Whisker Squadron: Survivor

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 382 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
Whisker Squadron: Survivor Game Cover
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Whisker Squadron: Survivor is a rogue-like action game where you play as a cat fighter pilot facing off against an alien invasion. You'll upgrade your plane and captain, battle through randomly generated stages, and take on giant bosses in intense bullet hell combat. With procedurally generated content weaved into a campaign, no two runs are the same in this feline-themed shoot 'em up.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 382 reviews
gameplay37 positive mentions
grinding9 negative mentions
  • Whisker Squadron: Survivor captures the nostalgic feel of classic Star Fox games while introducing engaging roguelike elements.
  • The game features a vibrant art style and an addictive gameplay loop that encourages players to keep coming back for more runs.
  • The controls are responsive and intuitive, making it easy for players to pick up and enjoy the fast-paced action.
  • Currently, the game feels a bit light on content, with only a few levels and limited enemy variety, which may lead to repetitive gameplay.
  • Some players have reported issues with the balance of upgrades and weapons, making certain builds feel overpowered while others are underwhelming.
  • The lack of a compelling narrative or deeper character development may leave some players wanting more from the overall experience.
  • gameplay102 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its fun mechanics, smooth controls, and engaging roguelite elements that evoke a classic Star Fox feel. However, some players criticize the repetitive nature of the stages, lack of content, and a disconnect between the visual appeal and gameplay depth, leading to a sense of shallow experience. Overall, while the core gameplay is solid and enjoyable, there are calls for more variety and content to enhance replayability.

    • “Beautiful game, amazing gameplay, super fun and in general very smooth and well made.”
    • “The gameplay is really strong, and has that classic Star Fox dynamic of balancing between aiming at enemies and steering to avoid them and other obstacles.”
    • “Gameplay is satisfying and fast.”
    • “Unfortunately, the gameplay doesn’t quite match the visual allure.”
    • “The stages are repetitive to the point of being tiresome, the power-ups you get are functionally pointless, the story on hand isn't even worth experiencing, the music is flat out godawful, and the gameplay comes off like the dev team genuinely loves Star Fox and Hades, yet for some reason, they can't figure out what makes either of those games fun to play.”
    • “The game is limited to the gameplay you see in trailers; you move forward, shoot, get score combos, and you either die or beat 10 waves, and that's pretty much it.”
  • music64 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its energetic and catchy nature, describing it as a "banger" that enhances the gameplay experience. However, others criticize it for being repetitive or lacking variety, with some even finding it unpleasant. Overall, while many appreciate the soundtrack's ability to create an engaging atmosphere, there are calls for more diversity and polish in the music.

    • “I enjoyed the music too - it felt both exciting and chill.”
    • “The music and artistic choices made for this game are all outstanding.”
    • “The smooth music and psychedelic visuals do the heavy lifting of lulling you into a reactive, zen-like state, and you'll quickly find yourself masterfully maneuvering between energy blasts and blasting whole swarms out of the sky like a pro.”
    • “The music is flat out godawful, and the gameplay comes off like the dev team genuinely loves Starfox and Hades, yet for some reason, they can't figure out what makes either of those games fun to play.”
    • “This is what hell itself sounds like; this game's soundtrack, ad infinitum.”
    • “The soundtrack is repetitive.”
  • graphics57 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant, retro-inspired art style, combining elements of synthwave and vaporwave aesthetics that create an engaging visual experience. While many players appreciate the charming character designs and overall aesthetic, some note that the levels can become repetitive and visually overwhelming at times. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point, contributing to the game's enjoyable atmosphere, though there are calls for more variety and polish as it continues in early access.

    • “The graphics are vibrant and the design of the game world is eye-catching.”
    • “The vaporwave aesthetic combined with the pseudo-orchestral, electronic soundtrack made for something that was pleasant simply to look at and listen to.”
    • “Amazing graphics and addicting gameplay.”
    • “But I feel that these visuals need more from it.”
    • “The art style unfortunately doesn't help either, as all the neon lights of the samey, repeating levels blend in with the enemy shots, which are the same but blue.”
    • “It needs more polish: more variance in the level visuals, better/more diverse music, more satisfying weapon effects and sound design, etc.”
  • story36 mentions

    The game's story is generally considered fun but lacks depth, with many players noting that it is not as engaging as titles like Star Fox. While some appreciate the anti-capitalist themes and the episodic nature of the narrative, others criticize the repetitive missions and minimal storytelling, feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the story is seen as a secondary aspect, with many players expressing a desire for a more substantial narrative to enhance their gameplay.

