Gunmetal Arcadia

Probably would have liked this and Zero if it was 1992. But couldn't care about them in 2022. If there was an actual save point where I can save at any time, then I'd probably like these games more. There is a fine line to how much stuff you have to redo when you die. These games overstep it.

So, unlike its "demo version" Gunmetal Arcadia Zero, [i]this[/i] version of the game is actually worth your time. Everything is balanced better, the game isn't quite as long but has more overall content thanks to the roguelike elements, the music is far superior, there are multiple characters to play as, multiple endings, far more powerups... There's only one problem. It's a bit barebones. Definitely the shortest roguelike I've ever played; somewhere around the order of 6-8 hours of actual playtime (the rest of my time was spent idling with the game up) and I've done absolutely everything except for gaining a couple silly achievements for obscenely rare items that simply serve as collectibles and occur at complete random. Not worth further time investment. In addition, there are a few aspects that could use tweaking: the health scaling on enemies especially on the final stage is unreal, making a run with anything less than a great amount of damage-up items feel pointless to try; there are 3 separate universal damage multipliers when something better perhaps would be 1 for melee and 1 for special attacks; many abil8ities feel flatly weaker than others and the invincibility skill is grossly overpowered; and the story is basically nonexistant despite a half-hearted attempt at some lore, though I suppose that's not a big deal for a roguelike. Still, though, the game is fun and worth checking out, especially if you like Zelda II, which is closely mimicks. I can recommend it, but only barey. Ideally, find it on sale; $10 is the absolute maximum I'd pay for this.

Absolutely oozes retro charm, and for someone who grew up with an NES alongside my eventual Gamecube and Wii, I have to say it's a very satisfying, very nostalgic experience. It's palpably difficult, calling to mind Zelda II: Link's Adventure, and features similar action and exploration. What's new is the roguelite format and fresh-generated levels--I'd say this game has the potential for appeal to fans of new and old gaming, but at the same time it's not for everyone. It takes some patience and learning to really get the hang of it, but if you're willing to give it a chance, it's more than worth it.

J. Kyle Pittman's "Gunmetal Arcadia" is his personal love-letter - by his own admission - to both "Zelda II: The Adventure of Link" and "Faxanadu"; with the combat mechanics being largely inspired by the former, and the Graphics by the latter (with him furthermore rigidly adhering to actual NES graphical limitations). This is then furthermore coupled with an enhanced version of his CRT Simulation technology, of which an earlier version was previously witnessed in "Super Win the Game". However - while the game looks great, and plays great - the most interesting aspect is the game's Legacy System, and how it plays into Gunmetal Arcadia's Roguelite elements. Whereas most Roguelike games expect winning to be an ephemeral goal, only reached after tons of hours of gameplay, Gunmetal Arcadia can easily be won (assuming you play well, and aren't completely screwed over on your early upgrade chances). Instead of asking you to try forever to finish just once, completing Gunmetal Arcadia actually causes changes - both subtle, and sometimes massive - to occur on later sessions. Even though you succeeded - or sometimes failed - to clean out one particular Unmade Hive, there's still the next mission to clear out that next Hive (which is effectively your next session). Perhaps you did something that completely enraged the Unmade Armies last time, meaning the next time you reach the end there'll be a far nastier surprise waiting for you. Alternatively, perhaps - in an attempt to claim the enemy's power for your own - you helped an in-game faction research the enemy's unwordly technology. While this could certainly lead to that faction having more upgrades available for you, it may also lead to conequences you'll have to deal with later on. Finally - should any of you have already played "Gunmetal Arcadia Zero" - I'm here to say that J. Kyle Pittman put the feedback from his earlier entry to great use, and the gameplay here is more refined - more streamlined - and just in general less annoying than its predecessor (despite being otherwise similar). If you enjoyed games like Zelda II and Faxanadu growing up, you'll likely enjoy Gunmetal Arcadia as well!

[h1] DISCLAIMER: This is a first impressions review, and NOT a full review [/h1] Gunmetal Arcadia is a game developed and published by Minor Key Games and is the sequel to Gunmetal Arcadia Zero The game offers some nice graphics, although some ugly glitches here and there, it is pleasant all the same The game does suffer with some repetitiveness at certain areas of the game but a fun game nonetheless Gunmetal Arcadia overall, however, is a fun game to play, yet sometimes repetitive and it does get boring and tedious if being played for a long time, but is a great little platformer game to play in short bursts! [h1] RECOMMENDED :) [/h1] [b] REVIEW SOURCES: [/b] [list] [*] None

Gunmetal Arcadia es técnicamente el mismo juego que su predecesor a nivel técnico, con unas pocas diferencias que lo mejoran en algunos aspectos pero que, en mi opinión, le penalizan en otros. Gráficamente retro, tiene el mismo acabado aceptable pero claramente mejorable. Su música, sin embargo, sigue siendo un punto destacable dentro del diseño. La jugabilidad es prácticamente idéntica a Gunmetal Arcadia Zero. El control del personaje puede sentirse algo tosco al inicio, pero podremos ir mejorándolo con el avance de la historia con items que podremos ir consiguiendo. La dificultad, ajustada, pero sin llegar a ser frustrante. Las mejoras que se aprecian con respecto a su antecesor son, principalmente, que los mapas serán aleatorios con cada nueva partida, lo cual hará que éste título sea más rejugable. Otra mejora que ayuda a su rejugabilidad es la opción de escoger entre hasta 5 personajes distintos, cada uno con unas carácterísticas propias, y en algunos casos hará que finalizar el juego sea algo más complicado. En el lado negativo, veremos que los niveles se han reducido de 6 a 4, lo cual no tiene demasiado sentido. Y, sobretodo, pesa bastante el hecho que los logros de este título sean mucho menos retadores que los del anterior, basándose en la suerte de que, aleatoriamente, se te aparezca tal o cual item concreto. Algo que puede hacerte jugar durante muchas horas solo para conseguirlos, sin influir para nada tu destreza. Por todo ello, por las pocas variaciones que presenta este juego con respecto a la primera entrega, y porque algunas de ellas suman pero otras, lamentablemente, restan, este título merece tener la misma nota que le di al primero. NOTA: 7/10

This is a tight little platformer that reminds me a lot of Faxanadu for the NES. Charming pixel art, fairly natural progression, some frustrating fights, but it's not impossible to learn how to stay alive. Granted ... I've yet to actually destroy a hive, but I finally reached one this evening. ; )

Puxa, esse jogo é MUITO difícil... Mas eu gosto demais da estética e sou fã do desenvolvedor. Já venci o YHTWTG e o Super Win the Game. Tenho também o outro Arcadia. O que me atraiu foi, além da estética 8bit, foi parecer muito com Faxanadu, provavelmente meu jogo favorito do NES. Recomendo, apesar do alto desafio!