Tape to Tape

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,938 reviews
  • gameplay
  • humor
  • graphics
Tape to Tape Game Cover
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"Tape to Tape" is a roguelite hockey game where you manage a team of unique players and explore a gorgeous world to restore hockey's glory. Every choice matters, from hiring players to bribing referees, as you craft your dream team and discover powerful synergies. Losing is part of the journey, but offers opportunities to permanently upgrade your hero and improve for future runs. 'LOSING IS ONLY THE BEGINNING' - Tape to Tape

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,938 reviews
gameplay360 positive mentions
stability36 negative mentions
  • Tape to Tape captures the essence of classic arcade hockey games, providing a fun and nostalgic experience.
  • The roguelite elements add variety and replayability, making each run feel unique.
  • The game features a charming art style and humorous character designs that enhance the overall enjoyment.
  • The AI can be frustratingly inconsistent, often leading to unbalanced gameplay where the player's team performs poorly compared to the opponents.
  • Player switching and passing mechanics can feel clunky, making it difficult to control the desired character during crucial moments.
  • The game lacks depth in content, with a short campaign and limited variety in teams and events, leading to repetitive gameplay.
  • gameplay672 mentions

    The gameplay of "Tape to Tape" is a nostalgic blend of classic arcade hockey mechanics reminiscent of NHL '94, enhanced by roguelite elements that introduce unique power-ups and strategic depth. While the controls are generally smooth and easy to learn, some players have noted issues with mechanics that can lead to frustrating experiences, particularly in terms of balance and AI behavior. Overall, the game is praised for its fun, addictive gameplay loop, though it is still in early access and may require further refinement to fully realize its potential.

    • “Obsessed with this game, the gameplay is addicting and the replayability is off the charts.”
    • “Tape to tape is an extremely fun hockey roguelike with a unique blend of mechanics and classic arcade hockey gameplay.”
    • “The controls are easy to learn and gameplay is nice and smooth, with every movement feeling like it has just the right amount of weight to it.”
    • “Over time the game has degraded in quality specifically mechanically, and controls wise.”
    • “Losing runs rarely felt like the consequence of a mistake but instead the result of janky mechanics or pure RNG (I once outshot an opponent 25-to-1 and lost...) I sincerely hope these issues are addressed, because the core of this game could be awesome if it were improved upon further.”
    • “Each match devolves into the same thing; without off-sides, the core hockey mechanics quickly became quite stale.”
  • humor254 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised, featuring clever puns, funny character names, and slapstick moments that enhance the overall experience. Players enjoy the light-hearted, often juvenile humor, with many noting that the game's quirky abilities and chaotic gameplay lead to numerous laugh-out-loud moments, especially in multiplayer settings. While some find certain jokes to be juvenile or repetitive, the general consensus is that the humor adds significant charm and replayability to the game.

    • “The game has lots of great humor.”
    • “It's super fun, funny, charming, and challenging.”
    • “The characters and situations are hilarious and you can tell it was made with love.”
    • “They are exceedingly tiresome to play against as well as being quite juvenile and not funny.”
  • graphics150 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their charming and unique art style, which effectively complements the gameplay and enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the fluid animations and vibrant visuals, noting that the cartoonish aesthetic adds a fun and engaging layer to the hockey action. While some minor graphical glitches have been reported, the game generally runs smoothly across various hardware, making it visually impressive and enjoyable to play.

    • “The art style is both charming and incredibly unique.”
    • “The game is visually impressive, with an art style that impeccably mirrors the game's gritty yet vibrant atmosphere. The animations are fluid and dynamic, making each match feel like a broadcasted game of professional hockey.”
    • “The graphics are awesome and it’s easy to learn!”
    • “And the graphics problem might as well be caused by playing this via Proton.”
    • “If you want outdated graphics and paying for hut packs just to spend that money all over again next year, this game is not for you.”
    • “I came to hate the humor and art style and the 'quirky' aspects of the game.”
  • story150 mentions

    The game's story mode has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its brevity and repetitiveness, often completing it in under four hours. While some appreciate the whimsical characters and humorous dialogue, they express a desire for more content, such as additional story arcs and character customization. Overall, the story is seen as a lighthearted addition to the gameplay, but many hope for future expansions to enhance its depth and engagement.

