UFO 50
" Innovative action-adventure RPG collection with 50 unique games but uneven quality "
UFO 50 Review
UFO 50 is a remarkable collection of 50 unique games developed over several years by a small indie team, offering a wide variety of genres from retro-inspired platformers to RPGs and strategy games. The collection is praised for its creativity, depth, and nostalgic yet modern game design, appealing strongly to fans of 80s and 90s video games. Players appreciate the extensive content and the ability to find games that resonate personally, with some titles standing out as exceptional experiences.
However, the collection's ambitious scope results in uneven quality; some games are seen as experimental or less polished, with a few frustratingly difficult or obtuse titles like Barbuta. Control schemes are limited to two buttons, which sometimes leads to awkward gameplay. Saving mechanics vary inconsistently across games. Despite these flaws, the collection offers tremendous value at its price point and is celebrated for its innovative homage to retro gaming culture.
Highlights
Players praise UFO 50 for its vast variety of gameplay mechanics spanning genres such as metroidvania, deckbuilders, tower defense, and puzzle adventures. The graphics successfully emulate the NES-era style with modern polish, complemented by an excellent soundtrack enhancing the retro atmosphere. The in-universe lore and storytelling through game trivia and hidden secrets enrich the experience, creating a cohesive narrative across the anthology. Replayability is high, with some games offering deep, lengthy play sessions comparable to standalone titles. The collection is considered a masterclass in game design experimentation and a nostalgic trip for retro enthusiasts.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the inconsistent quality across the 50 games, with some titles feeling unfinished, overly difficult, or frustratingly obscure, notably Barbuta. The strict two-button control scheme sometimes leads to awkward or clunky gameplay that could have benefited from more input options. Saving and progress systems vary inconsistently, frustrating players who expect uniformity. Some games lack tutorials or manuals, making discovery challenging and occasionally discouraging. Additionally, a few players find the retro graphics and sound too niche or the gameplay too punishing for casual audiences. Multiplayer functionality is limited, with some issues reported using Steam Remote Play.
Pros
- • Extensive variety with 50 unique games spanning many genres and styles.
- • Strong nostalgic appeal with authentic retro graphics and sound design.
- • High replayability with deep, well-crafted individual games.
- • Innovative game design blending retro feel with modern mechanics.
- • Intriguing in-universe lore adds depth and cohesion to the collection.
- • Many games feel like full standalone titles with substantial content.
- • Affordable price offering exceptional value for the amount of content.
Cons
- • Inconsistent game quality leads to some frustrating or less enjoyable titles.
- • Limited two-button control scheme causes awkward gameplay in some games.
- • Saving mechanics are uneven and sometimes absent where needed.
- • Lack of tutorials or manuals makes some games difficult to understand.
- • Some games are punishingly difficult, deterring casual players.
- • Certain titles feel experimental rather than fully polished experiences.
- • Steam Remote Play multiplayer can be unreliable or unsupported.
Rating Criteria
UFO 50 is a collection of 50 single and multiplayer games that span a variety of genres, from platformers and shoot 'em ups to puzzle games, roguelites, and RPGs. Our goal is to combine a familiar 8-bit aesthetic with new ideas and modern game design.
