Boss 101

A really great rpg-ish shmup that for my first two hours or so really tested my patience- I was getting my butt kicked a LOT, my weapons were super weak, the menus/layout were confusing at first, and i was really frustrated by how to game gave tutorials for EVERYTHING all the the start, then nothing. I felt like I was really on my own. What kept me playing was a combination of the colorful pixel graphics, there's a lot of attention to detail, the cutscenes were nice and engaging, the self-awareness and my God the PUNS. I freaking love puns. Especially the bits as soon as you start a boss fight and really quick a boss will pop up up a text bubble with something silly but funny. It was enough to keep me playing...and I'm glad I did! I know it sounds stupid but I don't care! :) Now the bad stuff: -menus/hub world are very cluttered -the "hats" are cool but there's WAY too many -can get grindy very quick if you don't dig through the screens to find and upgrade the bounty multiplier perks. -the upgrade menu doesn't tell you what you're getting specifically if you upgrade whichever slot. -I barely experimented with a lot of weapons because they get expensive quick and there's no way to test it out before buying -when looking at a weapon/hat it didn't give the strengths and advantages of what they have unless I hit the back button on the controller- this could've been solved if the screens weren't so cluttered as I said before. -having to cycle through multiple bosses to finally find one that was weak to my equipped weapon, (which was also part of the cluttered/confusing point I made earlier). -having to "buy" the debug store (all it does is unlock level 3 weapons--you still have to buy them individually). Still an awesome game though and a sequel is coming which is great. I hope they fine tune everything to make it even better.

Amazing pixel art. Funny at times. Lots of weapons, bosses and things to unlock. Nice feature chasing after the hidden hat on levels. Good game to chip away at when have 5 mins for a quick boss. However I had a few issues with Boss 101: Overly complex backgrounds can be quite distracting. It's a bit overwhelming visually. Initially I was put off by the overly long tutorial which went into so much detail about everything and ended up going over so many non essential features. It was a bit annoying when you want to just know the basics to play. Initially I ran the timer out on a few bosses, until I decided to just roll ones with a weakness to the starting weapons. Once I got enough upgrades I felt I breezed through most of the game without need to change hats (except for the tunneling bosses where I ran out the timer) Camera does not smoothly pan and can be a bit strange. Can get a bit repetitive. Some weapons do feel very similar. Super missile are not so super. Basic machine gun sometimes feels like the most powerful weapon. It seems I have more negative than positive to say, but I did enjoy the playthrough so would recommend.

Oh yeah, Boss 101 is fun! Super smart idea to have a boss randomizer. I have absolutely NO idea what the point of the game is or what the story is. But who the heck cares!? At the core Boss 101 is a simple left-to-right shooter where you want to land most of your shots on the boss. If you don’t you’ll run out of time which is bothersome. Nothing is worse than getting a boss’s HP low and the stage ends so you have to do it again. The gameplay isn’t that engaging that I want to replay levels. Although, Boss 101 helps itself by letting you change the boss. You can keep changing the boss as many times as you want whenever you want. Boss you don’t like? Random it away! So it’s similar to playing a new level. OK, so the issues. Well, it’s repetitive. The game also gets easier the more you play as you get upgrades. Adding damage to your default gun will make you overpowered. Be sure to fight bosses that are not strong against your default machine gun and you’re good to go. The most important part is that the longer you play the less difficult the game gets and by the end, it was inevitable I would win. I was trying to rush through the levels to see the ending. You can try to randomize the bosses so they’re weak to a different weapon but it’s not any faster. The main machine gun is the best one to use 9 out of 10 times. Keep in mind the game has a meme and lame sense of humor. I’m not opposed but if it’s not for you, then it is grating since the game doesn’t let up. It’s a joke after joke after joke. Overall, Boss 101 is cool and the nearly unlimited bosses sure make an interesting game. Yet, it’s the only reason to keep playing. To see what else the developer created for you to play with. After a couple hours the game has played all its cards and you’re too powerful to find a challenge. Still, it’s a well-made game that has fun mindlessness to it. [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/26701155-The-Pepp-Selection] Click to see my curator for more reviews! [/url]

