UFO 50

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,496 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
UFO 50 Game Cover
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"UFO 50" is a collection of 50 single and multiplayer games, encompassing a variety of genres with a nostalgic 8-bit aesthetic. The games, created by the developers of Spelunky, Downwell, and Catacomb Kids, are allavailable to play immediately and offer a range of experiences from small arcade-style games to larger open-world adventures. The games are presented as part of a shared alternate universe, with recurring characters and connections between titles.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,496 reviews
gameplay41 positive mentions
grinding5 negative mentions
  • Incredible value with 50 full games for only $25, making it a steal at 50 cents per game.
  • Each game is unique and well-crafted, showcasing a variety of genres and innovative mechanics.
  • The nostalgic feel of exploring a fictional game library from the 80s, with a cohesive narrative tying the games together.
  • Some games are intentionally designed to be clunky and difficult, which may frustrate players not accustomed to retro gaming challenges.
  • The first game, Barbuta, may turn off players due to its slow pace and lack of modern conveniences.
  • Not every game will resonate with every player, leading to a mixed experience depending on personal taste.
  • gameplay158 mentions

    The gameplay in "UFO 50" is a nostalgic yet innovative experience, blending retro aesthetics with modern mechanics across a diverse collection of 50 games. Players appreciate the depth and creativity of each title, often requiring exploration and experimentation to fully grasp their unique mechanics, reminiscent of classic gaming's trial-and-error approach. However, some users note frustrations with obtuse controls and punishing difficulty, suggesting that while the collection is rich in content and charm, it may not cater to all players' preferences.

    • “So much depth in each of the games, so much attention to detail, and adding modern gameplay mechanics to these old-school style games is just simply genius.”
    • “A love letter to retro games, UFO 50 takes everything you loved about classic games from the NES and SNES era and combines it with modern gameplay innovations and creative combinations of mechanics to create a collection of 50 retro gems that could've easily been considered classics had they been released during the era that inspired them.”
    • “Each game has tons of mechanical depth and content to discover, some even have side content or optional challenges.”
    • “Filled with pointless anachronistic pain points such as a lack of save games, poorly telegraphed hazards, repetitive menu/UI trudging, and mechanics that must be discovered through random trial and error rather than intuition or reason.”
    • “After trying half the games, I didn't find any interesting modern game design here worth sticking around for, rather quick knockoffs of well-known games with frustrating, clunky mechanics.”
    • “Unfortunately, the novelty wears fast as these mechanics made them obscure, while unintuitive controls, bad level design, and hard difficulty ruin the fun.”
  • graphics69 mentions

    The graphics of this collection are consistently praised for their beautiful 8-bit aesthetic, effectively blending retro charm with modern design sensibilities. Reviewers highlight the impressive variety in visual styles across the 50 unique games, noting that the pixel art and color choices are both nostalgic and well-executed. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a must-play for fans of retro gaming aesthetics.

    • “The graphics here are really nice, specifically the color choice and cutscenes.”
    • “Beautiful, transporting collection of games that celebrates a design aesthetic that I didn't realize I was longing for.”
    • “Retro graphics you love with modern game design that feels really fresh.”
    • “These feel like retro games, but the graphics and audio are perhaps not quite as limited as you might expect from games in the early and mid 80s.”
    • “The sound graphics and gameplay are all very simplistic, exactly like the era of games they are emulating.”
    • “But if you are loyal to the formula of modern gaming with complex controls, realistic graphics, and gritty storytelling, this may not be the game for you.”
  • music58 mentions

    The music in this collection is widely praised for its catchiness, variety, and ability to evoke nostalgia, with many tracks described as earworms that enhance the overall gaming experience. While some games feature minimal sound or abrasive soundscapes as a homage to retro gaming, the majority showcase impressive compositions that reflect a deep attention to detail and creativity. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout element, contributing significantly to the charm and appeal of the games.

    • “The music (where it exists) is catchy and liable to become an earworm.”
    • “Its pixel art and chiptune soundtrack transport you back to a golden age of gaming.”
    • “The music is great, the pixel art is phenomenal, and the 80s vibe is perfect, while still having modern and fresh design.”
    • “It has no music and limited sound effects.”
    • “The game didn't even have a soundtrack.”
    • “I guarantee they started with game number 1, which is a game designed to feel like a very old game (no music, janky physics, Atari adventure-type gameplay) not everyone's thing!”
  • story47 mentions

    The story of UFO 50 is a captivating meta-narrative centered around a fictional video game company, exploring its evolution through a diverse collection of 50 games. Players engage with each title while uncovering hints and lore that reflect the company's highs and lows, creating a sense of exploration and nostalgia reminiscent of 90s gaming culture. The overarching narrative is enriched by individual game backstories and interconnected themes, inviting players to piece together the larger story as they progress through the collection.

    • “But as a whole, UFO 50 weaves a story of a fake video game company - their highs, their lows, their iteration and technical advancements - that is fascinating to work your way through.”
    • “It's like a window into an alternate reality with trivia and lore that combines into a coherent story with reoccurring characters, mascots, and sequels.”
    • “The game's story is about following the lifecycle of this imaginary console as the games get more sophisticated over the years.”
    • “It's weird, it's hard, it's cryptic and loose in terms of 'story', and it truly gives that feeling of exploration and discovery that can only come when you're dropped into foreign worlds with little to no direction.”
    • “Sometimes you see a movie and you think 'that was five minutes of story in ninety minutes.' This is a collection of ideas for games, most of which are better than the core ideas in 90% of the games on Steam, and implemented with just the right amount of depth and polish.”
  • replayability12 mentions

    Overall, users highlight a strong sense of replayability across various games, noting that many titles offer addictive gameplay and significant variety that encourages multiple playthroughs. The inclusion of secrets and unique mechanics further enhances the replay value, with some players anticipating extensive hours of enjoyment before fully exhausting the content. Many feel that the replayability is not only substantial but also comparable to modern gaming standards.

