The Final Specimen: Arrival

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The Final Specimen is a comedic sci-fi adventure game in the style of the classic 2D platformers of the '90s. Packed with whimsical settings and eccentric characters, this energetic, challenging title brings an exciting take to old-school gaming.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

68%

Audience ScoreBased on 30 reviews

music6 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The game successfully captures the nostalgic feel of 90's platformers, providing a fun and engaging experience reminiscent of classic titles.
The humor and unique level designs keep the gameplay fresh and entertaining, with challenging boss fights that add to the enjoyment.
The hand-drawn, cartoony graphics and quirky soundtrack contribute to the game's charm, making it appealing to fans of retro gaming.

The music can be repetitive and off-putting for some players, detracting from the overall experience.
The default controls may require adjustment, and some levels can be frustratingly difficult, leading to potential player frustration.
The lack of a save feature can be inconvenient, as it forces players to complete the game in one sitting, which may not be ideal for everyone.

music
20 mentions
30 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its quality and how well it complements the gameplay, while others find it obnoxious and repetitive. Many appreciate the soundtrack's alignment with the game's story and mechanics, highlighting its nostalgic feel, but there are also criticisms regarding the lack of options and the overall annoyance it can cause during gameplay. Overall, the music is a polarizing aspect that significantly influences players' experiences.
- “I started playing the game and loved its story, soundtrack, mechanics, and environment (ironically).”
- “From the music and storyline, or the feeling of the boss battles, it holds true to a classic game.”
- “The soundtrack is on par with any mainstream game; someone took the time to really match the track with gameplay - well worth their time.”
- “It's such a weird game to me, but the worst part has to be the music.”
- “I absolutely hate the music in this game, it's just so obnoxious and repetitive.”
- “This game starts off promising with decent music and decent artwork, but immediately you notice that there are no options, then you get thrown into a level of tubes with spikes at the sides even though you can't move in this pipe, only stay in the middle.”
graphics
18 mentions
11 % positive mentions
72 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players finding the pixelated and cartoony art style endearing and humorous, while others criticize it as cheap and unappealing. The hand-drawn aesthetic is noted for its uniqueness, evoking a nostalgic feel reminiscent of early 90s games, but it may not resonate with everyone. Overall, while the graphics serve a comedic purpose, they can detract from the overall experience for those who prefer more polished visuals.
- “The cartoony graphics are endearing and sometimes hilarious; the mechanics are simple but quite varied throughout the game, the music is great, and the story is pretty funny.”
- “The hand-drawn style of the artwork is fairly unique, yet still gives the feel of an early 90's game.”
- “When I first saw this game, I thought it was cheap because of the pixelated graphics.”
- “The reason the game is made with the MS Paint graphics is to be comedic!”
- “People would usually just use the graphics as source material for criticism.”
humor
12 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its perfect blend of humor and challenge, with players enjoying the nostalgic, cartoony graphics and amusing sound effects that enhance the experience. The varied mechanics and funny death sequences contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere, making it a recommended choice for fans of humorous platformers. Overall, it successfully combines nostalgia with engaging humor, encouraging replayability, especially on harder difficulties.
- “Brilliant dose of nostalgia mixed with fantastic humor.”
- “The sound effects and death sequences made me laugh every time.”
- “The cartoony graphics are endearing and sometimes hilarious; the mechanics are simple but quite varied throughout the game, the music is great, and the story is pretty funny.”
gameplay
10 mentions
80 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally well-received, praised for its engaging mechanics and varied challenges, which keep players invested. While some players find the art style and music less appealing, the overall experience is enhanced by a humorous story and endearing graphics. The game successfully combines familiar mechanics with a side-scrolling format that appeals to those seeking a fun and challenging experience.
- “The cartoony graphics are endearing and sometimes hilarious, the mechanics are simple but quite varied throughout the game, the music is great, and the story is pretty funny.”
- “Set the table for the side-scroller onslaught and players’ insatiable desire for more challenging gameplay within familiar mechanics.”
- “I started playing the game and loved its story, soundtrack, mechanics, and environment (ironically).”
story
10 mentions
60 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its comical and whimsical nature, complemented by engaging music and vibrant visuals. Players appreciate the classic feel of the narrative, which enhances the overall experience, making it enjoyable from start to finish. The unique levels and humorous elements contribute to a memorable and entertaining storyline.
- “From the music and storyline, to the feeling of the boss battles, it holds true to a classic game.”
- “I personally loved playing this game front to back and look forward to the next piece in the story.”
- “Some highlights of the game are its challenging 2D landscape, its bright, engaging color schematics, the comical and whimsical storyline, and the broad unique extent of each individual level.”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a nostalgic emotional connection to the game, likening it to the experience of playing low-budget 90s titles discovered at flea markets, evoking fond memories of their childhood.