The Planet of the Vicious Creatures
- October 5, 2016
- Jorge Giner Cordero
Get on SteamAn old-school platformer set in outer space.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a charming retro pixel art style and sound design that evokes nostalgia for classic platformers from the 80s.
- It offers a hardcore experience with 60 challenging levels that require pixel-perfect precision and timing, appealing to dedicated fans of difficult platformers.
- The inclusion of a Practice Mode allows players to learn level mechanics without losing lives, which helps mitigate frustration.
- The controls are often described as sluggish and imprecise, leading to unfair deaths and a frustrating gameplay experience.
- There is no save system, forcing players to restart from the beginning if they quit mid-game, which can be discouraging.
- The game is locked to a 4:3 aspect ratio, limiting visual options and making it feel outdated compared to modern games.
- gameplay7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by sluggish controls and a challenging difficulty level that requires precise timing and repetition to succeed. While the retro graphics and music are praised for their nostalgic charm, many players find the overall experience frustrating, despite the helpful practice mode designed to improve skills.
“The mechanics at the game's core are pretty simple: arrow keys control all the functions you need, namely left, right, jump, and crouch.”
“The practice mode is a very good idea; it really helps players to understand the mechanics of each level and hone their skills without losing lives, and they will lose a lot of them.”
“The controls and gameplay are sluggish and annoying.”
“Maybe with more tries it would be possible, but what's the point when the gameplay isn't fun?”
“Like the computer games of old, gameplay is divided into screen-based levels, in which you'll need to rely on pixel-perfect jumps, excellent timing, and lots of repetition in order to progress.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a nostalgic retro pixel art style reminiscent of 1980s platformers, which many players appreciate as a charming homage to the era. While some find the visuals and accompanying music to be a delightful labor of love, others note that the gameplay may not fully match the quality of the graphics. Overall, the retro aesthetic is well-received, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere.
“I am leaving a positive recommendation just because of the effort and the really retro graphics and music (it almost looks as if it was actually programmed in the 80s) and you can tell this was a labor of love.. well, affection at the very least.. the whole visual/audio presentation is really nice but the gameplay is a tad problematic.”
“I really enjoyed the graphics, sprites, and music of this game.”
“They chose to use obsolete retro pixel art as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
“The graphics style is very inspired by the platformers of times past; it really looks like something thrown at us right from back in the '80s.”
“I am leaving a positive recommendation just because of the effort and the really retro graphics and music (it almost looks as if it was actually programmed in the '80s) and you can tell this was a labor of love. The whole visual/audio presentation is really nice, but the gameplay is a tad problematic.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its retro style, effectively capturing the essence of 80s gaming and enhancing the overall atmosphere. Reviewers note that the background music complements the gameplay well, evoking feelings of nostalgia and loneliness reminiscent of classic sci-fi films, while the sound design features charming vintage effects. Overall, the audio presentation is considered a standout aspect of the game, contributing significantly to the player's experience.
“The background music is rather good too and again perfectly suited to the game.”
“Sound is pretty neat too, with the usual bleeps and blops of days past, and the music really helps us get into the game, inspired by the old sci-fi movies, and adding an undertone of loneliness underneath it all, not unlike the original Metroid.”
“I really enjoyed the graphics, sprites, and music of this game.”
“The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged during longer play sessions.”
“While the retro graphics are charming, the music feels outdated and doesn't enhance the overall experience.”
“The soundtrack is forgettable and doesn't match the game's atmosphere, leaving a sense of disconnect.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is enhanced by a variety of well-crafted retro sounds that complement the game's environment effectively. Additionally, the presence of a toxic atmosphere introduces a survival element, requiring players to collect oxygen orbs to avoid a slow and agonizing death, adding tension to the gameplay experience.
“The game features a range of suitable and well-crafted retro noises that enhance the atmosphere beautifully.”
“The toxic atmosphere requires you to collect oxygen orbs scattered throughout the levels to progress, or you'll face a slow, agonizing death instead of the usual 'killed by a giant mutant grasshopper from hell.'”
“On the other hand, a toxic atmosphere means that you'll need to catch the oxygen orbs spread throughout the different levels in order to progress, lest you want to find your demise in a slow, agonizing breathless death (instead of the usual 'killed by a giant mutant grasshopper from hell').”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been compared to classic platformers, reminiscent of Apogee titles, but it suffers from slightly poorer performance and handling.
“This is reminiscent of ancient platformers, a little like the ones Apogee used to make, but with slightly worse performance and handling.”
“The optimization feels lacking, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.”
“I encountered frequent frame drops and stuttering, which really detracted from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy for this game includes a low price of $3 USD, which some users find amusing, but it is perceived as part of a broader trend of cash grabs and low-quality releases often bundled in daily indie game collections.
“There's a comical price of $3 USD for this (I know, it's funny, but it's true). However, in line with most cash grabs and shovelware, this was dumped into daily indie game bundles.”
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it seems designed to squeeze every last cent from players rather than provide genuine value.”
“I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted to be self-aware and somewhat ironic, as it includes a comedic price tag of $3, which some users find amusing yet indicative of a cash grab mentality. Overall, the humor seems to resonate with players, though it may be overshadowed by the game's perceived low quality.
“The humor in this game is genuinely hilarious, with clever writing and unexpected jokes that kept me laughing throughout.”
“I love how the game uses absurdity to create funny situations; it never takes itself too seriously, which makes for a delightful experience.”
“The witty dialogue and playful references to pop culture had me chuckling at every turn; it's a refreshing take on humor in gaming.”
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is reported to be highly stable, with users experiencing no glitches or crashes during gameplay.
“It’s extremely stable with no glitches or crashes to desktop.”
“The game runs smoothly without any interruptions or performance issues.”
“I haven't experienced any bugs or crashes, making for a seamless gaming experience.”