    • “I haven't unlocked all the story bits yet, but I like what I've seen so far and I'm always happy to see a nice anti-capitalist message in these trying times.”
    • “Just recently got a campaign mode with an actual story, and shockingly, the story is actually good and not at all cringey!”
    • “The story is simple - robot bugs are invading the galaxy.”
    • “The story gets fed to you in little bits every time you do a new run.”
    • “Game also has a bare-bones story mode, so don't expect anything along the lines of the old Star Fox games.”
    • “There's not really a story per se.”
  • replayability18 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its addictive nature and customizable elements that enhance replay value, while others criticize the limited content and lack of engaging mechanics that hinder long-term enjoyment. Although the roguelike features and unlockable power-ups offer depth, many feel that improvements are needed to fully realize its potential for replayability. Overall, while there are enjoyable aspects, the game currently struggles to maintain lasting appeal.

    • “Highly replayable and customizable with tons of challenge modes.”
    • “Great classic Starfox feel, while adding in the replayability of modern roguelikes, with each run earning you power-ups to use in the next runs.”
    • “The roguelike mechanics and unlockable power-ups give this game a lot of depth and replayability; the controls feel modern and responsive, but what really makes this game stand out is the whole experience, the aesthetics of the game plus the music make this game a pleasure to play.”
    • “I think this game has a solid framework, it just lacks content to provide replayability.”
    • “The curse cards recently added do nothing to make the game more playable, and with only 10 levels to a zone when you finally start to get a build that's interesting, the game ends.”
    • “It's fun for the first couple of hours, but there's basically no replay value.”
  • grinding9 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive and tedious, often feeling forced into repetitive farming to progress due to high upgrade costs and uninspired boss fights. While some appreciate the longevity that grinding can provide, many feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, making gameplay feel slow and frustrating, especially with the need to restart levels upon death. Overall, the grind is seen as a double-edged sword, offering potential for extended playtime but at the cost of fun and engagement.

    • “A lot of potential, but since there's so little content, it feels like the only way they could introduce longevity was to make it way too grindy.”
    • “The cost of upgrades is prohibitively expensive, forcing players into a tedious grind.”
    • “The gameplay would be fun, but the game is built around farming, so the core loop is repeated hundreds of times with small gains.”
  • monetization7 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with users feeling misled by its title and the presence of ads that disrupt gameplay. Many express concern over the game's early access status, noting that it seems to prioritize promoting a future title rather than improving the current one. Overall, the monetization approach has left players feeling skeptical about the game's development and intentions.

    • “I also think including 'survivor' in the title is a cash grab and misleading because this game is an on-rails shooter like Star Fox and has very little in common with the bullet heaven genre games like Vampire Survivors.”
    • “This is a cash grab to buy time for the game this studio really wants to make.”
    • “I am also pessimistic that it will be improved, given that the title screen is already advertising another upcoming game.”
  • stability3 mentions

    Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability, with users reporting that it looks and runs exceptionally well, particularly on the Steam Deck. Players have noted a smooth performance, contributing to an enjoyable gaming experience.

    • “On a technical level, the game looks and runs great.”
    • “Looks and runs great on deck.”
    • “Absolute blast to play and runs great on a Steam Deck.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development is praised for its strong design and nostalgic feel, complemented by impressive graphics. Reviewers appreciate the variety of enemies and the well-balanced difficulty curve, which enhances the overall experience.

    • “It's so good, a bit of that old school feel but the graphics are great, and I really like the character design.”
    • “Wide variety of enemies, love the character design, and the difficulty curve is spot on.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    Reviews indicate that optimization is inconsistent, with performance drops noted during gameplay, particularly in stages that feel overly extended. Players have observed that upgrades do provide noticeable improvements, but the overall experience can be hindered by these performance issues.

    • “The optimization in this game really enhances the overall experience, making each session feel smoother and more engaging.”
    • “I appreciate how the developers have fine-tuned the mechanics, allowing for a more seamless gameplay experience.”
    • “This precipitous drop in performance may also be due to the fact that the stages are now roughly the same length as a Super Bowl ad on a budget.”
    • “In fact, each time I replayed the same level, I was looking forward to seeing what the upgrades would actually offer in terms of performance, and it is noticeable.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The game is praised for its engaging and immersive atmosphere, contributing significantly to the overall enjoyment and fun experience.

    • “Very fun game with an amazing atmosphere.”
  • humor1 mentions

    Players find the humor in the game to be enjoyable, often highlighting the amusing bugs and glitches that add to the overall fun experience, even if they struggle with gameplay.

    • “This game is a blast! I may not be the best at it, but the hilarious bugs keep me laughing.”
    • “The humor in this game is top-notch; I find myself chuckling at the quirky characters and their antics.”
    • “I love how the game incorporates humor into its gameplay; it makes even the toughest challenges enjoyable.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a sense of frustration and tension, as players experience a heightened state of anxiety due to the punishing mechanic of instant death upon contact with walls. This design choice evokes strong feelings of vulnerability and urgency, contributing to an intense emotional experience.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

17hMedian play time
12hAverage play time
1-22hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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