Super Star Path
- June 22, 2015
- DYA Games
A hallmark of excellence. There may be flaws, but they are negligible and won't cause massive damage.
Get on Steam"Super Star Path" is a color match puzzle and space shoot-em-up game with three difficulty modes and randomly generated stages. Players can unlock and upgrade new ships, face intense boss battles, and unlock a boss rush mode. The game features colorful pixel art graphics and an arcade-like FM synth soundtrack.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Super Star Path combines shoot 'em up and puzzle elements in a unique and engaging way, requiring players to think strategically about their shots.
- The game features charming pixel art and a catchy soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- Despite its short length, the game offers a fun challenge with a variety of ships and upgrades to keep gameplay interesting.
- The game can sometimes generate unwinnable levels due to its random design, leading to frustrating moments for players.
- There is no auto-fire option, which can make boss fights tedious and physically demanding on players' fingers.
- The voice acting and dialogue can become repetitive and annoying, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- gameplay64 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Super Star Pat" combines classic shoot-'em-up mechanics with match-3 puzzle elements, creating a unique and engaging experience. While the core mechanics are solid and the graphics and music are appealing, some players noted issues with difficulty balance, RNG mechanics, and a lack of depth in gameplay, particularly during boss fights. Overall, the game offers a fun, albeit short, arcade experience with charming aesthetics, though it may frustrate players seeking more complexity.
“Super Star Pat is a cute arcade match 3/shmup game where you break bricks that are aliens, shoot bullets, and dodge obstacles and enemy fire to stay alive. I was pleasantly surprised by the boss sections that shift the focus from match 3 gameplay to pure shmup mechanics.”
“The gameplay is solid, combining classic shoot 'em up and puzzle genres with some bullet hell elements for boss fights. It's a fun experience that keeps you engaged.”
“This game is really well designed: the gameplay brings an interesting twist to the genre, the graphics are beautiful, the voice recordings are clear and well acted, and the soundtrack wraps up the package nicely.”
“While I'm recommending this game, I think it's fair you get a bit of a warning for its non-minor flaws: to start off, the game is very short. I beat every level with all collectibles, upgrades, and boss rush in just over two hours, and I wasn't really trying to beat the clock. The game, while a bit dependent on frustrating RNG mechanics, can still be too easy, and the difficulty settings don't seem to do much either.”
“Let me elaborate on RNG mechanics: the concept of the last alien in a chain freezing other (different type) aliens around it is necessary for how the game constructs its puzzle elements. However, since those aliens are also arranged in random patterns and there are different indestructible blocks in some levels (like lasers or metal plates), it also means you often get crushed in 'no-win situations' through no predictable fault of your own.”
“The gameplay is just not very deep at all, and doing well is mostly a matter of a roll of the dice due to a noticeable lack of polish in that department.”
- music47 mentions
- 66 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many players praising its catchy, retro-inspired soundtracks reminiscent of 80s and 90s games. While some found the repetitive nature of the tracks during gameplay to be frustrating, overall, the music complements the vibrant graphics and engaging gameplay, enhancing the overall experience. However, a few players noted that the soundtrack might not appeal to everyone, particularly if they find themselves hearing the same tracks repeatedly.
“The music is lovely, especially the main theme.”
“It's a relatively short game, but it's done extremely well - fluid, responsive movement, great pixel art, and awesome music.”
“The pixel art is astonishing, the soundtrack is incredible and the gameplay is smooth.”
“Nothing about the game's sound or music is surprising.”
“The music, like shooting, becomes another layer of frustration over the course of the game though.”
“Stages don't have their own personal track, so if the stage music doesn't appeal to you at all -- it might be cause to instantly refund the game considering it's heard over and over again.”
- graphics36 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming retro aesthetic, vibrant colors, and quality pixel art that effectively complement the gameplay. Many reviewers appreciate the combination of nostalgic visuals with a modern touch, alongside a well-executed soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. However, some players noted that if the retro style isn't appealing, the game may not resonate as well, and there are occasional critiques regarding repetitive voice acting.
