THOTH

78%
Game Brain Score Based on 137 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
THOTH Game Cover
THOTH is a blissfully difficult twin-stick shooter that challenges your reflexes and puzzle-solving skills on the fly. Never have 2D shapes been creepier.
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"THOTH is a challenging twin-stick shooter with vibrant visuals and a pulse-pounding soundtrack by electronic music pioneers. Its innovative levels demand both puzzle-solving and finesse, while its relentless gameplay induces a trance-like state. Play solo or with a friend in local multi-player, and experience a fresh take on the shoot-'em-up genre."

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

78%
Audience ScoreBased on 137 reviews
gameplay19 positive mentions
story2 negative mentions
  • THOTH offers a unique blend of challenging twin-stick shooter mechanics and puzzle-solving elements, keeping gameplay fresh and engaging.
  • The minimalist art style and unsettling sound design create a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
  • The game features tight controls and a well-balanced difficulty curve, making it rewarding for players who enjoy skill-based challenges.
  • The checkpoint system can be frustrating, as dying on a level may force players to replay multiple previous levels, which can feel tedious.
  • Some players may find the difficulty too punishing, especially in later levels, which could deter those who prefer a more casual gaming experience.
  • The lack of options, such as volume controls and a clear menu, may leave some players feeling limited in their gameplay experience.
  • gameplay55 mentions

    The gameplay in Thoth is characterized by its skillful mechanics and unique level designs that evolve throughout the game, providing a mix of shooting and puzzle elements. While the minimalist graphics and haunting sound design enhance the experience, some players find the checkpoint system and the need to replay levels after dying frustrating. Overall, the game offers a challenging yet satisfying experience with tight controls and a variety of mechanics that keep players engaged.

    • “The gameplay in Thoth iterates through each level by adding new ideas and changing previous ones, so the game doesn't get boring, and all the levels feel different in some way.”
    • “Controls are sleek, obstacles are clear and predictable, audio and visuals are on point, gameplay is satisfying, and the checkpoint system is ideally balanced so that one feels the accomplishment of reaching them with great difficulty without feeling unfairly punished.”
    • “Thoth has a 'purity of gameplay' that hasn't often been seen since the Atari 2600, and is frequently missed by 'modern retro' games which ape the style but not the substance of earlier gaming generations.”
    • “I found this mechanic irritating and would have preferred a second chance at the regular version rather than a harder version of a level I was already having trouble on.”
    • “As it is, after about 4 levels the gameplay varies, but the sounds stay the same, the constant repetition of doing the same levels over and over again until you beat all four in a row becomes tiresome rather than challenging.”
    • “Its way too addictive and unsatisfying; there are checkpoints but one mechanic is what's bull.”
  • music29 mentions

    The music in the game is a polarizing aspect, with many reviewers noting its unsettling and haunting qualities that enhance the overall atmosphere, creating a sense of tension and horror. While some appreciate the minimalist and experimental soundtrack for its ability to complement the gameplay, others find it distracting or lacking in engaging beats. Overall, the soundtrack is described as both a strength and a weakness, contributing to the game's unique aesthetic but also leaving some players wanting more traditional musical elements.

    • “It plays like a charm, the minimalist art is extremely stylish and the music is disturbing; it almost feels like a horror experience.”
    • “The controls are tight, the environment and music are great, and the challenge is spot on.”
    • “This very challenging and sometimes nerve-wracking and horrifying game, combined with its chills-inducing music, keeps me hooked and coming back for more.”
    • “The soundtrack doesn't help, either.”
    • “The soundtrack choice is... questionable.”
    • “The art style is crisp and the music is dread inducing.”
  • graphics25 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a minimalist aesthetic that effectively enhances the gameplay experience, combining simple, colorful visuals with a haunting sound design. Reviewers appreciate the clarity and depth of the visuals, which communicate gameplay mechanics without the need for extensive tutorials, creating an engaging and immersive atmosphere. Despite some minor glitches, the overall presentation is praised for its beauty and effectiveness in conveying tension and satisfaction throughout the gameplay.

    • “This just makes everything stand out compared to other games and art styles I've seen before.”
    • “The visuals are gorgeously minimalistic, the audio is spot on, reactive and dronely efficient, and most of all, the gameplay is swiss-clock-precise.”
    • “Fantastic game, excellent soundtrack, minimal and gorgeous graphics, very simple mechanics explored with quality gameplay.”
    • “The reason I wasn't going to recommend the game is that I usually don't like minimalist aesthetics.”
    • “Cold, austere, mechanical - it matches perfectly with the stripped-back minimalist graphics.”
    • “It's the kind of reactive and brutal experience you'd expect from a Dark Souls or Hotline Miami but without the flair and gore, without the overemphatic bosses and over-the-top visuals.”
  • story3 mentions

    The story conveys a powerful moral about perseverance and the unpredictability of life, emphasizing that giving up can prevent personal growth. However, some users note a lack of traditional narrative elements, with minimal dialogue or written content, leading to a mixed reception regarding the depth of the story. Additionally, the game features increasing difficulty after the main storyline, suggesting a focus on gameplay over narrative.

    • “The moral of the story is that you never know what life has in store for you. If I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
    • “It has no story or even a single word written or said, but does it need that?”
    • “There are a few more levels than what I played through, but after what I can only assume is the 'main story', the difficulty ramps up.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The game features a captivating atmosphere characterized by a blend of minimalism and unsettling horror elements, enhanced by a haunting soundtrack. Players appreciate the engaging puzzles that complement the overall ambiance, making for a unique and immersive experience.

    • “Great atmosphere and fun puzzles.”
    • “Highly minimalistic twin-stick shooter with an unsettling, almost horror-like atmosphere and soundtrack.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Thoth is praised for its balanced gameplay and high replayability, particularly appealing to players who enjoy challenging experiences.

    • “I feel like Thoth is generally balanced and offers a lot of replay value if you enjoy difficult challenges.”
    • “The game has so many different paths and choices that I find myself coming back to explore new strategies.”
    • “Each playthrough feels unique, thanks to the random elements and varied character builds.”
    • “I feel like Thoth is generally balanced and offers a lot of replay value if you like difficult challenges.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization is described as fair yet challenging, particularly in the post-game content, which requires players to consistently improve their performance.

    • “It's a fair but unforgiving game, as the post-game especially demands more and more of your performance.”
    • “The optimization mechanics really push you to refine your strategies and improve your skills.”
    • “I love how the game encourages you to find the most efficient routes and methods to achieve your goals.”
    • “The game runs poorly on lower-end hardware, making it frustrating for players who can't upgrade their systems.”
    • “I experienced frequent frame drops and stuttering, which really detracted from the overall experience.”
    • “The optimization is lacking, leading to long loading times and crashes that ruin the flow of gameplay.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game features appealing graphics, but users have reported occasional glitches that affect overall stability. Despite these issues, the experience remains enjoyable.

    • “The game offers some nice graphics, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
    • “I frequently experience crashes that disrupt my gameplay.”
    • “The frame rate drops significantly during intense moments, making it hard to enjoy the game.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a hilariously tense atmosphere, blending comedic elements with suspense to create an engaging experience.

    • “The ambience is hilariously tense.”
    • “The witty dialogue had me laughing out loud.”
    • “The absurd situations the characters find themselves in are pure comedic gold.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

71% average critic score

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