    • “Plus, the story and characters add a fun, whimsical touch to the experience.”
    • “The atmosphere is nice, what with being on a quest to 'save hockey' by finding a sacred cup, or something like that, and a lighthearted mood persists throughout with the wacky characters you'll meet along your run.”
    • “This is an amazing improvement to some of my favorite games of all-time (NHL 93-98) with added story, amazing characters, fun mechanics, and amazing replayability.”
    • “Sorry, I bought this game yesterday. If you're looking for an RPG hockey game or a roguelike one, this isn't it. There's legit maybe 20 minutes of story, and then you rinse and repeat. I thought there would be a story and a bunch of teams to play and level up my squad... nope.”
    • “I am aware that there is more content to be added as the game comes out of early access, but I feel 3 arcs for the story is a bit too short.”
    • “The game has been out now for 8 months, and since day one, they have admitted to the flaws in their story mode.”
  • replayability106 mentions

    Overall, the game exhibits significant replayability, particularly due to its roguelike elements, character upgrades, and multiplayer options, which keep the gameplay fresh and engaging. However, some players feel that the replay value diminishes after mastering the game or when playing solo, indicating a need for more depth and variety in content. While many enjoy the addictive nature and variety of experiences, there are calls for additional features to enhance long-term replayability.

    • “Obsessed with this game, the gameplay is addicting and the replayability is off the charts.”
    • “Excellent replayability and constantly getting new features from the devs who regularly interact with the community.”
    • “It effortlessly blends the fast-paced, strategy-driven world of hockey with the endless replayability and challenging nature of the roguelite genre.”
    • “If you're not playing multiplayer, I didn't feel there was much in terms of replayability after you've won it a few times.”
    • “There is little to no replay value in the game's main draw.”
    • “Considering the lack of gameplay modifications such as classes that other roguelite games can incorporate, there is limited replayability of this game as a roguelite even if they add more content to the mode.”
  • music78 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its energy and distinctiveness, particularly the unique tracks for each team and arena. However, several players find the soundtrack repetitive and suggest that it could benefit from more variety, with some opting to play their own music instead. Overall, while the music enhances the game's atmosphere, there are calls for improvements in diversity and engagement.

    • “The music and vibe is great.”
    • “I really like the energy the game has with cool interstitial music like they do in real hockey games and there's a nice atmospheric intro to the boss games.”
    • “The overall presentation is excellent, I really like the art style and music choices (the shop music reminds me of something out of the first 'Borderlands', and I love goal score music with chugging distorted guitars).”
    • “And there is nothing more annoying than this soundtrack.”
    • “The complete lack of any commentary during games or music means you're playing in a deathly silence mostly, which really doesn't liven up the game when you are trying and failing to beat AI that feels really scummy.”
    • “There's essentially zero soundtrack and the dialogue is just tedious with no sounds to feel more engaging.”
  • stability46 mentions

    The game currently suffers from numerous bugs and stability issues, including game-breaking freezes and glitches that can disrupt gameplay and cause lost progress. While some players report a relatively smooth experience, especially on platforms like the Steam Deck, the overall consensus is that the game is still in early access and requires significant polishing to address these stability concerns. Despite these issues, many find the gameplay enjoyable and the unique hockey concept promising.

