Valfaris: Mecha Therion
- November 21, 2023
- Steel Mantis
- 10h median play time
Valfaris: Mecha Therion is an intense bullet hell shooter that never takes it foot of the pedal, filled with fantastic gunplay and visuals.
Get on Steam"Valfaris: Mecha Therion" is a 2.5D side-scrolling shoot 'em up game, serving as a sequel to the critically acclaimed Valfaris. As Therion, pilot Mecha Therion, a formidable machine of destruction, equipped with an array of deadly firepower to obliterate hostile alien forces across various levels. Customize your Mecha loadout, upgrade weapons, and prepare to unleash mecha hell.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox One
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features stunning visuals and a vibrant art style that captures the essence of heavy metal aesthetics, making it visually appealing.
- The soundtrack is exceptional, with heavy metal music that enhances the gameplay experience and keeps players engaged.
- Gameplay is fun and challenging, with a variety of weapons and upgrades that encourage experimentation and replayability.
- The game suffers from visibility issues, as enemy projectiles can blend into the background, making it difficult to avoid damage.
- The manual direction change mechanic can be cumbersome and frustrating, leading to unnecessary deaths during chaotic gameplay.
- Some players feel the game is too short, with a playtime of around 3-5 hours, which may not justify the price for some.
- music45 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, particularly for its heavy metal soundtrack that enhances the overall experience with energetic riffs and a fitting atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to complement the fast-paced gameplay and visually stunning pixel art, making it a standout feature that elevates the game's action and immersion. Overall, the music is described as exceptional, with many considering it a key element that contributes to the game's appeal and enjoyment.
“The art, level design, weapons, music, boss fights... all of it rocks so freakin' hard.”
“A great sequel to Valfaris, with absolutely stunning pixel art, a phenomenal soundtrack by Celtic Frost guitarist Curt Victor Bryant, and interesting levels/boss designs.”
“Truly phenomenal visual style accompanied by a banging metal soundtrack!”
“The only thing more kickass than the weapons in this game is the soundtrack.”
“A harmonic black metal soundtrack, tons of metal and fire and lightning and blood and decay themes throughout the levels and weapons, a focus on swordplay to balance out the shooting, and a story about family hatred across the universe.”
“It's difficult to pinpoint the 'best' aspect of the game - level layout, enemy design, weapon choices, boss mechanics, music, all compound into an extremely solid shoot'em up.”
- graphics39 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some praising its vibrant, unique art style reminiscent of heavy metal album covers and retro aesthetics, while others feel it lacks the grungy charm of its predecessor. Many players appreciate the colorful visuals and well-designed stages, noting that the graphics enhance the overall experience, despite some wishing for higher-definition updates. Overall, the game's visuals are seen as a strong point, contributing to its engaging atmosphere and gameplay.
“The aesthetic is amazing.”
“Incredible visuals, OST, and gameplay that builds on the original despite being an entirely different genre.”
“The art style is wonderful and very colorful/vibrant as well.”
“This game needs HD 3D graphics and a remake.”
“The 3D look is not my favorite art style, but it works well.”
“My only note is that there were some FPS issues in later stages with blue flowers, but turning down graphics settings helped somewhat.”
- gameplay25 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a blend of traditional shmup mechanics and modern elements, featuring a diverse array of weapons, satisfying combat, and engaging level design. While some players feel it doesn't quite match the satisfaction of its predecessor, Valfaris, the game offers a visually stunning experience with tight controls and a challenging yet forgiving structure. Overall, it successfully combines retro aesthetics with contemporary gameplay innovations, making it a fun and immersive experience.
“The gameplay is amazing with a lot of different weapons and trinkets.”
“Incredible visuals, OST, and gameplay that builds on the original despite being an entirely different genre.”
“Extremely fun, all mechanics work really well in the shmup context and the overall presentation is amazing.”
“However, don’t expect the same gameplay as its predecessor; it's more like a victory lap to close the story of Therion’s revenge.”
“But personally speaking, the gameplay of Valfaris: Mecha Therion doesn't feel as satisfying as the original Valfaris... but your mileage may vary, of course.”
“To actually talk about the gameplay for a bit, this doesn't really play like a traditional shmup (and of course, it's nothing like a danmaku).”
- story9 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The story is a straightforward yet engaging tale of revenge, set against a backdrop of heavy metal aesthetics and over-the-top action. While it may not delve deeply into complex themes, it effectively complements the gameplay, featuring elements like family hatred and epic boss battles, all enhanced by a fitting metal soundtrack. Overall, the presentation and narrative align well with the game's mission to deliver a thrilling, chaotic experience.
“Usually games in this genre don’t have this amount of presentation to them, and combining a comically over-the-top dark action hero, plus a metal soundtrack that goes hard, plus the framing as a story of revenge where you hunt down the big baddie while whizzing past planets in a giant mech is always cool.”
“The overall presentation and story is charmingly straightforward, but it fits the game perfectly and is obviously intentional.”
“The overall presentation and story is charmingly straightforward, but it fits the game perfectly, and is obviously intentional.”
“A harmonic black metal soundtrack, tons of metal and fire and lightning and blood and decay themes throughout the levels and weapons, a focus on swordplay to balance out the shooting, and a story about family hatred across the universe.”
“The story naturally wasn't too deep, but I still think you did a good job teasing the boss fights.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game offers solid replayability due to its variety of weapons, hidden secrets, and different play styles, encouraging players to explore multiple approaches. While the main campaign is relatively short, lasting around 2-3 hours, the potential for 8-12 hours of additional gameplay through upgrades and secrets enhances its replay value. Overall, players find enough content to keep them engaged without feeling repetitive.
“It also has good replayability with many hidden secrets to add to your arsenal.”
“Different weapons will push you into different styles of play, so I think replay value is high.”
“Sadly, the game is rather short; you may complete it in 2-3 hours, but you will be well entertained and there is some replay value.”
“It has enough replayability to not overstay its welcome.”
“Replayability is there with different weapon options, upgrades, and secrets - I'm guessing this title is good for about 8-12 hours of fun if you're into it.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game has received mixed reviews; while some appreciate the cleaner low-poly design as a refreshing change, others feel it detracts from the grungy, metal-inspired aesthetic of its predecessor. However, many users highlight the game's fun and engaging atmosphere, noting that the environments contribute significantly to the overall experience.
“A fun atmospheric shmup.”
“Atmospheric and tight!”
“Aside from the awesome gameplay, the environments and atmosphere have really leveled up.”
“The predecessor nailed it with an overly drawn aesthetic that made everything look like it was straight out of a metal album. This game opts for a much cleaner low-poly design, which I feel is a direct downgrade from the grungy atmosphere the predecessor established.”
“The atmosphere feels lifeless and lacks the immersive qualities that would draw players into the world. It’s as if the developers forgot to add any sense of mood or tension.”
“Despite the potential for a rich environment, the game falls flat with bland visuals and uninspired sound design, making it hard to feel engaged or invested in the experience.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Many users express frustration with AAA titles due to perceived greed in microtransactions and the incorporation of political agendas, which detracts from their enjoyment of the games.
“I cannot stand most AAA titles; they are not fun, and I can't stand the greedy microtransactions and political agendas.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its exceptional stability, with users reporting no bugs or glitches throughout their entire experience.
