Squirreltopia
- January 12, 2015
- SD
Get on Steam"Squirreltopia" is a game where you must save the squirrel population from an evil robotic squirrel, Shadow-tail, who has kidnapped squirrels and stolen all the gems. Explore diverse levels, use the environment to your advantage, and defeat powerful machines to take back your planet. With simple gameplay, 50+ challenging levels, unique worlds, insane boss battles, and unlockable mini-games, this game will keep you entertained for hours.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features charming graphics and a cute art style that appeals to players.
- Squirreltopia offers a challenging platforming experience that rewards skill and precision, making it engaging for fans of hardcore platformers.
- The soundtrack is enjoyable and complements the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.
- The controls are often unresponsive and feel clunky, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- The level design can be inconsistent, with some levels feeling unfairly difficult due to poor mechanics and hit detection.
- The lack of a proper tutorial or explanation for game mechanics can leave players confused about how to progress.
- music42 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its catchiness and ability to enhance the gaming experience, while others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking variety. Many agree that the soundtrack fits the game's theme well, but it often becomes monotonous due to limited tracks. Overall, while the music is appreciated by some for its charm and quality, it is also seen as a drawback by others who find it unengaging and overly simplistic.
“On the plus side - the graphics are cute, the difficulty makes beating a level feel like a huge accomplishment, and the soundtrack is excellent.”
“The game has a small soundtrack (I believe 8 songs) however each track is very good to listen to and matches the theme of the world.”
“Awesome music, awesome environments.”
“You'll often hear the same songs again and again.”
“The graphics are meh, the music is meh, the story is nonexistent.”
“Sadly, it is hard to tell if there is a soundtrack or simply one song on repeat.”
- graphics40 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the cute art style and vibrant colors that contribute to a whimsical atmosphere. However, some critics find the visuals mediocre or lacking depth, suggesting that while the graphics serve their purpose, they do not stand out in a crowded platformer genre. Overall, the game's aesthetic is appreciated for its charm, but it is often noted that it relies heavily on its art style rather than innovative graphical quality.
“I love the colors and art style.”
“The graphics are charming and the movement/controls are smooth.”
“The art style is great.”
“The graphics in the levels are very mediocre at best.”
“The art style is quite boring, and adding colors won't change that.”
“The graphics are on the low end to fit the minimalistic retro-call-back art style.”
- gameplay32 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of solid technical implementation and varied level design, but it suffers from inconsistent mechanics, particularly with jumping, leading to frustrating trial-and-error experiences. While some players appreciate the challenge and unique mechanics introduced over time, others find the controls finicky and the gameplay repetitive, resulting in a polarized reception. Overall, the game offers a hardcore arcade feel that can be both engaging and infuriating, depending on the player's tolerance for difficulty.
“It's not complex in terms of input (just d-pad and jumps), but the level design is surprisingly varied for how basic the different game mechanics feel.”
“Technical implementation is very good, smooth, bug-free gameplay and works on modern PCs with no problems at all, and a few nice options so you can customize the settings easily.”
“Very simple, and the best part is it introduces different gameplay mechanics such as enemies and obstacles very well over time.”
“The jump mechanic is too finicky and not consistent enough each time, leading to countless frustrating deaths attempting to clear a short gap with a jump.”
“Levels four and seven both featured gameplay mechanics that were set up in a way as to be theoretically impossible to pass by the implemented game mechanics.”
“Garbage game with garbage gameplay and stupid repetitive music.”
- story12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for its simplicity and lack of depth, with many players feeling it is almost nonexistent or poorly developed. While some players managed to find enjoyment in the narrative after extensive play, the overall consensus is that the plot is basic and lacks the emotional engagement found in more substantial stories. The premise revolves around a battle between good and bad squirrels, but it fails to deliver a compelling narrative experience.
“After playing this game for more than 100 hours, I had the chance to go deep enough into the complex story that this game provides.”
“But after getting a bit more into the story, you can't help but feel like you are actually in another world.”
“Also, if that doesn't float your boat, then there are fun little mini-games that you can unlock more of as you progress throughout the story!”
“There doesn't seem to be any story.”
“The graphics are meh, the music is meh, the story is nonexistent.”
“If you expected some type of plot for a $4 platforming game, you will be very disappointed.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky squirrel characters, including a comically evil one, which adds a lighthearted touch to the challenging gameplay. While some players find the humor amusing and fitting for a hardcore game, others suggest that it may not be enough to carry the experience on its own. Overall, the humor is appreciated but is best enjoyed alongside the game's difficulty.
“Momentum mechanics are really tricky, which just adds to the hilarious frustration.”
“I highly recommend this game if you like games like 'I Wanna Be the Guy' or 'Super Meat Boy.' The squirrel characters are funny and cute, even the evil squirrel who likes to be mean! Haha! I feel the mixed reviews are a bit harsh, but it's normal when games are this hardcore. Some people get upset, but I feel the dev did a really good job.”
“Bought the game just to write a funny review.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players find it deeply engaging and capable of evoking strong feelings, such as empathy and nostalgia, others caution that it may not be suitable for those seeking a relaxing experience. Notably, the game features intense moments, such as a poignant scene involving a character confronting the tragic fate of her parents, which highlights its capacity for emotional depth.
“One of the game's most emotional moments is when Elise sees her parents' bodies hanging with a sign nailed to her father's torso that reads 'Diebe', or 'thieves'.”
“If you're out to relax and you emotionally invest heavily in whether or not you win the games you play, I don't advise this game.”
“Squirreltopia made me feel this Mario thing while playing - like it would not be bad for a game in the series, but with a squirrel as the main character.”
- stability3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players praise its smooth, bug-free performance on modern PCs and customizable settings, others report significant bugs and frustrating control issues that hinder gameplay.
“The technical implementation is excellent, providing smooth and bug-free gameplay that works seamlessly on modern PCs, along with several nice options for easy customization of settings.”
“The game runs incredibly stable, with no crashes or major issues, allowing for an uninterrupted gaming experience.”
“I appreciate how well-optimized the game is; it maintains a steady frame rate and performs reliably even during intense moments.”
“The controls are quite annoying, and I find the game to be quite buggy at times.”
“Well, this game is super buggy, and that only works about 1 out of 5 times, meaning you must keep repeating it and dying until you get it right.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is characterized by a whimsical art style and humorous dialogue, creating a lighthearted environment that emphasizes the game's playful nature rather than a serious narrative.
“The art style, the quirky dialogue, and the overall whimsy of the atmosphere make it clear that this game is meant to be enjoyed for its own sake, not taken too seriously.”
“The immersive sound design and stunning visuals create a captivating atmosphere that draws you into the game's world.”
“The combination of haunting music and beautifully crafted environments establishes a unique atmosphere that keeps you engaged and on edge.”
“The art style, the silly things said, and a general whimsy to the atmosphere help you understand this is just a game for the sake of gaming, not to be taken seriously.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking any real depth or engagement.”
“Despite the potential for a rich environment, the atmosphere comes off as bland and forgettable.”
- character development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is highlighted through charming character designs that enhance the overall experience, complemented by enjoyable background music.
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers feel that the game's replayability is limited, primarily due to the lack of significant changes in level design on harder modes, with some suggesting that removing checkpoints alone does not enhance the experience enough to encourage multiple playthroughs.
“It doesn't add much replay value if you just remove checkpoints; slight changes to the level design on hard mode would motivate me to replay it a lot more.”
“The game lacks variety in its missions, making it feel repetitive after just a few playthroughs.”
“Once you've completed the story, there's little incentive to go back and play again.”
