Strike Suit Zero
- January 23, 2013
- Born Ready Games Ltd.
- 6h median play time
There are issues with the game. It's unpolished, game design could have been a bit sensible, there could have been more vareity in combat scenarious, but at its core it's a game made by developers who wanted to revive a genre no one wanted to touch.
Strike Suit Zero is a space combat game that places you in the cockpit of a transforming fighter jet. Engage in fast-paced aerial battles, switch between hover and flight modes, and utilize advanced weaponry to defeat your enemies. With a variety of missions and intense space combat, it's a must-play for fans of the genre.
Reviews
- Visually stunning graphics and environments that enhance the gameplay experience.
- Fast-paced and engaging combat, especially in Strike Suit mode, which allows for dynamic gameplay.
- Great soundtrack that complements the action and atmosphere of the game.
- Repetitive mission structure with a lack of variety in objectives, leading to a monotonous experience.
- Poorly designed targeting system that can make it frustrating to lock onto enemies and objectives.
- Significant difficulty spikes, particularly in later missions, which can lead to frustration and a feeling of unfairness.
- story804 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story of "Strike Suit Zero" is generally considered basic and predictable, often serving merely as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a compelling narrative. While some players appreciate the engaging space combat and the potential for character development, many criticize the flat acting, repetitive mission objectives, and an anti-climactic ending that fails to leave a lasting impression. Overall, the game is seen as more focused on action than storytelling, with a few players noting that the missions can feel monotonous and frustrating, particularly due to the prevalence of escort missions and a lack of meaningful plot progression.
“The story is decent for a short game and was enough to keep me going level to level.”
“The story does an adequate job of tying the missions together, and even has a sufficiently interesting twist at the end.”
“The story element is presented through decent dialogue, but I never felt that I was really into it for that; this game is for those that love dazzling fireworks in a free moving environment, and not for those that get motion sickness at all.”
“The story is basic, the acting is flat, the missions feel empty.”
“The story is shallow, but at least you have a slight idea of what you're doing and why.”
“The story is incredibly basic and at times makes little sense, there are no real twists and turns during the game that make you feel 'woah, I didn't expect that' and I am left with a feeling like the story had only just started and there is much more left to be told as two key moments are left somewhat hanging, including the ending I got.”
- graphics234 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Strike Suit Zero" are generally praised for their vibrant and stunning visuals, especially considering the game's indie status and its 2013 release. Many reviewers highlight the impressive art style, atmospheric effects, and smooth performance, although some note that the graphics can feel unrefined or outdated compared to modern standards. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the immersive experience of space combat, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The graphics are absolutely beautiful, the combat is fun and challenging, and the feeling of maneuvering in three-dimensional space while avoiding missiles and ships is exhilarating.”
“Absolutely gorgeous graphics with an equally quality soundtrack to go with it.”
“The visuals are stunning, the controls are sleek, and the music is incredible.”
“Graphics look heavy in general, but actually they are pretty unrefined.”
“The graphics in the game are a bit underwhelming, looking more like a game from the late 00s, rather than the 2010s.”
“The controlls don't feel nice and the graphics are really outdated.”
- gameplay219 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by its fast-paced, engaging combat mechanics and impressive graphics, often praised for the unique transformation feature of the strike suit. However, players have noted issues such as repetitive gameplay, frustrating controls, and interruptions from cutscenes that detract from the overall experience. While the core mechanics are solid and enjoyable, the game suffers from a lack of depth and variety, making it challenging for some players to maintain interest over time.
“Simple combat gameplay, great graphics, good cockpit and flight dynamics are fun.”
“Most fluid gameplay that involves combat with a spaceship that transforms into a mech I have ever played, accompanied by a killer soundtrack.”
“The gameplay is fun and exciting; I mean, you're flying in space, but some moments are rather boring, and the mechanics can be a bit irritable at times.”
“The biggest flaw is the core gameplay; it is a huge drag and way too difficult since you need to really manage your resources well, especially during later chapters.”
“Fly around trying to shoot through an endless amount of white flashes and pixelated static, only to be interrupted by unnecessary cutscenes, all the while the gameplay doesn't pause, so you'll get the full enjoyment of being shot and missiled half to death without control of your craft.”
