windowkill
- February 23, 2024
- torcado
- 6h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Windowkill" is a shoot-em-up game with both single-player and local cooperative modes for 2 players. It features split-screen gameplay and a unique mechanic involving a problematic window. The game has been updated to version 3.0 and is available on Steam. The soundtrack is by Keestak, and the game was originally created for Ludum Dare 54.
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game features a unique and innovative concept that effectively utilizes the desktop window as a gameplay mechanic, making it engaging and fun.
- It offers a variety of characters and upgrades, providing a good amount of replayability and strategic depth.
- The game is well-executed with smooth mechanics, a catchy soundtrack, and a charming aesthetic, all for a very affordable price.
- The game can become overwhelming and chaotic, especially in longer runs, leading to performance issues and difficulty in managing the gameplay.
- Some players find the upgrade system lacking in depth, with limited variety in upgrades and repetitive gameplay after a few runs.
- Controller support is poor, with certain bosses and mechanics being difficult or impossible to manage without a mouse.
- gameplay248 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Windowkill" is widely praised for its unique and innovative mechanics that integrate window management into a bullet hell format, creating an engaging and addictive experience. Players appreciate the balance of challenge and accessibility, with a variety of unlockable characters and skills that enhance replayability. However, some critiques mention potential repetitiveness and a desire for more content, though the overall consensus is that the game offers a fresh and enjoyable take on the genre, especially for fans of chaotic shooters.
“The gameplay is engaging and offers a unique experience that sets it apart from other games.”
“The gameplay loop is very addicting and the multitudes of characters you can unlock, each with different playstyles, is also incredibly nice.”
“Incredibly fun bullet hell, with very interesting mechanics and very unusual, but cleverly used window control; everything feels so incredibly smooth and natural.”
“It does get a bit repetitive, and adding a few more unlockable characters would help to make the gameplay differ between attempts.”
“All enemies were repeats, all bosses were repeats, all the gameplay just boiled down to being a huge mess of shapes on my screen.”
“Interesting and well-executed gimmick, but it doesn't have the gameplay to properly back it up.”
- music83 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its engaging and diverse soundtrack, which enhances the overall gameplay experience. Players appreciate the combination of relaxing and intense tracks, with many describing it as a perfect fit for the game's chaotic and addictive mechanics. Some users express a desire for more music options, particularly boss-specific tracks, but overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
“The base soundtrack is also phenomenal, perfect for the game.”
“This game is such a blast to play, the music is a vibe and a half and the game gimmick is super unique and fun.”
“10/10 concept, 10/10 implementation, 10/10 soundtrack... 11/10 game overall.”
“Needs more soundtrack, maybe boss specific music?”
“The game is good and all, but someone knows how to fix that there is no music?”
“I wish there were more options for maybe customizing sound effects and music, but that would just be the icing on the cake.”
- graphics42 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their simplicity and cleanliness, effectively complementing the engaging gameplay and unique aesthetic. Players appreciate the retro and vaporwave vibes, noting that the visuals are easy on the eyes and well-optimized, even if some experience minor performance issues. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's charm, making it a hidden gem in the 2D genre.
“Good concept, good graphics, good gameplay, can't really complain.”
“Graphics are extremely clean and cohesive, soundtrack is an absolute banger, customization is great and the main menu looks amazing.”
“The visuals are simple, yet engaging, the music is just bangin, and the windowed aspect to it isn't just for aesthetics (which I thought was the case at first).”
“The multiple window aesthetic is not just for show.”
“In terms of performance, on my fairly capable Windows 11 laptop, while connected to an external monitor, I do experience frequent stuttering, but it may be my own fault (needing to update my graphics driver, etc.). Other than the stuttering, the game is very well optimized, and I'm surprised by how smoothly the windows bounce around and respond to bullets and enemy movements.”
“Graphics: don't need to be complicated.”
- replayability32 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The reviews on replayability are mixed, with some games praised for their high replay value due to unique mechanics and unlockable characters, while others are criticized for being repetitive and lacking depth. Many players appreciate the fun and engaging gameplay that encourages multiple playthroughs, but some express disappointment in the limited content and overall replayability. Overall, the experience varies significantly between titles, with some offering substantial replay incentives and others falling short.
