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STARWHAL

Starwhal: Just the Tip offers up some fantastic multiplayer action for those not looking for a serious endeavor. If you can't get four players together though it loses most of its luster.
STARWHAL Game Cover
90%Game Brain Score
gameplay, humor
story, grinding
90% User Score Based on 639 reviews
Critic Score 76%Based on 9 reviews

Platforms

Mac OSPCPhonePlaystation 4Playstation 5WindowsXbox OneLinuxPlayStationPlaystation 3TabletWiiWii UXbox
STARWHAL Game Cover

About

"STARWHAL is a local multi-player fighting game that pits up to 4 players against each other as narwhals in space, offering 25 arenas, 4 game modes, and 90+ costumes. The game also includes 32 single-player challenges with leaderboards, ghost replays, and achievements. Inspired by classic couch-gaming, STARWHAL is known for its humor, awesome gameplay, good graphics, and exceptional soundtrack."

STARWHAL screenshot
STARWHAL screenshot
STARWHAL screenshot
STARWHAL screenshot
STARWHAL screenshot
STARWHAL screenshot
STARWHAL screenshot
STARWHAL screenshot
STARWHAL screenshot
STARWHAL screenshot
STARWHAL screenshot
+13

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 639 reviews
gameplay15 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions

  • Starwhal is a hilarious and chaotic local multiplayer game that guarantees laughter and fun with friends.
  • The game features charming graphics, a variety of customization options for narwhals, and simple controls that are easy to learn but hard to master.
  • The unique gameplay mechanics, including slow-motion effects during critical moments, create an engaging and entertaining experience.
  • The game lacks online multiplayer, which limits its replayability and accessibility for those without local friends to play with.
  • Controls can be frustratingly imprecise, leading to chaotic gameplay that may not appeal to everyone.
  • Content is somewhat limited, with only a few game modes and variations, which can lead to repetitive gameplay over time.
  • gameplay
    58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it simplistic and lacking depth, leading to a quickly diminishing interest. While some appreciate the fun, chaotic nature and couch co-op appeal, others criticize the underdeveloped mechanics, imprecise controls, and balance issues across various modes. Overall, it seems best suited for casual play with friends rather than competitive gaming, as the core mechanics may not hold up for extended sessions.

    • “The gameplay is simple, it's goofy, it's competitive, and it's freaking great.”
    • “The gameplay is like a rainbow that has been crushed into crystalline form and mainlined through your eyeballs; it is fast-paced and frantic couch co-op in its purest sense.”
    • “It has amazing neo-noir inspired art, music that will give you flashbacks to Hotline Miami and Miami Vice, and simple unique gameplay that anyone can pick up and play yet through pure genius never manages to get old.”
    • “No matter what activity one takes part in, the weak gameplay becomes flat and unexciting very quickly.”
    • “None of the gameplay modes feel especially 'complete', with gameplay limitations and balance issues existing across every mode.”
    • “The controls are annoyingly imprecise, the gameplay modes are very limited, and it doesn't have much staying power.”
  • humor
    39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in this game is a standout feature, characterized by its absurd and derpy elements, such as customizable narwhal hats and intentionally clunky controls that lead to hilarious gameplay moments. Players report that the game is a fantastic source of laughter, especially in local multiplayer settings, though some express a desire for online multiplayer options to enhance the experience. Overall, it’s described as a simple yet riotously funny party game that guarantees memorable moments with friends.

    • “If you're looking for a party game to get folks laughing, you'll find it here.”
    • “The humor in this title is its own special kind of derpy.”
    • “With its weird physics, Starwhal is a hilarious good time to sit down and play with a bunch of friends.”
  • graphics
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are a polarizing aspect, with many players appreciating the vibrant, retro-inspired art style and attention to detail, while others criticize the low graphical fidelity and occasional glitches. The visuals are described as colorful and aesthetically pleasing, often evoking a nostalgic 80s vibe, but some users note that the minimalist approach may not appeal to everyone. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's charm, despite some technical limitations.

