BLUE REVOLVER

Unmelted kraft singles cheesy chips vs white bread with red onion and paprika seasoning

Instead of studying for an exam, I spent last 3 days trying to clear Hyper Mode and finally got it today... Peace edit: missed the exam by accident lol

I really really want to give this a "mixed" but feel the need to give it NR since I can't straight-up recommend it (had a few untracked hours of several 1CCs). I know the devs really want their high % and *probably* deserve it but I hope this review won't really dent it. Does that make sense? For me, it's an "okay" game. But I don't feel it has the staying power. Anyway, the short of it is that I think I just don't "get" this game. Maybe it's a me thing, maybe it's the fact that I don't really fw CAVE shmups that much, but even after a few hours of just doing runs and clearing the game, nothing has ever "clicked" with me about it the way most other shmups have. My hunch is that this game is very much scoring-based and tailors to those who can squeeze the score out of the system as the main goal, but maybe I just don't vibe with the way sub weapons work here. They are VERY powerful at times and other times just another option (again, maybe more for scoring). More importantly, I don't find the gameplay too memorable. In fact, I'd say that even on Parallel, this game feels more of a euroshmup in the way of lots of aimed bullets and fat mooks that don't die instantly but still darn pretty fast to the point there seems to be plenty of downtime that keeps ebbing and flowing in and back again. I haven't timed it or anything - I think the game is short for one session, but it doesn't FEEL short to me. Given what I've seen people say about it being more akin to DDP, you supposedly have to actively memorize the stages to get mileage out of it? But I'm sort of operating on pure instinct each time because I sort of don't remember what I'm doing and (to its credit) the shottypes play pretty differently. That said, I can really only remember the theme of each level and not what its quirks are (there's the one stage that has a % filling up for some reason, you get to fight Val who's one pattern is moving from side to side that I remember mostly because of how she's small and you have to catch her, the big stage 4 boss is cool ig). I really do feel like most of the dodging and the way to take down enemies is very much the same no matter where you are at in the game. It's not that it's a particularly difficult game, either. Parallel was very much comfortable to me, and I'm not afraid to lay waste with bombs. But that's why at times it felt cheesable which can either be satisfying or gives a hollow feeling. Additionally, I don't find the game very beautiful. The rotsprites and thick chunky spritework are a bit unique but really don't do it for me given how the sprites and backgrounds are paletted because I think there's much variation in the designs of enemies. It kind of all turns into mush especially with the default colors (filters don't really do it for me) and I believe visibility is a problem with the default settings. Having to turn the background way down is a crime and so is turning the player shots and score points down, but it's the only way to fully see what's going on. I really like how the BGs seem almost painterly and abstract but I just can't do it as-is. Music is okay. I don't really know if I should comment on it much, it's very much electronic, I suppose. It's a plus that there's a big variety of it and you can unlock more variations of them to your choosing, but the one I really like the most is the Stage 2 one which leads me to believe that every water-themed shmup stage has the best song. However, sound design is a bit of a letdown. For a while I wasn't even sure if there was a sfx for the player shooting and don't know if there's one for when damage has been done to an enemy. Explosions sound muddy and eh. There's just a lot of actions in-game that could have more auditory feedback but lack them. That's about it for my thoughts, which are a bit more than I thought I'd write about. It's probably rambly. I thought maybe XP-Mode would tickle my fancy but it's not really a real mode since you can only do it in Stage Select for one stage and I *still* didn't "get it" either. In a way there is definitely a lot of labour of love to be had in this game if they straight-up added what's effectively a 2.0 with more music and an overhaul, but it just really doesn't do it for me. Maybe I'll try the original arrangement sometime but doubt I'll feel any different. It's just that this game seems very popular, though I feel it's just in spite of how it's fending for itself as an indie shmup (niche genre). That's why I can't say Blue Revolver stands out to me as a game I'd egg people to play. Maybe get it on sale if you'd like what this game is trying to replicate and then you can up the score on my behalf. Also, I don't fw the twitter-ahh blazblue character designs. Wish story was more in-the-way.

Fantastic game. The mission mode is pure genius. I'm a shmup scrub just starting to learn and the missions really have taught me a lot about how to think about scoring and resource management. Definitely plan to work towards the parallel clear.

Моя первая полноценная игра в этом очень специфическом, но крайне любопытном жанре. Пожалуй, больше всего я ценю в Револьвере именно то, что он ведет себя по отношению к игроку жестко, но при этом максимально честно. Практически во всех допущенных провалах и ошибках виноват был именно я, а не сама игра. Такая отзывчивость и проработка основных механик - большая редкость в наше время, и уже за одно это разработчики заслуживают похвалы. Револьвер также можно назвать отличной игрой для знакомства с жанром шмапов: в нем нет замысловатых и сложных в подсознательном исполнении механик, меню выбора этапа позволяет предварительно настроить и отрепетировать самые душные и тяжелые боевые эпизоды, а наличие трех главных героинь, каждая из которых обладает своими уникальными особенностями и набором оружия, позволяет реализовать наиболее удобный и интересный стиль прохождения. Все прочие аспекты (визуальный стиль, саундтрек, сеттинг и лор) тоже заслуживают только положительной оценки. Игра получилась красочной и самобытной, но при этом ламповой и вызывающей чувство ностальгии. Если Вы заинтересовались жанром шмапов, то я однозначно рекомендую BR к покупке. Для таких новичков, как я, это замечательная точка входа в жанр. А ветераны, думаю, уже давно взяли в нем платину и побили все мыслимые рекорды. P.S. Ди - самая лучшая героиня во вселенной этой игры.

