STRAYLIGHT
- January 31, 2023
- Dr BLOC
Get on Steam"Straylight" is a single-player Platformer game that utilizes the Fling Engine for comfortable VR movement, allowing players to swing, soar, and eventually master the game's handcrafted obstacle courses. With a phenomenal soundtrack and a challenging "easy to learn, hard to master" gameplay, players must learn from their deaths and try again in this VR platforming experience.
PC
Playstation 4
Virtual Reality
Windows
Oculus Quest
PlayStation
PlayStation VR
PlayStation VR2
Reviews
- Straylight offers exhilarating and fluid movement mechanics that make navigating levels feel satisfying and addictive.
- The game features a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, providing a chill yet intense atmosphere.
- Levels are designed with replayability in mind, offering unique challenges and shortcuts that encourage players to improve their skills and compete on leaderboards.
- The user interface and visuals can be considered unattractive, which may deter some players from fully engaging with the game.
- Controls can be difficult to master, with some players experiencing frustration due to the lack of remapping options and inconsistent physics.
- The game may feel short for some players, with only a limited number of levels available, potentially leading to concerns about long-term replay value.
- music14 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its exceptional quality, featuring a blend of chill synthwave melodies and fast-paced tracks that enhance the gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to create a relaxing yet invigorating ambiance, making it suitable for both casual play and intense speedruns. Overall, the soundtrack is described as phenomenal, with a variety of engaging tunes that complement the game's visuals beautifully.
“I am a little biased since I know the composer and he's a really cool guy, but it doesn't change the fact that the soundtrack moves from smooth, light EP sounds to rocking analog drums to smooth synthwave melodies.”
“The soundtrack is absolutely phenomenal and fits whether you're just vibing or pushing for a speedrun.”
“While you're careening through the void, Rob Kovacs/88bit's soundtrack fills your ears with banger after banger.”
“Most songs have a very chill soundscape that makes you think this will be a relaxing experience.”
“You do feel quite alone and you can lose yourself in the visuals and music while casually hopping around the orbs.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a simplistic, low-polygon style that is both abstract and well-animated, creating an immersive aesthetic reminiscent of Rez. Players appreciate the visuals for their ability to evoke a sense of solitude and enhance the overall experience through engaging animations and effects.
“I quite enjoy the aesthetic of the game.”
“You do feel quite alone, and you can lose yourself in the visuals and music while casually hopping around the orbs.”
“Graphically, the style is very simplistic with low-polygon content, but it is extremely well animated and effects-driven.”
“They're mostly simple, low-polygon graphics, but they are abstract in an almost Rez-like way.”
“Graphically, the style is very simplistic, low-polygon content, but extremely well animated and effects-driven.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is considered highly replayable, offering fun and addictive gameplay that encourages multiple playthroughs. However, some players feel it may be a bit short for those who focus solely on completing each level.
“The game could be a little short for those who only want to clear each level, but it is otherwise very replayable.”
“Straylight is also very replayable.”
“It's a fun and addictive game with lots of replayability.”
“The game lacks meaningful choices, making replayability feel pointless.”
“Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
“The limited variety in gameplay mechanics means that replaying the game feels more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized as addictive and satisfying, with an underlying intensity that enhances the challenging sections, encouraging players to return for more.
“And the gameplay will keep you coming back.”
“But they all have an underlying intensity that fits right in with the more challenging gameplay sections as well.”
“The gameplay is addicting and satisfying.”
- story3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimal and not a primary focus, featuring a snarky narrator reminiscent of GLaDOS, but it remains unclear if a deeper narrative will emerge as the player progresses. Overall, it is not recommended for those seeking a story-driven experience.
“The story doesn't appear to be a thing - the game is narrated by a snarky entity (whose identity I have yet to learn since I'm not done with the game) who gives off GLaDOS vibes.”
“Maybe a narrative will develop, but so far it's not really a story-driven game.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is generally well-received, with users noting it as a positive aspect of the game.
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the presence of a "reset" button and numerous checkpoints, which help alleviate the tedium often associated with grinding, making the experience more manageable and enjoyable.
“The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I find myself doing the same tasks over and over again, which quickly becomes boring.”
“The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and detracts from the overall experience.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game rewarding, as mastering movement and physics fosters a sense of cleverness and accomplishment when discovering routes and shortcuts through levels.
“Mastering the movement and physics is rewarding, and finding routes and shortcuts through each level really made me feel clever.”