[h1] Czym jest Boss 101? [/h1] Boss 101 jest prostym shoot'em upem z unikalnym pixel artem i przyjemnym humorem. Jest to remake starszej gry o tym samym tytule. Fabularnie jesteśmy sobie Maxem, który razem z robotem o nazwie S.T.E.V.E musi pokonać tytułowego 101 bossa. Czy to znaczy, że musimy pokonać aż 100 bossów? Na szczęście nie, ale tak długą drogę trzeba było przejść, aby dotrzeć do finalnego bossa oryginału. Elementy fabularne w tej grze są przyjemnym dodatkiem, chociaż można zarzucić to, że w grze może być trochę za dużo cutscenek (da się je jednak pominąć). To czym się wyróżnia Boss 101 na tle innych shoot'em upów to są losowani bossowie - składają się oni z kilku części i o ile nie ma indywidualnej kontroli nad każdym z tych elementów, można losować bossa tak długo, aż uznamy, że ten konkretny nam się podoba. Dodatkowo mają oni słabości na konkretne typy broni oraz odporności. [h1] Wady i Zalety [/h1] Wyjątkowo postaram się bardziej podsumować ten element, aby ktokolwiek by to przeczytał miał świadomość co w grze jest dobre, a co złe, bez czytania nie wiadomo ile tekstu. [b] Zalety [/b] 1. [b] Przyjemny humor i dobrze zrobione dialogi [/b] - jeśli ktoś lubi zagłębiać się w charakter bohaterów, na pewno spodoba mu się ten element, szczególnie rozmowy przy latawcu. Fabularnych elementów jest tutaj dużo i jeśli lubi się czytać - warto się w nie zagłębić. 2. [b] Minigierki [/b] - może są tylko dodatkiem, a nie elementem rozgrywki, ale są całkiem przyjemne. 3. [b] Bossowie fabularni są unikalni [/b] - o ile sami "zwyczajni" bossowie po czasie bywają dość przewidywalni i prości do rozgryzienia, co określoną ilość poziomów pojawiają się potężniejsi bossowie, którzy o ile nie są zbyt trudni to zdecydowanie wyrywają z rutyny. 4. [b] System ulepszeń broni i postaci [/b] - nie jest to może nic nadzwyczajnego, ale na pewno sam system jest zrobiony dobrze i rzeczywiście widać, że coś zmienia. 5. [b] Możliwość zmiany wyglądu postaci [/b] - jeśli znudził się podstawowy bohater, zawsze można go zmienić - co ważne, ubiór dodaje mu dodatkowe buffy, więc można trochę przyśpieszyć i ułatwić sobie rozgrywkę. 6. [b] Kilka typów misji [/b] - może jest ich tylko kilka, ale dodają trochę różnorodności - misje eskortowe może nie są trudne, ale też nie przeszkadzają. 7. [b] Grafika [/b] - dość unikalny pixel art, przy którym widać, że twórcy się postarali. [b] Wady [/b] 1. [b] Normalni "bossowie" są mało różnorodni i dość prości [/b] - niestety trzeba przyznać, że bossowie, którzy nam się losują, niestety nie są zbyt wymagający i po czasie są po prostu przewidywalni, a przez to same "mięsko" rozgrywki robi się dla nas nużące. 2. [b] Poziom Ultra mógłby być trudniejszy [/b] - najwyższy poziom trudności oprócz, jak zaobserwowałem, większych obrażeń zadawanych nam i większej ilości hp bossów, nie zmienia nic. Według mnie można byłoby go zrobić ciekawszym w ten sposób, że bossowie mieliby dodatkowe ataki w zanadrzu po spadku konkretnej ilości hp lub drugie fazy - wtedy myślę, że byłby bardziej wymagający. 3. [b] Maksowanie poziomów jest nużące [/b] - niestety, przez to, że sami bossowie, oprócz fabularnych, nie są zbyt unikalni, jeśli chcemy wykonać wszystkie wyzwania na dany poziom, będziemy jeden konkretny rozgrywać 2-3 razy. Nie jest to zbyt ekscytujące i sprawia, że jeszcze bardziej możemy się znudzić samymi walkami. [h1] Czy warto kupić grę? [/h1] Jeśli lubisz gry, które mają bardziej rozbudowany lore, fajny humor i nie przeszkadza ci ewentualny grind przy zdobywaniu wyzwań (lub nie zależy ci na tym, aby je wszystkie wykonywać) grę warto kupić. Najlepiej w trakcie przeceny, gdyż normalna cena gry mogłaby być troszkę niższa, ale lepiej kupić taniej i ewentualnie zachwycić się grą, niż kupić za normalną cenę i być z niej niezadowolonym. Ja nie żałuję wydania swoich pieniędzy.

Honestly, I was a bit disappointed. I give it an approval because I bought it very cheaply and it is seen that there is a lot of work on the part of the developers. yes, it works very well with the controller and the pixel graphics are not bad. 5/10

