Xeodrifter
- December 11, 2014
- Renegade Kid
- 5h median play time
It’s really hard to walk away from Xeodrifter with anything but fond memories.
Get on Steam"Xeodrifter" is a single-player Science Fiction Platformer game with fantastic mechanics, fabulous graphics, and masterful music. As an interstellar drifter, explore a cluster of four planets to repair your warp core, battling alien guards and uncovering secrets in this exciting journey of mystery and adventure. The Special Edition Now Available includes a developer diary and acclaimed soundtrack.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Nintendo 3ds
PlayStation
Playstation Vita
Wii
Wii U
Reviews
- Fun and engaging gameplay with tight controls.
- Unique weapon upgrade system that allows for customization.
- Charming pixel art and a catchy soundtrack.
- Very short game, typically completed in under 4 hours.
- Only one boss type, repeated multiple times with minor variations.
- Lack of enemy variety and health pickups, leading to tedious backtracking.
- gameplay240 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this metroidvania title is characterized by tight controls and a variety of mechanics, including a unique foreground-background shifting ability and weapon upgrades, which contribute to an engaging experience. However, many players noted that the game suffers from repetitiveness, a lack of variety in enemies and bosses, and a short playtime, leading to mixed feelings about its overall depth and replayability. While the graphics and music received praise, some found the gameplay to be simplistic and occasionally frustrating due to design choices that hinder exploration and progression.
“Bite-sized metroidvania with great music, nice sprites, and fun plane-swapping gameplay.”
“The controls are tight and responsive, the gameplay is fun, the bosses are enjoyable, the music is good, and it's just an overall fun game.”
“Xeodrifter brings some neat mechanics and concepts to the table (e.g. phasing, the gun upgrading system, and 'incremental boss fights') instead of resorting to the almost cliché pickups of the genre.”
“The gameplay felt like a chore, and dying to an unmarked hazard and having to restart the level just to get past that part is not fun at all.”
“While it is a cute little metroid clone, the actual gameplay leaves lots to be desired beyond the good low-fi sprite work.”
“The tight mechanics might work in another setting a lot more, but I think with the way the game is set up, especially as an alien exploration metroidvania-esque game, simple and forced playstyle and plain pattern memorization just make for a bland and tasteless experience.”
- graphics164 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming, colorful pixel art style that evokes nostalgia for 8-bit and 16-bit eras, appealing to fans of retro aesthetics. While many reviewers appreciate the vibrant visuals and consistent framerate, some note a lack of diversity in level design and simplicity in graphics that may not impress all players. Overall, the graphics are generally well-received, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere and gameplay experience.
“The graphics are colorful and look great, the enemy design is well thought-out, and the 8-bit soundtrack is excellent.”
“The game's aesthetic presentation feels right at home in the 8/16 bit time period, music and all.”
“Xeodrifter is a super smooth metroid-style game with nostalgia-inducing graphics and gameplay; everything looks so nice!”
“This game is very short, has an okay soundtrack, spams the same repetitive enemies all over the place, has ugly visuals (you be the judge of that one though), and literally every boss is a reskin of the last one but with a couple more attacks added.”
“The crude graphics and sound, on par with a very early Game Boy Advance game, won't impress anyone.”
“However, the extremely low quality of the graphics as well as the short gameplay time of 3 hours and the completely retro elements make this one overpriced metroidvania game.”
- music132 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its catchy chiptune soundtrack that complements the retro aesthetic and enhances the gameplay experience. While some players found the music enjoyable and fitting, others criticized it for being repetitive or not particularly memorable. Overall, the soundtrack is generally considered good, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere, though it may not stand out as exceptional.
“The music immerses you in these unique alien planets with solid shooting controls and a character with far better mobility than Renegade Kid's predecessor, Max, along with a strong emphasis on exploration.”
“The graphics are colorful and look great, the enemy design is well thought-out, and the 8-bit soundtrack is excellent.”
“The game features gorgeous pixel art, a fitting chiptune soundtrack, and most importantly, fun action/platforming gameplay.”
“The lack of story, repetitive scenes, and lackluster music keep this back from being a gem.”
“I've got a lot of time for chiptunes, but the music here was too basic and repetitive and became grating.”
“Sound: the music was pretty atrocious.”
- story66 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for being minimal and lacking depth, with many players noting that it feels almost non-existent. While some appreciate the charm of the metroidvania style, the repetitive gameplay and unclear narrative progression detract from the overall experience. Overall, the consensus is that the story is a weak point, with ratings often falling below average.
“Very short but very charming metroidvania title with a good story and a unique upgrade mechanic.”
“You fight the same boss character repeatedly, which may be a little tedious, but the fight changes over time, and its recurrence plays a role in the (admittedly thin) story.”
“This game brought me back to my childhood, when I played Super, Fusion, and Zero Mission to absolute death.”
“The lack of story, repetitive scenes, and lackluster music keep this back from being a gem.”
“The story is inexistent, which doesn't help to feel anything while playing.”
“The game also lacks a story (asteroid hits your ship, breaks your fuel crystal, game starts) and unlike Metroid, the world itself doesn't have a story.”
- grinding31 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 6 % neutral mentions
- 87 % negative mentions
Players frequently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and repetitive, particularly due to uninspired level design, excessive backtracking, and the need to repeatedly fight the same bosses. While some abilities can alleviate the tedium, many still find the overall experience frustrating, especially in the early game where health drops and save points are scarce. Despite these issues, some players appreciate the challenge and progression in difficulty that comes with the grinding elements.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“However, this game does have a couple of flaws such as being too short (only took me a little over 3 hours on my first run) & you fight the same boss 7 times, but it has more attack patterns on each boss fight, so it's not too tedious as I found the boss fights pretty fun.”
