Zapling Bygone

About

In "Zapling Bygone," play as an alien hive-mind, acquiring new abilities by killing bosses and wearing their skulls. Traverse the alien planet, using stolen skills and Zapling's sticky tentacles to explore and defeat enemies, uncovering game-changing mutations along the way.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 148 reviews

story12 positive mentions

graphics4 negative mentions

The movement mechanics are highly satisfying, allowing for fluid navigation and a sense of freedom in exploration.
The game features a unique atmosphere and aesthetic that combines horror elements with a charming design, creating an engaging world.
The combat, while simple, is enjoyable and the boss battles provide a decent challenge, making for a fun gameplay experience.

The map design is poorly executed, leading to confusion and frustration in navigation, with some areas being difficult to locate.
The story is forgettable and lacks depth, failing to engage players or provide a compelling narrative.
The game suffers from bugs and crashes, which can disrupt the gameplay experience and detract from overall enjoyment.

story
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
65%
9%
The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it basic and forgettable, while others appreciate its unique presentation through collectible comic panels and engaging dialogue. While some feel the narrative lacks depth and character attachment, others highlight its intriguing plot and well-executed humor, suggesting that the storytelling is a standout feature for those who connect with it. Overall, the story's effectiveness seems to vary significantly among players, with some enjoying its charm and others finding it lacking.
- “It's such a shame that this game only has a small following because the storytelling is immaculate, the gameplay is atmospheric, the combat is so fun, and the boss battles are some of the best that I have seen out of any metroidvania game.”
- “Speaking of lore, the story is phenomenal, with well-written dialogue, lots of fun surprises, and more than a few funny moments that manage to pull off comedy in a video game without it feeling forced.”
- “The comic panels you collect are really well done and I genuinely want to read the whole story.”
- “I'm not sure if I understood everything; the story itself didn't manage to grab me and make me invested in it.”
- “The combat is bland, the story is forgettable, and there is basically nothing besides the movement that grabs the attention of the player, making it a flat experience.”
- “The story is pretty basic, as is level design.”
gameplay
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
50%
10%
The gameplay of the game is generally smooth and easy to pick up, featuring fluid mechanics and a unique storyline, though it largely adheres to established genre conventions without introducing significant innovations. While the skull mechanic is intended to add depth, it falls short of being memorable or rewarding, and platforming elements can sometimes blend into the background, complicating navigation. Overall, the game offers enjoyable combat and atmosphere, with effective sound design and quick travel options that enhance the experience despite some minor bugs.
- “Boy was I pleasantly surprised when it ran so smooth, gameplay was easy to pick up, and it has a very unique storyline.”
- “I liked the fluid gameplay, hard bosses, and great atmosphere.”
- “Along with the fast travel mechanic essential to a game of its genre, there are also quick ways to get from save points to bosses, limiting the amount of time you're walking after having your ass handed to you in a boss fight.”
- “The skull mechanic that the game advertises is barely used, so it doesn't do anything unique to make it memorable.”
- “In terms of gameplay, Zapling Bygone relies on platforming, which is a problem because the platforms can be a bit hard to tell apart from the background of the screen.”
- “It stays firmly within the confines of the genre and adds nothing new in terms of exploration of the world (the usual dash, double/triple jumps, etc.), combat mechanics (attack, dash, attack jump, etc.), or story.”
atmosphere
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
41%
14%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its dark, alien mood and chilling horror elements, creating a unique and immersive experience that stands out in the metroidvania genre. Reviewers highlight the combination of fluid gameplay, solid combat, and exceptional storytelling, making the atmosphere the strongest aspect of the game. Fans of macabre settings and deep world-building will find this game particularly rewarding.
- “The strongest aspect is the atmosphere and setting.”
- “This game offers a unique setting and atmosphere not present in any other metroidvania game I've played.”
- “Independent designers of metroidvanias often aim to recreate the desolate atmosphere of the first Metroid, but the task is no easy feat.”
- “The atmosphere and slight horror vibe to the game are chilling at times and keep things fun.”
- “For metroidvania fans, fans of macabre atmospheres, and people who love to dig into the world of a game, this purchase is 100% worth it!”
graphics
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
65%
20%
The graphics of *Zapling Bygone* feature a distinctive aesthetic characterized by crude pixel art reminiscent of classic NES graphics, which, while not highly detailed, exudes personality and mood. Reviewers appreciate the consistent yet diverse art styles across different areas, contributing to a unique and immersive alien setting, although some note that the 8-bit visuals may struggle to stand out. Overall, the movement and visuals are praised, with an art style rating of 9/10 reflecting the game's artistic strengths.
- “9/10, the movement and visuals are incredible.”
- “Love the aesthetic, the mood, and the whole alien setting.”
- “Artwork styles are consistent yet diverse, and each area feels unique on its own while also making sense as part of a larger world.”
- “The aesthetics are fine; it's not super-detailed pixel art, but it has personality, and I appreciate that.”
- “Same goes for the visuals; although it's hard to make 8-bit pixel art stand out, it is pretty moody though.”
- “9finger games, the designers behind Zapling Bygone, try to achieve this by using crude pixel art, akin to classic NES graphics, by skipping story details (represented here as bits and pieces of comic book panels and fragments that you need to collect), and by preventing players from accessing the map of an area until the indicated boss is defeated.”
music
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
20%
10%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the soundtrack as "absolutely amazing" and reminiscent of classic titles like Super Metroid, while others find it either non-existent or too ambient to notice. Overall, many players appreciate the sound design, noting that it effectively complements the gameplay with the right balance of intensity and subtlety.
- “The soundtrack is absolutely amazing.”
- “Great art and music, and fun to explore.”
- “The sound design is just perfect, with the music being the right levels of subdued or intense when the gameplay calls for it.”
- “The soundtrack is sadly non-existent or so ambient that you're not sure whether it's actual ambient noises or music.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by well-written dialogue and clever surprises that enhance the storytelling without feeling forced. While some moments may come off as predictable, they still manage to evoke genuine amusement, contributing positively to the overall experience.
- “The story is phenomenal, with well-written dialogue, lots of fun surprises, and more than a few funny moments that manage to pull off comedy in a video game without it feeling forced.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with minimal bugs reported that are not game-breaking. Players have noted some minor visual glitches and occasional issues with enemies getting stuck, but these do not significantly impact gameplay.
- “The tiles often look buggy.”
- “Bugs are minimal and so far not game-breaking, with only minor visual glitches or the occasional stuck enemy.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is noted for being somewhat short, which limits its replayability, suggesting that improvements could enhance this aspect. However, other elements of the game are praised as perfect.
- “It is a little short, and the replayability could use some work, but everything else is perfect.”