Strinova

"Strinova is an anime-style 3D/2D tactical shooter with unique movement options and a team combat system. Players can choose from unique 'Superstrings' with specialized skills and weapons. The game features multiple maps and game modes, with promises of more to come in the future."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,952 reviews

gameplay531 positive mentions

monetization32 negative mentions

gameplay
1,248 mentions
43 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Strinova is characterized by its unique "stringification" mechanic, allowing players to switch between 2D and 3D forms, which adds depth and strategic options to combat. While many players find the mechanics fun and innovative, some criticize the overall gameplay for being derivative of other shooters like Valorant and Overwatch, with concerns about balance and repetitiveness. Despite these criticisms, the game is generally regarded as enjoyable, especially for fans of anime aesthetics and casual gameplay.
- “The gameplay is fast-paced and fun, and the devs are always working to improve the experience.”
- “The dimension-switching mechanic adds so much depth—it’s a game-changer.”
- “The paper mechanic is genius—it makes every match feel dynamic and exciting.”
- “Gameplay is bare bones and gets boring real quick.”
- “The gameplay isn't anything game-changing and that is fine, but what they are trying to say is that the switch between 2D and 3D will have a huge impact.”
- “The 2D mechanic isn't just a gimmick—it's a total game-changer.”
graphics
274 mentions
44 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning anime-inspired art style, which adds charm and personality to the gameplay. Many players appreciate the vibrant visuals and smooth performance, even on lower-end systems, while some critique the aesthetic as potentially off-putting or generic. Overall, the combination of impressive graphics and engaging mechanics makes for a visually appealing experience that resonates well with fans of the genre.
- “The visuals are stunning, and the gameplay matches that level of polish.”
- “The anime-inspired art style is gorgeous, and the gameplay lives up to the visuals.”
- “The art style is top-tier and so vibrant.”
- “The bizarre 'paper cutout' aesthetic destroys any sense of realism and leaves you wondering why they even bothered.”
- “Despite the game's claim of having state-of-the-art visuals, what I encountered was a jumbled mess of low-resolution textures, poorly rendered character models, and environments that felt lifeless and repetitive.”
- “Add in constant bugs, poor optimization, and outdated graphics, and it’s hard to recommend this to anyone.”
story
90 mentions
18 % positive mentions
76 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally perceived as underwhelming, with many players noting its lack of depth and coherence, often describing it as basic or poorly executed. While some appreciate the lore and character design, they feel that the narrative is overshadowed by gameplay mechanics and gacha elements, leading to a disjointed experience. Overall, the story fails to engage players, with many expressing a desire for more substantial content and better integration of narrative elements.
- “The lore is surprisingly interesting—I hope they expand it with more missions.”
- “Cool lore story missions when you start the game, good character design, and fun gameplay.”
- “The story is neat and the characters all have charm.”
- “There do not appear to be any cutscenes beyond the opening sequence and tutorials, so don't get too invested in the story as the game isn't interested in telling it to you.”
- “From the little bit of the story I encountered, it looks cheaply made and uninteresting, and I feel not a single bit inclined to learn more about the characters.”
- “The storyline of Strinova, which was supposed to be its saving grace, is an incoherent mess. What begins as an intriguing premise quickly devolves into a series of disconnected plot points and nonsensical twists.”
monetization
86 mentions
10 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
37 % negative mentions
The monetization in the game has received significant criticism for being aggressive and poorly implemented, primarily relying on a gacha system for cosmetic items and making character unlocks feel grindy or paywalled. While some players appreciate that microtransactions are not intrusive and that cosmetics are optional, many feel the pricing is absurd and the overall system leans towards a cash grab, detracting from the otherwise enjoyable gameplay experience. Overall, the monetization model is seen as a major downside, with calls for improvements to make it more player-friendly.
- “Being a free game, I was pleasantly surprised that the monetization behind the game is purely cosmetic, which means it's completely free-to-play friendly.”
- “Microtransactions don’t feel intrusive, which is refreshing.”
- “The primary monetization is cosmetics; character outfits/skins, player icons.”
- “The monetization is absurdly priced; why am I getting US prices from Asia?”
- “I'll get straight to the point: most of the dislike comes from the incredibly aggressive monetization of everything in this game, a grindy battle pass full of garbage and a few good rewards, gacha mechanics for the most valuable skins, and basically no rewards for winning matches.”
- “The game's current monetization is aggressive even as a free-to-play title.”
character development
73 mentions
59 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is marked by a mix of praise and criticism; many players appreciate the attractive and unique character designs, often highlighting their anime-inspired aesthetics and customization options. However, some reviews point out issues with generic designs, slow unlock rates, and concerns over monetization tactics that detract from the overall experience. Overall, while the character designs are generally well-received, there is a call for more variety and depth in their abilities and narratives.
- “The character designs are amazing, and their abilities are fun to experiment with.”
- “The anime-inspired art style is visually stunning, and the character designs are memorable and full of personality.”
- “I actually really love the character design a lot in this game; I think it's one of the game's strongest points.”
- “Character designs are generic, which is a major con for a gacha.”
- “Some character designs are a little boring, which is disappointing considering anime games are usually known for their impressive outfit and character designs.”
- “Character designs are soulless.”
grinding
69 mentions
1 % positive mentions
12 % neutral mentions
87 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized, with many players noting that unlocking characters and cosmetics requires an excessive amount of time and effort, often estimated at over 400 hours. While some appreciate the ability to earn characters for free, the overall sentiment is that the grind becomes tedious and detracts from the enjoyment, especially with aggressive monetization tactics and a slow progression system. Players suggest that the grind can feel overwhelming, particularly after reaching certain levels, leading to frustration and a sense of being punished for not spending money.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Unlocking characters for free seems pretty grindy though.”
