TeraBlaster

About

TeraBlaster is a single player casual shooter game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Black Shell Games and was released on July 10, 2015. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

In TeraBlaster, take charge of a rogue spaceship and engage in a relentless battle against endless waves of enemies, with classic top-down shooter mechanics and procedurally generated environments. With ruthless destruction of foes and enemies, the game offers an addictive and compelling experience while you listen to its gloriously retro soundtrack. Immerse yourself in the philosophical and quirky backstory, and try to survive as long as possible in this fast-paced action roguelike.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

66%

Audience ScoreBased on 394 reviews

music36 positive mentions

atmosphere2 negative mentions

TeraBlaster offers a unique gameplay experience that combines shooting with strategic use of shields, adding depth and tactics to the classic arcade shooter formula.
The vibrant pixel art style and dynamic soundtrack create a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of classic arcade games, enhancing the overall enjoyment.
The game is fast-paced and challenging, with increasing difficulty that keeps players engaged and encourages them to improve their skills.

The game suffers from a lack of content, with only one level and minimal enemy variety, leading to repetitive gameplay that can become boring quickly.
Screen shake effects and a limited field of view can make it difficult to react to incoming enemies, causing frustration during gameplay.
The absence of features like achievements, leaderboards, or customization options diminishes the replay value and overall appeal of the game.

music
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
48%
5%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players praising its catchy and upbeat nature, particularly the chiptune and electronic elements that complement the fast-paced gameplay. However, some users find the soundtrack repetitive and suggest the need for a volume mixer or more varied tracks, as certain songs can become annoying over time. Overall, while the music enhances the game's aesthetic and enjoyment for short sessions, it may not hold up for extended play.
- “I could solely recommend this just for the music and sounds; it's so simple yet really intriguing.”
- “The soundtrack is rockin' and fits in pretty well with the aesthetic of the game.”
- “The music is very catchy if you like the style and goes right in hand with the fast-paced action of the game.”
- “There is no volume mixer, but the option to enable/disable music or sound effects is located on the main screen, which soon becomes necessary as the synth in the title song is really annoying.”
- “You cannot enjoy this game for more than 10 minutes - the music is no longer fresh and melodic after that.”
- “Fun in small doses, but with repetitive music.”
gameplay
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
64%
8%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by its simplicity and retro arcade style, offering a basic core loop that can become repetitive and lacks depth after a short period. While some players appreciate the straightforward mechanics and catchy soundtrack, many find the experience limited, with minimal content and little replay value, leading to boredom after just a few minutes of play. Overall, the game is seen as a casual shooter that may appeal briefly but fails to sustain long-term engagement.
- “Catchy soundtrack, upbeat gameplay, really keeps you having to stay focused on what you're doing!”
- “Awesome fast-paced retro gameplay that is simple and amazing!”
- “The soundtrack is good and the gameplay is straightforward.”
- “No charm, very basic gameplay and screen shaking that will make you quit the game as soon as you start it.”
- “There’s nothing particularly bad about the core gameplay experience but the fact that the entire game can be seen in literally a few minutes; and that what there is to see offers so little variety in terms of gameplay; will likely put the majority of players off this title.”
- “It's short, quick, and fatal - most games seem to run about 90 seconds. Fun though - very C-64 era sort of graphics, quick gameplay, and one of those 'come back and play it again' sort of things.”
graphics
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
63%
6%
The graphics of the game are predominantly retro pixel art, which some players find charming and nostalgic, while others criticize it for being simplistic and hard on the eyes. The visuals are described as unique and colorful, reminiscent of classic arcade games, but they may lack detail and variety, leading to a mixed reception. Overall, the aesthetic is appreciated for its fun and fast-paced nature, though it may not appeal to everyone, especially those seeking modern graphical fidelity.
- “The graphics look like a retro style but more detailed.”
- “I fell in love with the graphic style, after getting used to it, as there is always action on the screen expressed in a nice and simple way.”
- “Fast paced top down shooter with retro graphics that remind me of spectrum.”
- “They chose to use obsolete retro pixel art as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
- “Mixing stylized pixelated visuals with low contrast and overlapping sprites makes the experience hard on the eyes.”
- “The graphics are like something from the C64, and the gameplay feels like a not particularly special flash game.”
story
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
62%
19%
The story aspect of Terablaster is largely criticized for its lack of depth and clarity, with many players noting the absence of a coherent narrative or meaningful context for the gameplay. While there are hints of a conflict involving hostile robots and a rogue ship, the overall experience feels devoid of a substantial storyline, leaving players wanting more in terms of plot development and immersive storytelling. For those seeking a rich narrative, Terablaster may not meet expectations.
- “There are subtle hints that nod toward a plot thread depicting a clash between hostile robots and a ‘rogue ship’, which presumably belongs to the player.”
- “Would've liked to see some more though, like a story mode, larger maps and a greater variety of maps, pickups and enemies.”
- “Better have a story mode.”
- “Game boasts 'endless compelling gameplay and philosophical/quirky backstory', none of which I saw.”
- “This game is so 'micro' you have no tutorial or description of what to do, no story, no configs, no nothing.”
- “If you seek deep storylines, or any kind of story, move on.”
replayability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
Overall, the game suffers from low replayability, with many players noting its repetitive nature and lack of content beyond the initial playthrough. While some find it enjoyable in short bursts, the absence of multiplayer options, varied challenges, or unlockable content significantly limits its long-term appeal. Players suggest that additional goals or a wider variety of gameplay elements could enhance replay value.
- “A fun and short but slightly frustrating game with a surprising amount of replay value, not bad for a 5MB game.”
- “For this type of game, a larger variety of different weapon power-ups and enemies can go a long way towards adding replayability.”
- “If there were some set goals or at least achievements to aim for, maybe the game would have been more challenging and at least have some replay value.”
- “It would have been nice to include a multiplayer mode, perhaps with local co-op or even peer-to-peer servers, as I don't really see this game containing much replay value past the first few minutes of gameplay, other than achieving a personal best high score.”
- “It gets repetitive after 5 minutes and has no replay value.”
- “Not much replay value here, only one level and nothing to unlock or to keep you playing.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding it consistently funny and entertaining for short play sessions. While the gameplay can become repetitive, the comedic elements keep players engaged, and many express a desire for a multiplayer mode to enhance the fun. Overall, the game delivers a lighthearted experience that players enjoy, even if it lacks long-term engagement.
- “I recommend this game; it's very funny and you can play it over and over.”
- “Funny quick game to play, but nothing to keep you playing.”
- “Damn, just funny! Keep shooting over and over again, it's hilarious!”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be a blend of wholesome enjoyment and unexpected friction, as the interaction with the environment evokes a sense of nostalgia and simplicity. The experience is described as both touching and engaging, creating a unique emotional connection through its gameplay mechanics.
- “Touching the boxes strewn about causes friction and halts you completely, instead of sliding around like... well, any game ever.”
- “It's wholesome, mindless fun.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive "locked in the grid" setting reminiscent of the film Tron, effectively enhancing the player's experience despite some shortcomings in gameplay. Overall, the atmosphere stands out as a strong point, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “In many ways, it resembles the film Tron, giving the player a sort of 'we are locked in the grid' setting, which adds more atmosphere to what they're doing.”
- “If there's one thing the game does well, it's the atmosphere, which makes up for what can be an overall lackluster setup.”
- “In many ways, it resembles the film Tron, giving the player a sort of 'we are locked in the grid' setting, adding more atmosphere to what they're doing.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
200%
300%
Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring additional lives to effectively progress.
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
- “I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”