Vector Strain
- December 8, 2015
- OMNIDREAM CREATIONS
Get on Steam"Vector Strain" is a Sci-Fi shooter game with 5 unique stages, 5 upgradeable ships, and an elaborate scoring system. It offers 3 difficulty levels, beautiful 1080p graphics, and supports keyboard, controller, and joystick. Players can choose single-player, local co-op , and split-screen modes.
Reviews
- The game has good graphics and a unique visual style that stands out.
- It offers tight and responsive controls, making it accessible for beginners to the shmup genre.
- The gameplay features a variety of ships and power-ups, providing good replay value.
- The game suffers from poor sound design, with dull music and sound effects that detract from the experience.
- Controller support is limited, making it difficult to play effectively with a gamepad.
- The difficulty level can be frustratingly high, with bullet patterns that offer little room for maneuvering.
- music13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its unique heavy metal style that fits the game's aesthetic, while others find it dull, repetitive, and lacking in quality. Many noted that the soundtrack is short and not particularly memorable, with sound effects described as muddy and uninspired. Overall, the music seems to be a matter of personal preference, with a divide between those who enjoy its alternative vibe and those who find it lacking compared to more frenetic genres.
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
“It's a pretty game with a uniquely metal soundtrack that I normally would not dig but fits the game excellently.”
“The music tends more towards the alternative or heavy metal style rather than the frenetic techno musical style which most of these kinds of games have.”
“Sound effects and music are dull and boring.”
“The music is a preference thing but it was dull and repetitive, though slightly moody.”
“The music is somewhat catchy, but the overall quality of both the sound and music is somewhat muddy.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a blend of traditional power-ups and bomb mechanics reminiscent of Raiden titles, while also incorporating elements from danmaku and graze shooters, featuring a high volume of projectiles and varying speeds. A unique shield mechanic allows players to absorb damage temporarily, requiring quick reactions to maintain balance and challenge. However, the game's menu navigation can be cumbersome, particularly for those unfamiliar with it, though gameplay is best experienced with a keyboard.
“Oh, and there is a shield mechanic that will let you absorb damage for a very short period of time, but it must always be activated and held by the player on reaction, which I think helps balance the mechanic from making things too easy.”
“Gameplay-wise, I'd liken it to a combination of the two as well.”
“There is no special, innovative mechanic to the game.”
“Gameplay-wise, as far as power-ups and bombs, this is very much in the mold of the Raiden titles, but the gameplay feels more akin to danmaku and other graze shooters in the volume of projectiles and changing speeds from very slow and methodical to hectic and fast.”
“Oh, and there is a shield mechanic that will let you absorb damage for a very short period of time, but it must always be activated and held by the player on reaction, which helps balance the mechanic from making things too easy.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally praised for their unique and interesting style, though some users note they can appear dark and greasy. While the visuals contribute to the game's psychedelic atmosphere, there are concerns about performance issues affecting framerate, particularly in a fast-paced bullet hell context. Overall, the graphics are seen as a distinctive element of the game's appeal.
“The graphics in this game are fairly dark though and look oddly greasy and shiny, making for a fairly interesting and unique style.”
“The graphics and audio aren't hi-fi and that's the point; just a bit psychedelic, but with all that action going on, I think it's a fun game though.”
“Good graphics, tight control, elevator music (if the elevator is in a nightclub).”
“The graphics in this game are fairly dark and look oddly greasy and shiny, making for a fairly interesting and unique style.”
“There's no reason why I should turn down my graphics in a bullet hell game just to improve the framerate.”
“The graphics and audio aren't high-fidelity, and that's the point; it's a bit psychedelic, but with all that action going on, I think it's a fun game.”
- story2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's story conveys a powerful moral about perseverance and the unpredictability of life, emphasizing that giving up can prevent personal growth. However, some players feel that the lack of backstory detracts from the overall narrative experience.
“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.”
“This game appears to provide you with no backstory whatsoever.”
“The story feels disjointed and lacks coherence, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“Character motivations are poorly developed, leaving players confused about their actions.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features five distinct ships, each equipped with unique weaponry and bomb types, which enhances its replayability. Players can unlock two additional ships, further increasing the variety and encouraging multiple playthroughs.
“The game features five different ships, each with unique weaponry and bomb types, providing excellent variety and replay value, especially since two of them must be unlocked.”
“With multiple ships to choose from, each offering distinct gameplay mechanics, the replayability is significantly enhanced as players can experiment with different strategies.”
“The diverse ship options and unlockable content ensure that every playthrough feels fresh and engaging, making you want to come back for more.”