“Has awesome amounts of replayability and has such a unique gimmick to the whole experience.”
“Windowkill is, despite its seemingly simple concept, a very deep game with many secrets and high replay value, especially given the different characters you can unlock that provide new ways of killing enemies.”
“Extremely fun and massive replay value.”
“Lacks replayability and gets repetitive quickly.”
“6 weeks later - this is a 10/10 game idea with a 6/10 execution, still worth it but not much replay value.”
“What it lacks in depth and replayability, it makes up for in being creative.”
- optimization28 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with some users experiencing performance issues, particularly when using real system windows, which can lead to lag as the game progresses. However, players have noted that adjusting settings, such as switching to fake windows, can significantly improve performance. Overall, while there are occasional stutters, many find the game surprisingly well-optimized and enjoyable despite these challenges.
“Even when the game was lagging before I optimized the performance in the options menu, I couldn't stop playing, and it rekindled that childlike wonder I used to have with computers.”
“How this game is actually playable with decent performance is amazing!”
“In terms of performance, on my fairly capable Windows 11 laptop, while connected to an external monitor, I do experience frequent stuttering, but it may be my own fault (needing to update my graphics driver, etc.); other than the stuttering, the game is very well optimized, and I'm surprised by how smoothly the windows bounce around and respond to bullets and enemy movements.”
“The game can use real system windows, but it's only usable for the first 20 minutes until it starts getting laggier with so many enemies, bosses, and windows spawning that you'll have to use fake windows to regain performance.”
“There is still a bit of a performance problem, but at this point it's almost certainly due to any computer not expecting 20 windows being moved simultaneously; you can go into a pseudo-mode where it fixes that completely by faking the windows and having it be one big one, although it removes some of the charm.”
“If you are having performance problems, then consider turning off the Steam overlay, and if that doesn't work, then turn on fake windows.”
- humor18 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding the funny smiley character and the absurdity of the gameplay to be particularly entertaining. Many reviews highlight the game's creative and amusing concepts, contributing to a lighthearted and enjoyable experience. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm that enhances the gameplay.
“Love the game, really funny and creative.”
“Very cool game with a funny concept.”
“Funny window killer roguelike game.”
- grinding8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Overall, players appreciate that the game does not require extensive grinding, making it enjoyable and accessible. However, some find the setup process for multiplayer cumbersome, particularly with the need for individual keybinds and shared resources, which can detract from the experience.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Lastly, having to share a health bar, shop, upgrades, and an exclusive ability is really tedious, as two players can only use the same ability if they are the same character.”
“Trying to set it up with 4 controllers was very tedious as every player needs to set up their own keybinds, which we didn't know.”
- story6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game "Windowkill" lacks a story mode, which some players feel detracts from the overall experience, despite praising its gameplay. Additionally, the game is noted for being relatively short, leading to concerns about its replay value.
“Windowkill is a really good game, but the only problems I have with it are that the game can be beaten really quickly and there is no story mode.”
“There is no story.”
“The game can be beaten really quickly and there is no story mode.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express strong emotional reactions to the game, with some feeling intense frustration when the game crashes during pivotal moments, leading to a sense of lasting disappointment. Additionally, the game's design evokes feelings of claustrophobia, which some find overwhelming, although they acknowledge the concept as intriguing.
“I've never played a game that made me feel claustrophobic. There was way too much to keep track of on top of managing your window size. Definitely not my cup of tea, but a cool concept though.”
“Game stopped responding in the middle of a good run. I will never emotionally recover from this.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users have reported stability issues, particularly with freezing when using specific characters and bugs related to window positioning in multi-monitor setups. Many hope these problems will be addressed in future patches.
“Another issue is that the window positions tend to get a bit buggy when you enable multi-monitor, but hopefully this will be fixed in patches.”
“Great game, but it freezes when I use the laser character. Hopefully they fix it.”
“Great game, but it freezes when I use the laser character. Hopefully they fix it.”
