Zapling Bygone
- August 5, 2022
- 9FingerGames
- 5h median play time
Get on SteamIn "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.
Reviews
- The movement mechanics are fluid and satisfying, allowing for a dynamic exploration experience.
- The game features a unique atmosphere and aesthetic, blending horror elements with charming visuals.
- The combat is enjoyable, with well-designed bosses that provide a fair challenge.
- The map design is poorly executed, making navigation confusing and frustrating.
- The story is forgettable and lacks depth, failing to engage players.
- There are numerous bugs and performance issues that detract from the overall experience.
- story23 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it forgettable and lacking depth, while others appreciate its unique presentation through collectible comic panels and engaging dialogue. Although the narrative has potential, it often feels sterile due to a weak cast of characters, yet some players are drawn in by the intriguing plot and well-executed humor. Overall, while the storytelling may not be universally compelling, it has moments that resonate with certain players, contributing positively to the overall experience.
“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.”
“The story is the game's best point.”
“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.”
“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.”
- gameplay15 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
Gameplay in the game is characterized by smooth mechanics and a unique storyline, though it largely adheres to familiar platforming and combat conventions without introducing significant innovations. While the skull mechanic is intended to add depth, it ultimately feels underutilized and less rewarding than expected. Players appreciate the fluidity of movement, effective fast travel options, and well-designed enemy encounters, but some express a desire for more distinct gameplay elements to enhance the overall experience.
“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.”
“The game mechanic of swapping skulls is super fun and the art is fantastic.”
“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 they can be a bit hard to tell apart from the background of the screen.”
“It stays firmly within the confines of the genre, adding 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.”
- atmosphere11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its dark, alien mood and chilling, macabre vibe, creating an immersive experience that enhances gameplay. Reviewers highlight the unique setting and strong storytelling, making it a standout in the metroidvania genre. Overall, the atmosphere is considered the game's strongest aspect, contributing significantly to its appeal.
“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!”
- graphics10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of *Zapling Bygone* feature a distinctive aesthetic that combines crude pixel art reminiscent of classic NES graphics with a moody atmosphere. While the visuals may not be highly detailed, they possess a unique personality and consistency across diverse areas, contributing to an engaging alien setting. Overall, the art style has been well-received, with many praising its charm and movement.
“9/10, the movement and visuals are incredible.”
“I think most game lovers are aware that lower-res graphics doesn't actually mean ugly artwork.”
“Love the aesthetic, the mood, and the whole alien setting.”
“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 and preventing players from accessing the map of an area until the indicated boss is defeated.”
- music10 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
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.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of clever surprises and well-crafted dialogue that feels natural rather than forced. While some moments may come off as predictable, the overall comedic elements effectively enhance the storytelling 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.”
“It's obvious and kind of funny how the game expects me to react, like 'oh what's this, no I have never seen this before, how spooky and eerie!'”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that while there are some minor visual glitches and occasional issues with stuck enemies, the game's stability is generally solid, with bugs being minimal and not game-breaking.
“The tiles often look buggy.”
“Bugs are minimal and so far not game-breaking, with only minor visual glitches or the occasional stuck enemy.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
While the game excels in many areas, users note that its short length limits replayability, suggesting that this aspect could be improved.
“It is a little short, and the replayability could use some work, but everything else is perfect.”