    • “The graphics are visually appealing, and the soundtrack is fantastic.”
    • “The games graphics is a love or hate concept; if you have any love for the 80's art and look style, you will absolutely love the graphics. It is vibrant and brimming with color, and a lot of attention to detail was invested here, which paid off well.”
    • “Along with the vibrant and poppy graphics and fab soundtrack, even at the moment this game is well worth the asking price.”
    • “For a game of such low graphical fidelity, a higher frame rate should be the standard.”
    • “The graphics are ultra minimal, which doesn't help either.”
    • “That being said, I must admit that the graphics have distanced me as a player.”
  • music
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its vibrant and engaging soundtrack, often compared to the styles of 80s synth and neo-noir influences, enhancing the overall experience. While many players find the music enjoyable and fitting, some note that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing to its fun and lively atmosphere, especially in multiplayer settings.

    • “Nearly every song in the soundtrack is excellent, and most of them have very suggestive titles.”
    • “Starwhal is a zany, neon-soaked, 80s-tinged local multiplayer combat game with silly physics and a killer synth pumping soundtrack.”
    • “The graphics are visually appealing, and the soundtrack is fantastic.”
    • “The music, though, is repetitive; it's fun at first but gets way too repetitive after that.”
    • “Also, the music is probably the weakest part of the title.”
    • “Music is okay, and I wish there were more customization of the game, but it's good as is.”
  • story
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game features a profound love story centered on grief and loss, with a strong focus on character development and a rich narrative. However, it lacks a clear backstory regarding the circumstances of the loss, leaving players to interpret the main character's motivations. While some find the story engaging, others note that it may not be the primary draw of the game, which can also be enjoyed casually with friends.

    • “This game is a very in-depth love story about one's grieving after losing the one they love most.”
    • “I love the character development and the deep, rich storyline.”
    • “Anyways, back to the deep and metaphorical story of this game.”
    • “There is no backstory to this game, so we do not know how this loved one was lost, whether it be by cheating, death, or any other situation, but the loss of the one they love is clearly the motive for the main character.”
    • “This game has no story, but it's good to play with friends or alone if you just want to relax.”
    • “End of story.”
  • optimization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally adequate, providing a smooth experience with frame rates fluctuating between 90 and 120. However, some users report issues with older systems, particularly with fullscreen mode causing loading problems.

    • “Technical performance is adequate, with the frame rate frequently oscillating from around 90 to about 120, creating a smooth experience without any noticeable drops.”
    • “Some indie games are not well optimized, making it harder to run, especially on older systems.”
    • “Although it still runs smoothly on 1.3 GHz, I cannot open the game in fullscreen as it will get stuck on the loading screen.”
  • grinding
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly in versus mode, which requires significant time investment to achieve certain goals. While singleplayer mode with bots can be enjoyable, it also risks becoming monotonous over extended play sessions. Overall, the grinding elements contribute to a sense of frustration in the gaming experience.

    • “Granted, this only takes about five seconds to pass, but it adds to the all-around tediousness of the entire experience.”
    • “If you are somehow finished with the challenge mode, then comes the really most grinding part: the versus mode.”
    • “But in reality, it demands too much time for grinding some achievements.”
  • stability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability on most systems, particularly Windows, though some users have reported occasional glitches and issues on Mac devices. Despite these minor setbacks, the overall performance is generally positive.

    • “This game runs smoothly on every system.”
    • “I haven't experienced any crashes or major bugs, which is impressive.”
    • “The performance is consistent, making for a seamless gaming experience.”
    • “The game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
    • “For now, it is a game mainly for Windows as I am experiencing some troubleshooting on my MacBook Air.”
  • replayability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    While the variety of maps in Heart Attack offers some diversity, many users feel that it does not significantly enhance the game's overall replayability.

    • “Heart attack is the main attraction, though the large amount of maps doesn't really solve the replayability issue.”
  • emotional
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game centers on a poignant journey of four space-faring narwhals, exploring themes of resilience and survival as they confront their inner strengths and vulnerabilities. Players are likely to experience a deep connection to the characters and their struggles throughout the narrative.

    • “Four space-faring narwhals embark on a heart-wrenching journey to discover who among them holds the inner fortitude to survive alone.”

76%Critics’ scoreBased on 9 critic reviews

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