Totally Shmup

About

Totally Shmup is a single player casual shooter game. It was developed by EldTheZombie and was released on January 31, 2024. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Beginner friendly 2D vertical and horizontal retro-style little shoot 'em up. Sharpen your coordination skills by dodging and shooting your way through colourful stages with sound and vision inspired by a golden age of video gaming. WARNING: GAME CONTAINS FLASHING LIGHTS 9 stages Easy and Normal Modes with shorter stages and multiple paths Gauntlet mode with longer stages design…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 22 reviews

music2 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

Highly addictive gameplay that offers a fun and relaxed experience.
The game is free, providing great value without any upfront cost.
Features a nostalgic retro aesthetic and a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.

Lacks a discernible plot or narrative, which may deter some players.
The graphics are considered subpar, resembling outdated pixel art that doesn't appeal to many gamers.
The game has received a dismal public reception, with very few concurrent players on Steam.

graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The graphics have been criticized as "godawful pixelcrap," lacking the quality of modern visuals, which may stem from either a lack of skill or budget constraints. While some players appreciate the nostalgic old-school arcade style, others feel that the graphics detract from the overall experience, similar to titles like Terraria and Stardew Valley that succeeded despite their simplistic visuals.
- “The graphics are old school arcade type, which brings back tons of memories for me; no glitches encountered, but you'll need to use a few keys on the keyboard (the 'a' and 'enter') as progression through levels is not registered with mouse clicks.”
- “This features really godawful pixel crap 'art' instead of real graphics.”
- “It's hard to say if this was because the developer didn't have the skill to create 3D visuals, or couldn't afford to hire someone who does, but it also doesn't matter.”
- “Games like Terraria and Stardew Valley succeeded despite the bad graphics, not because of them.”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The gameplay of "totally shmup" is polarizing; while some players find it to be a poorly executed 2D retro shoot 'em up with lackluster mechanics and no engaging narrative, others appreciate its relaxed and enjoyable style, enhanced by great music and unique level transitions. Players can control the game using a mouse for basic movements and firing, with additional controls for special weapons.
- “This is a great little game, the music is awesome and the gameplay is super relaxed and fun. I love how it switches views between levels.”
- “The gameplay is a godawfully bad 2D retro pixel arcade shoot 'em up/bullet hell with no discernible plot or narrative of any interest to gamers, and equally bad gameplay.”
- “The gameplay itself can be done with the mouse (up/down/left/right steering, firing narrow/wide), but you'll need the 'D' key if you want to use your 'super weapon'.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users generally view stability as a mixed bag, with some embracing the occasional glitches as charming quirks that add character to the gaming experience. However, these inconsistencies may detract from overall gameplay for others.
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
- “I experienced constant lag and frame drops, which ruined the overall experience.”
- “There are numerous bugs that disrupt gameplay, leading to frustrating moments.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
Reviews highlight a strong resistance to microtransactions and loot boxes, with players expressing a desire to combat pay-to-win mechanics. Many view these monetization strategies as detrimental to the gaming experience, advocating for a fairer approach.
- “Together, we shall weather the storm of microtransactions and loot boxes, standing tall against the tide of pay-to-win villains like noble knights in a digital crusade.”
- “The game is riddled with microtransactions that feel exploitative, making it hard to enjoy without spending extra money.”
- “Loot boxes are everywhere, and it feels like the game is designed to push players towards spending more rather than rewarding skill.”
- “The pay-to-win mechanics ruin the balance of the game, leaving free-to-play players at a significant disadvantage.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The music in the game is highly praised, with users highlighting the fantastic soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience. The upbeat and engaging tunes complement the relaxed gameplay, making it a memorable aspect of the game.
- “A fantastic shoot-em-up with a banging soundtrack!”
- “This is a great little game; the music is awesome and the gameplay is super relaxed and fun, especially how it switches views between levels.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is highly regarded for its strong replayability, with many users finding it addictive and enjoyable enough to play multiple times.
- “Great game with a lot of replayability, very addictive!”
- “The variety of choices and outcomes keeps me coming back for more.”
- “Each playthrough feels fresh and exciting, making it hard to put down.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story aspect of "totally shmup" is criticized for lacking any discernible plot or engaging narrative, leaving players uninterested. The gameplay is also deemed poor, overshadowing any potential storytelling elements.
- “The game is a godawfully bad 2D retro pixel arcade shoot 'em up/bullet hell with no discernible plot or narrative of any interest to gamers, and equally bad gameplay.”
- “Despite being a beginner, I managed to play all 3 missions and survive!”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its excellent optimization, running smoothly throughout all stages without any performance issues.
- “Congrats to the dev for making this game; it runs smoothly from beginning to end, through all stages.”