Street Cleaner: The Video Game
- January 7, 2021
- Creaky Lantern Games
Get on SteamStreet Cleaner: The Video Game is a top-down shooter set in a gritty urban landscape. As a street cleaner, your job is to eliminate trash-themed enemies using a variety of weapons. With challenging gameplay and retro-style graphics, this game offers a unique twist on the traditional shooter genre.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features outstanding visuals and an amazing soundtrack that enhances the retro experience.
- Gameplay is enjoyable with responsive controls, providing a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic NES games.
- The game offers a good balance of challenge and fun, with a variety of well-designed enemies and bosses.
- Movement can feel drifty and clunky, which may frustrate players during combat and platforming sections.
- Some boss fights and enemy encounters can feel unbalanced, leading to inconsistent difficulty levels.
- The game lacks a compelling story and some players found the gameplay to be mediocre and repetitive.
- music66 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its energetic blend of synthwave and chiptune styles, which enhances the overall gameplay experience. While some players found the soundtrack to be outstanding and nostalgic, others noted that certain tracks felt repetitive or forgettable. Overall, the music is considered a highlight, contributing significantly to the game's retro vibe and engaging atmosphere.
“Outstanding visuals, amazing music, great bosses and gameplay.”
“The controls are incredibly tight, the visuals are faithful to classic side scrollers, but also having a personality of its own, and the soundtrack is sublime.”
“Not to mention the music is prime and feels like a juxtaposition between synthwave and chiptune.”
“Lots of anticipation builds up to what amounts to be a by-the-numbers experience, with music being forgettable.”
“First of all, if you want to buy this game expecting a banging street cleaner OST like in the trailer, then prepare yourself for a massive let down with looped samey feeling 8-bit style tracks.”
“Just remember if you don't like the soundtrack because it wasn't a 'banger', the game description and advertisements said chiptune!”
- gameplay18 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a nostalgic homage to classic retro games, featuring straightforward mechanics and a limited color palette that evoke a sense of familiarity for fans of the genre. While many players appreciate the engaging music and challenging elements reminiscent of titles like Castlevania and Ninja Gaiden, some criticize the gameplay for being mediocre, with short levels and generic enemies. Overall, it offers a blend of retro charm and modern indie flair, appealing primarily to those who enjoy synthwave and retro aesthetics.
“This game is definitely an ode to games of old; from its limited color palette to movement mechanics, Street Cleaner doesn't try to reinvent anything, instead making a love letter to games come and gone.”
“I always have enjoyed retro-type indie games and surprisingly not only is the music awesome, but the gameplay is pretty great as well. Sometimes I have issues with the dive kick, but other than that I enjoy the retro vibes and music of the game and recommend playing it if you are into synthwave and retro games.”
“The gameplay is mediocre at best; levels are short and lack proper objectives of any kind other than 'get to the end'. Pacing is meh and the enemies and bosses are as generic as you can expect in a retro 2D platformer.”
“A proper challenge-driven retrovania, evoking all the feels, gameplay, and iconography of Castlevania and Ninja Gaiden while also implementing several elements that define it as a unique experience.”
“It's point is direct, and it lets the gameplay (and especially the music) do the talking.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their outstanding visuals and lush, neon color palette that captures the essence of classic NES games and 80s aesthetics. Level designs draw inspiration from iconic action movie locations, enhancing the overall appeal. The visuals are complemented by tight controls and a sublime soundtrack, making for an engaging and well-designed gaming experience.
“The controls are incredibly tight, the visuals are faithful to classic side scrollers, but also have a personality of their own, and the soundtrack is sublime.”
“This is not only an aesthetically pleasing short trip (with added replay value I look forward to experiencing), and aurally enticing ripper, but an extremely well-designed video game.”
“The level design is simple, taking classic locations that are always included in action movies strictly due to their aesthetic: dilapidated city streets, a smelter, and the criminal boss's mansion to name a few.”
“The color palette is lush and neon, evoking the best of the NES era games as well as emanating a proper 80s aesthetic.”
“The visuals are faithful to classic side scrollers, but also have a personality of their own.”
- story4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game lacks a narrative, with players noting that there is no story to engage with, which aligns with their expectations. Instead, the focus is on gameplay mechanics and learning from failures during missions.
“There is no story whatsoever, although that wasn't ever expected in the first place, I think.”
“There is no story whatsoever, although that wasn't ever expected in the first place, I think.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players frequently express that the game evokes strong emotional responses, often leading to tears, indicating a powerful narrative and character connection.
“Then it made me cry!”
“Then it made me cry!”
“Then it made me cry!”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game to be aesthetically pleasing and well-designed, contributing to its replayability. The engaging audio and visual elements enhance the desire to revisit the experience, making it a worthwhile short trip.
“This is not only an aesthetically pleasing short trip, with added replay value I look forward to experiencing, but an extremely well-designed video game.”