    • “This is a great game to pick up if you're on the go (runs great on a Steam Deck) or just have 15 minutes to an hour to kill.”
    • “My experience was almost bug-free, save for a few minor visual bugs and the puck clipping through the back of the net once.”
    • “This is still an early access release, so balance issues are expected, but the game runs great and there is a good amount of content here for the price tag.”
    • “There are lots of game-breaking bugs and freezes.”
    • “The game freezes at different points and you have to force restart, losing progress.”
    • “I've also run into a few times where switching to another player seemingly freezes that player for a few seconds, which is just enough time to let the other team score.”
  • grinding30 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often feeling like a burden, especially as they progress. While some appreciate the replay value and fun in the campaign mode, many suggest that improvements in character customization and reducing the grind for early power-ups could enhance the overall experience. Overall, the grinding is seen as a significant part of the game, with mixed feelings about its impact on enjoyment.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Boring grindy hockey simulation which is about as close to real hockey as Unreal Engine's human models are to real humans.”
    • “It's tedious more than fun.”
    • “My only criticism is that it becomes rather grindy once you progress far enough.”
  • atmosphere20 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is described as vibrant and engaging, reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons with a lighthearted mood and wacky characters. Players appreciate the dynamic animations and interstitial music that enhance the experience, making matches feel like professional broadcasts. However, some critiques mention that certain elements, like the AI, detract from the overall immersion.

    • “Overall, this update not only enhances gameplay but also fosters a vibrant community atmosphere, making Tape to Tape more engaging than ever!”
    • “The atmosphere is nice, what with being on a quest to 'save hockey' by finding a sacred cup, and a lighthearted mood persists throughout with the wacky characters you'll meet along your run.”
    • “The game is visually impressive, with an art style that impeccably mirrors the game's gritty yet vibrant atmosphere. The animations are fluid and dynamic, making each match feel like a broadcasted game of professional hockey.”
    • “It feels cheap and kills all immersion and atmosphere.”
    • “I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out kind of atmosphere.”
    • “It has an almost Saturday morning cartoon atmosphere with 8-direction player models that give off a faux 3D effect a la the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 era.”
  • optimization16 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on various platforms, including the Steam Deck, players report significant issues with AI, controls, and performance inconsistencies, especially after hardware upgrades. Many users recommend using a controller for the best experience, and while some praise the art style and smooth performance, others express frustration with the game's mechanics and controls.

    • “Optimization is great.”
    • “The art style is pretty sick, and the game runs smoothly - haven't experienced a hitch, crash, or fps drop.”
    • “It's optimized for fun!”
    • “There are however significant problems with player AI, passing, goalie performance, player switching, etc. that spoil the experience.”
    • “Right now this game requires a controller for optimal performance; if this keyboard and mouse configuration were to change in the future, this review will update.”
    • “Poor performance coupled with bad controls.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is praised for avoiding the pitfalls of cash grabs commonly associated with major franchises like EA's NHL series, which is criticized for its focus on microtransactions and lack of innovation. Players appreciate that this game offers a genuine hockey experience without exploitative monetization practices.

    • “I know EA will never give us NHL on PC because the audience is probably too small. Plus, EA has been releasing the same game on console for the last decade or so and refuses to fix the bugs they have. They are more concerned about microtransactions and cash grabs. All we hockey fans want is a solid up-and-down ice hockey game very much like Tape to Tape gives us.”
    • “You can tell this is made by people who have never played hockey since they were kids, and it's just a cash grab.”
    • “EA has been releasing the same game on console for the last decade or so and refuses to fix the bugs they have; they are more concerned about microtransactions and cash grabs.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    Players find "Tape to Tape" to be a refreshing and emotionally light experience, ideal for short gaming sessions without the pressure of complex gameplay or emotional investment. Its casual and wholesome nature makes it a perfect choice for those seeking fun and relaxation rather than intense emotional engagement.

    • “It's nice because if you have twenty minutes to kill, and the thought of loading up a game that you can't just save at any point and you don't have the emotional energy for, is a lot, then Tape to Tape is the perfect game to just have some fun.”
    • “Tape to Tape is fun, rewarding, casual, and wholesome.”
    • “Tape to Tape is a game that allows you to engage emotionally without the pressure of complex mechanics.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

5hMedian play time
9hAverage play time
3-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 26 analyzed playthroughs

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