A good, fun and Calm shoot'em up, perfect for casuals and experts alike who enjoy this genre. I guess one could say this is the shoot'em up 101, unfortunately it isn't, even thou it's a game that is accessible to every level of players, it doesn't contain all the things that one should know about shoot'em ups, regardless, it's fun and calming. [b]Pros[/b] [list] [*]Easy to handle. [*]Option to change boss in case you're bad at one. [*]various weapon types. [*]lots of jokes (some even super outdated...) [*]responsive controls [/list] [b]Cons[/b] [list] [*]Controller support not working. [*]Impossible barrages with their safe spot out of reach. [*]Boss 101's rocket arm. [*]Bullets blending with the background sometimes. [/list] So, apart from that rocket arm, and some other stuff that happens in there, you're pretty much safe, also B has some bullet hell patterns, which if he had more of those, wouldn't need some of those unfair stuff that makes the battle more tedious instead of cool or epic. The rest of the game you should be fine, as you can choose the bosses, and see their weakness and everything. Easiest boss you're gonna face is "Back Track", even thou they'll say he is though and everything, battle is just long, but super easy. [h1]Gameplay[/h1] Pretty simple for a shoot'em up, you shoot and avoid things. This game has the addition of a Health Bar instead of hit kill thing, which might is why it'll be easier for people whoa re bad at the games, also game lacks on streaming opportunities, which is a huge part of shoot'em ups, although there are some bullets aimed at you, it's easy to dodge. It has lots of costumes as well, which is cool. Lots of weapons to choose from, even thou I used mainly the machinegun. The story is filled with jokes, I like how everyone seems friendly to each other in that war scenario, even the boss entrances. I don't have much to complain apart from some bugs here and there, gameplay is solid, even the mini-games ones. The rest you just have to see for yourself. [b]Gameplay:[/b] Great | 9/10 Because of the bugs and some stuff here and there. [h1]Graphics[/h1] They're pixelated, nothing to complain, apart from the main character kinda looking weird; the Boss's sprites are kinda weird, but not bad Hitboxes also seem accurate. [b]Graphics[/b] Average | 7/10 [h1]Sounds/Music[/h1] The sounds are Okay, but the music is very calming to what is happening, never some pumping up song, that makes your soul energetic. No hit sound effect, you just see your life going away. Bosses have a very low sound when they're are about to do their strong move. [b]Sounds:[/b] Meh | 5/10 Could be way better done, it'shard to hear certain things, and the musics doesn't really blend in with the scenario and events. [h1]Controls[/h1] Pretty basic, responsive. Except that the bindings reset when you open the game again, so you have to rebind them all again. There doesn't seem to be any delay in them. [b]Controls:[/b] Good | 8/10 ----------------------------------- That is about it, now some quick tips. [h1]Tips[/h1] [list] [*]I would recommend focusing on the Machinegun first, then health and bounty (unless you're doing bad, then change what you're aiming to complete, I left the DEBUG for last) [*]To get the time award, don't let them boss you around. [*]Don't get hit. [*]keep firing at all times, never let go of the button. [/list] So, that is about it, I'm keeping this one shorter because steam has a letter limit and I don't want to hit that wall again XD The game is fun, simple and accessible to players of all skills, bad or good, you're guaranteed to have some fun with this game, and those Lunatic Rain dodgers are guaranteed a very relaxing game XD So, any question, just ask in the review's comments, and maybe I can help you. If you want to see more reviews like these, please consider following our curator [b]Yolo Army[/b], which I'm also making the reviews for and trying to keep them as informative and truthful to ensure that you're buying a good product. Curator: [url=http://store.steampowered.com/curator/6095538/]Yolo Army Curator Page[/url]. Group: [url=http://steamcommunity.com/groups/_YoloArmy]Yolo Army Group[/url].

This game is as mixed up as the bosses in it but it still has enough to be fun. I first heard of this game while it was still being developed. The dev contacted me to talk about a (negative) review I left on another much lauded game. We had a nice short chat back and forth and Boss 101 found its way to my wish list. So warning I guess, maybe some bias in my review or something? Either way, eventually Boss 101 came falling down the sheer cliffs of my "mountain of shame" and I picked it up during the 2018 Summer Sale. I feel bad I waited this long to get to it. There's a lot to like; Great writing whether the world building or simply the quips and references (oh so many many many references). Great art assets. The visual style overall, the characters, the bosses, the minions, the menus, the rooms, the stages. It is a looker. Sound and music works. And the gameplay is smooth, which is obviously important in a game of this style. You feel in control. But it somehow doesn't all match up for me. I dunno, it isn't anything bad for sure. Maybe the dialog heavy story and tutorials are more fitting of a more involved slower paced game? The minions and bosses could fit any multitude of 2D gameplay styles. The gameplay looks like it should be challenging but it is quite easy. The gameplay is frantic and high paced but delivered in micro-doses. Even the endless mode is broken up after each level. It really could've used an attrition endless mode with roll over health damage and break-free nonstop action. There were three longer main bosses in the game that provided a glimpse of what a nice long structured level in this game-style could have been. They were far and away easily the highlights of the gameplay. The sheer amount of unlocks in "hats" and weapons is quite the feat, but offer little (once you find the overpowered hats you're prone to stick with them). The bosses come in all sorts of mismatched parts which is awesome and makes for some unique rolls/combos but then you can't really do anything but blast the bullet sponge and dodge. Minimal strategy. Would've been nice to target those specific interchangeable parts and wear them down piece by piece. There's endless amounts of weapons that will be trying to kill you but a timer running out will beat you more than anything. And finally, though there is lots to do and collect, it is short. I dunno, one of those games that made me wonder and wish for that itsy bitsy push over the top. Instead you spend time handicapping yourself to find a challenge. I still found plenty of fun though. All the positives I opened the review with do deliver. And there is plenty to do if you so want, or finish it in 2hrs and feel the satisfaction of finishing a surrogate activity in short order. I still have some completionist stuff I may or may not get to. Especially at the ridiculous all time low price I have no true complaints, just those contrasting personal nitpicks. I did have fun. Thumbs up. My 101st review. What a coinkydink. Edit: Polished out the complesionist stuff. For whatever it is worth; 10+ hours for it all. Also considering I messed around with the arcade for two of those hours. And there was an idle achievment. Really did end up short even considering doing everything. I dunno if there is really much 'replayability' either.

