Xenoraid
- November 8, 2016
- 10tons
By this point, I think it’s fair to say the top-down space shooter genre has built up a well-respected reputation for itself as being the comfort food of the video game world.
Get on Xbox Games Store
Get on Apple Store"Xenoraid" is a Science Fiction shooter game that offers various gameplay modes, including single-player, co-op, and multi-player. The game features exciting vertical scrolling shoot'em up gameplay with modern mechanics, such as the ability to switch between four fighters during combat to optimize weapons. Upgrade, repair, and enhance your squadron between missions, and test your skills in three endless survival missions with online leaderboards.
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Reviews
- The game features a unique ship-switching mechanic that adds strategic depth to the gameplay, allowing players to adapt to different combat situations.
- The combat feels solid and engaging, with a variety of ship types and upgrades that enhance the overall experience.
- The game has a decent level of challenge, rewarding careful planning and tactical play, making victories feel satisfying.
- The controls are often described as floaty and imprecise, which can detract from the overall gameplay experience.
- The game suffers from a lack of variety in enemy design and level structure, leading to repetitive gameplay.
- Some players find the difficulty spikes and RNG elements frustrating, making progress feel unfair at times.
- gameplay29 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a unique blend of mechanics, including ship swapping and weapon overheating, which adds strategic depth but can also lead to a floaty and less engaging experience. While some players appreciate the innovative elements and challenging systems, others find the procedural levels and repetitive enemies detract from overall enjoyment. Overall, the game offers a solid but polarizing experience, appealing to those seeking a fresh take on the shoot-em-up genre while potentially alienating fans of more traditional gameplay.
“The mechanics of changing and weapon heating are awesome, working like a 'Dark Souls roll' or dodge, and even combos with two of the ships!”
“Switching between ships at any moment and tilting your aim left and right makes the gameplay rather unique.”
“Not only does Xenoraid accomplish this original mechanic (I'm not aware of it being used before?), it also implements a whole host of other neat mechanics and manages to create an extremely well-rounded and balanced game!”
“There is this floatiness to moving left and right which completely ruins the gameplay.”
“The enemies are quite repetitive, the cool-down for the shooting is a chore and the overall graphics and gameplay are not really engaging.”
“As it stands, Xenoraid is an interesting novelty with ideas that can grow into something more interesting if expanded on, but the slow pace and deliberate gameplay will probably scare off those looking for a more traditional shoot ‘em up.”
- story15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The story is described as decent but ultimately repetitive and lackluster, serving primarily to connect missions rather than engage players deeply. While there are five campaigns with various missions, the narrative and artistic elements are considered average, and the gameplay mechanics, such as ship loss and upgrades, do not significantly enhance the overall experience. Players express dissatisfaction with the term "procedurally driven missions," feeling it misrepresents the gameplay, which lacks variety in enemy types and mission design.
“There is a decent story to keep the progress from mission to mission going.”
“There are 5 campaigns which are each broken down into separate missions.”
“Your ships are valuable not only because you have to retry if you fail a mission: your ships are gone forever, and you need to recruit new ones to replace them.”
“The term they used to describe the missions sounds like something completely different, more like a Diablo-type experience, which is not what you're getting here.”
“Other than that, it's nothing special - there are not enough enemy types, levels only differ by enemy composition and asteroid count, the plot and art are simply okay, and clearing out goddamn teleporting starfishes is a chore.”
“Repetitive, lackluster story, loss of character progress.”
- music5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- -40 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its epic and beautiful compositions, enhancing the overall experience. While the original soundtrack is considered great, some users feel there are not enough tracks to fully support the gameplay. The background music effectively complements the sci-fi theme, providing a solid auditory backdrop.
“The OST is really beautiful.”
“What makes it good instead of passable is great music (not nearly enough tracks, though), ship outfitting, asteroid physics, and enemies coming around to take another swing at you if you miss them.”
“The background music is a conventional and solid sci-fi theme.”
“The soundtrack feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it easy to tune out.”
“The music doesn't match the intensity of the gameplay, resulting in a disjointed experience.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered decent, with some reviewers noting they are above average for the genre and visually pleasant compared to pixelated alternatives. However, there are criticisms regarding repetitiveness and a lack of engagement in the overall visual experience.
“The graphics are above adequate for the genre, the game responds excellently (sucks knowing it's your fault you flew into a missile), and each enemy type requires a little strategy and coordination to overcome.”
“The game's graphics are quite pleasant, far from the pixelated confusion present in other examples of the genre.”
“Mediocre graphics.”
“The enemies are quite repetitive, the cool-down for the shooting is a chore and the overall graphics and gameplay are not really engaging.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers high replayability, particularly through its survival mode after completing the campaign. However, players express frustration with the limited in-game currency and the high costs of essential upgrades, which can hinder the experience and enjoyment of replaying.
“Replayability seems high.”
“It provides high replayability, but limited money and overly expensive yet fundamental upgrades can easily strain your budget.”
“Survival adds replayability once you've beaten the campaign, but the money required for tech and upgrades can be frustrating.”
“Maybe they could add this mode as this would add to the replayability.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding in Xenoraid to be a mixed experience; while it can evoke excitement and a unique atmosphere, it is often described as random, tedious, and frustrating due to a lack of sufficient enemies.
“Random, tedious, and difficult in frustrating ways.”
“It's kind of tedious because there aren't enough enemies!”
“Xenoraid produces a feeling of excitement and balances it out with an almost somber, hypnotic feel as you fly through the black clutches of space grinding away.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is noted for its intriguing linear plot, which enhances the overall immersive experience. Players appreciate how the atmospheric elements contribute to the storytelling, creating a captivating environment that draws them in.
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its intriguing linear plot.”
“The game's ambiance creates a captivating experience that keeps you engaged throughout.”
“Every detail contributes to a rich atmosphere that enhances the storytelling.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with AI navigating asteroid fields effectively, although some players report instances of ships getting trapped due to poor spawning. These occurrences are perceived as normal rather than indicative of bugs, suggesting a well-functioning system overall.
“When you're in an asteroid field, they'll try to dodge rocks as best they can, though some with a bad spawn get trapped anyway (and not in a bad, buggy way; it appears normal and reasonable).”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted as quick and funny, enhanced by its engaging mechanics and local co-op features, making for a lighthearted and enjoyable experience. The procedural elements also contribute to its comedic appeal, ensuring varied and unexpected moments.
“The humor in this game is spot on, making every session a laugh-out-loud experience.”
“I love how the witty dialogue and funny scenarios keep me entertained throughout the game.”
“The comedic timing of the characters adds a delightful twist to the gameplay.”
Critic Reviews
Xenoraid Review
There is nothing special about Xenoraid, but it keeps the basics solid. The shooting is fun, the dodging is good, and the upgrading is the best part, which allows for better ships to enter the fray. It is the type of game that could serve as a great platform for a really good game, but as it is, it is a fun romp that harkens back to old-school games. If it can be picked up cheap, Xenoraid is an enjoyable four-hour ride.
60%Xenoraid Review
By this point, I think it’s fair to say the top-down space shooter genre has built up a well-respected reputation for itself as being the comfort food of the video game world.
80%Xenoraid Review
Although Xenoraid does nothing to shake up the genre, changing spacecraft in the heat of battle and using different weapons on the fly tries to add spice to an otherwise solid but unspectacular top-down shooter experience. The characters, dialogue and locations are neither varied nor dynamic enough to be very engaging, and the gameplay, while serviceable, will satisfy but certainly not impress anyone who has already played one of its ancestors or contemporaries, either on Switch or elsewhere.
60%
