Xenogunner
- April 28, 2020
- Clickteam
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Xenogunner" is a retro-style run-and-gun platformer set in the future where the kind king Zeta Reak must overthrow the powerful tyrant known as the Xenogunner, who has taken over the Xenolian kingdom using the elemental powers of Xenonature. The game features intense boss battles, short stages, and customizable difficulty settings, bringing a classic genre up-to-date with modern conveniences. With many lives provided, the player must navigate through challenging and varied boss encounters to help Zeta reclaim the throne.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features responsive controls, a fantastic art style, and energetic music that enhances the gameplay experience.
- It offers a satisfying challenge with unique and distinct boss fights that require players to learn and master their patterns.
- The game has good replay value with different playable characters and various difficulty options, making it appealing for fans of the genre.
- The difficulty can be inconsistent, with some bosses being overly challenging while others are much easier, leading to a frustrating experience.
- The story is simplistic and lacks coherence, which may detract from the overall immersion for some players.
- There are technical issues, such as control problems and bugs, that can disrupt gameplay and diminish the overall polish of the game.
- story13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The story is generally considered simple and somewhat disjointed, with players noting its lack of coherence and clarity regarding key concepts like "xenonature." While the narrative includes enjoyable cutscenes and a goofy tone that contrasts with the game's difficulty, it is not the main focus for many players, who prioritize gameplay over story. Overall, the story is deemed adequate for a first commercial effort, contributing only a small portion to the overall experience.
“The story is on the simple side but definitely still a blast to play.”
“A first-time player can expect 4-10 hours to clear all of the main story campaigns, and an extra hour or two to clear the hidden campaign.”
“It even manages a decent enough story, considering it's a first commercial effort for the team.”
“- the story is ok, but not particularly coherent.”
“I still don't quite know what exactly xenonature is, despite knowing it's critical to how the story works.”
“Cutscenes are lengthy and the story is contextual and overly expanded at the same time.”
- music7 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for being energetic, engaging, and enhancing the overall experience, particularly during boss fights. While most tracks are well-received, some players feel that not all music pieces are equally strong, suggesting room for improvement. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's atmosphere and gameplay.
“Great boss rush game with responsive controls, fantastic art style, and amazing music.”
“Has outstanding music, fun gameplay, and looks nice.”
“Presentation-wise, the music is energetic and pleasant to listen to, and it helps take the edge off the more frustrating fights.”
“Music isn't all bangers all the time, and a few bosses definitely need some tweaks or overhauls.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its fun and challenging mechanics, drawing comparisons to titles like Mega Man and Cuphead, with satisfying boss fights that strike a balance between difficulty and fairness. Players appreciate the fluid character controls and the variety in gameplay, although some desire more diverse stages. Overall, the game offers a brisk experience, making it a worthwhile investment for those who enjoy engaging gameplay.
“Now, about the gameplay, it's kind of a mix between Mega Man and Cuphead for me, two games which I really like because of their challenge. This game definitely has challenge to it too; the boss fights are hard, but not to the point where it's unfair, unlike certain games. It always feels satisfying to beat one, especially the final boss of the game, because oh boy, now that's a real challenge. The character controls fluently, and even though I didn't see more than one level of flying with a ship, it was a bit hard to control, but I really liked it. I kind of wish there were more stages like that, especially the boss of that stage, which, spoiler, the name of the boss is Giant Stupid Face. The character Zeta itself is refreshing.”
“If you like the gameplay in the trailer and can afford it, I totally recommend it.”
“Playing through the game in full with both characters will put you somewhere between 4-5 hours of gameplay, which means the price may be a bit steep for some players. However, if you're the type for whom time is more of a premium, I think this game's brisk pace will suit your needs fairly well.”
“Now, about the gameplay, it's kind of a mix between Mega Man and Cuphead for me, two games which I really like because of their challenge. This game definitely has challenge to it too; the boss fights are hard, but not to the point where it's unfair, unlike certain games. It always feels satisfying to beat one, especially the final boss of the game, because oh boy, that's a real challenge, especially if you play it on default settings like I did for the most part until I switched to an easier one. The character controls fluently, and even though I didn't see more than one level of flying with a ship, it was a bit hard to control too, but I really liked it. I kind of wish there were more stages like that, especially the boss of that stage, which, spoiler, the name of the boss is Giant Stupid Face. The character Zeta itself is, I don't know, refreshing.”
“Playing through the game in full with both characters will put you somewhere between 4-5 hours of gameplay, which means the price may be a bit steep for some players. But if you're the type for whom time is more of a premium, I think this game's brisk pace will suit your needs fairly well.”
“If you're on the fence, though, consider watching some gameplay on YouTube or checking out a speedrun.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their unique and cute pixel art style, reminiscent of classic Genesis games, complemented by impressive key art during cutscenes. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the game's atmosphere, alongside its strong music.
“Great boss rush game with responsive controls, fantastic art style, and amazing music.”
“The art is generally cute and fairly unique as far as pixel artwork goes, with the variety of pretty key art pieces during cutscenes working to carry the game's dialogue.”
“The art style is pretty cute and unique too, really has that Genesis zest to it.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability due to its varied playable characters, each with unique campaigns, and a challenging difficulty that encourages players to improve their skills. While some may find the game short, its design and replay value make it a worthwhile experience.
“The game is a bit short, but it definitely has a lot of replay value, and the difficulty adds to the challenge of improving and finishing it without dying, reminiscent of old NES and SNES games.”
“All of the playable characters play differently and have different campaigns, providing great replayability.”
“The game is a bit short, but it definitely has replay value, a lot actually, and the difficulty adds more to the challenge of getting better at the game and finishing it without dying, like the old NES and SNES games.”
“All of the playable characters play differently and have different campaigns, providing replayability.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Xenogunner features a blend of humor and creativity, with its quirky bosses and chaotic action contributing to an overall enjoyable experience, despite its various shortcomings.
“Xenogunner is in a funny position of having a heap of issues and deficiencies, yet the good stuff ultimately brings the game together into an enjoyable package full of creativity, care, crazy bosses, and a lot of action.”
