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Zenohell

65%Game Brain Score
music, humor
gameplay, graphics
65% User Score Based on 52 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindows
Buy Nowfrom $4.01
Buy NowGet on Steam$9.99

About

Zenohell is a 90s inspired shoot-em'up (shmup) that is all about simple gameplay, just dodge, shoot, score, with vibrant pixel visuals and a kicking 28 track soundtrack, with lots of content to boot.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Zenohell screenshot
Zenohell screenshot
Zenohell screenshot
Zenohell screenshot
Zenohell screenshot

65%
Audience ScoreBased on 52 reviews
music12 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • The game features excellent and precise controls, making it enjoyable for players who appreciate responsive gameplay.
  • The soundtrack is highly praised, with a mix of techno and retro-inspired music that enhances the gaming experience.
  • Zenohell offers a variety of ships and gameplay modes, providing a nostalgic arcade feel that appeals to fans of classic shmups.
  • The graphics and audio presentation are criticized for being low quality, resembling amateur designs that detract from the overall experience.
  • Bullet visibility is poor, with many players struggling to distinguish between bullets and the busy backgrounds, leading to frustrating gameplay.
  • The game is considered overly difficult, with some patterns being unfairly punishing, requiring memorization rather than skillful dodging.
  • music
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received high praise for its incredible soundtrack, which blends various styles, including techno and retro chip-tunes, enhancing the fast-paced gameplay. While some players noted that the modern electronic sound deviates from the expected 16-bit aesthetic, the overall composition and responsiveness of the music significantly contribute to the game's immersive experience. Additionally, the option to change music packs adds a layer of customization for players.

    • “It's just incredible - techno-type music that melds you to the game and then on the final stage it suddenly changes to a Toaplan-type OST which sounds incredible, before going more modern again.”
    • “The music sounds fantastic and really fits in with the fast-paced and chaotic gameplay, but it was kind of disappointing in that it didn't really fit with the whole 16-bit aesthetic, so instead of sounding like a MIDI from a sound blaster or anything that would have come out of a 16-bit system, it sounds like modern electronic music (which it is).”
    • “Soundtrack really adds to the overall feel of the game.”
    • “The retro-styled chiptune music is only catchy in a few places.”
    • “The musician abuses left to right channel changing and distracts more than adds to the game, but when single-channel, it sounds appropriate for fast-paced shooting games.”
    • “It's very easy to pick up and play, and you can get going within seconds, aside from all the usual options desired by shmuppers, you can also change the music pack used by the game.”
  • gameplay
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized by fast-paced action and simple mechanics typical of classic shoot 'em ups, offering solid controls and various gameplay options. However, some players find it overly reliant on memorization due to unrecognizable enemy projectiles, leading to a repetitive experience over time. While the game has engaging elements and a retro aesthetic, it may not fully capture the charm of 90s titles, leaving some players wanting more variety.

    • “The gameplay is fast-paced and simple.”
    • “The game uses similar mechanics; eliminate all enemies on screen, while at the same time avoiding the constant barrage of enemy projectiles filling the screen.”
    • “Different ships give gameplay variety.”
    • “Claiming to be inspired by the 90s should not lead to some 'lose your coin' mechanics.”
    • “It's too fast - fast is practically a necessity in a shmup, but not how it's done here: it's impossible to dodge, so it quickly becomes completely about memorization, which would be fine except the gameplay isn't designed for that and the enemy bullets are unrecognizable.”
    • “Gameplay could get repetitive after a few hours.”
  • graphics
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users describing them as primitive, resembling low-quality MS Paint drawings, and lacking clarity, which makes it difficult to distinguish important gameplay elements like bullets and power-ups. While some appreciate the retro aesthetic reminiscent of classic consoles, the overall consensus is that the visuals are mediocre and detract from the gaming experience, despite the game's fast-paced action. A few users noted that the graphics, while initially off-putting, become less noticeable as they engage with the gameplay.

    • “The graphics are spot-on, looking exactly like something that would have come out for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive or the TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine.”
    • “Visuals resemble that of classic shoot 'em ups.”
    • “The game's graphics are very intriguing and add to the game's style and the game's 18 track.”
    • “The presentation is bad (both audio and graphics); it looks like a drawing in MS Paint by a child.”
    • “The bullet visibility could be improved in some areas for two reasons: sometimes it does not blend well with the background, and sometimes the graphics are so awful that your eyes will have trouble focusing on them.”
    • “The graphics are ugly as hell.”
  • story
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is minimal and lacks depth, with a brief background and negligible plot significance. While there are some side quests available, the narrative is not a primary focus of the gameplay experience.

    • “This game has a brief background story, but it lacks detail.”
    • “The plot in this game is negligible.”
    • “Of course, the plot isn't the main draw for this game.”
  • grinding
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express frustration with the grinding required to unlock content, noting that it can lead to a loss of interest in the game. The tedious nature of the scoring system is also criticized, as it detracts from the overall enjoyment and simplicity of the experience.

    • “Finally, there are unlockables that require a lot of grinding to earn currency, and you probably lose interest in the game.”
    • “This game really does hail back to a time when things were simpler, without a crazy tedious scoring system that may drive one to madness.”
  • replayability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the game's replayability to be high, thanks to multiple endings, diverse character choices, and varying gameplay strategies that encourage multiple playthroughs. Many reviewers appreciate the added content and challenges that keep the experience fresh, making it enjoyable to revisit. However, some note that certain elements may feel repetitive after several runs.

  • humor
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized as funny and straightforward, though it also presents challenges that add depth to the comedic experience.

    • “The humor in this game is both clever and light-hearted, making every moment enjoyable.”
    • “I love how the game balances humor with gameplay; it keeps things fresh and entertaining.”
    • “The witty dialogue and hilarious scenarios had me laughing out loud throughout my playthrough.”

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