“Charming presentation, graphics and sound.”
“The graphics are nice, the soundtrack and effects are ok, there's nothing to complain about this.”
“This game is really well designed: the gameplay brings an interesting twist to the genre, the graphics are beautiful, the voice recordings are clear and well acted and the OST just wraps up the package.”
“There's no surprises with the graphics or trumped up cutscenes of a different style.”
“If the retro art style isn't to your liking, then this game has nothing to offer you at any time.”
“It's abrasive and it clashes terribly with the colorful 16-bit aesthetic it boasts.”
- story16 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as shallow and primarily serves as a backdrop for the gameplay, with little immersion or impact on the overall experience. While it introduces a basic narrative and features humorous voiceovers, players find it more of a stage setting than a compelling story, which aligns with the arcade-style nature of the title. Overall, the simplicity of the story is seen as acceptable given the game's short length and focus on gameplay.
“Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
“Beautiful colorful sprites, great soundtrack, tongue-in-cheek story and voice over, but there's just this nagging feeling that the gameplay, even though technically competent, is missing certain polish that would put it in the shelves of amazing timewaster new-retro arcade games like Downwell or Luftrauser.”
“There's a thicker layer of story introduced to you once you start up the game, but it has no real effect on the gameplay as a whole as it serves to be more of a stage setting than a narrative.”
“So yes, the game offers you a basic story just to illustrate what you're doing, but there's not really much immersion, other than hearing the pilot that you control complaining about this and that.”
“Fans of more classic games might appreciate the simplicity and direct approach in having little to no story to distract from raw gameplay.”
- replayability9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed among users. While some appreciate the procedural generation and upgrade systems that encourage multiple playthroughs, many others feel that the game lacks substantial replay value, often citing its short length and limited incentives for replaying beyond collecting missed items or achieving a true ending.
“What a cute little game! It has great art and music, and good replay value for the price.”
“+Procedurally generated levels, but fun and consistent mechanics make for great replayability.”
“Simple, yet solid upgrade system with finding upgrades creating some nice replayability.”
“The game definitely has personality but, in my opinion, doesn't really have replay value.”
“As for 'replay value', the game has none and you will only ever want to replay a lower campaign level to get the green gems or upgrade points you missed, which doesn't take much time at all.”
“Just take note that it's a very short game without much replayability.”
- humor5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag; while some players find the pilot's quips amusing and a nice touch that enhances the experience, others feel that his repetitive reminders can become grating and detract from the enjoyment. Overall, the humor is generally well-received when it doesn't overwhelm the gameplay.
“Some of the quips of the pilot are actually funny.”
“A great shmup puzzle genre blending game, very challenging, combining thoughtful puzzles and good old bullet hell boss fights; it's even got some funny dialogue as well.”
“The speech does not get activated each time, so it is never an annoyance; it is simply a funny touch.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly due to the repetitive nature of shooting mechanics and the time required for leveling up. However, the inclusion of unlimited lives and the ability to retain earned progress helps mitigate the grind, making the overall experience more balanced and enjoyable.
“Every single shot and the rate of shots is entirely dependent on you and can become tediously fatiguing very quickly despite the very short boss encounters.”
“Not too hard, but not so easy; though 100% can be a little grindy.”
“Let's do some math: on the map, levels one, two, and three each take 2 sets of grinding for 2:30 minutes.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express mixed emotions regarding the game's mechanics, noting that while the interaction with main block-aliens is non-threatening, the requirement for constant button pressing to shoot creates a sense of discomfort and frustration. This design choice detracts from the overall emotional engagement, as it can lead to a more stressful experience rather than an enjoyable one.
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its excellent execution and artistic style, contributing to an immersive experience. However, some users note that the game's short length detracts from the overall enjoyment.
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the game's world with stunning visuals and sound design.”
“The art style and atmosphere create a unique experience that keeps you engaged from start to finish.”
“Every detail contributes to a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall gameplay experience.”