“The gameplay does get repetitive, which is my main criticism of the game.”
- music199 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its epic and atmospheric qualities, often likening it to the soundtracks of classic titles like Homeworld and Ghost in the Shell. While some players find the soundtrack to be immersive and fitting for the gameplay, others criticize it for being repetitive or not well-suited to the game's pace. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight by many, enhancing the visual experience and combat intensity.
“The music adds an amazing atmosphere and works well with the graphics and art style, creating a great experience beyond just merely the gameplay.”
“The soundtrack is the equal of any recent sci-fi game and was composed by Paul Ruskay of Homeworld fame.”
“Fast-paced space combat with wonderful visuals, art style, and music.”
“The music is very repetitive, a sort of Homeworld ripoff instead.”
“I was also disappointed with the background music, which is a shame because I think it's the same guy that did the music for Homeworld.”
“The soundtrack is unbearably annoying, and it's just average through and through.”
- replayability32 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game offers high replayability through a scoring and medal system, unlockable weapons and ships, and multiple difficulty levels, encouraging players to revisit missions for better scores and upgrades. While many users appreciate the variety in objectives and the ability to replay missions with different ships, some feel the linear structure limits long-term replay value. Overall, the inclusion of bonus objectives and a separate arcade mode enhances the replay experience, though some players desire more diverse mission choices and modes.
“High replayability with a scoring/medal system, special bonus objectives that unlock new upgrades and ships, multiple difficulty levels, and even a bonus arcade version of the game called Strike Suit Infinity!”
“The thirteen missions have a wide variety of objectives which make every one feel unique, and the improvement of both your ship and your pilot's abilities give it a high level of replayability.”
“There's also a good amount of replay value added in the form of mission medals and stat upgrade unlocks, which have me revisiting mission after mission to try for higher scores and get the unlocks/medals that I want.”
“There are not enough options to really add any replayability there.”
“Being linear, that's it, replayability is minimal unless you want to try harder difficulty.”
“The game has no replay (unless you count achievement score hunting as replayability).”
- atmosphere25 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is generally praised for its engaging visuals, atmospheric music, and immersive sound design, creating a compelling experience during space battles. However, some players noted inconsistencies, such as muffled audio and a lack of true spatial immersion, which detracted from the overall experience. While many enjoyed the vibrant settings and thematic elements reminiscent of classic space franchises, others found the atmosphere lacking depth and soul, leading to mixed feelings about its execution.
“The music adds an amazing atmosphere and works well with the graphics and art style, creating a great experience beyond just merely the gameplay.”
“The sound and music are just as good, really fitting the atmosphere of the game, helping to enhance the feeling that you're taking part in massive epic space battles.”
“The atmosphere of the game reminds me very much of the Homeworld series, which is a good thing.”
“There's barely any sense of atmosphere, and you and your enemies all generally sound muffled.”
“Didn't feel like I was in space - fighters perpetually move forward & nobody takes advantage of inertia & lack of atmosphere.”
“It feels a bit like Zone of the Enders without any soul in terms of atmosphere.”
- optimization17 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while some players report good performance even on lower-end systems, others experience significant issues such as hitching, stuttering, and input lag, particularly during combat and in the final mission. Additionally, the menus are poorly optimized for mouse control, suggesting a lack of polish in the overall user interface. Overall, while there are moments of solid performance, the game suffers from notable stability problems that detract from the experience.
“Reminiscent of older LucasArts titles like Jedi Starfighter or Rogue Squadron, this game emphasizes a need for tight performance on every attack run and dares players to hunt for hidden objectives.”
“The game provides you with a high-performance, agile, yet very lethal death-dealing machine that folds in its ammunition so you can conduct a massive ass-kicking.”
“Very well optimized as well, with a playable framerate on an integrated graphics card (Intel HD 3000) running at 1280x800 with all settings on minimum (still looks amazing even at low quality).”
“As if all these problems weren’t bad enough, there is also a serious problem with stability. Even on my PC: i7-6700, 16 GB of RAM, Windows 7 64-bit, and an EVGA 1070, I have seen consistent hitching and stuttering while in combat.”
“The game's presentation is tight, with good visual effects and atmospheric sound design, but is plagued by poor optimization, resulting in increasingly intolerable frame stutter and worse, the video lagging behind my button inputs.”
