TombStar
- July 20, 2022
- Marcus Grambau
- 9h median play time
Pick up Tombstar if you’re looking for a time-killer that will challenge you and offer a little catharsis, but don’t go in expecting big things.
Get on Steam"TombStar is a single-player, top-down shooter with roguelike elements, offering around 8 hours of playtime. In this Space Western, players must save the planet TombStar from the Grimheart Gang, using an array of dynamic weapons and game-changing perks to defeat the enemy. Choose your gunslinger, Jack Galloway, and follow in your father's footsteps to become a galactic hero."
Reviews
- Gameplay is tight and responsive, providing a fun and engaging experience.
- The game features a variety of characters and meta progression that enhances replayability.
- Boss fights are enjoyable and add to the overall challenge of the game.
- The game lacks depth and content compared to other roguelikes, with only a few bosses and limited character options.
- Difficulty can be overtuned, making it frustrating for beginners and leading to a steep learning curve.
- The permanent progression system is underwhelming, with few upgrades and high costs that feel unrewarding.
- gameplay9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for being tight, responsive, and smooth, with a solid tutorial that effectively introduces mechanics. However, some players feel the game lacks depth, with a limited playtime of around 10 hours and a first boss that may be overly challenging. Comparisons to similar titles suggest that while the gameplay is enjoyable, it may not reach the heights of competitors like "Enter the Gungeon" or "Nuclear Throne."
“Gameplay is tight and responsive.”
“Solid gameplay.”
“So I wouldn't expect to get more than about 10 hours of gameplay out of this.”
“Mechanics: ☆☆☆☆”
“This game has a great tutorial that lets you get to grips with the mechanics.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their polished visuals and smooth performance, complemented by a cool art style that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the visual quality, especially as they progress and unlock new features, contributing to an engaging gameplay atmosphere.
“The game isn't made to be beaten on the first try; the more you level up and unlock better guns and perks, the better it gets. The graphics and style are really good, and it's quite smooth.”
“Cool art style.”
“The visuals are super polished, and the gunplay feels good. What more could you want, really?”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the detail expected from modern games.”
“Character models are poorly designed and animations are stiff, making the game visually unappealing.”
“The environments are bland and repetitive, which detracts from the overall immersion.”
- story3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The story is primarily conveyed through text logs and a kiosk, which some players find lacking and wish for more in-game narrative integration. While the game features a classic shoot 'em up format set in a space-like environment, the storyline can be confusing and misleading regarding its actual setting. Overall, players feel that the storytelling could be more engaging and immersive.
“This game is a classic shoot 'em up, top-down shooter, but there's a catch: you're in space. The storyline can be a bit misleading regarding whether or not you are actually in space, but at times it certainly feels like you're in bullet time when you're dodging multiple bullets while giving the little rascals some of your own.”
“The story is told through a kiosk, which feels kind of lame.”
“I'm not sure where the story is going, but I wish there was more of it in-game instead of just text logs.”
“The storyline can be a bit misleading as to whether or not you are actually in space.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's impressive design and diverse weapon options, along with the innovative map creation feature, which significantly enhances its replayability. The challenging gameplay also encourages players to return for more.
“Amazing game design and the different guns are nice; the map creation is great and adds to the replayability.”
“Refreshingly challenging with encouraging replayability.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the game requires further optimization, suggesting that performance improvements are necessary for a smoother experience.
“Some optimization needs to be done.”