- “For someone who loves trying out different playstyles, grinding 50+ hours for a single character is a terrible experience.”
- “The game is also one of the most grindy, slow-progressing games I've ever played.”
humor
58 mentions
98 % positive mentions
-3 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from its quirky mechanics, particularly the ability to transform into a 2D paper version of characters, which players find both hilarious and innovative. Many reviews highlight the absurdity of certain gameplay elements and character designs, contributing to a lighthearted and fun atmosphere, although some players note that the humor can wear thin over time. Overall, the game is described as a funny and enjoyable experience, especially when played with friends.
- “Amazing and fun game, paper mode is hilarious.”
- “It's a really abused gameplay with a unique and funny approach for movement in the form of transforming into a 2D version of your character to run up walls, hide, dodge bullets, and move through cracks.”
- “The 'stringify' or 'stringification' mechanic is super funny and useful in a lot of cases.”
- “The humor in the game falls flat, making it feel more tedious than entertaining.”
- “The jokes are stale and often miss the mark, leaving players wanting more genuine laughs.”
- “The attempts at humor feel forced and out of place, detracting from the overall experience.”
optimization
41 mentions
56 % positive mentions
34 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance on low-end systems and reporting smooth gameplay, while others express frustration over significant CPU usage issues and stuttering during matches. Despite these concerns, many acknowledge the game's potential and the developers' efforts to improve optimization, indicating that it runs well for some users but remains problematic for others. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be a work in progress, with varying experiences depending on hardware and settings.
- “Very well optimized game, I got 120 fps on my MX350 with no stutter.”
- “The devs are doing amazing work optimizing the game for performance and balance.”
- “Game runs smoothly in really good quality.”
- “Trust me, the specs are all lies. I personally use an i5-9400F, AMD RX 5600 XT, and a separate NVMe SSD just to store the game, but the game performance is terrible. I was so angry because all the matches were completely unplayable.”
- “Despite some current issues with balance and optimization, it has the potential to be a major success in the tactical shooter genre.”
- “Add in constant bugs, poor optimization, and outdated graphics, and it’s hard to recommend this to anyone.”
music
35 mentions
49 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its quality and ability to enhance the immersive atmosphere, particularly during gameplay. However, some players express disappointment over the limited variety of tracks and suggest that the soundtrack could be more memorable and energetic to match the game's high-paced action. Overall, while the music is generally well-received, there are calls for greater diversity and improvement in the soundtrack.
- “The music is amazing, especially the login song.”
- “This game’s vibes are immaculate, from the anime art to the music.”
- “Great arena game with lovely characters and good music!”
- “The music is extremely limited with only a few tracks that play over menus; it's nothing you will use Spotify for.”
- “It’s a small thing, but I’d love more variety in the music — something to match the high-energy gameplay.”
- “The soundtrack needs work.”
stability
11 mentions
18 % positive mentions
9 % neutral mentions
73 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is a significant concern among users, with frequent random freezes, lag, and connectivity issues reported, particularly during matchmaking and in the main menu. Many players experience game-breaking bugs that require restarts or lead to lost progress, while others note that the global chat feature can exacerbate these problems. Overall, while some users find the game enjoyable, the instability detracts from the overall experience.
- “The game runs great!”
- “Runs great!”
- “Random freezes hit hard, and it’s making me sad.”
- “Would love to play the game but it freezes at least once a match, when the game first starts up and the majority of the time it never recovers and I have to restart my PC.”
- “Bugs and glitches are rampant, ranging from minor annoyances like clipping textures to game-breaking errors that force you to reload earlier saves, losing hours of progress.”
emotional
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight a mixed emotional experience, with some players feeling deeply affected by the game's narrative and character dynamics, while others criticize the shallow character development that hinders emotional connection. The emotional impact varies significantly, with some players expressing feelings of sadness and others finding the emotional depth lacking.
- “I cried a little, dusted myself off, and started playing—because I’m just that chill.”
- “The exaggeration of creating a deep emotional lore for us paper people... this is just not for me.”
- “This game’s that mech-suited baddie at the con—she’s crushing it, looking dangerous, and you’re out here wondering if she takes Venmo for emotional damage.”
atmosphere
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its immersive quality, enhanced by a great soundtrack and unique design that sets it apart from other shooters. Players appreciate the casual and refreshing vibe, which contrasts with the high-pressure environments of games like Valorant, making for a more enjoyable experience.
- “The unique combat mechanics keep things fresh, and the atmosphere is immersive thanks to a great soundtrack.”
- “The game’s atmosphere is so unique—it’s refreshing compared to other shooters.”
- “Unlike the high-pressure atmosphere of Valorant, Strinova feels fresh, creative, and way less stressful.”
- “- casual atmosphere”
replayability
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
Players find the game to have good replayability due to its unique stringify mechanic, which encourages diverse strategies and keeps gameplay engaging. While recent hotfixes have improved performance, some issues with the ranking system and server localization may detract from the overall experience.
- “It's an overall great shooter; the stringify mechanic, while seeming basic, tends to result in a very interesting strategy. Gimmicky mechanics like these contribute significantly to replayability, making it less boring to play repetitively.”
- “Hotfixes fixed most of the lag issues, now it's more playable, but the ranking system makes no sense with atoms being lower than their components.”
- “The game would probably be a lot more playable without the forced russification of EU servers.”