    • “So much of this is just pure replayable arcade fun.”
    • “The amount of variety and replay value in this is staggering.”
    • “I'm expecting to keep playing for a while, maybe until I beat all the games, and then keep replaying this later on in life, because this has replayability through the roof.”
    • “Some are huge and enthralling enough to warrant the entire asking price, while some have the replayability to warrant multiple playthroughs.”
    • “However, replay value factors in here sometimes in ways that didn't really happen back then.”
    • “Secrets and mystery add replay value; it's huge.”
  • humor8 mentions

    The humor in these games is consistently praised for being charming, unique, and genuinely funny, often eliciting strong laughter from players. Titles like Waldorf's Journey and Mortol stand out for their clever comedic elements, with players noting moments that are both hilarious and slightly haunting. Overall, the humor enhances the gameplay experience, making it enjoyable even during challenging moments.

    • “Waldorf's journey: charming, unique, genuinely funny and oh so slightly haunting.”
    • “The first time we booted Mortol, we cried laughing at the arrow ability for a solid minute!”
    • “It's funny, it's smart, it's unique.”
  • emotional8 mentions

    Players find the emotional experience of the game to be deeply nostalgic and heartwarming, often evoking feelings of joy and sadness. The game successfully captures the essence of childhood memories and the bittersweet nature of gaming, making it a heartfelt tribute to the medium. Overall, it resonates strongly with players, leaving a lasting emotional impact.

    • “The emotional arc of playing this game goes beyond anything I've experienced.”
    • “It's downright heartwarming!”
    • “Ufo 50 has single-handedly made me feel like that young kid I used to be back then, and in quite a surreal way.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Reviews highlight a mixed experience with grinding mechanics, with some players finding them tedious and reminiscent of outdated arcade games. While certain titles like [i]mini & max[/i] and [i]paint chase[/i] are seen as charming yet laborious, others, such as divers and barbuta, are criticized for their excessive grind. However, some appreciate the strategic depth that grinding can add to gameplay, despite its harshness.

    • “What is the purpose of reliving the clunky, tedious, time-wasting mechanics of the arcade era?”
    • “I'll come back and review the rest later; after playing these so far, I got tired of the tediousness of it and lack of interest.”
    • “Some games here are really tedious, like divers or barbuta.”
  • stability4 mentions

    Overall, users report that the game collection runs smoothly with no stability issues, particularly praising its performance on the Steam Deck. There are no significant bugs or glitches, contrasting sharply with past gaming failures.

    • “This collection of games is worth every penny; it runs great on the Steam Deck with zero issues.”
    • “Loving it already, and it runs great on the Steam Deck!”
    • “Runs great on the Steam Deck too; I'm not sure what the info box is talking about since I've never seen a mouse or keyboard icon in the game.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
    • “I experienced constant lag and glitches that ruined the overall experience.”
    • “The stability issues are reminiscent of poorly developed games from the past.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its solid optimization, running smoothly without performance issues. It effectively streamlines the experience of exploring a retro console's library, making it user-friendly and efficient. Additionally, players have noted that it maintains good performance even when adjusting hardware settings for battery conservation.

    • “The game actually runs totally fine; I've not had any issues with anything relating to performance.”
    • “Distills the bizarre and wonderful experience of exploring a retro console's library into a quick, easy, and optimized experience (i.e. no adult mahjong games or 'oda no yabou' to sift through).”
    • “I found it interesting when I throttled my deck's performance in an attempt to stretch battery life even further with the game.”
    • “The game is plagued by severe optimization issues, making it frustrating to play.”
    • “Performance drops are frequent, and the game often feels unresponsive during critical moments.”
    • “Despite its potential, the lack of proper optimization leads to a disjointed and laggy experience.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with reviewers highlighting the developers' exceptional ability to create a captivating mood and immersive environment. The combination of stunning ambiance and cleverly designed puzzles contributes to an overall remarkable experience.

    • “Absolutely amazing atmosphere and cleverly well-thought-out puzzles.”
    • “The developers did a remarkable job creating a mood and atmosphere surrounding the IPs of this fantasy console.”
    • “Impeccable atmosphere.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    Reviewers appreciate the absence of traditional monetization pitfalls such as battle passes, ads, and separate launchers in Ufo 50, highlighting its refreshing approach to gaming. The game prompts players to reconsider the value of budget game compilations, suggesting a more thoughtful and enjoyable experience rather than a cash grab.

    • “Best of all, I get to forget about battle passes, ads, separate launchers, and all the other woes of modern gaming.”
    • “Ufo 50 asks an interesting question: 'What if those bargain bin “251 games in 1” game packs weren’t just shameless cash grabs?'”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development is praised for its stylish designs, though there is notable inconsistency in visual quality across different games. Overall, the character designs are well-received, contributing positively to the gaming experience.

    • “All of the character designs so far are fantastic!”
    • “The character development is rich and engaging, making each character feel unique and memorable.”
    • “The depth of the characters and their growth throughout the game is truly impressive.”
    • “While the collection is stylish overall, the visual and character design quality varies widely between the games.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
    • “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, leaving me disappointed with their growth.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

14hMedian play time
23hAverage play time
8-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 18 analyzed playthroughs

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