“The game's menus are very poorly optimized for mouse control, and its design suggests the devs at some point were trying very hard to prepare the game for a console release that never happened.”
- grinding15 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often leading to frustration. Many reviews highlight the monotony of missions that require players to repeatedly destroy large numbers of enemies or complete similar objectives, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the space combat experience. While some appreciate the game's mechanics and story, the excessive grinding can make gameplay feel laborious and diminish the fun factor.
“An otherwise capable indie arcade space sim whose tedious amount of enemies, combined with useless AI wingmen, sabotages any fun that might be derived.”
“Many missions, especially the incredibly tedious ones that involve picking off every turret from a large cruiser, turned into me going for an attack, then flying aimlessly while my shield recharged before trying again.”
“The space combat is solid, but when you're grinding through another 'destroy 20 enemy fighters' objective for the fourth time in the same mission, it gets a little old.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a strong emotional impact from the game, highlighting the intense toll of war and the immersive visuals that evoke feelings reminiscent of classic space operas. The soundtrack enhances this emotional experience, though some reviewers suggest that more character interaction and non-linear mission choices could deepen empathy and replayability. Overall, the game successfully elicits a range of emotions, making players feel deeply connected to the narrative and characters.
“Meanwhile, the war rages on, and its emotional toll is felt by all.”
“Maybe I'll come back to it one day and find out something I missed, but man does this game make me want to cry.”
“Now, the soundtrack is absolutely great; it really reminded me of the old days when I used to play Homeworld 2 and Strike Suit Zero actually made me feel like I was piloting one of the fighters from Homeworld because the setting is so similar and I'm pretty sure it was one of the inspirations.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its amusing gameplay elements, such as the ability for the spaceship to transform, and the chaotic nature of space battles filled with explosions. While the voice acting and music are considered bland, the overall experience is described as hilariously fun, particularly for fans of the arcade shooter genre. However, the reliance on cheesy sci-fi tropes may not resonate with everyone, as it lacks the ironic charm some players might expect.
“A funny arcade shooter with an interesting story and beautiful artwork.”
“It just looks really pretty, and the fact that your spaceship can transform is just funny.”
“Good music, funny space battles, and cool ship designs.”
- stability5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with some users reporting significant bugs and freezing issues, particularly at the main menu, while others note it as one of the least buggy games they've encountered recently. Overall, the presence of frustrating bugs can detract from the experience, leading to a sense of unpredictability in gameplay.
“The game is okay, but it is buggy sometimes.”
“Also own the SS Infinity that freezes at the main menu.”
“Unfortunately, it is also horrendously buggy, which makes it exceedingly frustrating: it's not enough to be good, you also have to be lucky, because luck is the only way to avoid the worst effects of the bugs.”
- character development3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is largely criticized, with reviewers noting a lack of depth and meaningful growth for the characters, who primarily serve as order-givers. While the voice acting is considered decent, the overall narrative and character arcs feel underdeveloped, detracting from the game's potential.
“It is not a $20.00 title; I feel it missed out on much-needed development such as character development, story depth, and scenario design.”
“While the voice acting is fairly decent, character development is non-existent: they are simply there to give you orders.”
“The characters lack depth and growth, making it hard to feel invested in their journeys.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Many users express frustration with "subscribe to survive" games that feature excessive in-game purchases, arguing that this undermines the intended skill-based and balanced gameplay experience.
“I have a problem with 'subscribe to survive' games that have an overboard in-game purchase system, which undermines the intent of being a game of skill or balanced play.”
“The monetization model feels exploitative, making it difficult to enjoy the game without spending a significant amount of money.”
“It's frustrating that the game pushes players towards microtransactions to progress, rather than allowing skill and strategy to dictate success.”
Critic Reviews
Strike Suit Zero Review
There are issues with the game. It's unpolished, game design could have been a bit sensible, there could have been more vareity in combat scenarious, but at its core it's a game made by developers who wanted to revive a genre no one wanted to touch.
75%Strike Suit Zero review: fight or flight
Strike Suit Zero is undermined by difficulty and pacing
65%Strike Suit Zero review
Intuitive and accessible but also repetitive, SSZ is a flight combat game that trades on tradition rather than imagination.
62%