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.
Reviews
- Straylight offers exhilarating and fluid movement mechanics that make navigating levels both fun and rewarding, allowing players to experience high-speed gameplay.
- The soundtrack is exceptional, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game and providing a fitting backdrop for both casual play and intense speedrunning.
- The game features a variety of levels with unique challenges and collectibles, promoting replayability and encouraging players to master their skills.
- The game may feel short for some players, with only a limited number of levels available, which could lead to a quick completion.
- The user interface and visuals may appear simplistic or unattractive, which could detract from the overall experience for some players.
- There are reports of inconsistent hitboxes and physics that can lead to frustrating moments during gameplay, especially for those unfamiliar with the mechanics.
- 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
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers high replayability, making it enjoyable and addictive for players, although some may find it short if they 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.”
- 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.”
- story2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimal and not a central focus, featuring a snarky narrator reminiscent of GLaDOS, but lacks a developed narrative as players progress. While there may be potential for a deeper story, it currently feels more like a lighthearted experience than a story-driven one.
“The story is narrated by a snarky entity, whose identity I have yet to learn since I'm not done with the game, and it gives off GLaDOS vibes.”
“The story doesn't seem 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
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % 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.
- 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.”
