed its wholesomeness.”
- “It really comes across as a love letter to these old, simple, wholesome games you used to play as a kid.”
- “It's a cute and utterly wholesome little platformer that perfectly emulates the old Game Boy aesthetic to a fault, even giving it a choppy 40 fps framerate.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
Character development in the game is highlighted by its adorable and well-designed characters, which contribute to an overall nostalgic experience. Players appreciate the charming aesthetics and engaging levels, suggesting that a sequel could further enhance this aspect.
- “The character development is incredibly engaging, making each character feel unique and memorable.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, their backstories add so much depth to the experience.”
- “The way the characters grow and change based on player choices is truly impressive and adds a personal touch to the story.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, users report that the game runs smoothly without any significant issues, showcasing good performance in terms of visuals and audio. Stability is not a concern, contributing to a positive gaming experience.
- “I have no real negatives with this game: it runs great, looks and sounds good, everything is adorable, and it is a great game overall.”