Tempest 4000

65%
Game Brain Score Based on 151 reviews
  • music
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Tempest 4000 Game Cover
A hallmark of excellence. There may be flaws, but they are negligible and won't cause massive damage.
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Tempest 4000 is a fast-paced, arcade-style shooter game where you control a claw-like ship blasting enemies as they approach through a geometric tunnel. With up to 100 levels, the game features improved graphics and audio over its predecessors, as well as an unlockable classic mode for a nostalgic experience. Your mission is to survive wave after wave of enemies while navigating through challenging, geometric environments.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

65%
Audience ScoreBased on 151 reviews
music21 positive mentions
stability3 negative mentions
  • Visually stunning with vibrant graphics and a psychedelic aesthetic that captures the essence of the original Tempest.
  • Gameplay is addictive and retains the classic feel of Tempest 2000, providing a fun and challenging experience.
  • Includes multiple soundtracks, allowing players to switch between the original Tempest 2000 music and the TxK soundtrack.
  • Lacks mouse and spinner support, making it difficult to play for those accustomed to the original arcade controls.
  • Controls feel floaty and imprecise, leading to frustration during gameplay, especially with keyboard and mouse inputs.
  • Technical issues such as graphical glitches, poor key mapping, and limited resolution options detract from the overall experience.
  • music64 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the inclusion of multiple soundtracks, including the original Tempest 2000 and TXK, which evoke nostalgia and enhance the gameplay experience. However, some players feel that the music can become repetitive and may not appeal to everyone, particularly those who prefer different styles. Overall, while the soundtracks are generally well-received, opinions vary on their impact on the game's overall enjoyment.

    • “Overall, I highly recommend it. On a decent rig, it runs at 60 fps, the visuals are fun, the music is fantastic as always, and it's fun to play overall.”
    • “The pounding, pulsing soundtrack!”
    • “The game has the Atari logo everywhere in the title screen, lots and lots of Atari references added in to the text messages, and both the Tempest 2000 CD soundtrack used for the port and the original Tempest 2000 mod file soundtrack, along with the TXK soundtrack.”
    • “Controls and music ruin it.”
    • “The sound/music is about the same, meaning it gets old and annoying quickly.”
    • “If you could listen to the soundtrack by itself then I might have kept this game, but you can't - so this is the first game where I'm going to get a refund.”
  • graphics54 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a vibrant, psychedelic aesthetic that pays homage to classic titles while incorporating modern effects, resulting in a visually stimulating experience. While many players appreciate the colorful and dynamic visuals, some have reported graphical glitches and limitations in settings that can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are praised for their retro charm and engaging design, though they may not be a technical powerhouse compared to contemporary standards.

    • “The visuals are stunning, with colors flying everywhere in all the glorious pixel explosions!”
    • “Great gameplay, dialed-in controls and splendid audio/visuals.”
    • “The retro style and psychedelic visuals are great and I love all the special effects.”
    • “The graphics, although pretty, could all probably have been done in 1999.”
    • “There are graphical glitches that directly negatively impact gameplay, such as invisible power-ups.”
    • “The graphics options are heavily limited, and furthermore, the game logic is designed to run at 60Hz, and nothing higher.”
  • gameplay39 mentions

    The gameplay of Tempest 4000 is generally praised for its smoothness, fun mechanics, and nostalgic ties to classic arcade experiences, particularly for fans of the original Tempest series. While many appreciate the engaging shooting mechanics and the challenge of mastering enemy patterns, some players express frustration with control issues and a lack of polish that detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game offers a solid blend of retro gameplay with modern enhancements, though opinions vary on its execution and depth.

    • “If I consider nothing but the gameplay, then Tempest 4000 is a fantastic game with solid gameplay and great music.”
    • “The gameplay loop involves shooting enemies, but the real challenge of this game is getting the patterns down to bob and weave between enemy waves to collect power-ups.”
    • “The visuals are stimulating, the sounds intense, the gameplay thrilling, and it is a lot of fun.”
    • “Why do designers think that making control difficult or weird is a 'game mechanic'? It's not a game mechanic if I'm fighting the controls to play the game.”
    • “The visuals are popping, the soundtracks rocking, but the gameplay is stodgy crap that really shows up how basic it all is and now feels pedestrian.”
    • “Without a spinner, the gameplay is not the absolute garbage.”
  • stability4 mentions

    Overall, the game performs well for most users, but some experience graphical glitches that can negatively impact gameplay, such as invisible power-ups. While stability is generally good, specific issues like the superzapper being buggy have been noted, suggesting that performance may vary across different PCs.

    • “Plays great, runs great.”
    • “Now, there are some graphical glitches on my end, but this doesn't affect all PCs.”
    • “Also, the superzapper is either buggy or glitchy.”
    • “(Edit: I wrote this review before realizing I was affected by graphics glitches that directly negatively impact gameplay - i.e., invisible power-ups. If/when they are fixed, I will rewrite this to reflect that.)”
  • replayability4 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its numerous levels, hidden secrets, and power-ups that keep players engaged and surprised. The well-designed difficulty curve enhances the experience, drawing comparisons to the replay value of TXK. Overall, players find the game consistently enjoyable, encouraging multiple playthroughs.

    • “Tons of levels with immense replayability, and many hidden secrets in between levels, power-ups, etc. Just when you think you've seen it all, it surprises you.”
    • “What I like about this game is that it's very replayable.”
    • “I love the difficulty curve - it feels really well designed. My opinion now is that it will have the replayability that TXK had.”
    • “I love the difficulty curve - it feels really well designed - my opinion now is that it will have the replayability that TXK had.”
    • “The game lacks enough variety to keep me coming back for more after the initial playthrough.”
    • “Once you complete the main story, there isn't much incentive to replay the game.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, reflecting a decline in the Atari brand's reputation as it relies on exploiting old intellectual properties for quick financial gain.

    • “For the love of god, this must be just a cash grab.”
    • “Yet another example of how the Atari name has fallen from greatness as old IPs are exploited for quick cash grabs.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with users reporting significant performance issues, including failure to maintain a stable 60 Hz frame rate and key mapping crashes upon startup, even after the latest patch.

  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game features the classic comedic elements typical of Llamasoft titles, providing a lighthearted and entertaining experience for players.

    • “It has the funny classic touches you'd expect in a Llamasoft game.”
    • “The humor is delightfully quirky and keeps you laughing throughout.”
    • “I love the witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions!”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

67% average critic score

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