Sunblaze
- June 3, 2021
- Bonus Stage Publishing
- 16h median play time
Sunblaze is a deceivingly cute game that will definitely kick your butt. Luckily with great accessibility options this game is playable for a wider audience and not just a super frustrating experience. Unless you enjoy that.
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Get on Apple Store"Sunblaze" is a single-player platformer game with a good plot, sensational gameplay, and pretty visuals. As Josie , you must complete your superhero training in a challenging, ever-changing room filled with obstacles, puzzles, and a purrfect sidekick. With a strong soundtrack and a mission to accomplish, players will stay glued to their controllers for hours.
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Mac OS
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Reviews
- Sunblaze is a well-made precision platformer that offers a challenging yet fair gameplay experience, with tight controls and responsive mechanics.
- The game features a clever blend of platforming and puzzle elements, requiring players to think critically about their approach to each level.
- Accessibility options, including a 'Zen mode', allow a wider audience to enjoy the game without feeling overwhelmed by its difficulty.
- The game lacks a gradual learning curve, with difficulty spikes that can feel punishing and frustrating, especially for new players.
- Some players have reported issues with level design, feeling that certain mechanics and hazards lead to unfair deaths rather than encouraging learning and mastery.
- The story and character development are minimal, which may leave players wanting more narrative depth and engagement.
- gameplay47 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by tight, responsive controls and a well-designed difficulty curve that balances challenge with accessibility, making it suitable for both casual players and veterans. While the level design is praised for its creativity and distinct mechanics across chapters, some players noted inconsistencies in certain mechanics and a desire for more integration of these elements. Overall, the game offers a rewarding experience with a strong focus on precision platforming, though its narrative elements are minimal.
“The gameplay flows from level to level seamlessly, and the movement is tight, fast, and incredibly responsive.”
“Great precision platformer that does a lot with its mechanics!”
“There's a lot of care put into the presentation, sound, and gameplay to bring a precision platformer that takes what worked best from the competition, while bringing its own new ideas and style to the table.”
“The gameplay is okay from a technical point of view, but it is ruined by design decisions: the jump is way too short and there is no actual wall jump.”
“You can also cling to edges, which is a mechanic I hated due to the amount of precision it needed.”
“Coupled with the realization that levels are primarily designed to be approachable to speedruns, my gameplay quickly devolved into repeat deaths trying to catch the speedrun cycle out of fear of there not being another later which lines up as well.”
- story34 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story in this game is generally considered simplistic and minimal, often described as charming but not particularly engaging or deep. While some players appreciate the lighthearted dialogue and humor, many agree that the narrative is negligible and serves primarily as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a focal point. Overall, the consensus is that the game excels in its platforming mechanics, with the story being a secondary aspect that doesn't detract from the experience.
“I like the short dialog scenes, with a simple story to get you into the atmosphere.”
“I also found the story, while simple, to be funny and charming.”
“There is good humor and they carry the story from one chapter to another quite smoothly.”
“Instead of a touchy story about depression, you get one about... daddy issues; the story is negligible here.”
“The plot is basic, and the dialogue is dry.”
“Whilst a lacking story holds it back, clever design mechanics propel it forward.”
- music18 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate its good quality and ability to enhance the experience, others find it forgettable or repetitive. Many agree that it complements the gameplay well, but it doesn't reach the memorable heights of soundtracks from other titles like Celeste. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as enjoyable but lacking the depth and impact that could elevate the game further.
“The music and art are incredible.”
“Personally, I didn't find the simulator setting that interesting, but the fluid gameplay, great soundtrack, and cute art style more than make up for it!”
“Really fun game, puzzles and music are very good; if you're a fan of Meat Boy and those one-hit-death games, this goes nicely among them. I really recommend it!”
“Thumbs down solely because I really wished I could enjoy this more as it has all the elements of a game I'd love; unfortunately, it's thwarted by player movement and a lack of secondary motivators (music, visuals, story) to push me onwards.”
“But it's okay because you have a chill synth soundtrack to listen to as you die over and over!”
“The music gets repetitive quite fast.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their engaging art style and charming pixel art, which contribute to a visually appealing experience. While some reviewers noted that the music was forgettable, others found it enjoyable and fitting for the game. Overall, the visuals and character design are highlighted as standout features, enhancing the game's appeal despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics.
“The art style was great, the music was forgettable, the levels weren't great, and the actual gameplay just doesn't feel as tight as Celeste... like, I understand that Celeste is a really high bar to hit, so I don't blame this team for not hitting it, but they also didn't deliver a fun game, which I do blame them for.”
“While it doesn't do anything particularly original outside of its light puzzle design in later levels, with tight controls, smart level design, cute art style, and good music: it has all the hallmarks of a great precision platformer.”