BLUE REVOLVER is a standout independent shoot-'em-up developed by danbo and woof and published by Stellar Circle. Designed as a modern interpretation of classic arcade shooters, the game successfully blends old-school design philosophies with contemporary accessibility features. At its core, it is a vertical-scrolling bullet-hell shooter that embraces fast reflexes, precision movement, and score chasing, but it also makes a conscious effort to welcome players who may be unfamiliar with the genre. This balance between accessibility and challenge is one of the game's defining strengths and helps it appeal to a much broader audience than many of its peers. The story follows Mae, a talented programmer who becomes entangled in a conflict involving the mysterious organization known as Blue Revolver. While the narrative remains secondary to the action, it adds personality and context to the journey. The game's cast, dialogue, and world-building inject a sense of charm that prevents the experience from feeling like a simple sequence of combat encounters. The setting combines futuristic technology with colorful anime-inspired aesthetics, creating an identity that feels unique without distracting from the core gameplay. What immediately impresses players is the exceptionally polished gameplay design. BLUE REVOLVER embraces the bullet-hell formula, filling the screen with intricate projectile patterns that require careful navigation. However, unlike many games in the genre that throw overwhelming difficulty at players from the start, this title features an adaptive difficulty system that adjusts according to performance. Skilled players will face increasingly demanding situations, while newcomers are given a gentler learning curve. This system allows players to gradually improve their abilities while still feeling challenged, making progression feel natural and rewarding. Combat is enhanced by a collection of powerful offensive tools that go beyond simple shooting. Players can unleash devastating attacks capable of clearing bullets and inflicting massive damage, creating opportunities for both survival and aggressive scoring strategies. Resource management becomes a meaningful component of gameplay because these abilities can dramatically alter the flow of battle. Deciding when to use special attacks often becomes the difference between success and failure, adding an engaging layer of tactical decision-making to the fast-paced action. The stage design demonstrates a deep understanding of arcade shooter fundamentals. Each level introduces fresh enemy formations, hazards, and visual themes while steadily increasing the intensity. The game never feels repetitive because every stage contributes something new to the experience. Enemy placement is carefully crafted to challenge positioning and movement, while bosses serve as memorable highlights that test everything learned throughout the level. Their attack patterns are visually spectacular yet remain readable enough that players can learn and improve through repeated attempts rather than feeling unfairly punished. Visually, BLUE REVOLVER delivers impressive pixel art that captures the spirit of classic arcade shooters while maintaining a modern level of detail. Character portraits, enemy designs, explosions, and environments are all rendered with considerable care. The bright colors and crisp animation ensure that the screen remains readable even during the most chaotic battles. This clarity is essential in a bullet-hell game, and BLUE REVOLVER succeeds in making every projectile, hazard, and opportunity easy to identify despite the overwhelming action. The soundtrack contributes significantly to the overall experience. Energetic electronic tracks accompany each stage and elevate the intensity of combat. The music maintains momentum throughout the campaign and complements the fast-paced gameplay perfectly. Combined with responsive controls and satisfying sound effects, the audio design helps create the exhilarating arcade atmosphere that fans of the genre seek. Every explosion, special attack, and boss encounter feels impactful thanks to the strong audiovisual presentation. Replayability is another major strength. Multiple difficulty settings, scoring systems, practice opportunities, and the natural desire to master stages provide countless reasons to return. Even after completing the campaign, players are encouraged to refine their routes, improve their scores, and challenge themselves on harder settings. The game captures the addictive spirit of classic arcade design where each run serves as both entertainment and a lesson, gradually building player skill over time. Perhaps BLUE REVOLVER's greatest achievement is how successfully it bridges the gap between newcomers and veterans. Many bullet-hell shooters focus almost exclusively on expert players, creating steep barriers to entry. This game instead offers a welcoming introduction without sacrificing the complexity and depth that experienced fans expect. Its adaptive challenge, satisfying mechanics, polished presentation, and rewarding progression system make it one of the most accomplished independent shooters of its generation. Rating: 9/10

Genuinely among the few PC STGs released in the last decade that doesn't feel like it actively hates the genre and wants to "modernize it." Fun scoring system, an actual challenge, and really slick stage design, a areat game! 120FPS mode is also a really nice addition and I hope to see more STGs take advantage of high refresh rates when available.

Despite the presentation being more or less top notch I would not recommend this game. It is simply not fun to play, every time I give it a go it feels like it was balanced to be far too difficult. None of the patterns past stage 2 are fun to dodge, and no matter how much I try I just can't get into it. It feels like it was made solely for veteran shmup fans, and for someone who's only casually into the genre it's just not fun. Sorry.

From the mind that later made Scrandle (small world I guess) is an excellent STG that taught me so much about the genre and I had a great time with. The game does a lot to hook you in, with the unlockables you can buy from the shop after every run and the mission mode teaching you basic ideas for score optimization, with lenient requirements to shoot for. The medals that show up for every weapon keeping track of if you completed the game or not with that weapon and in what difficulty prods you to try a variety of weapons. Stages 4 and 5 felt impossible to me at first without a defensive weapon, but after practicing a bunch using the game's stage select (also very accessible) and memorizing where the enemies will appear and how to lead bullets, they became 10x easier and a blast to play through every time. The flourish system is easy to understand and fun to plan out a route and take advantage of, and the break system is also great for getting you to move around the stage and keep track of what you're doing. In the end, though, the presentation is what I'll remember about the game. All the character designs are delightful and the stages look unique and perfect, especially stage 2. Music's also good, and them giving you three options for each song effectively means it'd be hard to get board of it. Very very easy to recommend.

This game makes me feel like I’m on another level even though I’m getting hit 20 times playing with the infinite lives cheat enabled. Adrenaline the game.