- Engaging arcade flight combat
- Simple yet deep mechanics
- Appealing minimalist aesthetics
- Limited content for the price
- Overwhelming enemy spawns
- Difficulty spikes in campaign
Emotions
Players feel satisfied due to the game's overall value, including its low price, small file size, and accessibility on various PCs. The core gameplay, characterized by arcade flight combat, responsive controls, and the ability to master skills through challenge, also contributes significantly to this emotion. Additionally, the game's suitability for short, enjoyable play sessions and its visual and audio quality enhance the positive experience.
Frustration primarily stems from significant difficulty spikes, particularly in later campaign missions, and poor game balancing with overwhelming enemy swarms. Issues with controls, such as being obtuse or inconsistent, and problems with the targeting system, AI, and hitboxes also contribute. The lack of quality-of-life features like a campaign save system and initial time limits on missions further exacerbate this feeling.
Disappointment arises from the game's perceived lack of content, limited depth, and repetitiveness, especially when considering its price. Players also express dissatisfaction with the absence of background music, limited aircraft choices, and various small annoyances that accumulate to detract from the overall quality and value. Some feel the game did not live up to its potential or visual appeal from promotional materials.
Excitement is generated by the game's intense, fast-paced, and addictive dogfight gameplay, which provides a quick adrenaline fix. The competitive global leaderboard and the immersive atmosphere, combined with simple controls, encourage players to keep playing. Anticipation for future updates and a potential sequel also fuels this emotion, as players appreciate the game's current delivery on its promises.
Enjoyment is derived from the game's simple, accessible, and fun gameplay, particularly during short play sessions. Players appreciate the thrilling moments, fast-paced action, and the visual appeal of the graphics and explosions. The ability to use clever tactics to defeat enemies also adds to the overall positive experience.
Verdict
Mostly positive
Summary
Positive 80% · Negative 20%. Score: 20 / 100
Positives:
- Players consistently praise the game for its fun, fast-paced, and addictive arcade-style flight combat. It offers a satisfying experience that is easy to pick up and play for short sessions, making it an excellent time killer.
- The game features simple, intuitive controls and mechanics that are easy to learn, allowing players to jump right into the action. However, it offers a challenging mastery curve, providing a rewarding sense of accomplishment as players improve.
- The game's low-poly, minimalist graphical style is frequently praised for being charming, visually appealing, and perfectly suited to the game's overall design. This aesthetic contributes to its polished feel and small file size.
- Many reviewers highlight the game's affordability, often noting that it feels like a steal for the amount of fun and polished gameplay it provides. It's considered well worth the purchase, especially when on sale.
- Players appreciate the game's sound effects, particularly the 'crispy' and 'satisfying' explosions and weapon sounds. The audio design enhances the immersive atmosphere and provides clear feedback during combat.
Negatives:
- Players feel the game offers very little content, with repetitive gameplay that quickly becomes stale. This lack of depth and short playtime makes the current price point seem too high, leading to a perception of poor value.
- The game frequently spawns an excessive number of enemies, often 50-100+, making combat feel unfair and forcing players into constant evasive maneuvers rather than engaging in satisfying dogfights. This issue is exacerbated by a lack of enemy variety.
- The campaign features significant and often unfair difficulty spikes, especially in later missions (5, 6, and the final mission). Players report these levels feeling impossible without exploiting game mechanics, leading to frustration.
- Many players find the aircraft controls unintuitive and unresponsive, particularly for those accustomed to other flying games. The cursor-based control scheme and lack of precise maneuvers detract from the dogfighting experience and overall player agency.
- Combat often feels mindless due to auto-aiming weapons and predictable enemy patterns. The auto-target system is also criticized for being inconsistent and hindering player control, especially with multiple targets.
Gameplay:
- The game features a campaign mode with six scenarios that reset daily, and an endless mode for continuous play. Missions can be retried immediately, and new maps lead to starting over at Mission 1.
- Controls are straightforward, typically involving pointing for movement, a shoot button, and a boost/afterburner button that also triggers evasive rolls. While simple, they require some time to master for fluent execution.
- The campaign consists of 6 missions, with the last one (and sometimes the fifth) presenting a significant difficulty spike. Overcoming these missions often requires specific tactics, plane choices, and repeated attempts.
- The game is centered on fast-paced, third-person arcade air combat, emphasizing close-range dogfights. It's described as an arcade-style plane shooter with tactical considerations.
- Players can unlock various jets, each with different stats and variants, along with multiple weapon types. This system provides a total of 27 possible combinations, allowing for diverse gameplay strategies.
Performance:
- Players appreciate the game's simplistic yet effective graphics, noting that they are good for the game's small size and allow for smooth gameplay. The game's low system requirements mean it runs well on a wide range of hardware, including 'potato' PCs and the Steam Deck.
- The game reportedly runs very well on Linux using Proton, which is a significant positive for players on that operating system.
- Reviewers noted that the game features changing environmental lighting, with levels transitioning through different times of day like sunset, dusk, and dawn, which adds visual variety.
- The game includes a distinct beeping sound when the player is targeted, providing a useful warning to react and evade incoming fire.
- Players found that the sounds for the 30mm cannon and turrets are not irritating, even when continuously firing.
Recommendations:
- Player sentiment is divided on whether to recommend the game, with some strongly endorsing it as an indie gem and others advising against purchase due to perceived lack of depth or better alternatives. Many suggest waiting for a sale.
- The game is highly recommended for players who enjoy arcade-style flight combat, dogfighting, or are looking for a quick adrenaline fix. It's seen as a good option for those who appreciate a basic experience in this genre.
- The game is described as absurdly fun for occasional play, providing an enjoyable experience when the mood strikes. It's something players might return to periodically.
- Players suggest using a controller for a better experience, even if it requires a short adjustment period. This implies the game's controls are optimized for or feel better with a gamepad.
- Players can expect to spend at least a few hours in the game, particularly to progress past early missions. This suggests a moderate level of initial engagement.
Miscellaneous:
- The game evokes strong nostalgia, particularly for Sega's Afterburner, and is seen as a modern tribute to classic arcade flying games. It's often compared to a blend of Luftrausers and Ace Combat.
- There is considerable excitement for a planned sequel, with players hoping for more content and design improvements. This also includes a general desire for the current game to receive more updates.
- Players find the game perfectly suited for brief playtimes, typically around 30-45 minutes, making it a good distraction or 'painkiller' game for quick entertainment.
- Many players see a strong foundation in the game and believe it has significant potential to become something greater with expanded content and features. This sentiment is reinforced by promises of future content from the developer.
- Some players are fans of the developer's previous game, 'Furious Angels,' and appreciate the developer's continued focus on creating games reminiscent of classic titles. The game also shares a world with 'Furious Angels'.
