Minishoot’ Adventures Review (PC)

It's not uncanny that games boldly showcase their inspirations. Many games choose not to reinvent the wheel but instead borrow elements from those that came before. Take, for example, Metroidvania games, which owe much to Castlevania for establishing the genre's standards. It's a principle that SoulGame Studio seems to embrace, evident in their latest twin-shooter game, Minishoot' Adventures. 

Any fan can spot the familiar echoes of the iconic Zelda series in the new title with just a glance. While Zelda has evolved from 2D to 3D, its foundational influence remains evident in Minishoot’ Adventures. Though the concept may not be entirely original, the game manages to carve out its own identity, offering a fresh experience for players. Its simple yet charming visuals complement its depth of gameplay and narrative, packaged neatly in a Metroidvania style.

So, is Minishoot' Adventures a game worth your attention? Stick with us as we unpack the good, the bad and the ugly, if any, in our Minishoot' Adventures review. 

Crystal Clear Capture

Minishoot' Adventures unfolds through a cliché tale of the protagonist, a Shipling, saving the day. You live on a planet with your fellow conscious ships where tranquil and peaceful chaos is the order of the day. But an unnatural phenomenon disturbs this delicate balance. Some high power invades the planet, abducting ships and freezing others in a crystalline-like cage. In a twist of fate, you escape their capture and become ‘The Chosen One.' You now step in to free your friends and defeat the tyrannical power. 

The game's narrative is simple, but it gets the work done. Once again, it pays homage to the classic retro title with straightforward storytelling. Showing that there can be simplicity in gaming. Much of the meat lies in the title's gameplay.

After a short tutorial, the game's map grants you boundless freedom. Players can chart whichever course they wish. However, if you want the game to hold your hand, you can use the markers on the map. These pointers direct you to the main objective and to trapped friendly spaceships that need rescue. The bottom line is that you are free to do what you please. You don't have to worry about doing certain activities first. The objectives are not time-bound.

Galactic Guardian 

At first glance, the beautiful hand-drawn art style captures your attention. The game's open map invites players to learn through trial and error. Your objective is to defeat the enemies, particularly the bosses, and free your shipmates. Don't be fooled by the size of your ship; it packs a punch. Armed with a gun and what I assume is the captain's voice coming from the cockpit, you venture into Zelda-like dungeons, sunken cities, and old temples.

The game's simple interface communicates what you want to know without overloading the screen. You don't need to keep glancing at the top of the screen to check your ship's energy levels. It's displayed right on its wing. You also get to keep track of your enemies' health and how much ammo you have left in the tank. Ideally, this design fixes your eyes on the action, letting you make instant and strategic decisions.

Moreover, Minishoot' Adventures' bold attempt at blending two genres is perfectly executed in its gameplay. As a twin-stick shooter, the game unveils its bullet-hell approach, with one stick for moving and another to direct the fired bullets. The title is a PC game, so you must get a controller to get the most out of it. The good news is that the game doesn't restrict your controller layout. You can edit that right from the settings page. The physics are entirely smooth. It's a simple game of push or pull. But navigating the ship gets a bit rocky when on water. 

Fire Away

Minishoot' Adventures is not the first game to use a stick controller for firing projectiles. But what sets it apart is the execution. It's simply perfect. Especially how it infuses Metroidvania into its gameplay, heavily emphasizing exploration. The ideal way to progress is through exploration, unlocking new abilities. These abilities are your ticket to unlocking new parts of the world. As a Shipling, your abilities are not the same as those of regular air dashing or jumping. Instead, you must transform your vessel from a cute-looking ship into a mean one. I'm talking about insane firepower and speed boosts. The abilities also include utility-amping ones. You can acquire a shield that stuns your enemies. 

Ideally, the abilities are not out-of-this-world ideas but complement the game's dense environment. You'll encounter various challenges, each calling for a different ability, making exploration a satisfying and necessary feat. 

Besides collecting abilities, the game map has resources to aid your venture. For example, the Heart-shaped pieces grant you more HP. You can access unique benefits if you accomplish the objective and locate your friends. Essentially, the game's system is incentivized, encouraging exploration.

Level Up

The game's progression system gives you the right incentive to keep going. It's not the extensive grinding that gives you access to a few bonuses but rewards every bit of work. Every fallen foe drops gems and crystals that let you earn XP and upgrade your stats. Do you remember the abilities I mentioned? Well, you can upgrade their levels. The game enables you to amp up your bullet speed, damage, shooting range, and ship's speed. 

Suppose you feel a particular upgrade is not necessary. You can downgrade and use your resources for another upgrade. Ideally, if one strategy doesn't work, you can plan another way around it. 

Fight On

While strategy has a way of ensuring your victory, it also doubles down on your controller. A keyboard and mouse might do the job, but you won't get the results you anticipate. You're better off with a good controller.

Moreover, combat plays the same way each time, but the enemies get progressively harder to defeat. This is where the upgrades and strategy come in. From the outlook, the game might look easy, but the enemies put up a real fight. However, if you're new to the genre, the game offers various accessibility options. You can tweak the difficulty from hard to easy and occasionally bump it to hard once you get the lay of the land. 

The Good

Minishoot' Adventures is quite a paradox. While the absence of a captivating theme or inventive toolkit may hinder the title's endurance, its simplicity and familiarity welcome a fresh, perhaps unexplored, concept. I was baffled that Steam is not flooded with similar games. We have a ton of Metroidvania clones, but neither of them thought of slapping a Bullet-hell gameplay. However, much credit goes to SoulGame, a two-person studio that also created Souls Neverseen and Swords. The duo have a knack for creating odd yet enjoyable games. They might be short, but you'll constantly pick them up. It's precisely what the industry needs. A beak from the continuous grinding where you can lay back and enjoy the game.

What's also pleasing is how you ease into the game. It starts simple and progressively gets harder as more enemies charge or snipe at you. Facing off against the bosses is like embarking on a thrilling roller coaster ride – each one offers a unique challenge that ramps up in excitement as you progress. From the cunningly strategic to the downright formidable, they're a testament to the game's finely tuned difficulty curve. 

Even in the most intense setting, every encounter is a chance to flex your gaming muscles and show the world what you're made of. Yet, as you level up and acquire new skills, you might find yourself effortlessly sidestepping battles, opting instead to focus on your primary objectives, which is also a sweet treat thanks to the impeccable visuals and soundtrack. Whether exploring above-ground or deep in the dungeons, it's a wholesome experience, especially with its smooth controls. 

The Bad

The only downside to the title is the dying bit. When you run out of health, you spawn at your base, which is at the center of the map. This might not seem like a feat in the early stages, probably because you haven't explored much. But if it so happens that you are on the other side of the map and meet your demise. You have to traverse that entire distance after you respawn. It's too weary, especially since health upgrades are rare. The game forces you to wing it without any resources to buff your stats. It does put your skills to the test. However, beating this challenge is satisfying.

Verdict

Minishoot' Adventures is an absolute gem in the gaming world, delivering a thrilling cocktail of high-octane twin-stick combat, captivating Zelda-style dungeons, and an expansive world begging to be explored. While it's not without flaws, such as map issues and a punishing death system, these minor setbacks pale in comparison to the sheer enjoyment derived from its immersive gameplay. 

It's a title that effortlessly transitions between platforms. Also, the fact that such a polished experience emanates from a two-person development team is nothing short of astounding. Yet, it stands proudly among other indie masterpieces, proving that greatness knows no team size. If you have a penchant for top-down RPGs and a love for Bullet Hell games, then Minishoot' Adventures is an absolute must-play.