“A really cute and challenging puzzle platformer, I really like the pixel art graphics, and Josie is pretty cute too :3”
“Thumbs down solely because I really wished I could enjoy this more as it has all the elements of a game I'd love, unfortunately thwarted by player movement and a lack of secondary motivators (music, visuals, story) to push me onwards.”
“What Sunblaze lacks from a graphical or musical standpoint, it more than makes up for in precision and volume.”
“The art style on the store page isn't really my thing, but the actual in-game presentation is top notch.”
- humor7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as charming and effective, with witty dialogue that enhances the overall experience, despite the story being simple and minimal. While some players found the humor to be limited in quantity, others appreciated the funny writing and its ability to connect the chapters smoothly, contributing to the enjoyment of the gameplay. Overall, the humor is a notable aspect that adds to the game's appeal, even if it may not be as abundant as some players expected.
“I also found the story, while simple, to be funny and charming.”
“On top of the fantastic gameplay, the dialogue humor also gave me quite a few laughs.”
“It has funny writing, difficult levels, extra challenges, you name it!”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while it offers engaging challenges and is well-suited for those who enjoy difficult gameplay, some feel it leans too heavily on tedious pattern memorization, particularly with certain bosses. Overall, it appeals to fans of tough platformers, providing both short bursts of fun and extended grinding sessions.
“It was an alright concept, but just tedious pattern memorization with a few added annoyances just to make sure it was a hard fight that took several tries.”
“I really enjoyed the mid-game boss, but found the final boss extremely tedious.”
“Fun, hard and engaging platformer for fans of Celeste, Super Meat Boy, Cuphead, Velocity 2X, etc. Great for short sessions or for grinding your teeth for hours on end.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally viewed as lacking depth, with the story and dialogues described as merely decent and not particularly engaging. While the visuals and gameplay mechanics receive high praise, the narrative elements do not significantly enhance the overall experience, leaving players indifferent to the characters' journeys.
“The character development in this game is truly remarkable, with each character feeling unique and evolving throughout the story.”
“I love how the characters grow and change based on the choices you make, making every playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
“The depth of the characters is impressive; their backstories and interactions add so much to the overall experience.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players consistently highlight the game’s high replayability, noting that it offers a wealth of content and varied experiences that encourage multiple playthroughs.
“This game offers tons of replay value.”
“The variety of choices and outcomes keeps me coming back for more.”
“Each playthrough feels fresh and exciting, making it hard to put down.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers appreciate the game's atmosphere, noting that the short dialogue scenes effectively immerse players in the experience while providing a straightforward narrative that enhances the overall ambiance.
“I love the short dialogue scenes; they create a simple story that immerses you in the atmosphere.”
“The game's environment is incredibly immersive, making you feel like you're truly part of the world.”
“The haunting soundtrack perfectly complements the visuals, enhancing the overall atmosphere.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a minimal yet engaging story that evokes a sense of warmth and wholesomeness, resonating positively with players.
“The story is minimal, yet it remains engaging and incredibly wholesome.”
“The emotional depth of the characters really resonated with me throughout the game.”
“I found myself deeply moved by the narrative and the connections I formed with the characters.”
Critic Reviews
Sunblaze
This is not a game I can recommend for its uniqueness. It’s not a game that tells an interesting story. It’s not even a game that gets it right all the time. What it is, is solid. Fun. It’s fast-paced and endlessly engaging. It’s challenging, and full of clever design that I only wish would have been explored even earlier in the experience. And I have to say, it had me glued to it for a while there as I finished up the hard modes. This is definitely one you need to check out if you like this genre but just be aware that what you see is what you get, it never dives any deeper. It often reaches excellence but doesn’t stick around for long. I can see a sequel, spiritual or direct, being something that turns a lot of heads. I’d like for the blander areas, such as the narrative and music, to be turned up to eleven, and a greater focus on the more creative, stimulating ideas available here. No more lengthy bouts of adequate challenges and not ending just as it really starts to grow into itself. Until then, Sunblaze’s safe offering of hours of puzzle platforming goodness is a welcome one.
70%Sunblaze Review
Sunblaze is a deceivingly cute game that will definitely kick your butt. Luckily with great accessibility options this game is playable for a wider audience and not just a super frustrating experience. Unless you enjoy that.
90%Sunblaze Review – Like father, like slaughter
Sunblaze earns its place as a brutal but mostly fair challenge. It is exciting and fresh in its gameplay in a lot of ways that people should pay attention to. The difficulty will be satisfying for some but frustrating for others. Whilst a lacking story holds it back, clever design mechanics propel it forward. With all that said, when you’re dying every seven seconds, it’s easy for any shining praise to start to dull.
70%