“As a metroidvania, you've got a game as uninteresting as other M that requires tedious backtracking and a guide for 100%.”
“This game isn't hard, it's just tedious.”
“Probably my biggest problem is the level design is uninspired, confusing, and tedious to navigate.”
- replayability18 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
Overall, "Xeodrifter" offers limited replayability, primarily appealing to speedrunners and completionists due to its short length and minimal content. While the five weapon power-ups provide some entertainment and opportunities for experimentation, many players feel that the game lacks sufficient depth to warrant multiple playthroughs.
“There are five different weapon power-ups, and finding out their behaviors and how they intersect is quite entertaining, and probably adds some replay value.”
“The upgrades are nice, and fun to play around with - they also add some replay value for different, simple 'builds.'”
“Replay value can be found in the form of speed runs and collecting everything in the game, seeing as this game is inspired by the likes of the Metroid franchise.”
“There’s very little in terms of replay value to be found here.”
“I don’t recommend this game, seeing as it's short in length and has low replay value.”
“Replay value that can be found could come in the form of speed runs and collecting everything in the game, seeing as this game is inspired by the likes of the Metroid franchise, but Xeodrifter feels like a bare minimum game overall that the replay value won’t satisfy most gamers.”
- atmosphere17 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its engaging art style and fitting soundtrack, which contribute to an immersive experience. While some reviewers note that it lacks the depth and richness found in classic Metroid titles, others appreciate its unique tone and clever mechanics. Overall, the game successfully creates a captivating environment that enhances exploration and gameplay.
“Great soundtrack, love the art and atmosphere.”
“Really nice little metroidvania with some clever mechanics but above all a great atmosphere.”
“As you explore each planet, you'll slowly uncover a plethora of health and weapon upgrades, as well as new abilities to help you on your way (rocket jump, submarine, etc.). There is no text in the game and that's okay: it helps immerse the player in the atmosphere of the game.”
“An astoundingly simple Metroid impersonator that lacks the richness of atmosphere and depth of exploration that makes that series' weaknesses forgivable.”
“The music does not capture the same effortless atmosphere and mood of the Metroid series, but is still of high quality.”
“This doesn't lean more to the Metroid side because of the atmosphere, but more on what you do and how your upgrades work.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of Xeodrifter is mixed; while it evokes nostalgia and cleverness through gameplay mechanics, it ultimately falls short in delivering lasting emotional depth. A significant climactic moment offers potential for impact but is quickly overshadowed by the game's lighthearted tone, leaving players wanting more exploration of that emotional weight.
“Xeodrifter is generally fairly bright and cutesy, but this is in stark contrast to an event at its climax. It presents a moment with some emotional impact on the player, but then fails to explore it, quickly sweeping the moment under the rug and returning to the game's usual happy-go-lucky ways for the credits.”
“This game made me feel like a kid playing my NES again, only with snazzier graphics.”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with most players reporting smooth performance and no significant issues. However, a few glitches have been noted, particularly by the speedrunning community, which can be exploited for sequence breaking, adding an interesting layer to the gameplay. Despite these occasional glitches, the game's design remains appealing to those seeking a nostalgic experience.
“While the game suffers from a handful of glitches, the overall design and outcome of Xeodrifter is well worth a look for anyone in the market for an old-school experience in a brand new package.”
“[occasional glitches]”
- optimization4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its excellent optimization, running smoothly without any glitches, allowing players to dive straight into the action without unnecessary interruptions.
“The game runs smoothly and doesn't waste any time holding your hand; it just lets you get on with it.”
“It runs smoothly, and I haven't encountered any glitches.”
- character development2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development is praised for its charming personality and appealing art style, complemented by catchy music that enhances the overall experience. Players find the character design endearing, contributing to a strong emotional connection with the characters.
Critic Reviews
Xeodrifter Review
Xeodrifter is an interesting game, in that it’s both easy and difficult to recommend. The upside is that this is a finely crafted Metroidvania that oozes quality in almost every fashion, but the downside is that there just isn’t a whole lot to it. If you’re looking for a simple, straightforward open-ended platformer that’s easy to get into (or one that’s good for speedrunning), this is the game for you. If you’re looking for an in-depth experience that you can really sink your teeth into, this certainly isn’t. We’d generally give this one a recommendation - it’s a great ride while it lasts - but just bear in mind that it won’t last you long.
70%Xeodrifter Review
Xeodrifter is a nice appetizer for whenever Nintendo gets around to making a new Metroid game but it definitely needed a bit more time to cook to make it feel like a more complete experience.
74%Xeodrifter Review
Xeodrifter is Renegade Kid's concentrated approach to a Metroidvania game, where you drift between four tightly designed planet maps to explore undiscovered alien landscapes. Encountering seven iterations of the same boss as you wander – albeit each with fresh attack patterns – unlocks six power-ups, with the more imaginative skills uniquely altering progression through the levels. Small scale maps, plus a four hour game length ramble, may seem like an introduction to the genre, but a reverse difficulty curve that negates hand-holding ensures that Xeodrifter is harder at the start, and easier at the end when you're fully powered-up. A five month development cycle has resulted in a focussed and succinct sci-fi action adventure, which sets a fast pace to flow through its bright pixel art presentation, and waft along to its atmospheric chiptunes.
70%
