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Way of the Red

Way of the Red Game Cover
78%Game Brain Score
story, music
gameplay, graphics
97% User Score Based on 30 reviews
Critic Score 85%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
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Way of the Red Game Cover

About

Way of the Red is a single player action adventure game. It was developed by Corey Hardman and was released on November 16, 2016. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Way of the Red is a 2d action platformer with fun combat, fluid movement, satisfying kills, and an engaging story. Imagine a smooth, modern Ninja Gaiden with Smash Bros influences. Splatter blood across the land through four massive zones, each with their own unique environments, characters, and secrets. Use satisfying and versatile sword techniques to shred enemies to pieces. Mutate your chara…

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Way of the Red screenshot
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Way of the Red screenshot
Way of the Red screenshot
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97%
Audience ScoreBased on 30 reviews
story8 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • Tight, responsive controls and fluid, fast-paced combat that feels satisfying and allows impressive combos.
  • Engaging platforming and exploration with well-designed levels and enjoyable boss fights that offer a good challenge.
  • Charming pixel art NES/SNES-style aesthetic accompanied by a catchy and fitting soundtrack that enhances the experience.
  • Difficulty curve can be brutal and frustrating for some players, especially in certain platforming segments and boss fights.
  • Some control quirks and stiffness, including issues with jump and glide mechanics, making precision platforming occasionally tricky.
  • Game is relatively short with limited story depth and lacks features like new game plus or additional content, which may reduce replay value for some.
  • story
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story is generally simple, light, and sometimes cliché but charming and enjoyable, with imaginative character designs and multiple endings that add replay value. While it may lack depth or extensive plot development, the narrative effectively complements the gameplay and world, providing a satisfying backdrop for the action-packed, pixel-art adventure.

    • “The character designs are very imaginative, and the open-ended story about finding passion is pleasing (multiple endings).”
    • “Way of the Red is a pixelated action-adventure game where you play as a birdman on a mission of justice, fighting your way out of slavery to the Great Spire city to kill the king inside.”
    • “Story and world is short, but very interesting.”
    • “The story is fine, though nothing we have not seen before.”
    • “There's some other plot bits going on there that are pretty glossed over and left for the player to decipher on purpose that help flesh out some background, but ultimately the game is pretty story light.”
    • “I would have preferred more content in the form of special moves, zones, story and bosses.”
  • music
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music is generally well-received, with several catchy and fitting tracks that enhance the gameplay experience, especially praised in certain areas like the cave. However, some players note that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time and that transitions between scenes can be abrupt. Overall, the music is considered a strong and enjoyable aspect of the game.

    • “The music was awesome, especially the song that played in the cave.”
    • “Special kudos to the graphics and music direction too – it's all just stellar.”
    • “The gameplay was superbly tuned, music was amazing, story was gripping.”
    • “Music transitions between scenes are abrupt at times.”
    • “Music's not half bad either, nothing mind-blowing but there are a few pretty catchy tunes in the background while you're fighting.”
    • “With that out of the way, the music and aesthetic are solid.”
  • gameplay
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is challenging and fast-paced, with smooth and responsive controls that enhance precise platforming through well-executed jump, wall-grab, and glide mechanics. While the shared button for multiple actions and a slow start may cause minor inconvenience, the overall design delivers an engaging and finely tuned experience.

    • “If you enjoy high difficulty and fast-paced gameplay, you're sure to have a good time.”
    • “The jump, wall climb, and glide mechanics are pretty well done!”
    • “It first launched in a really tiny window, it doesn't explain its controls or mechanics very well, and the opening 30 minutes might be some of the most boring in gaming history.”
    • “I also don't particularly like that one button is jump as well as wall-grab as well as glide while in air, but despite these nitpicks, none of them were a real source of frustration during normal gameplay; it was just the challenge that really stood out.”
    • “The controls are very smooth and responsive (I used an Xbox 360 controller), which is important since you will be doing a lot of precise platforming that was quite entertaining as well due to the glide and climb mechanics.”
  • graphics
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics feature well-executed, smooth pixel art and animations that maintain a cohesive NES/SNES aesthetic without being overly complex. While character sprites are basic, the environmental design and overall visual style are appreciated for their solid, tasteful presentation. Overall, the game's graphics complement its mood effectively and receive special praise alongside the music.

    • “Sprite animations are well done and smooth, and the game's pixel art is cohesive and doesn't try to be over grandiose or use too many colors - it sensibly keeps the NES/SNES aesthetic.”
    • “Some of the animations are pretty well done, and I do like the aesthetics of some of the environments.”
    • “Special kudos to the graphics and music direction too - it's all just stellar.”
    • “It's nothing too great to look at in terms of art as the character sprites are very basic, but some of the animations are pretty well done, and I do like the aesthetics of some of the environments.”
    • “Sprite animations are well done and smooth, and the game's pixel art is cohesive and doesn't try to be over grandiose or use too many colors - it sensibly tries to keep the NES/SNES aesthetic.”
    • “With that out of the way, the music and aesthetic are solid.”
  • character development
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The character development is praised for its imaginative designs and an open-ended narrative that explores the pursuit of passion, enhanced by multiple possible endings.

    • “The character designs are very imaginative, and the open-ended story about finding passion is pleasing, featuring multiple endings.”
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85%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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Frequently Asked Questions

Way of the Red is a action adventure game.

Way of the Red is available on PC and Windows.

Way of the Red was released on November 16, 2016.

Way of the Red was developed by Corey Hardman.

Way of the Red has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its gameplay.

Way of the Red is a single player game.

Similar games include Momodora: Reverie Under The Moonlight, Dust: An Elysian Tail, Owlboy, HAAK, Outland and others.