Boss 101, developed and published by Donley Time Foundation, is a side-scrolling action shooter that builds its entire identity around one focused idea: boss fights as the main event rather than a payoff. Instead of treating bosses as occasional highlights, the game makes them the core loop, delivering a steady stream of encounters while wrapping them in a lighthearted, imaginative narrative. It’s a design choice that gives the game a clear personality, even if it also limits how much the experience evolves over time. The story centers on Max, a young protagonist crafting an elaborate adventure for his hospitalized brother, which frames the game as a kind of playful, heartfelt escapism. This narrative angle doesn’t drive the gameplay in a deep or complex way, but it adds warmth and context to what might otherwise be a purely mechanical experience. Dialogue and interactions maintain a casual, often humorous tone, reinforcing the idea that the game is more about creativity and imagination than high-stakes drama. Gameplay is built almost entirely around individual boss encounters. Each stage drops you directly into a fight, skipping traditional level progression and focusing on dodging attacks, identifying patterns, and dealing damage as efficiently as possible. The controls are responsive and easy to grasp, allowing players to quickly get into the rhythm of movement and shooting. While the action can resemble bullet-hell shooters at times, it is noticeably more forgiving, offering a smoother entry point for players who might find the genre intimidating. This balance makes the game accessible without completely removing the need for skill and awareness. The most distinctive feature is the boss creation system, which allows players to generate enemies by combining different parts and behaviors. This mechanic introduces a level of variety that keeps encounters from feeling entirely predictable, as each boss can have a unique mix of attacks and visual design. It also gives players a degree of control over the experience, letting them experiment with different combinations and find setups that match their preferred difficulty or playstyle. While the system is creative and engaging early on, its limitations become more apparent over time as patterns begin to repeat. Between battles, the game shifts to a hub area where players can upgrade weapons, improve stats, and engage in small side activities. This progression system adds a sense of continuity, ensuring that each encounter contributes to long-term improvement. The inclusion of optional content, such as mini-games and cosmetic items, helps flesh out the experience, giving players reasons to spend time outside of combat. These elements reinforce the game’s relaxed tone, making it feel less intense than many other shooters. Visually, Boss 101 uses a colorful pixel-art style that complements its playful design. The bosses are the clear highlight, with their modular construction leading to a wide range of imaginative and often humorous designs. While the backgrounds are more subdued and occasionally repetitive, they serve their purpose without distracting from the action. The overall presentation feels cohesive, even if it lacks the variety or polish of larger productions. The main drawback of the game lies in its repetition. By focusing almost exclusively on boss encounters, it sacrifices the variety that comes from traditional level design or exploration. Even with randomized elements, the core loop remains largely unchanged, which can make extended play sessions feel monotonous. Additionally, the relatively forgiving difficulty may leave more experienced players wanting a greater challenge, as the game prioritizes accessibility over intensity. Pacing is another mixed aspect. The constant flow of boss fights keeps the game moving, but the lack of variation between encounters can make progression feel somewhat one-dimensional. While additional modes and challenges extend replayability, they do not significantly alter the experience, relying instead on the same mechanics with minor adjustments. Despite these limitations, Boss 101 succeeds in delivering a unique and enjoyable take on the shooter genre. Its focus on creativity, customization, and accessibility gives it a distinct identity, and its lighthearted tone makes it easy to approach. It may not offer the depth or longevity of more complex titles, but it provides a consistent and entertaining experience within its scope. Ultimately, Boss 101 is best appreciated as a focused, arcade-style game that emphasizes fun and experimentation over challenge and complexity. It stands out through its central idea and execution, even if it doesn’t fully expand beyond that concept. For players looking for a casual, boss-driven shooter with a bit of personality, it offers a satisfying and memorable experience. Rating: 7/10

love the detailed and colorfull sprite work on this game is a really neat fun and adictive casual shoot em up