Wirewalk
- September 23, 2021
- debugChicken
- 3h median play time
"Wirewalk" is a single-player Role Playing Game set in a futuristic world where a powerful computer virus is wreaking havoc. As Rada, a programmer with a refreshingly normal persona, players will use The Wirewalker software to combat the virus in 2D 3-Color Top-Down Action-RPG gameplay. Featuring hand-crafted dungeons, puzzle-solving, and various weapons, "Wirewalk" also offers optional side quests, color palettes, and speedrunning opportunities with original modern chiptune music. The game tackles two unspecified elements, adding further intrigue.
Reviews
- Captures the nostalgic feel of classic Gameboy Zelda games with charming graphics and engaging gameplay.
- Creative item mechanics and puzzles that allow for varied approaches to challenges, enhancing the overall experience.
- Short but enjoyable, making it a perfect game for a quick playthrough without overstaying its welcome.
- Movement can be cumbersome, especially when moving diagonally, which detracts from the overall fluidity of exploration.
- The game is quite short, with some players feeling it lacks depth and additional content, such as more dungeons or optional challenges.
- Some mechanics and puzzles may not be clearly communicated, leading to confusion and frustration for players unfamiliar with the genre.
- gameplay27 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its satisfying mechanics, variety, and engaging puzzles, reminiscent of classic dungeon crawlers like "The Legend of Zelda." While some players noted issues with backtracking and a lack of a final dungeon, the overall experience is described as fun and polished, with a good balance of challenges and unlockable gadgets. However, the game's length and price-to-value ratio have raised concerns for some players, suggesting it may not be worth it for everyone.
“The puzzles and mechanics are fun!”
“Fun gameplay and puzzles, with characters that will make you smile.”
“Each 'device' has its own thematic dungeon with different accompanying mechanics, puzzles, and challenges you'll have to overcome using unlockable gadgets and equipment.”
“There's no ending dungeon; you just transition into a final boss that didn't have any puzzle-like mechanics to give it some flair.”
“The second dungeon, in my opinion, involves too much backtracking and puzzle solving, with the core minecart mechanic being the biggest weakness of the game altogether.”
“For the price to gameplay ratio, I'm not sure it's worth it for most, but if you enjoy these styles of games and want more of them, it would be worth not passing on this one.”
- music13 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many praising its nostalgic chiptune style that perfectly complements the gameplay. Reviewers highlight the catchy and memorable tracks, often comparing them to classic 8-bit soundtracks, which enhance the overall experience and evoke fond memories of retro gaming. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that elevates the game's charm and appeal.
“And while the gameplay is wonderful, the music really helps elevate the experience, making it a title well worth every penny.”
“Meanwhile the music is extremely catchy and fits perfectly with the theme and style of the game; I have the overworld theme playing in my head right now while typing this.”
“And don't even get me started on the outstanding music; it's one of the best I've ever heard in this style.”
“As an old school SNES RPG player, I was really pleased to play this game; the gameplay feels like playing Zelda - A Link to the Past, with a Mega Man-like soundtrack!”
“Be warned, the soundtrack will (and this isn't a matter of choice) get stuck in your head.”
“Nostalgic 8-bit soundtracks.”
- story12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story is set in a technologically dystopian future where a mysterious virus disrupts society, leaving players with unanswered questions about its origins and motivations. While the narrative has charm and humor, it feels incomplete and ends abruptly, suggesting potential for expansion in a sequel. Overall, the engaging setting and clever dialogue provide a solid foundation, but the plot lacks resolution and depth.
“The setting and plot were fascinating, and the gameplay manages to be fresh and enjoyable while staying true to the genre.”
“The story shows a not-so-distant future where people are even more dependent on technology, providing a clear criticism of our current society. The clever jokes about this society made me laugh more than once.”
“First, the story: it is rather straightforward - you're a girl named Rada who lives in a town suddenly plagued by a mysterious computer virus that renders technology inoperable.”
“Since the story doesn't provide any answers as to who was behind the virus attack, or even what their motivation might have been, it's hard to feel very satisfied.”
“The story of the game is weird; you kind of get a vibe of a technological dystopia, and then the ending comes out of nowhere, leaving you wondering where the next level is.”
“The story does seem to end abruptly, suggesting that the developer didn't have a full idea of what they wanted to do with it after the final boss.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by charming pixel art and a nostalgic Game Boy aesthetic, with vibrant color palettes and well-designed sprites. While some elements may be difficult to read due to pixel size, the overall visuals are appreciated for their simplicity and effectiveness in conveying the game's style. Players enjoy the retro feel, reminiscent of classic handheld games, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
“Enjoyable game with a cute art style.”
“The Game Boy-like graphics are very pretty and the animations are well done.”
“This game has lovely sprites and wonderful color palettes (yes, there are multiple palettes and you can choose which one you want and find more in the world!).”
“Earlier handheld games were severely limited with their visuals, to the extent that they had to work with restricted color palettes.”
“Wirewalk is a typical Game Boy dungeon crawler adventure game in the mold of the first Zelda titles, featuring top-down gameplay and retro graphics.”
“The Game Boy-like graphics are very pretty, and the animations are well done.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and minimal lag, while others report issues such as frame drops and long loading times. Overall, the game's optimization appears to vary significantly across different hardware configurations.
“The game runs poorly on even high-end systems, making it frustrating to play.”
“I constantly experience frame drops and stuttering, which ruins the immersion.”
“The optimization is so bad that loading times are excessively long, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the grinding aspect for its balanced challenge, noting that it remains engaging without becoming tedious or repetitive.
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by clever jokes that critique society's increasing dependence on technology, effectively resonating with players and eliciting genuine laughter.
“The story presents a not-so-distant future where people are even more dependent on technology, offering a clear critique of our current society. I won't give any spoilers, but the jokes about this society are clever and made me laugh more than once.”
“The humor in this game is brilliantly woven into the narrative, making even the most serious moments light-hearted and enjoyable.”
“I found myself chuckling at the witty dialogue and absurd situations that perfectly capture the game's satirical take on modern life.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game "Wirewalk" demonstrates impressive stability, with players reporting no gameplay or visual bugs during their playthroughs, aligning well with its theme of fixing glitches.
“As for the technical side of Wirewalk, it matches what you'd expect of a game where the protagonist goes around fixing glitches - I didn't find a single gameplay or visual bug throughout my playthrough.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I experienced multiple freezes and had to restart my console several times during my session.”